James Holland

During the rise of the Third Reich two German car manufacturers were ordered to build the most high performance vehicles the world had ever seen. What followed was a rivalry that would reap Grand Prix victories, international domination that was a propaganda coup, and provide world fame to its drivers who risked their lives smashing speed records that would stand for 79 years. All under the direct orders of the Fuhrer himself. This special one-off documentary charts the rise of Nazi Germany’s dominate ‘Silver Arrow’ Grand Prix and Speed Record cars of the 1930’s. Leading motor racing and World War 2 experts James Holland, Richard Williams, Eberhard Reuss and Chris Routledge tell the story of the Nazi funded Auto Union and Mercedes Benz ‘National Racing Cars’. Hitler’s Supercars interweaves the rise of the Third Reich with the racing exploits it funded and what propaganda messages these racing cars where sending.

James Holland presents a fresh analysis into the Battle of Britain, exploring the lesser-told German point of view, and highlighting the role of those who supported the Few during the summer of 1940. Focusing on the tactics, technologies and intelligence available to both sides, Holland examines the ways in which both Germany and Britain used their resources: from aircraft to air defence, and from intelligence to organisation. And, by gaining rare firsthand testimony from German veterans, and access to the untapped diaries and documents we reveal that this was a battle of two sides and many layers. Part of the Battle of Britain season to mark the 70th anniversary.

James Holland moves beyond the D-Day beaches to reassess the brutal 77-day Battle for Normandy that followed the invasion. Challenging some of the many myths that have grown up around this vital campaign, Holland argues that we have become too comfortable in our understanding of events, developing shorthand to tell this famous story that does great injustice to those that saw action in France across the summer of 1944.

Historian James Holland explores how amphetamine use affected the course of World War II.

Renowned historian and acclaimed broadcaster, James Holland, takes a deep dive into key events from the Second World War, bringing incredible stories to life for a new generation, and offering new research and analysis to enhance our understanding of the most consequential war of the 20th Century. In each episode, Holland teams up with an expert companion to explore iconic battlegrounds and machinery, reawakening history's echoes. Witness Jean Moulin's collapse in Lyon's shadows; feel the ground shake in Rauray's epic tank clash; trace the gruelling road to Rome via Monte Cassino's monumental battle; and chase the legendary P-51 Mustang, paired with an astounding 30-1 combat saga. On location, we gain insight into the unfolding of each narrative as Holland analyses each event alongside his partner, illustrated with archive and documents.