WW2 Historian Explains Bloody Final Days of the War in Europe

Dan Snow meets celebrated military historian Saul David at the National Archives to dig into the top secret documents that tell the story of the incredible planning that went into D-Day. Hidden in the archives for decades, these papers and photographs reveal meticulous preparations coupled with extraordinary acts of heroism by men and women, researching the Normandy beaches and creating a web of deception that kept German forces guessing where the landings were coming. Using everything from midget submarines to double cross codes, they gave the men assaulting the beaches a fighting chance of success. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

Was it the mud? Was it the longbow? Or were French battlefield decisions the real reason they lost? Join medieval historian Matt Lewis as he breaks down the battlefield tactics that shaped the legendary Battle of Agincourt. From Henry V’s calculated use of terrain to the deadly efficiency of the English longbow men, Matt reveals how strategy, not just luck, secured one of the most astonishing victories in medieval history. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

January 1945: The Third Reich is crumbling. As the Red Army storms Berlin, Adolf Hitler retreats 28 feet underground into the Führerbunker. This premium documentary explores the claustrophobic final days of the Nazi regime, the delusional atmosphere of the bunker, and the horrific legacy of the Holocaust. War Stories is your one-stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more. You can find more from us on

What really tipped the scales in the Allies’ favour during World War II? In this episode, we break down five critical reasons behind the Allied victory - from strategic coordination to Hitler’s own catastrophic mistakes. You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

Join Historian Dan Snow as he answers the most googled questions about the American War of Independence: You can now become a History Hit member right here on the original video platform! Join for access to a new exclusive documentary every week, and access to over 160+ of our documentaries presented by world-renowned historians like Dan Snow, Eleanor Janega, Tristan Hughes, Mary Beard, Matt Lewis and more.

Discover how the English Civil War led to the shocking execution of King Charles I, forever changing Britain’s monarchy and political landscape. In this gripping historical deep dive, we trace the dramatic aftermath of the Battle of Naseby in 1645, the collapse of Royalist resistance, and the unraveling of King Charles I’s power. Learn how Parliament’s internal divisions, Charles’ secret dealings, and the rise of the New Model Army under Oliver Cromwell set the stage for the unprecedented trial and execution of a reigning monarch. We’ll explore the complex motives and bitter rivalries between Presbyterians and Independents, the failed negotiations, the Second Civil War, and the decisive battles at Preston and Colchester that sealed the King’s fate. This video provides an accessible yet detailed look at the constitutional crises, the role of religion, and the emergence of radical political ideas during one of England’s most turbulent eras. Through eyewitness accounts and expert analysis, we reveal why Charles I’s execution was seen as both a necessary act and a national trauma, and how it left England facing an uncertain, force-driven future.