Secrets of World War II — Season 1, Episode 19: The Minehunters

Episode synopsis

One of the most feared weapons of World War II was the mine. Some were laid by ship and submarine, others by aircraft. Of all of these the most lethal was the magnetic mine, and the race to counter it was one of the most crucial of the war.

About Secrets of World War II

Rarely has a war produced such clear cut reasons to fight as World War II. Suddenly, ordinary men and women found themselves thrown into fearsome, situations worthy of any Hollywood movie. The only difference in this series is that every story is true. Real people emerge as the Heroes of Telemark. Ordinary GIs and US Airforce and Navy personnel suddenly find themselves flying against the Japanese in China, jungle fighting in Burma and being dropped by submarine on enemy coasts at midnight. These untold stories can now be examined in great detail with the benefit of hindsight, newly-discovered film, maps and graphics. Each fifty-two minute story covers the background to the main action. It will give the viewer a clear view of the historical context, the strategic objective and the tactical effort made by flyers, sailors and foot-soldiers - often in the most oppressive and life-threatening situations - to win victory from the enemy.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1The Corpse That Fooled the Axis
• E2Adolf Hitler's Last Days
• E3Secret Mission to North Africa
• E4When Hitler Invaded America
• E5The Bruneval Raid
• E6What Really Happened to Rommel
• E7The Enigma Secret
• E8Human Torpedoes
• E9The Secrets of the Battle of the Bulge
• E10Okinawa: The Greatest Sea/Air Battle in History
• E11Above Us: The Enemy - Secrets of the Submarine War
• E12The Secrets Behind the Battle of Guadalcanal