The Thames: Secret War
Ben Robinson flies over the Thames to reveal discoveries about WWI, including a network of trenches on the Hoo peninsula near the former Chattenden Barracks.
Archaeologist Ben Robinson flies over the Thames to uncover new discoveries about World War I. A whole network of trenches has been discovered on The Hoo peninsula. Invisible from the ground, they were recently found from aerial images of the area next to the former Chattenden Barracks. The trenches were used for experimentation and training of soldiers and can be directly linked to trenches used in Belgium in WWI. The trenches are just one feature revealed by the first full aerial survey of the area by English Heritage. Much of the history of this area is being recorded from the air before it is destroyed by coastal erosion and development.
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Hoo Peninsula's military history
Aerial archaeology revealed a network of WW1 trenches which could rewrite military history
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Hoo Peninsula's secret role in WW1
Aerial photos show network of WWI trenches on the Hoo Peninsula which may rewrite history.
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The Flying Archaeologist - Hoo Peninsula
Duration: 02:45
Music Played
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David Arcadia, Dr Azimuth
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The Thames' secret war
The Thames is perhaps a surprisingly rich source for aerial archaeologists - especially the Hoo Peninsula.
The Hoo Peninsula became an important line of defence and a testing ground for experimental military endeavour during the 19th and early 20th Centuries.
Its remoteness and wide open spaces made it a good choice for the highly dangerous business of manufacturing the explosives that kept the Royal Navy fighting.
It may come as a surprise to many that archaeological effort is being invested in recording and protecting the most significant examples of the remains of the fairly recent military past.
However, natural erosion and development are threatening the heritage of the Hoo Peninsular.
It is this heritage that connects us to the history of some of the darkest hours and most momentous chapters in the nation’s history.
Credits
| Role | Contributor |
|---|---|
| Presenter | Ben Robinson |
| Executive Producer | Diana Hare |
| Producer | Paul Dunt |
Broadcasts
Fri 19 Apr 201319:30BBC One South East- Mon 20 May 201320:00
- Tue 21 May 201302:30
- Mon 14 Jul 201419:30
- Tue 15 Jul 201401:50
- Tue 28 Apr 201519:30
- Mon 18 Apr 201619:30
- Wed 13 Mar 201919:00
- Tue 24 Sep 201919:00
Sat 8 Jan 202211:30BBC Two except Scotland- Thu 26 May 202219:30
- Fri 27 May 202201:35
- Thu 23 Mar 202319:30
- Fri 24 Mar 202302:05
- Mon 10 Jul 202319:00
- Thu 26 Sep 202419:30
- Fri 27 Sep 202401:05
- Thu 24 Jul 202519:30
- Fri 25 Jul 202501:40
Presenter's blog post: "Our knowledge is being transformed by the aerial view"
Read Ben Robinson's post on the BBC Love TV Blog.
