Pacific Megaships

Pacific Megaships

Available on PBS Video
S3 E5: In 1934 the Japanese begin designing The Yamato, the most powerful battleship in history. Japan is determined to retain control in the Pacific so builds a ship 30 larger than anything their enemies have. Constructed in absolute secrecy, the Japanese go to extraordinary lengths to ensure no detail is revealed. At a remote island facility the 70ft long guns are put through their paces. Theyre capable of firing 3000lb shells over 25 miles, outgunning all Allied shipping. As the threat to shipping changes, the Yamoto is retrofitted with one hundred antiaircraft guns as she sets off to battle at Okinawa in what ultimately becomes a suicide mission. This is the story of a floating fortress, the Yamato, the Axis powers and the worlds biggest ever battleship.