Episode
The World at War: Distant War (September 1939–May 1940)
Overview
In Eastern Europe, the full force of the Nazi machine rolls on - but in Britain, an uneasy calm settles on the nation. It is the 'phoney' war, with the sound of distant guns thundering ominously on the horizon…
Details
- Series
- The World at War
- Season
- Season 1
- Episode
- Episode 2
- Air date
- 1973-11-07
- Runtime
- 55 min
Episode context
Distant War (September 1939–May 1940) is Episode 2 in Season 1 of The World at War. It aired on 1973-11-07. The runtime is 55 min.
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Episode 1: A New Germany (1933–1939)
Germany, a nation stricken by humiliating defeat and emerging from crippling economic depression, looks to one man for a resurgence of hope and dignity. That man is Adolf Hitler…
Episode 3: France Falls (May–June 1940)
France discovers it is woefully unprepared for modern warfare as the Nazi war machine easily skirts around the Maginot Line. Britain retreats and prepares for invasion.
More episodes from this season
Episode 4: Alone (May 1940–May 1941)
After Dunkirk, Britain faces the German onslaught. Although the RAF wins the Battle of Britain, the cities are blitzed and on the continent, the last Allies are conquered. The outlook is grim.
Episode 5: Barbarossa (June–December 1941)
Hitler at last turns his tanks towards Russia. After a succession of devastating victories, the Germans delay and the fierce Russian winter takes a grip.
Episode 6: Banzai! Japan (1931–1942)
At war since 1931 on the Chinese mainland, the Japanese hope for easy victories over the British and Dutch. And then on December 7th 1941, Japan makes their infamous attack on Pearl Harbour.
Episode 7: On Our Way: U.S.A. (1939–1942)
Americans are divided between fighting the Japanese and the Nazis. Hitler solves the problem by declaring war on the U.S.A.
Episode 8: The Desert: North Africa (1940–1943)
For 2 years the 8th Army and Rommel's Afrika Corps fight in the wastes of North Africa. Finally the tide turns at El Alamein.
Episode 9: Stalingrad (June 1942-February 1943)
Hitler's early successes in Russia made him reckless and he resolves to capture Stalingrad. The battle lasts six months with the Russians emerging as victors. The Wehrmacht never recovers.
Episode 10: Wolfpack: U-Boats in the Atlantic (1939–1944)
In a war of high technology and animal courage, the German U-Boats fight Allied merchantmen, hounding them in packs.
Episode 11: Red Star: The Soviet Union (1941–1943)
For two years the Soviet Army fights the Germans almost alone. After one of the greatest land battles in history, the nation survives and triumphs - but with a loss of no less than twenty million of its people.
Episode 12: Whirlwind: Bombing Germany (September 1939–April 1944)
Bomber Command begin bombing German cities by night and the Americans reinforce the attacks by day; a whirlwind of terror and destruction that will win the war.
Episode 13: Tough Old Gut: Italy (November 1942-June 1944)
Churchill called Italy the 'soft underbelly of the crocodile' and thought the Allies could cut through it to the heart of Germany. By the soft underbelly turned out to be a 'tough old gut'.