Nazis, U-boats and the Battle for the Atlantic

2025 Ended BBC iPlayer

War History

It was the longest campaign of World War 2 – the Battle of the Atlantic. Between 1939 to 1945 more than 100,000 lives were lost at sea and it brought Britain to the brink of defeat. At the heart of the battle against the U-boat killing machines of the Kriegsmarine – the German navy - was a small city in Northern Ireland, Londonderry, and the port of Lisahally on the River Foyle. 80 years on, in a new BBC series, experts re-examine some of the pivotal moments of this critical battle. It follows a specialist team who dive into history 20 miles off the north coast of Ireland. The team rediscover the wrecks of some of the deadliest Nazi vessels who stalked the Atlantic convoys, now both resting at the bottom of the Atlantic. The series also unlocks hidden history, revealing unsung heroes and looks back at the human cost of war.