Gladiators of World War II — Season 1, Episode 2: Part 2: Special Operations Executive

Episode synopsis

In the dark days of summer 1940 Winston Churchill set up the Special Operations Executive to "set Europe ablaze". Its task was to nurture and support the resistance movements springing up across Occupied Europe. It also operated in the Middle and Far East. The brave men and women of SOE operated under constant threat to their lives, but were responsible for some remarkably successful blows against the Axis enemy.

About Gladiators of World War II

In this BBC documentary series newly declassified documents are used to examine the strategic roles played in the war by thirteen of the world's regular and resistance land, sea and air forces.

More episodes from Season 1

• E1Part 1: Waffen-SS
• E3Part 3: SAS
• E4Part 4: Desert Rats
• E5Part 5: Free Polish Forces
• E6Part 6: RAF Fighter Command
• E7Part 7: The Paras and Commandos
• E8Part 8: Norwegian Resistance Fighters
• E9Part 9: Kamikaze
• E10Part 10: The Royal Navy
• E11Part 11: The Chindits
• E12Part 12: Free French Forces
• E13Part 13: The Anzacs