Broadcast in 2010 to mark the 70th anniversary of the Blitz, this 4-part series for Channel 4, fronted by Tony Robinson (and 2 hour special for National Geographic Channel), brings the Blitz experience to life. A specially constructed street of terraced houses complete with bomb shelters is subjected to a spectacular range of large-scale explosions that match the original ordnance dropped on Britain by the Luftwaffe throughout this strategic bombing campaign. The bombs range from 50kg to a massive 1000kg as well as incendiaries, oil bombs, the equivalent of a V1 doodlebug and finally the 1 tonne charge of the first supersonic sub-orbital ballistic missile – the V2. We witness the destructive power of these bombs and rockets on peoples’ homes and lives close-up and in super slow motion.

Scientists analyse the effects of each bomb, experts discuss the historic context and the psychological aspects of the Blitz and moving personal testimony from Blitz survivors helps us to understand what the bombs did to streets like ours. A Luftwaffe pilot and experts in German military strategy and tactics reveal the cat and mouse battle between technology and psychology. Ultimately we discover why the Blitz failed and how the British people faced the nightmare of total war and came out stronger.

Duration: 4 x 60′
Release Date: April 2010