Saving Lives At Sea: In World War Two | Preview (BBC Two)

In this Saving Lives at Sea special - to commemorate the 2024 bicentenary of the RNLI - Dermot O’Leary will uncover the untold story of the institution’s heroic efforts in the Second World War.

In all of its 200 years, the RNLI had never faced such an immense challenge, as its lifeboat crews were called to serve in the most perilous of conditions, ultimately saving thousands of lives.

In this Saving Lives at Sea special - to commemorate the 2024 bicentenary of the RNLI - Dermot O’Leary will uncover the untold story of the institution’s heroic efforts in the Second World War. In all of its 200 years, the RNLI had never faced such an immense challenge, as its lifeboat crews were called to serve in the most perilous of conditions, ultimately saving thousands of lives.

Having spent much of his childhood on the east coast of England, Dermot is a proud ambassador of the RNLI. But even he knew precious little about this hidden history of the institution. He delves deep into some of the war’s most iconic and surprising stories from across Britain, uncovering the extraordinary role the RNLI played in the war effort.

As the war came to our shores, RNLI’s volunteer crews were launched into the conflict; Dermot discovers how they found themselves literally on the front line.

From the evacuation of Dunkirk to the Battle of Britain, he hears powerful first hand testimony from descendants of wartime crew members, uncovers untold stories from local historians, and learns about amazing acts of bravery. With rich archive from the war, Dermot brings these extraordinary feats - and the heroes behind them - to vivid life.

Airs Tuesday 12th March on BBC Two.