Real History

This is the story of one of the most Top Secret Missions of World War II, called Operation Carpetbagger, and features some of the key players who flew and crewed the Heavy B-24D Liberators that trained and participated in the missions.

In 1911, Yale professor Hiram Bingham hears tales of two lost Incan strongholds deep in the Andes and leads an expedition determined to find them in the unexplored peaks of the Andes range. Brothers Clayton and George Hart try to crack the ciphers left by Beale that allegedly hide the location of hidden treasure. According to legend, he was Britain's greatest king. His name was King Arthur. In the 1960's a team of archaeologists, led by the outstanding excavator of his day, Leslie Alcock, set out to prove the myth was real. In the early nineteenth century, stories emerged of mysterious ruins that lay buried and forgotten, deep inside the jungles of Central America.

The last Saxon King of England is best remembered for being killed at the Battle of Hastings. Tony Robinson reveals more of the story of this landmark monarch.

During World War II, Nancy Wake bravely fought against the Nazis in war-torn France. Pursued by German spies, Wake took a stand for the French resistance. This is her story.

In 1941 the Germans looted one of the Soviet Union's most important art works, called the Amber Room. An extraordinary series of C18 amber screens worth millions of pounds and considered, by many, the 8th wonder of the world. It was taken to the Baltic city of Konigsberg. 4 years later at the end of the war, it had vanished. So began one of the greatest treasure hunts of the twentieth century.

Heinrich Himmler believed that the Aryan race were descended from the Atlanteans. He claimed that the inhabitants of Atlantis fled to the Himalayas when their city sank. So a German expedition was sent to Tibet to prove this. Many people thought the Nazis had hidden gold in Lake Toplitz after WWII, but an underwater probe turns up an even bigger surprise. Could a Jewish Treasure lost when the Temple was sacked be hidden in caves in Jordan? John Marco Allegro, a maverick young scholar was convinced it was. It began with the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls in 1946.

Battles are almost always about territory, with the objectives of advancing the front line, seizing the port, the city, the oil field, and more. The fate of nations in the second world war rose and fell on battles that took territory. Singapore, Monte Casino, and even more on battles that failed to capture their objectives. In the skies over Britain or before the walls of Stalingrad.

he German blitzkrieg in Western Europe began on May 10th, 1940, quickly leading to the defeat and withdrawal of British, French, and Belgian armies to the Channel Coast. German forces surrounded Allied troops at Dunkirk, but a "stop order" issued by Von Runstedt gave the Allies crucial time. Hermann Göring assured Hitler the Luftwaffe could finish off the trapped Allied troops, contributing to the halt order.

The Honjo Masamune is perhaps the greatest Japanese sword ever made. Forged in the 13th century by the great sword smith Masamune it became the ceremonial sword of the ruling Tokugawa shoguns for 250 years. After their fall from power in 1868 the great sword continued to be passed down the generations into the 20th century, but in the aftermath of the Second World War it disappeared.

From unlikely beginnings, to becoming one of the most notorious and feared leaders on the planet. Iosif Vissarionovich Stalin, commonly known as Joseph Stalin, was a Georgian revolutionary and Soviet political leader who led the Soviet Union. This is a documentation of his life, trials and tribulations during the rise of the Russian Soviet Union, this is the man of steel.

Cover-ups and conspiracies... what really happened that night in Roswell, 1947. Those brave enough, share their personal experiences of this synonymous incident. This documentary re-examines the happenings of the supposed UFO encounter, with accounts from Jesse Marcel, Frankie Rowe and Walter Haut. Was it a weather balloon that crashed in New Mexico? Or was it something more? Governments have secrets. After years of silences, secrecy and classified documents, researchers struck gold as a previously hidden Pentagon UFO report was discovered. This began a storm of revelations that took investigators closer than ever before to solving the mystery of the alien autopsy and to finally finding out what really happened in the desert of Roswell in 1947. Strange space crafts, giant beings, otherworldly humanoids and feathered serpents played a predominant role in the paintings, carvings, monuments and sculptures created by ancient man, strongly indicating the presence of an advanced race of beings at that time who perhaps influenced the evolution of humanity during their formative stage of existence. Perceived by early man as Gods of the Underworld and Light, the lives

The second world war involved conflict on an unprecedented scale. Its battles set new marks for the sheer size of forces deployed and for the power of their weapons. We study the first battle at sea, in which enemy ships never sighted each other and the largest army ever to march when Germany launched its invasion of the Soviet Union. By 1942, the goal was to control North Africa with Rommel at the command.

