Scorched Earth (Doc Series)

A 1999 Cromwell Production War Documentary series, narrated by Graham McTavish. On June 22nd 1941 three huge German Army Groups launched a surprise attack on the Soviet Russia. The most barbaric, drawn-out and brutal struggle in history was about to be played out to the death. This military documentary looks at the savage fighting on the Eastern Front during the Second World War, as Nazi Germany confronted the Soviet Union. History is always written by the victors, but this documentary focuses on the other side of the coin. This series shows the war in Russia from the German experience, a powerful study of that titanic conflict as seen through contemporary German newsreels and told in the perspective of the men who fought and died for Hitler. Each episode traces the fate of the three army troops which began the campaign and follows the course of this vicious campaign as the optimism of Barbarossa inexorably rolls on towards to the crushing disappointment of the final surrender to the victorious Red Army. Includes expert analysis from Professor John Erickson, rare archive footage, and informative graphics. Episode 1: "The Forgotten Soldiers of the Russian Campaign." This is how the long suffering soldiers of Army Group North described their war in Russia. June 1941 saw Hitler launch his audacious bid to conquer Russia and his attempt to succeed where Napoleon had failed. Army Group North swept through the Russian defenses and closed in on the iconic city of Leningrad in less then two months. So began the now infamous siege that would cost the lives of soldiers and civilians alike, and coin the phrase "the eternal war of the poor man". Away from Leningrad a titanic struggle ensued all along the front line, including operations in and around the Baltic Sea, Norway and Finland. While titanic struggles were being played out in Stalingrad, Kursk and Moscow, Army Group North maintained a long drawn out siege in Leningrad. Then in 1944, the front flared into life and a desperate life or death struggle began, as Army Group North began the dangerous retreat back to the borders of the Reich.

Episode 2: Between 1941 and 1944, Army Group Centre fought a titanic dual with the Red Army, the outcome of which would prove decisive over the course of WWII. Army Group Centre was at the core of Hitler's push through Russia, charged with the capture of Moscow by way of Minsk. The outcome of this would prove decisive for the development of World War II. From the easy victories during the first advance into Russia, to the first setback outside Moscow, and on to the terrifying Russian advance in 1944, this is the gripping saga of the war in the central sector of the Eastern Front. The most formidable concentration of force on the eastern front, Army Group Centre was the dagger-thrust at the heart of the soviet state; it's success would be inextricably linked to the outcome of the whole campaign. Indecision, the unforgiving Russian winter and the defenses around Moscow would force the retreat and ultimately the defeat of Army Group Centre. The Battle of Kursk signalled the beginning of the end for the Third Reich. This is the captivating story of the war in the middle sector of the Eastern Front.

Episode 3: Many of the decisive battles of World War II were fought in the sector where Army Group South had been tasked to operate. The conquest of Crimea, the catastrophic battle of Stalingrad, the counterstrike and clearing at Kharkov and the failed Operation Citadel are just some of the huge battles fought in this captivating look of the soldiers who served in the southern part of the gigantic thrust into Russia. The relentless battle between Hitler and Stalin that stretched along the Eastern Front reached a peak of intensity and decisiveness in the area of Army Group South. It was this sector that bore witness to the siege of Sevastopol, the horrors of Stalingrad and the fury of Operation Citadel. There are few superlatives to describe the conditions and experiences of the more than 3 million men originally tasked with the strategic capture of the oilfields in the Caucasus. Few could have foreseen the demolition of such a vast force, nor the brutality in which the battles were to be fought.

A 2000 Cromwell Production War Documentary, narrated by Graham McTavish. Documentary looking at the work of those who kept the armies fed and supplied during the Second World War. For every one army in the field during WWII, there were two behind, helping clothe, feed, house, arm, supply and organize. It was said to take three men to put one effective man onto the field of battle, and for the High Command of all armies, supplying their front line forces presented as big a problem as securing victory over the enemy. Napoleon Bonaparte once said 'An army marches on its stomach', this film proves that adage to be very true. Sinews of War highlights those whose job it was to 'keep things moving' in theatres of conflict all over the globe during WWII. Using maps, remarkable archive film and in-depth interviews with leading military authorities including Dr. Robin Clifton, and author and historian Bob Carruthers, the programme demonstrates the vital place occupied by army logistics in an understanding of the war effort.

