WWI: The First Modern War

Previous Episode

S01E04: Underwater Killers

The Atlantic became a killing field as German submarines took on the might of the dominant British Navy. The stealth and silent killers were able to sink 5,200 ships by war's end, and nearly brought Britain to its knees. But in their frenzy of attacks, the Germans sink the US passenger liner Lusitania, killing nearly 2,000 on board. American outrage helped President Wilson get Congress to finally agree to enter the war. In the end, the Allied Atlantic blockade forces Germany to surrender, but the submarine was established as an effective military weapon.

Overview

When ancient war tactics became overwhelmed by powerful new weapons like tanks, air attacks, weapons of mass destruction and submarines, a pivotal game-changing moment in history occurred. History is delving into the background of each weapon explaining the how and why they were developed, the strategy, and their ultimate effectiveness.

Episodes

S01E01 Armored Beasts

July 26, 2014 45 min
Tanks were the first armored fighting machine to be used on the battlefield. These "land ships", as they were first called, were championed by Head of the British Admiralty Winston Churchill. Adapted from an American...

S01E02 Massive Air Attacks

July 26, 2014 45 min
While most people think the Blitz originated in WWII, the truth is that the first Blitz happened during WWI. Bombs were delivered from giant airships designed by Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, who got his inspiration...

S01E03 Clouds of Death

July 26, 2014 10.0 45 min
The Germans, ignoring international treaties they signed, were first to weaponize a chemical. In this case it was chlorine–a highly toxic ingredient used in the manufacture of chemical dyes of which they had a huge...

S01E04 Underwater Killers

July 26, 2014 45 min
The Atlantic became a killing field as German submarines took on the might of the dominant British Navy. The stealth and silent killers were able to sink 5,200 ships by war's end, and nearly brought...

Cast

Tom Bromhead
Tom Bromhead
Various
David Silbey
Himself
Harry Pritchett
Harry Pritchett
Host

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