The Century of Flight — Season 1, Episode 4: Strike From The Air
Documentary • 50 min • 1 season, 26 episodes
Episode synopsis
The aircraft soon bought civilians into the firing line as never before and brought about a new form of total war. The programme shows the origins of aerial bombing initially from Zeppelins. In turn, how the Zeppelins were defeated and how heavy bombers were developed by the major nations. Strategic bombing is examined in terms of its early role to hit targets behind the trenches, eventually extending to civilian targets as well as industrial targets.
About The Century of Flight
This definitive history of manned flight has been compiled into 26 hour episodes, with access to some of the rarest archive film ever taken. Unprecedented co-operation has been extended by the world's leading aircraft manufacturers and leading archive libraries. Included in the footage are shots of rare prototype accidents and failures which contributed to the inevitable achievement and success of man in the air. Since Charles Lindbergh became the first lone aviator to cross the Atlantic in 1927, air transport has greatly accelerated , revolutionised by the giant Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet - and what might we see in the 21st century?