Not sure if this has been mentioned before, a new series due to air early 2010. Blitz Street - Blitz Street - Channel 4 Blitz Street In the 1940s Germany unleashed a ferocious nine-month bombing campaign on the UK, designed to crush British morale. To mark the 70th anniversary of this pivotal event in British history, Tony Robinson presents a four-part science and history series which gives just a flavour of what it must have been like to live under such constant bombardment, and explores, crucially, why the Blitz failed. The series - coming to Channel 4 in early 2010 - constructs a typical row of terraced houses on a military base. With the help of Ministry of Defence scientists, the street is subjected to a range of real large-scale high explosives and incendiaries, similar to those used by the Luftwaffe. Using a wide range of scientific sensors and gauges, there are precise measurements of the blast waves and dangerous after effects of flying shrapnel. The series follows the nightly cat and mouse battles that took place between the Luftwaffe in the air and Britain's ground defences, with barrage balloons and anti-aircraft guns. Also tested are the internal Morrison and garden Anderson shelters. Blitz Street explores the profound psychological phenomenon that was the 'Blitz Spirit'. A large number of eye-witnesses, many of them speaking for the first time, recount their amazing stories of survival. An Impossible Pictures production
Personally I have reservations about this. The series - coming to Channel 4 in early 2010 - constructs a typical row of terraced houses on a military base. With the help of Ministry of Defence scientists, the street is subjected to a range of real large-scale high explosives and incendiaries, similar to those used by the Luftwaffe. Using a wide range of scientific sensors and gauges, there are precise measurements of the blast waves and dangerous after effects of flying shrapnel. I'm not really sure what they will prove, and I think it will come under criticism from Blitz survivors. We already know what explosives did to cities like London; we have film, photos and sound recordings. It's hardly like trying to re-construct a Roman town is it?
I don't know, armoured cameras showing just what an exploding street looks like could be rather interesting, giving a stronger impression of what bombing a city meant. Shrapnel/blast analysis using contemporary gear would certainly interest me. They seem to have signed up a good few blitz survivors too. I'll have to overcome my Tony Robinson resistance to watch it.
I don't know, armoured cameras showing just what an exploding street looks like could be rather interesting, giving a stronger impression of what bombing a city meant. Shrapnel/blast analysis using contemporary gear would certainly interest me. They seem to have signed up a good few blitz survivors too. I'll have to overcome my Tony Robinson resistance to watch it. That's what would interest me however having watched the preview again this morning, the simulation seemed to have more than a hint of Hollywood about it. I think I will reserve any judgement until it has been aired. Nick
That blast wave hitting the row does make me think of my Missus's dad, who was in town before evacuation. You don't really knock down houses with just stage pyrotechnics. Like you say Nick, we'll have to see, but I'd likely rather watch at least a pseudo-scientific approach over most 'dramatic interpretations'. Some researchers for the production company have posted here recently, maybe they can tell us more about what was done?
That blast wave hitting the row does make me think of my Missus's dad, who was in town before evacuation. You don't really knock down houses with just stage pyrotechnics. Like you say Nick, we'll have to see, but I'd likely rather watch at least a pseudo-scientific approach over most 'dramatic interpretations'. Some researchers for the production company have posted here recently, maybe they can tell us more about what was done? Be interesting. Read stories of bombing victims stripped of all clothing and left dead without a mark on them. The blast can do strange things. Could be good if well done.
I did ask one of the production assistants who was so keen to tap into out expertise to keep us informed of transmission dates.
Be interesting. Read stories of bombing victims stripped of all clothing and left dead without a mark on them. The blast can do stranges things. Could be good if well done. Craig, I think what you have described is the result of Concussion Blast. In September 1944, my father was caught up in an offensive in Italy where several of his friends were killed by concussion of exploding Nebelwerfer rocket propelled grenades, which were like dustbins. My father told me that there were no apparent injuries and they appeared to be sleeping. It must have been a nightmare whether being on the end of artillery or luftwaffe bombs. Both were equally deadly. Regards Tom
Craig, I think what you have described is the result of Concussion Blast. In September 1944, my father was caught up in an offensive in Italy where several of his friends were killed by concussion of exploding Nebelwerfer rocket propelled grenades, which were like dustbins. My father told me that there were no apparent injuries and they appeared to be sleeping. It must have been a nightmare whether being on the end of artillery or luftwaffe bombs. Both were equally deadly. Regards Tom Indeed Tom. It must have been very frightening for your dad. Just want to post this. Amazing escape. YouTube - Roadside Bomb Death's Close
What I find is amazing is that the effects of blast were really not understood even at the beginning of WW2, according to Solly Zuckerman. The contemporary thought was that blast entered through the mouth/nose and burst things inside. He disproved this by blasting bunny rabbits (or some such) that were encased in metal boxes except for their heads and demonstrating an absence of the expected internal injuries. In fact, the whole theory of strategic bombing seemed to be built on nothing more scientific than the bigger the bombs and the more of them, the better.
Look as if it's due to be shown on 19th April 2010 @ 2100. http://www.channel4.com/learning/microsites/E/education/NewsletterApril2010.html In 1940 Nazi Germany unleashed a ferocious bombing campaign on Britain. To mark the 70th anniversary, Tony Robinson presents Blitz Street, a four-part series which aims to show what it was like to live under constant bombardment and why the Blitz ultimately failed. Blitz Street is a row of terraced houses specially built on a remote military base with the help of the Ministry of Defence.High speed cameras reveal the detail of each blast to explain how houses could collapse from one end to another and how some people managed to survive while others died instantly. We look at why the bombing campaign ultimately failed, how the Blitz has informed subsequent military bombing campaigns and why the people who lived through it came out stronger. TX from 19 April at 9pm
Just saw an advert for Blitz Street...I wasn't right bothered about this but after seeing the advert it looks quite good........Saved to Sky +
My wife says she'll pass on this one ! BBC - WW2 People's War - The night our house was sliced in half Ron
