Combat Ships

The programme examines the methods used to conceal and manoeuvre strategically vital ships so they could pass undetected beneath enemy observation during wartime. It also details how intelligence was applied to plan and carry out naval attacks against opposing fleets with precision.

Secrets and Lies is a programme delivered as a single episode, concentrating on a specific facet of maritime warfare. It adopts a straightforward, documentary‑style approach, aiming to give viewers a clear picture of how naval operations were conducted when secrecy was paramount. The episode outlines the methods used to guide high‑value vessels past enemy forces without being detected. It breaks down the manoeuvres that allowed strategically important ships to slip through hostile waters, showing how crews timed their movements and exploited gaps in surveillance to stay out of sight. Equally, the programme examines how intelligence was harnessed to plan and execute naval strikes. It details the gathering and analysis of information that fed into attack plans, illustrating the way accurate data could turn a covert passage into a successful offensive action. By linking the covert passage techniques with the intelligence‑driven attack strategies, the episode paints a comprehensive picture of how secrecy and information worked hand‑in‑hand. It demonstrates that the success of these operations depended not just on daring navigation, but also on the careful use of intel to strike at the right moment.