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The Fourth Arm

The Fourth Arm

★ 6.5/10•1983•50m•12•Drama•War & Politics
Similars

Starring Paul Shelley in a role reminiscent of his Secret Army character in all but name, this 12-part serial follows a team of secret agents parachuted into occupied Europe during World War II, exploring their recruitment, training, and first mission behind enemy lines.

StatusEnded
Runtime50m
LanguageEN
First Air DateJan 7, 1983

Episodes

E150m

Part One

The French Resistance spot a new German weapons base being developed near Calais. Their sabotage attempt goes badly wrong while a Bomber Command mission also proved unsuccessful. SOE decide this needs a trained unit.

Jan 7, 1983

E250m

Part Two

Returning from France, Gallagher begins to compile a team of specialists to train for a one-off mission behind enemy lines. Not everybody is convinced that some can be trusted to follow orders.

Jan 14, 1983

E350m

Part Three

Gallagher hands over his new unit to Lt. Col. Squires to begin their training. Scientist Stephen Lovell might be the most vital person on the mission but the army intend to play hardball with him.

Jan 21, 1983

E450m

Part Four

Training intensifies with the unit put under extreme interrogation methods to see how they fare. Macaulay's attempted night out becomes a cropper.

Jan 28, 1983

E550m

Part Five

The date of the mission is pushed forward when SOE receives new intelligence that the Germans could have up to 14,000 rockets. Final selection is held before paratroop training begins in earnest.

Feb 4, 1983

E650m

Part Six

Macaulay's position is in doubt when he struggles to overcome his fear on his first parachute. Rohr is informed that she will go into France as reconnaissance before the main group.

Feb 11, 1983

E750m

Part Seven

Following a nighttime jump, the unit rendezvous at Pierre de Grouchy's farmhouse. Meanwhile, Gallagher discovers a traitor in the Resistance while former nightclub singer Simone could be recognised.

Feb 18, 1983

E850m

Part Eight

After a successful first mission, the unit get debriefed; McKenzie is carpeted for his actions while Gallagher has to inform Simone's mother of her tragic death. Tightrope walker Soltysyk 'Warsaw' is recruited.

Feb 25, 1983

E950m

Part Nine

Gallagher wants to be relieved of duty due to attrition rates among the recruits. Lovell starts playing up, causing friction within the group. Meanwhile, Merle and Ferdy start planning a future together if they survive.

Mar 4, 1983

E1050m

Part Ten

The unit has now been reduced to six specialists who will participate in the raid. Lovell is determined to quit but no replacement can be found. His superior Professor Evans is brought in to help change his mind.

Mar 11, 1983

E1150m

Part Eleven

The unit enters France and discover, from Pierre, that the invasion is a mere two days away. The group head to the German rocket base in Deauville. An RAF bomber raid causes the power to go out, allowing the unit to get in.

Mar 18, 1983

E1250m

Part Twelve

The unit have reached the heart of the rocket site. The German kommandant has been made aware that at least three men are on the premises. The group find the documents and plant their bomb but have just sixteen minutes to escape.

Mar 25, 1983

Actors

Paul Shelley

Paul Shelley

Maj. Hugh Gallagher

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