World War I: The First Modern War

Storyline

Powerful machines, tanks and submarines introduced in World War I changed the face of warfare. Each episode of this four-part series gives the history of a battle tool that has become standard. Eyewitness testimony, scientific description, archival footage and dramatic re-creations explain how and why each was developed and what its effectiveness has been. Episodes explore the development of armored vehicles; giant airships, which could fly hundreds of miles and drop bombs; chemical weapons that breached international treaties; and U-boats that sank 5,000 surface ships.