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Arts & Culture

NOVA: Bombing Hitler's Supergun

GFX image of a supergun wth crouching Nazi next to it.
Courtesy of Windfall Films /Fluid Pictures / WGBH
GFX image of a supergun wth crouching Nazi next to it.

Airs Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV

Hugh Hunt builds his own homemade supergun and discovers whether it would have worked.
Courtesy of Catherine Watling/ Windfall Films/ WGBH
Hugh Hunt builds his own homemade supergun and discovers whether it would have worked.
Drone expert, Nick Spark, inside B-24 Liberator.
Courtesy of Ian Duncan/ Windfall Films /WGBH
Drone expert, Nick Spark, inside B-24 Liberator.

Explore the science behind the headlines in PBS’ premier science series. With compelling stories and spectacular visuals, NOVA programs demystify science and technology for viewers of all ages and spotlight people involved in scientific pursuits.

"Bombing Hitler's Supergun" - Growing desperate in 1943, Hitler hatches plans for a diabolical weapon: a bank of “superguns” housed in a massive underground complex in Nazi-occupied northern France.

Together the guns would be able to pump 600 high explosive shells 100 miles into downtown London every hour. This weapon could spell doom for the allies. But how can such a massive gun possibly work?

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Join NOVA as engineers, archaeologists and WWII historians investigate this fearsome weapon. And discover the two audacious missions designed to destroy the seemingly impregnable supergun complex, one of which is led by Joseph Kennedy, Jr.

Video clips and past episodes of NOVA are available for online viewing. NOVA is on Facebook, and you can follow @novapbs on Twitter.

NOVA: Bombing Hitler's Supergun Preview