Like A Shot doc on African-American tank unit to air as part of Black History Month

Like A Shot Entertainment is producing one-off documentary Black Panthers of WW2 for Yesterday.

Narrated by David Harewood, the 60-minute special follows the story of the 761st tank battalion composed of African- American servicemen, the first US armoured unit of its kind to enter combat.

The film traces the formation of the unit amid a climate of segregation, the reluctance of US high command to commit the battalion to battle, and the racism the men faced when returning home from war. It includes reconstruction and interviews with historians, descendants and one of the last surviving Blank Panthers, Corporal Robert Andry.

Black Panthers of WW2 will air on Yesterday in October during Black History Month.

Steve Gilham exec produces for Argonon’s Like A Shot Entertainment and Farrah Jaufuraully directs.

The pre-investment deal was brokered by Daniel Thomas, global acquisitions manager for UKTV and BBC Studios.

Newly-launched BossaNova Media is managing international sales.

Gillham said: “The story of the Black Panthers is one of racial injustice, extreme prejudice and striking bravery, with important lessons for modern society today.”

The commission follows UKTV’s deal with Doc Hearts to produce 16 Black History Month interstitials for its channels and social media profiles.