What secrets are hidden within the hills and hollers of Kentucky? Forget Bigfoot, this is a deep dive into the strange and often disturbing folklore of the Bluegrass State. Prepare to meet the Haunt, the Boonesboro Octopus, the Gravedigger, the Wampus Cat, and a host of other bizarre beings that have captured the imaginations (and fears) of Kentuckians for generations. Get ready for a wild ride into the world of Kentucky Cryptids.

The battles of the First World War were battles of attrition, opposing armies hardly moving between lines of trenches. The battles of the Second World War were much more dynamic. We study tank battles, blitzkrieg, commando raids, amphibious landings, and mobile warfare in the desert.

Ron Wyatt believes the Ark of the Covenant lays beneath a holy site in Israel, where digging is forbidden. Can he find a way to get to it?

Secret military operations uncovered mind-blowing secrets of the mystifying continent of Antarctica, including a possible Kingdom beneath its surface. Discover the UFO encounters that changed history. With expert analysis and eye witness accounts, these are some of the most compelling alien stories ever told. Wild theories once considered ludicrous are being reevaluated by leading experts, acknowledging startling discoveries and the possibility of Ancient Alien Astronauts. Explore new life forms hidden from us for centuries, lost mythical civilizations buried beneath bodies of water and the terrifying notion of an approaching apocalypse propelled by the Walking Dead. What is the alien agenda? And why has the government gone to such great lengths to stifle the overwhelming evidence that otherworldly creatures exist? Some of our greatest minds unveil the truth behind this massive cover-up.

Hans Frank, once Hitler's personal lawyer, manipulated the law to advance the Führer's ruthless plans. His role in the enslavement of an entire nation earned him the infamous title "Butcher of Poland." James is determined to uncover how this lawyer transformed into a power-driven tyrant.

Explore how Israeli secret service agents tracked down and executed Nazi war criminal Herbert Cukurs in South America. Infamously known as the "Hangman of Riga," Cukurs played a role in the deaths of over 30,000 Latvian Jews. A Mossad agent, operating under the alias "Anton Kunzle," shot him in a secluded suburb of Montevideo, Uruguay.

During the Boer War instructions were made by President Paul Kruger to hide the nation's wealth if the British looked like taking Pretoria. South African councilor Atholl Stark searches for the gold with the help of a Zulu family. In May 1873 Heinrich Schliemann found a cache of gold and jewelery during his search for the city of Troy at Hissarlik, Turkey. He claimed they were from the time of the Trojan war but some think they predate it by 1,200 years. Burying an immense treasure in 1821,we planted a coco palm on top & taking our position by compass, we found it to be: North East by half to the East mountain & 10 North East to the West mountain. I have never, set foot on the island, however, with a modern chart- appropriate mountain landmarks- the given compass coordinates- correct magnetic compass values-the year it was buried. A map drawn by the only survivor of a doomed French expedition into the Rocky Mountains is believed to provide a clue to the location of a fortune in gold bullion.

Wilhelm Canaris, Hitler's top spy, orchestrated covert missions that led to widespread chaos and destruction. However, he was also a double agent, secretly passing information to the Allies and aiding Jews in escaping from Germany.

