Captain Mainwaring & the home guard are due at a big parade

Dad's Army Christmas Special 1971: Battle of the Giants

Comedy

Christmas Special 1971. Captain Mainwaring does his best to dodge a big church parade when the Home Guard are ordered to wear their medals from previous conflicts.

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The Home Guard of Walmington-on-Sea are determined to keep the enemy at bay at all costs.

The Man and the Hour

1940. As Walmington-on-Sea trembles at the thought of a mighty Nazi invasion, the indefatigable Captain Mainwaring and his eager Home Guard are ready and waiting - regardless that some of them are so old they can hardly stand up...

The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard try to equip themselves as a powerful fighting force.

Museum Piece

The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard go to great lengths to equip themselves as a fighting force powerful enough to repel a ruthless enemy.

Captain Mainwaring puts the defence of the realm before personal pride.

Command Decision

Captain Mainwaring puts the defence of the realm before personal pride and nearly loses control of the platoon in the process.

The platoon triumphs over problems of security, fifth columnists and parachuting airmen.

Enemy Within the Gates

Corporal Jones is put to the test and the Home Guard ensure that he is not found wanting.

The Showing Up of Corporal Jones

Corporal Jones is put to the test and the Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard ensure that he is not found wanting.

The crew use their rifles and their wits to compete for the honour of guarding a VIP.

Shooting Pains

Mainwaring's squad takes part in an exercise for a Highland platoon.

Operation Kilt

When the church bells start ringing, Walmington Home Guard prepares for the invasion.

The Battle of Godfrey's Cottage

When the church bells start ringing, Walmington Home Guard prepares to deal with the invasion.

Sergeant Wilson finds it difficult to concentrate on Home Guard activities.

Sgt Wilson's Little Secret

Private Walker is called up for National Service.

Private Walker converts Corporal Jones' old butcher's van into a armoured troop carrier.

The Armoured Might of L/Cpl Jones

Private Walker converts Corporal Jones' old butcher's van into a combined armoured car, ambulance and troop carrier.

Captain Mainwaring and the platoon spend the weekend at a training camp.

Battle School

The men take part in a weekend battle course where they are instructed in guerrilla tactics by ex-members of the Spanish International Brigade.

An enemy aircraft lands in the town reservoir and our heroes make the crew surrender.

The Lion Has Phones

When an enemy aircraft crash lands in the town reservoir, members of the home guard must summon the assistance of the regular army.

Captain Mainwaring calls a court of inquiry.

The Bullet is Not for Firing

Captain Mainwaring must convene a Court of Enquiry to replace ammunition lost when his troops fire on a low-flying enemy aircraft.

Mainwaring and Wilson are in the bank when an unexpected guest drops in.

Something Nasty in the Vault

Captain Mainwaring and his men are trapped in a bank vault with an unexploded bomb while the Bomb Disposal Officer tries to disarm it.

Captain Mainwaring is horrified to discover that he is not a commissioned officer.

Room at the Bottom

Captain Mainwaring is horrified to discover that he is not a commissioned officer. Classic comedy, starring Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier.

The platoon is sent a huge naval gun - but how does it work?

Big Guns

The Home Guard Platoon receives a very large naval gun for coastal protection, but no one has the faintest idea how to work the thing.

The verger gets tied up with disastrous consequences. Can the platoon set him free?

The Day the Balloon Went Up

It's the night of the Home Guard Dance, and Pike has brought a girlfriend.

War Dance

The Home Guard have full responsibility for the defence of Walmington-on-Sea for a week.

Menace from the Deep

The bravery of the gentle and well-mannered Private Godfrey is called into question.

Branded

The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard enlists the help of a recruit with four feet..

Man Hunt

Frazer loses a vital part of a gun he was responsible for.

No Spring for Frazer

Sons of the Sea

Walmington-on-Sea has a parade to mark War Weapons Week.

The Big Parade

Like every other town, Walmington-on-Sea is to have its War Weapons Week. The event is to be marked by a parade of all Auxiliary Services such as the Wardens, Auxiliary Fire Service, the nurses, the Rescue Squad and of course the Home Guard.

The ingenuity of Mainwaring's men is put to the test.

Don't Forget the Diver

The Walmington-on-Sea Home Guard platoon come up with an ingenious plan to capture the windmill defended by the Eastgate platoon.

Captain Mainwaring starts a foot-hardening programme.

Boots, Boots, Boots

The most important item in the infantryman's equipment is his feet, and Captain Mainwaring is determined that all of his men will be well shod with hardy, battle-worthy feet. To this end, he starts a foot-hardening programme.

Pike loses his way in a minefield during night manoeuvres.

Sergeant, Save My Boy!

