Bomb Rockets And Missles

In World War I, soldiers huddled in their trenches as primitive but deadly mortar shells rained on them from above. In World War II, Londoners lived in fear of the Nazi "buzzbombs" and, later, the dreaded V-2. In the Gulf War, precision-guided "smart" bombs wreaked havoc on Iraq, hitting individual buildings with pinpoint accuracy from hundreds of miles away. BOMBS, ROCKETS AND MISSILES traces the heritage of these vital weapons, from their earliest use in ancient China to today's high-tech marvels. Learn of the innovations that marked the development of "smart" bombs, and see how even the humble mortar itself has been improved continually over the years. See incredible footage of missiles and rockets in action in many of the great conflicts of the 20th century, and hear stories of their role in some of history's most pivotal battles. And get a privileged view of the future of these weapons, and the inventions that will keep them viable well into the next millenium.

• documentary