Montgomery and Hitler: two WWII leaders who participated in the start of the conflict that would define the first half of the 20th century – WWI. Like so many others, they go into the battles of the “Great War” in high spirits – still oblivious to the real meaning of the advance of modern military technology: random and merciless killing on a scale previously unheard of and hitherto technically impossible. It is a turning point in the history of the world. Eventually, Hitler will use his wartime experiences to bait the German people with the promise to make amends for the results of the First World War.

In March 1916 at the battle of Verdun, Captain Charles De Gaulle is wounded by a bayonet and forced to surrender to German forces. It’s a bitter moment for the battle-hardened officer. His time as a German POW shapes his impressions of Germany, and will have a profound impact on his stance during World War II and right into the post-war era. Meanwhile, Herman Goering makes reconnaissance flights over the battlefield of Verdun and downs a number of enemy aircraft. He’s fighting the ‘chivalrous war’ in the air. Would their later actions have been different, had their WWI experiences have taken an alternative shape?