Tanks! - Evolution of a Legend (2004) - Season 1 Episodes and Ratings

Although they were few in number, the legendary Tiger tank carved out a reputation out of all preparation to its limited numbers. This fascinating episode draws on rare archive footage, stunning new animation and the views of leading armour authorities and Tank veterans from World War II to paint an intriguing picture of the deployment and use of armour in the desert war. Tigers in the desert feature a detailed examination of one of the last remaining Tigers in the world and a vivid reconstruction of the crew in action.

The everyday lives of the men who drove and fought the machines of World War Two. They had to be not only warriors, but engineers and mechanics. What did you see through the limited view of the drivers vision slit? How exactly did you aim the main gun of a Tiger?

Michael Wittman was the legendary Tiger Tank commander who saw action in some of the most hotly contested Tank battles of World War Two. With over 160 kills the much decorated Wittman is justifiably famous for his amazing exploits in the battle of Villers-Bocage. This comprehensive film portrait of Wittman features rare footage from battlefields and graphics.

The humble T-34, the standard battle tank of the Russian army, was outclassed and outgunned by the excellent Tigers and Panthers of the German Wehrmacht, but it was built in enough numbers to win the war. The allies had their equally uninspired Sherman, but they had thousands of them. One Tiger alone destroyed over 150 T-34s but it was never enough. In the end quantity won – but it was a near run thing.

The assault guns and tank hunters of the Panzer division played a vital role in the German army of World War Two. This exciting new survey of the Panzer forcers features the Sturmgeschutze and variants, the Strum Tiger, Brumbar, Nashorn, Jagdpantherm, Marder, Hetzer, Panzerjaeger IV, Elefant and more.

The fast moving Panzer Grenadier formations of the Blitzkrieg needed a mobile, well armoured artillery presence to support their lightning thrust into Poland, France and Russia. They found it in the form of the Sturmartillerie. This is the story of the developments which led to the Wespe, Hummel and the super heavy mortars of the Karl series.

The Fall of France traces the role of the armoured forces on both sides in the dramatic battles which led to the great German victory in 1940. Featuring rare archived footage, stunning 3D animation and a detailed examination of the machines by David Fletcher of the Royal Armed Corps Tank Museum at Bovington, and writer and historian Bob Carruthers. The Fall of France is a powerful portrait of a turning point in military history.

A new form of warfare to which Germany's enemies had no answer. The story of 'lightning war' – Hitler's terrifying, ruthless but highly effective tactic which brought countries such as Poland and Czechoslovakia to their knees during the early months of World War Two. Originally conceived during the Great War, the Germans added air power and the crucial element of political surprise to the concept of Blitzkrieg.

This is the powerful story of how Adolf Hitler was able to harness the potential of the tank to bring the mighty Soviet Union to its knees. 'Barbarossa' features rare archive footage of surviving machines and the views of some of the leading authorities on armoured warfare.

Operation Citadel, the great German offensive designed to deliver a knockout blow against the salient at Kursk, was to prove the last great clash in the East. New machines such as the Elefant, took their blow and the trusty Panzer III came to the end of the line. Featuring 3D graphics, rare archived film and the unique insights of leading authorities on armoured warfare, this is a powerful insight into the greatest clash of armour in World War Two.

The highly specialised and adapted British armour played a leading role in the tank battles in Normandy. The Churchill AVRE, the Sherman Duplex Drive and a host of other variants each played their part in defeating the forces of Nazi Germany

The ill fated Ardennes Offensive, better known to the allies as the Battle of The Bulge was Hitler's last great gamble in the west during World War II. It was here that the Panzers and the mighty King Tigers played their last significant role.