Combat Ships

Combat Ships - Smithsonian Channel

Smithsonian Channel

Reality Series

2017

TVPG

Documentary

Military

War

Documentary series that tells the story of the evolution of maritime conflict.

Upcoming TV Airings

The airings below are based on a generic national schedule. Times and dates can vary by TV provider.

Monday, April 27

The Battle of Leyte Gulf

Season 2 • Episode 7

The Battle of Leyte Gulf in WWII was three days of ingenious strategy and white-knuckle combat.

Monday, April 27

The Battle of Incheon

Season 3 • Episode 3

A crucial September 1950 military operation carried out by the ROK and UN amid the Korean War.

Tuesday, April 28

Lightning Strikes

Season 4 • Episode 8

Examining some of maritime history's most effective and deceptive lightning strikes.

Thursday, April 30

Explosion!

Season 4 • Episode 2

Recounting some of maritime warfare's explosions, from world wars and Vietnam to the nuclear tests.

Thursday, April 30

Viking Longships

Season 2 • Episode 1

The story of one of the world's most effective war machines: the Viking longship.

Thursday, April 30

Wooden Warships

Season 1 • Episode 9

A look at the most famous wooden warships over the course of 500 years.

Thursday, April 30

Destroyers and Cruisers

Season 2 • Episode 4

The ships that made empires, from Britain's lone wolves to the USS Laffey's fight against kamikazes.

Thursday, April 30

Rescue Ships

Season 1 • Episode 7

A look at wartime rescue ships and the brave men and women who risked their lives to save others.

Thursday, April 30

Game Changers

Season 3 • Episode 1

Experimental ships and revolutionary designers that have changed the tide of war.

Thursday, April 30

Mutiny

Season 4 • Episode 5

A look at how technological advances over the centuries have transformed maritime warfare.

Thursday, April 30

Stealth

Season 2 • Episode 2

From secret missions that helped win World War II to modern stealth ships using strange shapes.

Thursday, April 30

Smugglers and Pirates

Season 4 • Episode 6

Maritime forces guard US waters and ships from pirates and drug smugglers.

Thursday, May 7

Heroes of Guadalcanal

Season 4 • Episode 4

A comprehensive look at the naval battle of Guadalcanal and the efforts of U.S. sailors.

Thursday, May 7

Amphibious Assaults

Season 2 • Episode 8

The evolution of amphibious assault vehicles, including the restoration of Britain's last LCT 7074.

Thursday, May 7

World Wars

Season 1 • Episode 1

A look at how the role of battleships changed over the course of the First and Second World Wars.

Thursday, May 7

Torpedo Boats

Season 1 • Episode 5

A look at some of the most fearsome torpedo boats, used by both sides during the World Wars.

Thursday, May 7

Secrets of the Sea

Season 2 • Episode 5

Stories of espionage at sea, including deadly U-boat cat-and-mouse games during WWI.

Thursday, May 7

The Battle of Trafalgar

Season 3 • Episode 2

The Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 pitted Napoleon's French ships against a British armada.

Thursday, May 7

Secrets and Lies

Season 1 • Episode 10

A look at how the art of deception was used by naval forces in the first half of the 20th century.

Thursday, May 7

Galleons and Privateers

Season 2 • Episode 6

Revolutionary ship design helped England defeat the Spanish Armada and become a world power.

Thursday, May 7

The Fast and Furious

Season 3 • Episode 7

A look at Naval warfare's fastest combat ships and the advantage of speed.

Thursday, May 7

Doomed Vessels

Season 2 • Episode 3

Featuring Britain's K13 submarine, HMS Hood, Sweden's 17th century Vasa, and Kublai Khan's fleet.