From memory, the excellent World at War series made much use of Vaughan Williams 6th symphony, especially later part of 1st movement.
Music aside, it was a stunning series, far more intelligent and unsparing than would be made today.

 

Video here:

Is there any reason to suppose it isn't part of Carl Davis's original score? though the music you're referring to feels less polished than the theme. In the rhythmic sections in 7/4 it's like the 'Dies irae' from Britten's War Requiem. It's not the Britten, but that's worth listening to anyway.

 

Pat Fairlea Thank you very much. I shall give it a listen and hopefully find it. It is a fantastic series and a benchmark of how documentaries should be made.

 

Chibiabos83 Thank you for the reply. I did go through the soundtrack and other Carl Davis work but could not find it. I have discovered recently that there is two World at War soundtracks, one being an extended version. I am yet to check out the latter. I shall try you suggestion also.

 

You can also try Imdb , normally they give credits for films documentaries also if they have them.

 

How about Brahms Symphony #4, there is an earily similarly theme that is the main structure of “The World at War” apocalyptic repetitive beat.

 

It realy looks like an original composition to me. You can find the same theme with a different orchestration here (at 5:10) :