Series 1 - Episode 6

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Robert Llewellyn’s father Reg never talked about the war – except to do impressions of flying through flak at the breakfast table. All Robert knows is that Reg served in Bomber Command.

What Robert discovers amazes him: Reg’s squadron were responsible not just for bombing but espionage. To get to the heart of Reg’s war, Robert gets inside a World War II bomber, delves into the archives of the RAF museum and follows in his father’s footsteps to Germany.

Angela Rippon did not meet her father John until sh ewas three years old, because he had spent World War II serving with the Royal Marines.

As Angela grew up, John told her funny stories of life at sea but rarely about the harsh realities of war. Now Angela wants to find out what her father’s war was really like.

  •   Episode 6 teaser Clip  
    • 14:50 1 Jun 2012

    Episode 6 teaser

    Wanting to understand their fathers' experiences of World War II, Robert Llewellyn learns about life in Bomber Command, and Angela Rippon discovers the harsh realities faced by the Royal Marines.

  •   Episode 5 teaser Clip  
    • 16:02 23 May 2012

    Episode 5 teaser

    Presenter and consumer affairs expert Dom Littlewood and psychologist Pamela Stephenson uncover harrowing tales from their families' experiences in World War II.

  •   Episode 4 teaser Clip  
    • 20:00 15 May 2012

    Episode 4 teaser

    Former cricket captain David Gower seeks to better understand his family's experiences of D-Day, and Sara Cox discovers the role her grandfather played in defending the Home Front during World War II.

More clips 

Comments (8)

  • Jean W

    11 months ago

    Jean W

    What a fantastic series, I hope there will be more; the younger generation need to know what happened to try and ensure that it never happens again. Maybe in the next series you could include Burma, where my father was stationed with The KOSB's, they were still fighting after the war in Europe had ended. I had a Great Aunt a Jewess, born in Glasgow, living in Paris who was interned in Drancy during 1944. I am sure lots of people have similar, extraordinary stories to be told. Thank you

  • WJR

    11 months ago

    WJR

    Read Espionage in the Ether published by Compaid Graphics ISBN 1 900604 11 6

  • Nat Carter

    12 months ago

    Nat Carter

    This has been a great series to watch, having a keen interest in the war its also showed me what other families did in the war. It laso has inspired me more to look more into my great granfather's roles in the war, one being a Royal Marine coxswaine, another an instrument fitter in the RAF with bomber command who i never knew, and furthermore my other great grandad i never knew who served in the Army but as what i don't know. Thanks again i hope they may be more!!

  • Jeff Elsom

    12 months ago

    Jeff Elsom

    What an excellent series this has been.My own family fought in the Second world War as soldiers (Desert Rats),and in the Military Police, and served at home as Air Raid Wardens.This series has reminded me of the sacrifices they made ,of the bravery soldiers showed and genuinely moved me.A great show.

  • Pubplayer

    12 months ago

    Pubplayer

    Pubplayer Pubplayer love the shows on 5 but it keep on freezeing, better off watching the adds that plays ok.

  • John McArdle

    12 months ago

    John McArdle

    Watched them all with great interest, Is there another series in the making?

  • Helen

    12 months ago

    Helen

    Jane- I've just finished watching it too. Saw it had one comment and went to see and it was yours :). Very happy for you that you got to find out more about what your father did and how he contributed greatly to the war effort. How amazing.

  • Jane Shatford

    12 months ago

    Jane Shatford

    Hello, I have just finished watching episode 6 and would like to thank you for putting this series together. My father flew with Reg Llewellyn, Gibby and the others in 192 squadron in 1945. Like Robert's father my Dad painted his role as turret gunner as a bit of an adventure but I was always in awe of his role though I never understood the full role that 192 squadon played. So thank you for providing me with more information. My Dad died 12 years ago and until that time regularly attended reunions with Reg and the others. It was such a huge part of his life and explained his lifelong passion for flying. Kind Regards Jane Shatford

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