2024

November 1918. In western Europe, the four-year slaughter of World War One was drawing to an end.But across the former Russian Empire, a new conflict had broken out… a civil war that raged from central Europe to the Pacific, claiming an estimated nine million lives. Lenin, the Bolsheviks and their new Soviet Republic battled for survival against their many enemies – collectively known as the ‘Whites’. The Whites’ great hope: their newly-appointed ‘Supreme Ruler of Russia’, Admiral Alexander Kolchak. Kolchak was a war hero, a man of duty and discipline, who believed above all in service to ‘the motherland’. Millions looked to him to crush the Bolsheviks, avenge the murdered Tsar, and save Russia from chaos and collapse. This is the extraordinary tale of the life and death of Admiral Kolchak – Russia’s only ‘Supreme Ruler’.

In 1798, during the French Revolutionary Wars, General Napoleon Bonaparte sailed with a French army to Egypt. The plan was to conquer the wealthy Ottoman province and deal a major blow to British interests in the Mediterranean. What followed was a campaign featuring legendary battles, ruthless occupation and a brutal expedition into the Holy Land, marked by Napoleon's first major military setback, and some of his most controversial decisions.

In 1804 Napoleon created 18 'Marshals of the Empire', to serve as the senior officers of the Grande Armée. He created a further 8 before his abdication in 1814. A few were aristocrats, but others were the sons of shopkeepers or tailors. The most favoured became princes and kings. Among their ranks were legendary figures such as Marshals Lannes, Ney, Soult, Davout and Masséna, but also less well know figures like Pérignon, Brune and Moncey. Our series explores the lives of all 26 Marshals, and ranks them according to our own judgement of their achievements as Marshals.

n 1799, the young French Republic faced war with a coalition of European enemies, and an unpopular and corrupt government at home. In the midst of disorder, military hero Napoleon Bonaparte returns from his campaign in Egypt. He has built a formidable reputation, he is adored by the people, and is viewed as an essential ally for those vying for power. But Napoleon has his own ambitions, and on one famous day in November, he will take decisive action to make them a reality. This is the full story of the Brumaire Coup - a day that changed the course of French history.

In the years following independence, the newly-formed United States of America look westward for their expansion, hoping to conquer territory and sell off land to eager European settlers. Its first target is the vast, resource-rich 'Northwest Territory', stretching from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. But this is not vacant land - thousands of native people from numerous tribes call these valleys and forests home, and will fight to protect it. As violence flares along the frontier and negotiations fail, President Washington and the US decide to take the territory by force... but they have fatally underestimated their enemy. This is the full story of the 'Northwest Indian War' and the Battle of the Wabash... America's first military defeat.

In the years following independence, the newly-formed United States of America look westward for their expansion, hoping to conquer territory and sell off the land to eager European settlers. Among their targets is the vast, resource-rich 'Northwest Territory', stretching from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. But this is not vacant land - thousands of native people, across numerous tribes, call these valleys and forests their home, and they will fight to protect it. As violence along the frontier rises and negotiations fail, the federal government decides to take the territory by force... but they have fatally underestimated their enemy. This is the full story of the Battle of the Wabash... America's first military defeat.

The story of Venice is a fascinating tale of ambition, commerce, politics, wars and empires. Join us as we chart the extraordinary rise of Venice - from a community of refugees hiding out in the Italian lagoons, to one of the medieval world's most dominant maritime states - and then explore its gradual demise at the hands of powerful enemies. We'll discover how the Serene Republic took advantage of its unique coastal location, and used skilful diplomacy to outmanoeuvre its rivals and expand its empire across land and sea. Venice would go on to become a jewel of the Italian Renaissance, an architectural masterpiece, and what many still consider to be the most beautiful city in the world.

In 1800, France's new First Consul - Napoleon Bonaparte - faces a precarious military situation, with huge Austrian armies poised to strike against the French Republic. But Napoleon will not wither in the face of such a crisis. Instead, he embarks on one of the most famous and daring strategic manoeuvres in history - a march across the Alps - to turn the tables on France's enemies.

