About this season
Four-part documentary series about four 'wars on terror' during the final phase of the British Empire. As the Union Jack finally descended on former colonies all over the world after the Second World War, Communist, Nationalist and religious guerrilla forces saw their chance. The British Empire was leaving a dangerous power vacuum in its place. The war to succeed the British had begun.
Episodes (4)
1. "Mad Mitch" and his Tribal Law (Aden 1967)
Aired 19 November 2004
On 20th June 1967 Arab police in Aden, Yemen mutiny. They kill 22 British troops and take control of the city's Crater district. Lt Colonel Colin Mitchell "Mad Mitch" was brought in to re-establish order but caused controversy through his method of using ruthless force.
2. The Jewish War (Palestine 1947)
Aired 26 November 2004
On 22 July 1946 Jewish guerrillas bombed the King David Hotel in British-administered Palestine. Ninety-one people died in the attack. British security forces recall the event, and former guerrillas talk about their campaign to establish a State of Israel.
3. The Intelligence War (Malaya 1948)
Aired 3 December 2004
In Malaya in 1948 a 12-year war to end British rule was ignited by the assassination by a Communist Party death squad of the English rubber plantation manager Arthur Walker. Includes interviews with British secret intelligence officers.
4. The Hunt for Kimathi (Kenya 1952)
Aired 10 December 2004
An examination of the Mau Mau uprising in 1950s Kenya. Looks at the attempts of British colonial security forces to hunt down its leader, Dedan Kimathi who was caught and executed in 1956.