Private Pike loses his way in a minefield during night manoeuvres and has to be rescued by Sergeant Wilson.

Mainwaring's men are sent to guard the local POW camp.

Don't Fence Me In

Captain Mainwaring's men are sent to guard the local POW camp, but problems occur in keeping them on the right side of the fence.

The platoon forego a parade in Mainwaring's absence to compete in a darts match.

Absent Friends

The platoon forego a parade in Mainwaring's absence to compete in a darts match against the ARP wardens. When Mainwaring arrives back, he is appalled and orders Wilson to bring them back. But the platoon are staying where they are.

Captain Mainwaring sets up an observation post in the lighthouse.

Put That Light Out!

Captain Mainwaring sets up an observation post in the lighthouse, thus providing ample opportunity for disaster.

The glorious history of Corporal Jones is brought into question.

The Two and a Half Feathers

An old comrade-in-arms dredges up the past and brings the glorious history of Corporal Jones into question.

Captain Mainwaring encourages the women of Walmington-on-Sea to join the platoon.

Mum's Army

It occurs to Captain Mainwaring that much of the valuable time of his unit is taken up with non-combatant activities such as button sewing, brass polishing and office duties.

The Chief Warden challenges Captain Mainwaring to a game of cricket.

The Test

Captain Mainwaring receives a challenge from the Chief Warden to play his platoon at cricket. A team is mustered including Sgt Wilson, who is something of an all-rounder. L/Cpl Jones volunteers to keep the wicket.

Wilson moves to Eastgate to be manager of their bank and joins their Home Guard.

A Wilson (Manager)

After a promotion, Wilson moves to Eastgate to be manager of their bank and joins their Home Guard at the rank of First Liuetenant. His new life does not last long, however, as the bank is bombed the day he arrives.

The wardens' HQ is bombed, forcing them to share the church hall with the Home Guard.

Uninvited Guests

When the wardens' HQ is bombed, they have to share the church hall with the Home Guard, despite Captain Mainwaring's disapproval. The wardens are terribly disruptive and decide to start a fire since it is a bit draughty in the hall.

The platoon goes on an exercise, but there are surprises in store for Captain Mainwaring.

Fallen Idol

The platoon goes on an exercise, where uncharacteristically Captain Mainwaring is lead astray and ends up inebriated. Only something genuinely heroic will restore his damaged reputation in the eyes of his men.

The pumping station is hit during an air raid, trapping Godfrey and Walker inside.

Asleep in the Deep

The platoon are trapped in an underground room at the waterworks following an air raid. They happily await rescue - until a main begins to leak...

The platoon try to look younger in case they are drafted into the Air Raid Patrol.

Keep Young and Beautiful

After years at war, the British government decides to instil the Home Guard with more youthful members and existing, long-serving members could be moved into the Air Raid Patrol.

A cinema visit and a toasted cheese supper make Mainwaring dream that he is Napoleon.

A Soldier's Farewell

A visit to the cinema and a toasted cheese supper make Captain Mainwaring dream that he is Napoleon.

Walker arranges for Jones to get some off-ration pigeons.

Getting the Bird

Walker arranges for Jones to get some off-ration pigeons - but did they come from Trafalgar Square?

Mainwaring's platoon is sitting in a barn which is the target for some 25-pounders.

The Desperate Drive of Corporal Jones

Mainwaring's platoon is in a barn which is the target for some 25-pounders, but only Jones knows of the danger.

Mainwaring lets Frazer take over in a bid to end his grumbling.

If the Cap Fits

One way to deal with a grumbler is to let him take over - so Mainwaring tries it on with Frazer.

When a bomb falls on Capt Mainwaring's bank, he insists that the platoon guard the money.

The King Was in His Counting House

When a bomb falls on the vault of Captain Mainwaring's bank, he insists that the platoon counts the money and guards it.

The platoon help a widowed lady friend of Private Godfrey to gather in the harvest.

All Is Safely Gathered In

Captain Mainwaring and the platoon help a widowed lady friend of Private Godfrey to gather in the harvest.

Corporal Jones mislays platoon funds and the boys face a tough time jogging his memory.

When Did You Last See Your Money

Corporal Jones loses money that has been raised to provide a new canteen for the servicemen. The platoon tries to jog his memory.

The members of the platoon disguise themselves as firemen during an exercise.

Brain Versus Brawn

The members of the platoon disguise themselves as firemen during an exercise, but then they are called upon to tackle a real blaze.

Mainwaring finds himself in court after a light is left burning in the church hall.

A Brush with the Law

The chief warden puts Mainwaring in court after a light is left burning in the church hall.

The platoon is chosen for special duties during the testing of a secret weapon.

