Fighting the War Episode Guide

Episode Guide

• Friendly Fire

  An RAF 9 Squadron plane is shot down by a US missile in the first wave of attacks on Baghdad. Elsewhere, news correspondents Tim Ewart and Alex Thomson are frustrated that the Army seem to be keeping them away from action and controlling the information they receive. However, reports that 'friendly fire' was responsible for the death of ITN journalist Terry Lloyd convince them that working independently during the war is too dangerous

• The Ground War

  The final part of the series explores the ground war in Iraq, from the initial declaration of hostilities to the downfall of Saddam Hussein. Behind-the-scenes footage reveals how the British troops struggled to contend with what they perceived as a lack of essential equipment, unexpected armed resistance from Iraqi militia, a steadily rising casualty rate and constantly changing battle plans. The Secretary of State for Defence is interviewed about the possible future of the conflict, discussing how long British troops can be expected to remain in the country

• In the Line of Fire

  Account of the Royal Marine 539 Squadron's campaign in the marsh delta south of Basra, where one of their craft fell victim to an ambush 11 days into the war on Iraq. Explosions left three men badly injured and another two missing in the water. BBC cameras captured all the drama first hand as their colleagues launched a rescue mission, searching through the marshes in two hovercraft, all the while preparing to confront the enemy

• Into Battle

  Documentary series revealing the inside story of the First Gulf War through personal accounts from British service personnel, senior politicians and defence chiefs in Whitehall. Rare film footage sheds new light on some of the major incidents and follows the hostilities from declaration to post-Saddam reorganisation in the country

• Missile Assault

  Baghdad comes under fire from the cruise missiles of HMS Splendid, as cameras capture for the first time the actions of a nuclear submarine at war and the British ground forces bedded down outside Basra prepare to launch a full assault

• Missile Attack

  Documentary following the bombing campaign against Baghdad a year ago by the RAF and the submarine crew of HMS Splendid. As the tornado squadron fly their first missions, tragedy and anger follow when a US Patriot missile shoots down two British airmen. Revised repeat

• The Occupation of Iraq

  With the fighting over and British forces finally able to enter Basra, the critical part of the campaign begins. The struggle to restore law and order on the streets of the city, where electricity and water are in short supply and looting is a daily occurrence, seems an endless task, and soldiers may be forgiven for thinking the Iraqi people are expecting miracles

• The Siege of Basra

  British commanders air their concern that Basran forces are showing no signs of mutiny. Rather than launch a full-scale assault which could result in mass casualties, they hope smaller attacks will prove effective. Elsewhere, the Marines carry out dawn raids on the homes of suspected terrorists, and the Black Watch put themselves in danger when they discard body armour during foot patrols in Az Zubayr

• The Vipers' Nest

  Soldiers from the infantry's Black Watch distribute water in Az Zubayr, but their attempts are thwarted when they come under attack from pockets of Iraqi resistance. In Basra, with rumours of a civilian uprising circulating, RAF bombers are called in to destroy the Ba'ath party headquarters

• Who Killed Marine Maddison?

  New documentary series, coinciding with the first anniversary of the Iraq war. Episode one re-examines the death of Marine Chris Maddison, who came under attack in March 2003 while undertaking a hovercraft mission. According to an official inquiry at the time, Maddison was killed by enemy fire, but serious doubts have been cast on the information : and a year later new evidence suggests otherwise