U-Boat Wargamers

U-Boat Wargamers (2023- )

RunningDocumentary showWar, History

January 1943: Admiral Karl Dönitz, head of the Nazis' U-boat fleet, has brought Britain to the brink of starvation by ruthlessly destroying close to a thousand of their merchant ships. If the transatlantic shipping route is cut off, the Allies will lose their last foothold in Western Europe. 

The Royal Navy turns to retired war gamer Gilbert Roberts. Roberts is to use war gaming to try to decipher and combat Dönitz's tactics. To do this, he needs a team, but the Navy can't spare any men. Instead, he risks the ridicule of high command by turning to the Women's Royal Navy Service (WRNS) to war game the U-boats' tactics.

In partnership with Jean Laidlaw, one of Britain's first female chartered accountants, and a small team of resourceful female mathematicians, Roberts acts out naval battles and games the U-boats' moves on a linoleum floor, using chalk and wooden model ships.  

Network
Scheduleevery Tuesday at 21:00 (75 min)

Last Episode

The End Game
Season 1Episode 675 min

The End Game

WATU's tactics are tested to the limit in the final conflict for ONS 5, with over 50 Allied ships and their escorts facing off against 30 German U-Boats. In the end, it is the allies who win out and the remnant of the U-Boat fleet is left to try and limp back to its base at La Rochelle. As the Battle of the Atlantic reaches its crucial turning point, however, the work of the WATU is not yet over. Dönitz makes one last, desperate throw of the dice, unleashing an advanced torpedo to try and turn the tide back in favour of his remaining U-Boats. Roberts and Laidlaw must do everything in their power to counteract the new threat and recapture the seas in time for the impending Allied landings in Normandy.

Mar 28, 2023

Recent Episodes

EpisodeNameAirdate
S01E06The End GameMar 28, 2023
S01E05StalemateMar 21, 2023
S01E04The GameMar 14, 2023
S01E03The WRENSMar 7, 2023
S01E02False DawnsFeb 28, 2023
View all episodesView all seasons

Cast

Jack Ashton

Jack Ashton

plays Karl Dönitz
Andrew Havill

Andrew Havill

plays Gilbert Roberts
Molly Vevers

Molly Vevers

plays Jean Laidlaw
View all cast

Characters

Karl Dönitz

Karl Dönitz

played by Jack Ashton
Gilbert Roberts

Gilbert Roberts

played by Andrew Havill
Jean Laidlaw

Jean Laidlaw

played by Molly Vevers
View all characters

Also known as

  • War Games (Australia)

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