Round and Round Went the Great Wheel

An enemy pilot bails out and becomes tangled up with the town clock.

Time on My Hands

An enemy pilot bails out and becomes tangled up with the town clock - and so do the members of Mainwaring's platoon when they attempt a rescue.

Captain Mainwaring and his platoon are instructed to guard a captive U-boat crew.

The Deadly Attachment

Captain Mainwaring and his platoon are instructed to guard a captive U-boat crew. Are they up to the job?

The first contingent of American soldiers arrives in Walmington-on-Sea.

My British Buddy

As the first contingent of American soldiers arrives in Walmington-on-Sea, Captain Mainwaring and his troops prepare to welcome them.

Captain Mainwaring and the platoons prepare to greet the king.

The Royal Train

The king is coming to Walmington-on-Sea. Captain Mainwaring and the platoons prepare to greet him, but as usual things don't go quite according to plan.

Mainwaring and the platoon take part in a Home Guard efficiency test.

We Know Our Onions

Mainwaring and the platoon take part in a Home Guard efficiency test using Jones's van, which happens to be full of onions.

Captain Mainwaring is annoyed when a death elevates Sergeant Wilson's social status.

The Honourable Man

Captain Mainwaring is annoyed when a death elevates Sergeant Wilson to the fringes of the aristocracy.

The van transporting the platoon breaks down outside what looks like a deserted house.

Things That Go Bump in the Night

The platoon's van breaks down outside what looks like a deserted house where Mainwaring decides they should spend the night.

While Capt Mainwaring is in hospital, Sgt Wilson allows the vicar to join the platoon.

The Recruit

Captain Mainwaring is temporarily in hospital and during his absence Sergeant Wilson allows the vicar to join the platoon.

A big exercise is jeopardised when the platoon find a steam engine blocking the road.

Everybody's Trucking

A big exercise is jeopardised when the platoon find an abandoned steam engine blocking the road.

Captain Mainwaring declares martial law when a bomb drops on Walmington-on-Sea.

A Man of Action

Captain Mainwaring declares martial law when a bomb drops on the outskirts of Walmington-on-Sea.

During an exercise, Captain Mainwaring poses as a secret agent.

Gorilla Welfare

During an exercise, Captain Mainwaring takes the role of a highly important secret agent. The regular army try to prevent him completing his mission.

The platoon decide to Morris dance at a festival.

The Godiva Affair

Captain Mainwaring's platoon decide to perform a Morris dance to raise funds for the Walmington-on-Sea Spitfire Fund.

Mainwaring is overjoyed when he is offered the use of a Rolls-Royce.

The Captain's Car

Captain Mainwaring is offered the use of a Rolls-Royce. On the way to be camouflaged, it gets mixed up with the mayor's official car.

It's time for a turkey dinner with the OAPs

Dad's Army Christmas Special 1974: Turkey Dinner

Mainwaring's Home Guard platoon decides to give a turkey dinner to the old-age pensioners of Walmington-on-Sea.

The platoon is ordered to assist in the making of a training film.

Ring Dem Bells

The platoon is ordered to assist in the making of a training film, but Captain Mainwaring is disgusted to learn that his men will be playing the parts of Nazi soldiers.

Pike receives his call-up papers and, to the alarm of his mother, he is passed A1.

When You've Got to Go

Private Pike receives his call-up papers and, to the great alarm of his mother, he is passed A1.

Godfrey's cottage is to be demolished to make way for an aerodrome until Fraser steps in.

Is There Honey Still for Tea

Private Godfrey's humble abode, Cherry Tree Cottage, is threatened with demolition to make way for a new aerodrome until he finds an unexpected ally in Private Fraser.

Captain Mainwaring's team attempt to bring ashore a downed German Luftwaffe aircraft.

Come in Your Time Is Up

Walmington-On-Sea's Home Guard attempt to bring ashore a German Luftwaffe aircraft crew who have bailed out into a nearby lake and intend to stay in their dinghy until nightfall.

Mainwaring decides that Jones's bank account has been in the red too long.

High Finance

Captain Mainwaring, in his capacity as bank manager, calls in Corporal Jones to explain why his account is always in the red. Investigation reveals a complicated chain of outgoings, and the involvement of a certain air raid warden.

Mainwaring's recruitment drive gets off to a bad start.

The Face on the Poster

Mainwaring starts an advertising campaign to increase recruiting, but Wilson mixes up the photographs for the poster.

Dad's Army

Dad's Army

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Dad's Army Christmas Special 1975: My Brother and I

Dad's Army Christmas Special 1976: The Love of Three Oranges

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Dad's Army Christmas Special 1971: Battle of the Giants

Dad's Army Christmas Special 1971: Battle of the Giants