Secret Army

I have been lucky to be loaned the DVD sets of the first and second series of the 1970’s TV series “Secret Army”. It’s utterly brilliant, about the Belgian-run lifeline that got downed airman back to Britain from all over Europe. It has a lot of RAF related stories, and most are based on real events apparently. As well as the brave Belgians risking their lives to get the airmen safely to Spain, there are the Germans, Gestapo officer Kessler and Luftwaffe officer Brandt, trying to break the lifeline and capture the Belgian heroes as well as the airmen.

This is the series which the comedy Allo Allo wonderfully spoofed, but seeing the real series for the first time I am finding it to be one of the best dramas I’ve seen. So scary, tense and wonderfully scripted and acted. A number of familiar faces pop up among the guest cast too. Even Richard Marner as a goodie, whereas in Allo Allo he played the German Colonel Von Strohm.

Anyway, the thing is, some very interesting warbirds appear in the series. I am so far up to Series Two, Episode Seven (so please don’t give any plot away after this if you’ve watched it!!) but I have noted two appearances by a Lysander, one of a Dakota, and in Series 2, Episode 7, an appearance by B-17 ‘Sally B’. As well as usuing the aircraft itself they have taken footage from the 1944 film The Memphis Belle and used it – which is ironic as later Sally B would be in the remake of that film.

I heartily recommend this series, which is on BBC DVD release.

I also want to re-iterate, please don’t give away the plot of future episodes for me and others with spoilers.