In January 1968, the start of the Tet Offensive by North Vietnamese communist troops sent waves of anger and anguish across the home front and sparked the most intense period of anti-war protests seen in the ‘60s. By this time, anti-war protesters were joined by members of Vietnam Veterans Against the War, many of whom were in wheelchairs and on crutches. The sight of these men on television throwing away the medals they had won during the war did much to win people over to the anti-war cause. Nor were Londoners impartial. Protestors across the city – the majority of whom were young people - mobilized against what they considered to be an abhorrent attempt to impose democracy in South East Asia via the barrel of a gun. In March, 200 protestors were arrested during clashes with the Police outside the American Embassy in Grosvenor Square, London. In October, 25,000 people assembled to protest the war once again but, despite security concerns, it did not escalate to the levels of unrest seen earlier in the year. In this episode, we speak to journalist Donald Macintyre, who was present at both marches, to hear about the political context of these events and how they compare to modern marches against the Iraq War and Brexit.
For over 100 years, the Royal Air Force has defended the skies of Britain and projected the country’s power and influence around the world. As the world’s oldest independent air force, it also has a rich and often astonishing history – one that is filled with the stories of extraordinary men and ...
Recognition of the Japanese Zero Fighter was produced by the US Air Force in 1943. The first part of the film describes the recognisable features of the Zero, and compares them with other aircraft. The second part takes the form of a short film, in which Ronald Reagan plays a pilot who finds hims...
Last summer, we were lucky enough to interview Wing Commander Tom Neil, one of the last of 'the Few' who fought in the Battle of Britain. During the Battle he shot down at least 13 enemy aircraft; he saw over half his squadron shot down within 5 minutes; he is also credited with the longest fligh...
