Watch WWII's Most Daring Raids

WWII's Most Daring Raids is a television show that aired on the Smithsonian CHANNEL in 2016. The show recounts some of the most daring and dangerous raids carried out during World War II. The show is hosted by Stephen Bull, a military historian and author of several books about the war.

The show features a mix of archival footage and dramatic reenactments of the raids. The reenactments are well-done and help to bring the stories to life. The show also includes interviews with veterans who participated in the raids or were otherwise involved in the events.

The raids featured in the show are a mix of well-known and lesser-known events. For example, the first episode focuses on the raid on St. Nazaire, a French port that was an important base for German ships. In the raid, British commandos destroyed the port's dry dock, making it unusable for the rest of the war. This raid is well-known among military historians, but may be less familiar to the general public.

Another episode features the raid on the Lofoten Islands, a group of islands off the coast of Norway that were home to a German fish oil factory. The raid was carried out by British troops who destroyed the factory and captured several German prisoners. The episode includes interviews with British veterans who recall the harsh conditions they faced during the raid, including the freezing temperatures and rough seas.

One of the most dramatic episodes features the raid on Dieppe, a major port on the French coast. The raid was carried out by Canadian and British troops in August 1942 and was intended to test the feasibility of a larger amphibious landing. The raid was a disaster, with heavy losses among the attacking forces. The episode includes interviews with Canadian veterans who describe the chaos of the battle and the high casualty rate.

Some of the raids featured on the show were successful, while others were more of a mixed bag. For example, the raid on Tobruk, a port city in Libya, was successful in that British commandos destroyed several ships and inflicted heavy losses on the German troops stationed there. However, the raid also resulted in the capture of many British soldiers, who were taken as prisoners of war.

Overall, WWII's Most Daring Raids is a well-made show that offers a fascinating look at some of the lesser-known aspects of World War II. Stephen Bull's expertise as a military historian and author is evident throughout the show, and the mix of archival footage and dramatic reenactments helps to bring the stories to life. The interviews with veterans are also a highlight of the show, giving viewers a first-hand account of these daring raids.

WWII's Most Daring Raids is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between September 18, 2016 and on Smithsonian CHANNEL