Marking the eightieth anniversary of the outbreak of World War II, Horrible Histories looks at how the war affected those left back home in the UK, on the home front. \n\nWe start with the initial panic following the declaration of war and the measures taken at home to prepare for an imminent Nazi invasion, which didn't actually turn out to be that imminent at all. However, the Nazis are busy planning their invasion - Operation Sea Lion is being carefully orchestrated to avoid damaging places in the UK that they have previously been to on holiday. \n\nWe see how the blackout during the Blitz affected everyday life, and also how King George and Queen Elizabeth refused to leave Buckingham Palace while London was being bombed, despite being advised to head to Canada by their staff. We meet the 'ATA Girls' - the heroic women of the Air Transport Auxiliary led by Pauline Gower. It was their (horrendously dangerous) job to fly broken planes around the country, so that they could be fixed and put back into battle. The planes had no manuals, were often very badly damaged and had nothing in the way of guns mounted on them, so this was a hugely brave undertaking. \n\nWe see how things on the home front change when the American GIs arrive, bringing with them items like chocolate and nylon tights, which had not been seen on these shores for some time! German spies were also a real concern for those on the home front, but we tell one real tale of a set of spies who were caught after they washed up in Scotland in possession of radios, guns and, most tellingly, German sausages. \n\nFinally, we chart the path to allied victory, including Churchill holding conversations with American president Roosevelt in his secret loo, and a barnstorming song as the nation celebrates VE Day.
Source: CBBC
Series 5 - Song Special
Historical sketch show. Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great.
03-04-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 11. Terrifying Tower Of London
Famous inmates, botched escapes and thefts, and Henry VIII’s favourite executions – they’re all here in a terrifying history of the Tower of London, one of Eng ...
01-04-2025
CBBC
Series 8: 11. Outrageous Olympics
Alex Scott joins Rattus for a sport-themed special. Mary Queen of Scots goes grief-golfing, the H2 Freestylers take on a whole village, and sports-mad Henry VIII sings Get Sweaty.
31-03-2025
CBBC
Series 7: 11. Formidable Florence Nightingale
Horrible Histories pays tribute to Formidable Florence Nightingale, The Lady with the Lamp (just don't let Florence hear you calling her that!) The programme charts how Florence ...
30-03-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 7. Monstrous Mothers
From terrifying Spartan mums to hidden Victorian mums, via Queen Victoria and Cleopatra, Horrible Histories looks at some of history’s most monstrous mothers.
28-03-2025
CBBC
Series 5: Episode 12
Featuring a female dinosaur expert who sells seashells down on the seashore, Brian the handsome scientist reveals the weird wonders of the Greek Universe, TV's fastest-talking p ...
28-03-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 11. Bewitching Books
Comedian and children’s author Rosie Jones is here to help Rattus choose his World Book Day outfit, and discover the gory details behind some favourite children's books!
28-03-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 6. Enormous Empires
With everything from mid-battle diarrhoea to a warlord taking over a geography class, take a journey charting the rise and fall of some of history’s biggest empires.
15-03-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Song Special
Historical sketch show. Some of history's greatest characters serenade us with tales of their lives. Featuring the all-conquering Alexander the Great.
03-04-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 5. Twisted Technology
The watch! The mobile phone! The microwave! The vibrating poo platform! Thomas Edison stage diving! It’s all here as Horrible Histories takes a journey through the history ...
08-03-2025
CBBC
Series 5 - Episode 10
Historical sketch show. There is a right royal squabble over who should rule medieval England.
21-03-2025
CBBC
Series 11: 7. Monstrous Mothers
From terrifying Spartan mums to hidden Victorian mums, via Queen Victoria and Cleopatra, Horrible Histories looks at some of history’s most monstrous mothers.
28-03-2025
CBBC
Series 8: 4. Mind Your Manners
Rattus is panicking, as the Rat Queen is visiting the sewer and he has no idea how to behave nicely around royalty! Not only that, if he can somehow appear attractive to the Que ...
28-01-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 2. Nhs 75th Birthday Special
How did the NHS come into being? When was the first kidney transplant? Is half a chicken actually a cure for anything? Find out as comedian and former psychiatric nurse Jo Brand ...
18-03-2025
CBBC
Series 10: 1. Daft Dads
In honour of Father’s Day, Horrible Histories takes a look at some of history’s daftest dads, featuring Henry VIII, Charles Dickens, William the Conqueror and Joseph ...
17-03-2025
CBBC
Series 3 - Episode 3
Historical sketch show. A confused World War I soldier spends his first day in the trenches and the Welsh women of Fishguard defeat a French invasion without even trying.
22-11-2023
CBBC
Series 8: 1. Queen Vic's Home Vids
Did you know that the Victorians invented films? Not only that, but one of the first stars of the moving image was Queen Victoria! Using real footage recently restored by the BF ...
23-01-2025
CBBC