The Buildings That Fought Hitler

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  1. We Shall Fight on the Beaches

  45m

  Rob Bell explores the costal defence network built to defend Britain's beaches against invasion during WWII, including a tower in Essex which controlled mines laid across the estuary.

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  2. We Shall Fight Them in the Street

  45m

  The physical defence of London was crucial. A ring of steel and concrete was thrown up around the capital as well as utilising natural defences.

• 3. We Shall Fight Them in the Fields

  95m

  Numerous pill boxes, gun emplacements and dragon's teeth were all tactically positioned to slow the Germans trying to get to the major cities.

• 4. We Shall Fight Them in the Air

  42m

  RAF Kenley is one of the most intact Battle of Britain airfields left standing. Britain was able to resist the German invasion, what gave Britain the edge during WWII was an integrated defence system and RADAR.

• 5. We Shall Never Surrender

  45m

  Reigate Fort was repurposed in preparation for a Nazi invasion of Britain. It was designed to block the Nazi's from getting to London and was set to become the Resistance headquarters should the capital have fallen.

• 6. Keep The Home Fires Burning

  45m

  With the blitz taking its toll, Britain had to find a way to keep it's manufacturing going. Shadow factories were born and were crucial in the production of ammunition and other wartime essentials.

• 7. Fighting Back by Sea and Air

  45m

  Britain needed to produce vast amounts of ammunition. Chatham Docks on the Medway saw 142 ships set sail, and bomber bases sprung up across the country.

• 8. The Day of Days

  45m

  Rob Bell looks at how the greatest amphibious invasion in human history was being prepared in Southern England and the buildings that helped with the invasion of Normandy on D-Day and Operation Overlord.

Cast

Rob Bell