Tankies: Tank Heroes of World War II's primary photo
  • Tankies: Tank Heroes of World War II (2013– )
  • TV Mini-series | 44 min | History, War
Tankies: Tank Heroes of World War II (2013– )
TV Mini-series | 44 min | History, War
The Second World War was the ultimate conflict of the machine age, and the tank was its iconic symbol. The "tankies" who fought inside had experience of much of the conflict from the fall of France, to the deserts of Africa, from the ...See moreThe Second World War was the ultimate conflict of the machine age, and the tank was its iconic symbol. The "tankies" who fought inside had experience of much of the conflict from the fall of France, to the deserts of Africa, from the invasion of Italy to D-Day, and on to the final victory in Germany. In this two part series, historian, BBC Diplomatic Editor, and former officer in the Royal Tank Regiment, Mark Urban tells the story of six remarkable men from one armoured unit - The Fifth Royal Tank Regiment, also known as the Filthy Fifth. Using first hand testimony from the last surviving veterans alongside previously unseen letters and diaries, Mark Urban brings the story of an extraordinary "band of brothers" to life, and in visceral detail. At the same time he analyses the evolution of Tank production in Britain and illustrates how we fell far behind our German enemies, in both technology and tactics, relying instead on dogged determination and a relentless drive to victory, whatever the costs. In part one, Mark begins his journey in Northern France introducing our band of brothers in the midst of the Fall of France and the retreat to Dunkirk. Characters such as "rookie" tank driver Gerry Solomon join veterans, themselves still only in their twenties, such as and Jake Wardrop and Harry Finlayson. Mark Urban then follows in the Tankies footsteps across the deserts of North Africa. Here he looks at the game changing tank battles of Sidi Rezegh, Alam Halfa and of course the battle that changed the course of the Second World War, Alamein. He then takes us back to England where the "Tankies" expect a well-earned rest; instead they are confronted with the news that as battle hardened troops they must fight again, this time on the beaches of Normandy. With spectacular archive footage, including rarely seen colour footage, "Tankies" brings to life the Second World War from a unique point of view. Written by BBC See less
Read more: Plot summary
Seasons
1   See all
Producer
Graham Cooper
Cinematographer
Lawrence Gardner
Editor
Paul Binns
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Jan 6, 2013
Release date (First episode)
Jan 6, 2013 (United Kingdom)

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Cast

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3 cast members
Name Episodes Known for
Mark Urban's primary photo
Mark Urban
Self - Presenter Self - Presenter   See fewer
2
Saturday Review (1986)
Laurence Dobiesz's primary photo
Laurence Dobiesz
Actor Actor   See fewer
1
Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011)
Giles Maythan's primary photo
Giles Maythan
Arthur Crickmay Arthur Crickmay   See fewer
Luria (2012)
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