Dig 1940
 

I am able to confirm "Dig 1940" will finally hit the screens on Wednesday 15 December, BBC1 at 19.30hrs.

Unconfirmed yet are Part II and III which are provisinally listed for the same time on 22 and 29 December respectively.

Re: Dig 1940
 

Just been sent the TX card for "Dig 1940".....

Re: Dig 1940
 

Just amazing their dig through the tarmac road... just to find some scraps.
A 'better' find with the Ju 87. Dig is lottery
Well, it seems British diggers are now seated in Northern France (perhaps coming soon in Belgium) ;-)

Re: Dig 1940
 

It was a bit rushed maybe, always "and on to the next dig ..."

It would have been interesting to have tracked down more about the Stuka and its crew for instance - assuming they found a Werk Nummer.

Re: Dig 1940
 

Do we know more about Ju 87 WNr.(?) 2322 and its exhibition in the Dunkerque area? Strange, there were no French 'authorities' attending the dig...

Re: Dig 1940
 

Well, Valmestroff is rather far away from Dunkerque.

Re: Dig 1940
 

Saw the second programme last night: some excellent colour film of 601 Squadron, worth a programme in itself.

I find the presenter a bit gushing, and apparently he's new to aviation, finding aircraft something of a novelty — to the extent of explaining what an undercarriage is! And some of the narration appears to have been written by a GCSE student on work experience who'll be doing WW2 next term.

That Andy Saunders seems like a fine chap though, and should get more airtime!

Re: Dig 1940
 

Thank you, Nick.

I was involved with a good deal of behind-the-scenes stuff on the various programmes including finding the 601 Squadron colour film which most agree is stunning.

I think one has to take into account that the main target audience is to the wider uneducated public who doubtless know nothing or little of the events of 1940....nor, indeed, what the Battle of Britain was. This might well explain, perhaps, the fairly 'basic' scripting.

Prog 3 this week on Weds, BBC1, at 7.30pm

Re: Dig 1940
 

Just as a matter of personal curiosity....I wonder what you mean by the absence of French authorities attending the dig? What authorities do you refer to?

Your post rather suggests that you feel unspecified authorities should have been present.

Re: Dig 1940
 

I supposed especially when UXB was suspected (we never know before the dig); I was refering to the 'Gendarmerie' and the DRAC ('Direction Régionale des Affaires Culturelles').
Anyway, do you collaborate with French researchers in those areas? They can be of some help.

Re: Dig 1940
 

I cannot really comment with any first-hand authority as such, since I was not actually involved with the digs in question - although I was very much involved with other aspects of 'Dig 1940'.

However, I think I am right in saying that it was known that UXBs had already been dealt with at the Ju87 crash site. As to the Do17, this was a Do17P and thus not likely to have been carrying UXBs. In any event, it was clear at this site that the authorities were very much involved. The film made clear the involvement (obviously!!) of the local Mayor and also the Gendarmerie.

My only other comment is that I know John Hayes-Fisher, the production company and the BBC would have all ensured, very carefully indeed, that all relevant permissions were obtained and all relevant authorities were involved.

Re: Dig 1940
 

Hmm. Having just seen part 3, I presume that those not in the know must think that all German aircraft (and bombs dropping) sound like diving Ju 87s? I am assuming that the He111 they dug up was Ofw Herbert Rose from Stab III/KG 26 shot down by Ed Crew 3 Apr 41. If so, shame they did not see pages 110 & 111 of 'The Luftwaffe's Blitz'. Oh & I thought the title was "Dig 1940" so why was this programme almost entirely 1941? Disappointing I am afraid

Re: Dig 1940
 

So...no reply to Chris's post?

Stephen

Re: Dig 1940
 

And what about the Stuka artefacts? Would they be exhibited in France or kept in a British private collection as some wreckage found in France in the last years? Thus the hunt is open!

ClinA-78

Re: Dig 1940
 

I think we were told in the film that the Stuka artefacts would remain in France for museum display, were we not?