Explore the fascinating archaeological discoveries in Siberia's Tuva Republic, including a 2,100-year-old artifact resembling a modern smartphone, ancient Hun burial sites, and evidence of advanced ancient technologies. It delves into theories of lost civilizations, extraterrestrial influence, and mysterious structures like the rumored time-machine tomb of Hannah Cottoy. From Greek Fire to Da Vinci's futuristic designs, the video uncovers secrets of ancient ingenuity and the enduring mysteries of human history. Wild theories once considered ludicrous are being reevaluated by leading experts, acknowledging startling discoveries and the possibility of Ancient Alien Astronauts. Explore new life forms hidden from us for centuries, lost mythical civilizations buried beneath bodies of water and the terrifying notion of an approaching apocalypse propelled by the Walking Dead.

77% of Americans believe there have been signs of alien visits, yet governments have not acknowledged extraterrestrial presence. But do these signs back up actual beliefs? According to some people, it's the government that is allegedly holding information regarding these alien sights. But should these people be taken seriously?

Nazi Hunters examines how, a half-century after the war, American journalists track down former Gestapo officer Erich Priebke. Priebke who was responsible for some of Italy's worst atrocities fled to Argentina after the war. He led a life of relative obscurity until he was confronted by journalists from ABC News in the 1990s.

Dave Arnold, a treasure hunter, arrives in Haskell, Texas, obsessed with finding Spanish gold buried in the area. He uses a cryptic map and discovers three mysterious "spider rocks" with coded symbols, believing they hold the key to the treasure. Uncovering the fraud behind the myth that spawned Dan Brown's book "The Da Vinci Code". For more than 70 years the small French village of Rennes-le-Chateau has lured treasure hunters with a strange tale about a local priest. The Japanese General supposedly owned gold that has been burried. Now, treasure hunters want to find out if it is real. In 1947, Mexican War Veteran Charlie Clusker traveled to the new territory of California. There he hears a story from Native Americans which send him on a quest for the most unlikely of relics--a lost ship in the Mojave Desert.

In 1967, Syria attempted to divert water away from Israel, triggering tensions that led to war. Israel's military strength was underestimated, and within six days, they defeated three Arab armies. Since the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, tensions remained high. Israel had geographical disadvantages—narrow borders, lack of strategic depth, and a small population—which made preemptive strikes a key defense strategy.

Did the Garden of Eden actually exist? Archaeologist Juris Zarins has set out to prove that it did. Zarins uses the biblical description that it is the source of four major rivers to help him. But two of them have not been found.

Japan attacks the USA on 7 Dec 1941. For the next 6 months, they continue to have successful attacks. However, by the end of the battle for Guadalcanal in Feb 1943, they are completely on the defensive. Italy's failed attacks in the Mediterranean region draw in the Germans. Allies turn the tide in the Atlantic, where initially German U-Boats harass freely convoys to supply Britain. The Kriegsmarine calls off their submarines. The route to bring American soldiers who will land on D-Day is clear. Their attack on the Soviet Union having failed, the German Army suffers a series of counter-offensives on the Eastern Front. Hitler's constant orders to stand ground backfire, and the Wehrmacht's losses are huge as the Soviets advance West.

By 1960, Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann is living incognito in the bustling city of Buenos Aires. The Israeli secret service are on a mission to track him down and bring him to justice.

Heinrich Himmler dispatched his SS soldiers on a mission to recover a treasure of immense significance to Nazi ideology, one deemed invaluable and worth any effort to retrieve. Their target is an ancient manuscript—a flawless copy of a text written nearly two thousand years ago in Rome, which the Nazis regard as the "birth certificate" of the German race. This manuscript is referred to by the Nazis as the "Book of Power."

The Confederate force's surprise attack against the Union in Shiloh, Tennessee results in some of the most brutal fighting of the Civil War. General Ulysses S. Grant's counterattack at Shiloh leads to victory, and thousands of escaping slaves seek refuge with Union forces. The Emancipation Proclamation changes the war from one of reunification to one of ending slavery, and gives African Americans freedom to fight. The 1863 Battle of Chickamauga, which saw Union forces defeated and combined casualties of 34,000, is recalled. The loss led to Union general William Rosecrans being relieved of his command.

