20th Century Battlefields

Infobox Television
show_name = 20th Century Battlefields


caption =
genre = Documentary
creator =
developer =
presenter = Peter & Dan Snow
starring =
voices =
narrated =
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country = UK
language = English
num_seasons = 1
num_episodes = 8
list_episodes =
producer = Ben Lawrie
executive_producer = Danielle Peck
location =
camera =
runtime = 60 minutes
network = BBC 2
distributor = BBC
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first_run =
first_aired = 2007
last_aired =
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website = http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/twentiethcenturybattlefields/
imdb_id = 0790798
tv_com_id =

"20th Century Battlefields" is a BBC documentary television series hosted by television and radio personality Peter Snow, and his son Dan Snow.

Episodes cover the major battles of the twentieth century, and is best known for its extensive use of "sand table" (often called the "mapcase" in both series) CGI effects to help viewers visualize the battles.

Production

Dan Snow has admitted that during the production he bickered with his father about the significance of certain battles such as the Spanish Armada at Gravelines and who won the Yom Kippur war. He also expressed concern over his father’s health during filming in the Middle East when his father was becoming tired and run down from not drinking enough water.cite web | url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/article1263796.ece | title=Peter Snow and his son Dan | accessdate=May 17 | accessdaymonth= | accessmonthday= | accessyear=2008 | author= | last=Fox | first=Sue | authorlink= | coauthors= | date= | year= | month= | format= | work= | publisher=The Times | quote= ]

Episode List

=Episode 1: 1918 Western Front=

Covers the Battle of Amiens, and in particular the innovative tactics invented, most notably the close coordination of infantry, tanks and aircraft which characterises modern battles shown by the British commander Douglas Haig, as well as basic Infiltration tactics.

Episode 2: 1942 Midway

Covers the War in the Pacific from the Attack on Pearl Harbor and the Battle of the Coral Sea and then in more detail on the Battle of Midway. The episode also focuses on the rise of the aircraft carrier in World War 2. Dan Snow takes part in a training exercise with the Royal Navy where they tackle a simulated engine room fire.

Episode 3: 1942 Stalingrad

Covers the Eastern Front briefly up to the Battle of Stalingrad and then describes the battle in detail from the initial attacks on the city to the surrounding and eventual destruction of the German 6th Army. Focuses in particular on urban warfare tactics employed, especially snipers. Dan Snow spends some time with the British Army Snipers to illustrate the power of the sniper, targeting a command post occupied by Peter Snow. Dan succeeds in 'murdering' his father.

Episode 4: 1951 Korea

Covers the entire Korean War from the initial invasion by North Korea until the final ceasefire (but not peace treaty, as is shown the two nations are still technically at war) after Chinese involvement. Focuses in particular on the retaking of Seoul and then the Battle of the Imjin River as the main fight shown.

Episode 5: 1968 Vietnam

Covers the Tet Offensive, in particular the fighting at Saigon and Khe Sanh, but the main focus is on the Battle of Hue.

Episode 6: 1973 Middle East

Covers the Yom Kippur War from start to finish concentrating on both the Syrian and Egyptian fronts. Does not cover one engagement primarily, other than a slight focus on the Battle of Chinese Farm near the Suez Canal. Notably the Snow's were not allowed to film on Egyptian territory, owing to the Egyptian sensitivity surrounding their loss of the war (Egyptian Military Schools still only teach the first half of the conflict and then claim the Israeli's were forced into a ceasefire owing to their apparently untenable position on the west bank of the canal). The episode is instead filmed in the Negev Desert.

Episode 7: 1982 Falklands

Covers the Falklands War from start to finish. Beginning with the invasion of the island, it then details all major engagements of the conflict from The Sinking of the Belgrano, The Sinking of the HMS Sheffield, the British landing on the Falklands, Battle of Goose Green, and finally The Battle for Stanley. Dan Snow practices night fighting with the British Army.

Episode 8: 1991 Gulf War

Covers the First Gulf War from start to finish. Beginning with the invasion and occupation of Kuwait the episode then details the retaking of the country by the UN coalition. It covers in most detail the air campaign (noting the changes in tactics to respond to international pressure) and then the ground attack. No individual engagement is given priority, though an unusual amount of time is given to non-combat events, such as the burning of oil wells and SCUD attacks on Tel-Aviv.

ee also

* Battlefield Britain

External links

* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/programmes/twentiethcenturybattlefields/ Official BBC website]
* [http://military.discovery.com/convergence/20cbattles/20cbattles.html Discovery Military website]

References