Main content
Episode 1
Episode 1 of 2
In the first of a two-part series, historian Dan Snow examines how two years of meticulous planning, espionage and the analysis of millions of three-dimensional aerial photographs helped the Allied forces gain a foothold in northern France.
Last on
Tue 7 Jan 202502:00
More episodes
Previous
You are at the first episode
Clip
![]()
A killing field (from Episode 1)
Duration: 01:52
Veterans' interviews

By the time D-Day arrived, Commandos Fred Walker and Roy Cadman were already old hands at beach landings having taken part in the Allied invasion of Sicily.
Looking back

Bob Sales watched his best friend Captain Dick Wright die, moments after arrival on Omaha beach. Bob was the only man from his boat to survive the landing.
Veterans' profiles

George 'Jimmy' Green led the first wave of Americans in to Omaha beach. Known as the suicide wave due to the high rate of casualties, none of the troops from his landing craft survived.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Dan Snow |
| Producer | Tim Dunn |
| Series Producer | Jeremy Hall |
| Executive Producer | Eamon Hardy |
Broadcasts
- Sun 9 Jun 201321:10
- Tue 18 Jun 201322:35BBC One except Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland HD, Scotland, Scotland HD, Wales & 1 more
- Tue 18 Jun 201323:05BBC One Wales HD & Wales only
- Tue 18 Jun 201323:40BBC One Northern Ireland HD & Northern Ireland only
- Sun 1 Jun 201422:00
- Sat 4 Jun 201620:00
- Tue 7 Jun 201600:00
- Tue 7 Feb 201722:00
- Thu 7 Jun 201800:00
- Sat 8 Jun 201916:00
- Sun 30 May 202116:30BBC Two except Scotland
- Sat 25 May 202420:00
- Sun 26 May 202402:45
- Sun 5 Jan 202523:00
- Tue 7 Jan 202502:00
Featured in...
![]()
Remembering D-Day
A collection of programmes commemorating the 75th anniversary of D-Day.
![]()
Remembrance Day
A tribute to courage. Stories of sacrifice from conflicts that shaped our world.
![]()
Commemorating D-Day at 80
Join us as we commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings on 6 June 1944.