In the spring of 1940, British troops were trapped on the beaches of Dunkirk as Hitler's army closed in. Soldiers faced relentless German air raids, machine-gun fire, and dire conditions with no food or water. Dunkirk was a military disaster in terms of equipment losses, but a miraculous success in saving over 300,000 troops. The evacuation allowed Britain to continue fighting, preventing the need for a peace treaty with Hitler.

Mel Fisher spent 17 years searching for the legendary Spanish galleon, Nuestra Señora de Atocha, which sank in 1622 carrying vast treasures of gold, silver, and emeralds. Facing countless setbacks, legal battles, and personal losses, Fisher's persistence finally paid off in 1985 when his team discovered the shipwreck off the coast of Florida. The find was worth over $400 million, making it one of the greatest treasure discoveries in history.

Throughout the 20th century, the world has seen countless stories related to UFOs. Incidents like the Battle of Los Angeles (1942), Roswell (1947), and Rendlesham Forest (1980) remain unsolved. Now, we take a closer look at the details behind these stories.

Vlad III, known as Vlad the Impaler or Vlad Dracula, was born around 1431 in Sighișoara, present-day Romania, though records are uncertain. His father, Vlad II Dracul, ruled Wallachia, while his mother's identity remains unclear. As a teen, Vlad III and his brother Radu were held hostage by the Ottomans. While Radu allied with the Ottomans, Vlad harboured a deep hatred and focused on reclaiming Wallachia. Vlad reclaimed Wallachia by killing Vladislav II in combat, asserting himself as ruler. He rebuilt the economy, restricted foreign trade, and used extreme cruelty, such as impaling enemies, to consolidate power and deter opposition.

Nazi naval commander Karl Dönitz was deeply devoted to supporting the party's reprehensible goals. After the war, he tried to portray himself as merely a sailor obeying orders, but James is resolved to demonstrate that Dönitz was a dedicated war criminal who fully deserved his grim role as Hitler's successor.

Embark on a captivating journey as you delve into the remarkable tales of three devoted Christians, each driven by unshakable faith and determination, who set out on daring expeditions in search of the legendary Noah's Ark. Their quests were anything but easy—marked by perilous challenges, moments of profound despair, and unyielding hope.

Josef Mengele conducted barbaric experiments on innocent victims, including children during the Holocaust. Tracing the origins of his sadistic pseudo-science, we try to understand how the Angel of Death came to be.

Russian archaeologist Ignatius Stelletskii dedicated his efforts to uncovering the library of Ivan the Terrible, a 16th-century ruler. According to legend, this library is said to house hundreds of books and manuscripts salvaged during the fall of Constantinople. In 1914, prospector Freddie Crystal arrived in Kanab, Utah, with an astonishing tale. He claimed to have discovered a map in Mexico that pointed to the hidden treasure of Aztec ruler Montezuma. However, could the area be under a curse? Forensic expert Philippe Charlier investigates the remains discovered in a Paris pharmacy in 1867, which the Church recognizes as the relics of Saint Joan of Arc. Can any evidence confirm their authenticity? Archaeologists have long sought to determine the location of the Labyrinth, the legendary maze believed to have contained the Minotaur. English archaeologist Arthur Evans, during his excavation of Knossos, became convinced that it was situated on the island of Crete.

Albert Speer was Hitler's architect and Minister of Armaments. He built structures symbolizing Nazi power and played a critical role in prolonging World War II. Speer managed to avoid execution after the war by crafting an image of himself as a "gentleman Nazi" and distancing himself from key atrocities. Albert Speer joined the Nazi Party in 1931 after being captivated by Hitler's speeches. His architectural projects, such as the Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg, caught Hitler's attention and elevated his status. In 1934, Hitler appointed him as the Reich's Chief Architect.

