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.

Thursday, April 16

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.

Thursday, April 16

Secrets of the Sea

Season 2 • Episode 5

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

Thursday, April 16

The Battle of Trafalgar

Season 3 • Episode 2

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

Thursday, April 16

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.

Thursday, April 16

Lightning Strikes

Season 4 • Episode 8

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

Thursday, April 16

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, April 16

Galleons and Privateers

Season 2 • Episode 6

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

Thursday, April 16

The Fast and Furious

Season 3 • Episode 7

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

Thursday, April 16

Doomed Vessels

Season 2 • Episode 3

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

Thursday, April 16

Metal War Ships

Season 1 • Episode 4

The evolution from wooden ships to metal ones in the second half of the 19th century is examined.

Thursday, April 23

War Beneath the Waves

Season 1 • Episode 2

The 200-year evolution of the submarine in wartime is examined, told by the designers and engineers.

Thursday, April 23

Cold War Warriors

Season 1 • Episode 6

An up-close look at the naval carriers, destroyers, and nuclear submarines of the Cold War.

Thursday, April 23

Hidden Figures

Season 4 • Episode 3

A 14-year-old enslaved powder boy who served during the French and Indian War.

Thursday, April 23

Record Breakers

Season 4 • Episode 7

A look at how technological advances over the centuries have led to bigger and faster combat ships.

Thursday, April 23

Gulf War Warriors

Season 3 • Episode 4

A look at key naval battles that have taken place in the Persian Gulf over the last 50 years.

Thursday, April 23

The Smallest Ships

Season 1 • Episode 8

A look at the smallest ships of war and the major roles they've played over the centuries.

Thursday, April 23

Sunk

Season 3 • Episode 5

Uncovering what sunk a World War I cruiser and a World War II submarine.

Thursday, April 23

Top Guns

Season 3 • Episode 6

A look at how navy weapons have evolved, from cannons to gun turrets to nuclear missiles.

Thursday, April 23

Courageous Captains

Season 4 • Episode 1

Exploring maritime heroes who left their mark on history through their bravery and skill.

Thursday, April 23

River Raiders

Season 3 • Episode 8

A look at riverine warfare from the Civil War to Vietnam and small but powerful combat ships.

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.