Mark Urban is a somewhat unusual Defence Hack; cerebral, not showy, and always ready to explain things to the viewer, frequently via Jeremy Paxman on 'News Night'. Urban was at his most urbane (see?) when presenting 'Tankies - Tank Heroes of World War II' (BBC2), which followed the path of Six men of the Fifth Royal Tank Regiment from the Desert Campaign through D Day and the invasion of Germany. In a mix of interviews, re-enactment and some historical footage, Urban brought their stories to life. Much of the war-lore will be familiar ground; the camaraderie, the loss of young life, the terror and the exhilaration. Being a 'Tankie' took a particular type of grit; principally, the ability to survive close confinement for many hours at an end without being overcome by the claustrophobic surroundings. The men typically saw this as their duty, accepted death as a regrettable but necessary part of war and took on the Wehrmacht and their formidable anti-tank weapons that were used at various times to devastating effect. Urban's style is to tell a story and follow it up with keen analysis; he made the fog of war clear. As he observed himself, most of the veterans are dying at a faster and faster rate; this programme will serve as an historical document to their undoubted courage in taking on all that Rommel, the SS and the Luftwaffe could throw at them.
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