At the height of the French Revolutionary War, a new alliance between France and Spain threatened to overturn British naval supremacy, upon which Britain's empire, economy and security depended. The key to British survival would be to prevent the French and Spanish navies joining forces - so when British Admiral Jervis encountered the main Spanish battle fleet off Cape St.Vincent, he decided to attack, even though outnumbered almost two-to-one. The battle would be decided by the daring actions of one British commander - Commodore Horatio Nelson - who would soon emerge as one of history's most brilliant naval tacticans.

November 1918. Following the Bolshevik Revolution, Russia is engulfed in a gigantic civil war. Lenin and the Reds hope to forge a new Soviet empire. His enemies, the Whites, look to their new leader Admiral Alexander Kolchak to avenge the murdered Tsar and save Russia from chaos. Kolchak is famed for his devotion to duty and 'the motherland', but faces a crisis of unimaginable proportions. Against the backdrop of a horrific civil war that claims millions of lives, he struggles for international support, military success, and ultimately, his own survival. This is our full documentary recounting the extraordinary life and times of Admiral Kolchak – Russia’s only ‘Supreme Ruler’.

In 1798, after a series of French victories in Europe, Britain stands alone against France and her allies. Aiming to strike a major blow against British interests in the Mediterranean, Napoleon Bonaparte leads an expeditionary force to conquer Egypt. But Britain still has the most powerful navy in the world.. and they are in pursuit. What’s more, the British fleet in the Mediterranean is commanded by Rear Admiral Horatio Nelson, who has a reputation for bold leadership and aggression. When he catches up with the French fleet in Egypt, he will lead a daring attack that goes down in history.

In 1808, Napoleon launched a war against Spain, sparking a savage conflict that lasted nearly six years, cost half a million lives, and helped to bring down his empire. We tell the story of this war through more than a dozen dramatic accounts from Spanish, French, British, German and Polish participants. Together, they provide a raw and unflinching perspective of Napoleon's doomed attempt to conquer the Iberian peninsula. For the Spanish, it was their ‘War of Independence’ – for their British allies, ‘the Peninsular War’. These are the voices of witnesses to those momentous days.

In 1800, after marching across the Alps into Northern Italy and defeating every enemy in his path, Napoleon spreads his army in a bid to encircle the Austrians and block their escape. But he has miscalculated his enemy's intentions. On a hot summer's day, near the town of Marengo, an advancing detachment of French soldiers find themselves facing 30,000 Austrians. Outmanned and outgunned, the French are soon fighting for their lives, and Napoleon faces an overwhelming defeat. But when last minute reinforcements arrive, victory may still be in sight...

In the years following independence, the newly-formed United States of America look westward for their expansion, hoping to conquer territory and sell off land to eager European settlers. Its first target is the vast, resource-rich 'Northwest Territory', stretching from the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River. But this is not vacant land - thousands of native people from numerous tribes call these valleys and forests home, and will fight to protect it. As violence flares along the frontier and negotiations fail, President Washington and the US decide to take the territory by force... but they have fatally underestimated their enemy. This is the full story of the 'Northwest Indian War' and the Battle of the Wabash... America's first military defeat.

In 1798, during the French Revolutionary Wars, General Napoleon Bonaparte led a daring French expedition to Egypt. The plan was to conquer the wealthy province, and deal a major blow to British interests in the Mediterranean. What followed was a campaign featuring legendary battles, ruthless occupation and immense hardship.

This is our full documentary covering the Napoleonic Wars - from Napoleon's glorious victories as France's new Emperor, to his disastrous invasions of Spain and Russia, and finally his dramatic downfall as he fights to save his empire. These were some of the bloodiest and most momentous conflicts Europe has ever seen, and now you can witness every major campaign and epic battle all in one video.