From battles in the jungles of the Pacific in the Second World War, to the post war conflicts including the Malayan Emergency, the Indonesian Confrontation and the Vietnam War to revolutions in Cuba and Colombia, this series takes viewers on a journey through elements of jungle warfare across decades of the twentieth century. Drawing on archival footage and expert interviews the series examines the commonalities, differences and the evolution of jungle wars across the globe.
The title intrigued me, as it implied that this documentary series would examine the tactics of jungle warfare and how it evolved. From the outset it is evident that the focus on the broader war, rather than jungle tactics. Episode 1 covers the Pacific Theatre of WW2 and, if you already have a good knowledge of WW2, you don't learn much. The whole history of the theatre is told, including the build-up to Pearl Harbour. There is some weight towards the main jungle campaigns - New Guinea, Guadalcanal and Burma - but the tactics are not covered in depth.
Episodes 2 and 3 at least cover lesser-known conflicts - Malaya and Indonesia of the 1950s and 60s - so is interesting for the novelty value. Episode 4 includes South/Central American conflicts so at least there is some variety of location. However, it is all still just a history of the conflict, rather than an examination of the jungle tactics. The interviews with experts don't really add anything.
Disappointing.
The title intrigued me, as it implied that this documentary series would examine the tactics of jungle warfare and how it evolved. From the outset it is evident that the focus on the broader war, rather than jungle tactics. Episode 1 covers the Pacific Theatre of WW2 and, if you already have a good knowledge of WW2, you don't learn much. The whole history of the theatre is told, including the build-up to Pearl Harbour. There is some weight towards the main jungle campaigns - New Guinea, Guadalcanal and Burma - but the tactics are not covered in depth.
Episodes 2 and 3 at least cover lesser-known conflicts - Malaya and Indonesia of the 1950s and 60s - so is interesting for the novelty value. Episode 4 includes South/Central American conflicts so at least there is some variety of location. However, it is all still just a history of the conflict, rather than an examination of the jungle tactics. The interviews with experts don't really add anything.
Disappointing.