Adolf Eichmann, a key Nazi figure, evaded justice for 15 years before his trial. He claimed under oath to be a mere administrator with no direct involvement in the Holocaust. However, in reality Eichmann played a pivotal role in the Nazi machinery by organizing and overseeing mass deportations and forced emigration of Jews. His work reflected the systematic nature of Nazi crimes, blending bureaucratic efficiency with genocidal intent.

The SS Edmund Fitzgerald sank in Lake Superior on November 10, 1975, around 17 miles from Whitefish Bay, killing all 29 crew members. The ship was taking on water due to earlier damage from the storm and an increased frequency and quantity of water that could flood the deck. Enter the hazardous South China Sea, home of sharks, pirates, and the underwater grave of two downed American World War II submarines A haunted shipwreck is found near Saba Bank, speculated to be involved in illegal activities, including drug transport. Lost A-Bombs, or parts of it, lie deep underwater. If they find the missing parts, they'll make history. If they're not careful, they'll become history. The duo of divers go where few divers have gone before, the perilous Mekong River, home of a buried treasure and a century-old mystery. Explore two of the best-preserved wooden shipwrecks in the world, lying at the bottom of Lake Ontario in Canada.

Joseph Goebbels was Hitler's Minister of Propaganda and the mastermind behind the brainwashing campaign that eventually seduced Germany into joining the Nazi cause. We examine how he orchestrated a campaign of hate that paved the way for the Holocaust, from his roots to the moment he joined the Nazi Party.

After WW2, Japan transitioned to a state-controlled economy, shifting production from weapons to consumer goods. The Bank of Japan managed credit allocation, which played a central role in Japan's success. From 1985-1989, the country experienced a credit-fuelled bubble, with real estate and stock prices soaring. The 1990 stock market crash led to land and asset price collapses, bankruptcies, and economic stagnation. Critics accused the Ministry of Finance and the Bank of Japan of mismanaging the economy during the bubble and subsequent recession.

Heinrich Himmler, born to a middle-class family, became the principal architect of the Holocaust and the Nazi racial ideology. Despite his ordinary upbringing, his insecurities and radicalization led him to prominence within the Nazi party. This is the story of how a man became a monster.

Take a trip around the world as we uncover some of the disasters and places that changed the world forever.

Russian Researcher Igor Berv joins a team on a Bigfoot expedition, prompted by the suggestion to investigate activity near the Canadian border. The team sets up a base camp near a secluded mountain lake, utilizing thermal imaging and Bigfoot call apps to investigate. What happens after is a story they won't forget.

Born in 1732, George Washington's early life in Virginia was shaped by his family's modest wealth from tobacco plantations and the guidance of his elder half-brother, Lawrence. He gained practical skills in surveying, which later helped him acquire land and build connections with influential figures like Lord Fairfax. He led diplomatic missions and military engagements against French forces in the Ohio Valley, notably the skirmish at Great Meadows and the failed defense at Fort Necessity, which drew attention from the British government. With his military experience, Washington became a logical choice to lead the Continental Army in 1775. He endured hardships like the winter at Valley Forge, strengthening the troops with the help of Prussian officer Baron von Steuben, and led the army through a series of strategic retreats and counterattacks, crucial for the Patriots' eventual success. Elected unanimously as the first U.S. president in 1789, Washington served two terms before retiring in 1797. His leadership in both war and peace set foundational precedents for the new nation.

On August 2, 1990, Iraq, under Saddam Hussein, invaded Kuwait, citing historical claims and economic reasons. This prompted a global response, with the UN imposing sanctions, and the U.S. and allies forming a Coalition to pressure Saddam into withdrawing. The Coalition began its offensive on January 17, 1991, with a massive air campaign targeting Iraqi infrastructure. Precision airstrikes devastated Saddam's war capabilities, but his forces remained resilient, preparing defensive positions across Kuwait. Although the Coalition liberated Kuwait, Saddam retained control over Iraq, suppressing internal uprisings and frustrating UN weapons inspections. Strategically, the Coalition's victory altered the regional power balance but left Saddam's regime intact.