First of four programmes documenting the period in 1940 when Winston Churchill came to power. Hitler's armies were sweeping across Europe and Britain faced Dunkirk and the real possibility of defeat.

Using first-hand testimony to recall the events of 1940, this episode highlights how Winston Churchill inspired Britain after Dunkirk, instilling a spirit of defiance and solidarity across the nation

This episode recounts the start of the Blitz. A nation responds with heroics, despair and anger as London is bombarded and Coventry nearly obliterated.