NOVA Season 39 Episode 10 Bombing Hitler's Dams

During World War II, the British Royal Air Force faced the daunting task of destroying several key dams in Germany. The dams were crucial to the German war effort, as they provided hydroelectric power and water for industrial production. In order to destroy the dams, the RAF developed a bold plan to drop large cylindrical bombs that would skip across the water and then sink next to the dam, where they would explode and breach the structure.

NOVA season 39 episode 10, titled "Bombing Hitler's Dams," chronicles the development and implementation of this daring plan. Drawing upon historical records, interviews with experts, and stunning archival footage, the episode brings to life the tense and complex mission that tested the bravery and ingenuity of the RAF pilots and engineers involved.

The episode begins by setting the stage for the mission. The RAF had already suffered significant losses in trying to bomb the heavily fortified dams, and the British war effort was faltering. The episode explores how British engineer Barnes Wallis came up with the idea for the cylindrical bomb, and how he convinced skeptical military officials to try his untested invention.

From there, the episode takes viewers inside the creation of the bomb itself, revealing the technical ingenuity and engineering challenges that went into designing a weapon that could bounce across water with precision and then detonate against a target. The NOVA team interviews modern-day engineers and experts in fluid dynamics to explain the mechanics of how the bomb worked, from its weight and shape to the spinning motion that stabilized it in flight.

The second half of the episode focuses on the actual mission to bomb the dams. Viewers are treated to stunning reenactments of the perilous flights that the RAF pilots embarked upon, including the tumultuous conditions they faced flying across enemy lines and the heart-pounding moment when the bombs hit their targets. The episode also explores the aftermath of the mission, including the damage inflicted on the German war machine and the bravery of the RAF pilots who risked their lives to deliver the payload.

Throughout "Bombing Hitler's Dams," the NOVA team emphasizes the crucial role that technological innovation played in the mission's success. The episode explores how Wallis's invention was a breakthrough in both military strategy and engineering design, and how it paved the way for other technological advances in the years that followed. By showcasing the awe-inspiring nature of the mission and its impacts on both the war effort and the field of engineering, the episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most daring and consequential military missions of all time.

Ultimately, "Bombing Hitler's Dams" is a stunning exploration of the intersection of technology, warfare, and human bravery. Through its stunning visuals, in-depth interviews, and gripping storytelling, the episode takes viewers on a journey through one of the most pivotal moments in modern history, offering profound insights into the power of human innovation and heroism.