A 1999 Cromwell Production War Documentary, narrated by Graham McTavish. In its prime the German Air Force possessed some of the greatest fighters the world had ever seen. Famous names like the Messerschmitt BF 109, the Focke-Wulf 190 and, of course, the dreaded 'Stuka' secured Germany early success during their campaign across Europe. By the end of World War Two the once mighty Luftwaffe was a pitiful shadow of its former self; a beaten force, shattered by the massive superiority of Allied airpower. This programme tells how German High Command contributed to its downfall, despite the undoubted skill of German fighter pilots and several innovations in aircraft design. With extensive 3D computer graphics, expert analysis and rare footage taken from both Allied and German sources, this film looks at the rise and fall of the Luftwaffe during World War Two.

A 1997 Cromwell/Lamancha Production War Documentary, narrated by Ross Dunsmore. It was a sight and sound that induced fear and terror from all who saw and heard it. At the very heart of Blitzkrieg, was the Junker JU-87: the Stuka. Flown by skillful, highly motivated pilots, the full force of the Fuhrers premier weapon of the air was felt by soldiers and civilians alike, throughout Europe. From the coast of France to the front lines on the Russian border this flying artillery brought death and destruction. With the help of computer graphics, archive material (including a glimpse of very rare colour film) and new footage of the only surviving Stuka, housed at RAF Hendon, this film tells the story of an infamous and awesome weapon of war. It was a sight and sound that induced fear and terror from all who saw and heard it. At the very heart of Hitlers Blitzkrieg, was the Junker JU87: the Stuka. Flown by skillful, highly motivated pilots, the full force of the Fuhrers premier weapon of the air was felt by soldiers and civilians alike, throughout Europe. From the coast of France to the front lines on the Russian border this flying artillery brought death and destruction. With the help of computer graphics, archive material (including a glimpse of very rare colour film) and new footage of the only surviving Stuka, this film tells the story of an infamous and awesome weapon of war.

A 1997 Cromwell/Lamancha Production War Documentary, narrated by Richard Clegg. The sudden and dramatic entry of the German paratroopers - Fallschirmjager, brought a new and unexpected dimension to the nature of warfare during the WW II. These new warriors of the air were to make critical contributions to some of the most famous battles of the conflict. The indomitable German paratroopers, the Fallschirmjager, established an enduring legend with their dogged defense of Monte Cassino. The Allies did not take long to imitate their deadly enemy - the Fallschirmjager were an inspiration - the result was the British Paratroop Battalions as well as American's Screaming Eagles. Airborne Warfare tells the fascinating story of the war in the sky and how air combat changed and evolved. The episode features very rare archival footage, state-of-the-art illustrative 3D graphics as well as visiting the silent graves of present-day Monte Cassino.

A 1997 Cromwell/Lamancha Production War Documentary, narrated by Ross Dunsmore. Throughout World War 2, there were many dramatic and spectacular seaborne invasions, some of which would have a major bearing on the course and eventual outcome of the conflict. Much blood was spilt as men attacked beachheads from Tunisia to Normandy. Amphibious Warfare is a remarkable record of seaborne invasions throughout World War Two. The programme features powerful action footage, including extensive images from the decisive Normandy landings and brand new state-of-the-art computer graphics.

A 1997 Cromwell/Lamancha Production War Documentary, narrated by Ross Dunsmore. It was in the late summer of 1943 that the American Navy launched its operation to drive the Japanese from the Central Pacific. The Aircraft Carrier was to play a crucial role in its success, for not only did the new carriers give the Americans enormous fire-power, the US shipyards were turning them out at the rate of one per month. This programme tells the dramatic story of the desperate struggle for the Pacific. It features rare footage of Aircraft Carriers in action and examines their role in this vital theatre of the war. "Carrier Warfare" also includes informative 3D computer graphics.

A 1997 Cromwell/Lamancha Production War Documentary, narrated by Richard Clegg. Perhaps the most important victory won by the allies in the West was the triumph over the deadly German U-boat. Once a harbinger of death for merchant shipping and its escorts, by 1943 the British and American fleets had gained the upper hand and the U-boat had become the hunted rather than the hunter. This film features extensive footage from the Battle of the Atlantic, and of U-534 the last surviving U-Boat in Western Europe. She was sunk in the Baltic in 1945 and raised again to the surface intact in 1993. On board U-534 the treasures of World War II were preserved as if in aspic. Now for the first time in over 50 years we can experience again the claustrophobic world of the U-boats.