National Geographic Documentaries Season 2015 Episode 67 Hitler's Supergun

Hitler's Supergun is an exciting episode of the National Geographic Documentaries season 2015 about the Nazi Germany's desperate efforts to turn the tide of the Second World War. The episode uncovers the secrets and dangers of Hitler's secret weapon -- the V3 cannon -- which was designed to destroy London and tilt the balance of power in Germany's favor.

The V3 cannon, also known as the Hochdruckpumpe, was a giant gun that could fire shells at a rate of up to 600 rounds per hour, with a range of over 100 miles. This gun was not just any ordinary cannon, but a technological marvel that required the construction of a massive underground bunker complex to house its components and protect it from Allied bombing.

The show opens with a brief history of Hitler's rise to power and the rapid expansion of the German army under his leadership. We learn about the development of Hitler's vision of a Thousand Year Reich and his obsession with creating ever more powerful weapons to cement the supremacy of his regime. The program then focuses on the role of two key figures in the development of the V3 cannon: scientist Albert Speer and engineer Kurt Straus.

We are taken on a journey through the underground bunker complex built by the Nazi regime to house the V3 cannon. We learn how the Germans used slave labor to construct the bunker and transport the massive components of the cannon. The show features interviews with surviving workers who describe the backbreaking work and inhumane conditions they endured.

The program then delves into the technical details of the V3 cannon and the challenges faced by the engineers and scientists tasked with building it. We see how Straus and his team overcame the technical challenges of designing a gun that could fire shells at such a high rate, and how they dealt with the logistics of transporting components of the cannon underground.

The most fascinating aspect of the episode is the revelation of the Allied response to the V3 cannon. We learn how the Allies discovered the bunker complex and launched a series of daring raids to disrupt the construction of the cannon. We are taken on a nail-biting journey through the tunnels and bunkers as the Allies race against time to prevent the Germans from firing the supergun.

The show features interviews with historians and military experts who shed light on the significance of the V3 cannon and its impact on the war. We learn about the German strategy of using V3 as a "secret weapon of the city" and their plan to target London with a massive barrage of shells. We see how the Allies responded to this threat by launching a series of bombing raids on the bunker complex and how they ultimately succeeded in disrupting the construction of the cannon.

In summary, Hitler's Supergun is a fascinating and insightful episode that takes viewers on a gripping journey through the history of the Second World War. We learn about the technological marvels developed by the Germans and the stunning bravery of the Allied forces who risked everything to stop Hitler's superweapon. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in military history or the legacy of the Second World War.