A new WW2 documentary series relies on a video game, Scramble – Battle of Britain to explore the first air war.
I’ve become increasingly interested in the Second World War over the past few years. Not so much military campaigns and weapons and memorabilia as the personal sacrifice young British men made to defend their country.
My own granddad was one, so perhaps this is understandable.
Thanks to podcasts like sometime Pub Landlord Al Murray and James Hollands’ We Have Ways of Making You Talk and my own research into my forebear’s actions between 1940 and 1944, it’s possible to dig into the turning points of the conflict and learn more about the human drama.
Scramble – Battle of Britain
My granddad fought in the army, but that doesn’t mean I’m not interested in the air war. A documentary series from Slitherine Games offers a different, fresh perspective on the aerial combat that came to define WW2 for those who didn’t or couldn’t serve in the armed forces. They’ve launched “A Lens On,” a documentary-style project that uses their game, Scramble – Battle of Britain, as a launching point to explore the historical realities of World War II.
The first season focuses on the Battle of Britain and the struggle for air supremacy that proved vital in the early years of the war. What’s particularly interesting is focus on the experiences of the individuals involved, and it kicks off here with the aces, those remarkable pilots of the Royal Air Force.
This is a YouTube series, and here’s the first part:
In episode 1, the “Aces of the Air” — elite fighter pilots who achieved at least 5 aerial victories — are the subject. The average age of these guys was just 21, yet they became symbols of skill and bravery.
Role models, in fact.
Britain’s aerial onslaught
The documentary looks at the part these young men played in defending Britain from the aerial onslaught, and highlights iconic figures such as Douglas Bader and Eric Lock. Overwhelming odds in the air, and immense personal challenges don’t look good on paper, yet their impact on the outcome of the Battle of Britain was undeniable.
Also included are insights from historians Victoria Taylor and Paul Beaver, providing useful historical accuracy and context. It is also interesting to see how Scramble‘s Lead Developer, Jon Coughlin, paints the game’s design to as an attempt to capture the strategic and personal challenges faced by the pilots.
All of this is presented with a backdrop of the RAF Museum in Biggin Hill and the Biggin Hill Heritage Hangar
“A Lens On” is definitely recommended, whether you’re fascinated in WW2, the Battle of Britain, aerial warfare, or flight sims. If any of that sounds like you, consider subscribing to the Slitherine Games YouTube channel to receive updates for new editions of the series.