Episode 5: The Invasion of Italy

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After victory in North Africa, Britain and the United States prepare for their first assault on Axis controlled Europe. The Americans want to attack Nazi Germany through France but the British fear a bloodbath. They persuade their Allies to launch huge amphibious invasion of Sicily and then Italy instead. The battle for Sicily is fierce, but with the mafia working in the shadows, the island falls. Italian dictator and Axis ally, Benito Mussolini, is toppled power in disgrace and the stand-in regime sues for peace. The door to central Europe looks wide open but the Nazis are one step ahead. When the Allies’ invasion force hits mainland Italy they’re mercilessly bludgeoned by crack German troops that have already occupied the country. The liberation of Rome comes at huge cost and under the shadow of US and British in-fighting.

In the aftermath of Germany’s devastating offensive against the Allies, their army prepares to capture the entire British army trapped at the port at Dunkirk. However, at the pivotal moment Hitler…

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With Britain standing alone, Churchill realises maintaining control of the vital oil supply line through the Suez Canal is critical to his nation’s hopes. British forces swat aside an Italian attack…

In the aftermath of Hitler’s defeat at Stalingrad, Hitler knows he must deliver a knockout blow to regain the initiative against his nemesis Stalin. As his physical and mental abilities start to wane…

After victory in North Africa, Britain and the United States prepare for their first assault on Axis controlled Europe. The Americans want to attack Nazi Germany through France but the British fear a…

In the summer of 1944 war torn France reaches a crisis point. At its heart lies Paris - a symbol of liberty and democracy on the brink of collapse after 4 years of Nazi occupation. Though conquered,…

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Hitler’s Nazi empire is in ruins, but there is still one city to take before the allies can declare victory. But as the British, Americans and Soviets close in on the Berlin, new questions about the…

As relentless firebombing and blockade of war-ravaged Japan shows no sign of securing a surrender, the U.S. reluctantly prepares to invade. First, they need Okinawa, an island close to the mainland,…

Two years after Japan’s audacious attack on Pearl Harbor America’s great war machine now has them on the back foot. The US Navy devise a way to end the war - taking a series of Island groups, from…