Hitler's army thundered through Europe from 1939 to 1945 and brought needless death and destruction to the continent. What was it like to serve in this army? What was it like to conduct one of the bloodiest wars in history? What was it like to occupy half of Europe and yet to suffer total defeat?

This five-part portrait provides long-awaited answers to questions such as these and sheds light on the Wehrmacht's complex bonds of loyalty, conscience and honour. It is a thought-provoking story of an army's evolution from defence troops to military force to exterminating power.