Digging Band of Brothers: Press Release

Time Team Special: Digging the Band of Brothers to premiere worldwide on YouTube

The feature-length documentary starring Sir Tony Robinson commemorates 80 years since the legendary Easy Company were stationed in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England ahead of D-Day.

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The first brand new Time Team Special featuring Sir Tony Robinson will premiere this Saturday 30th September 2023 at 7pm (BST) on the Time Team Official YouTube channel. The eagerly anticipated documentary sees Time Team working with Operation Nightingale in an English village linked to the United States Army’s most famous regiment of the Second World War – the legendary ‘Band of Brothers’.

Aldbourne, Wiltshire, was once home to the iconic Easy Company of the US 101st Airborne Division. The paratroopers were stationed here in 1943, before engaging in pivotal actions of World War II – among them Operation Overlord, Operation Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.

80 years later, in May 2023, Time Team visited to explore the traces they left behind through an archaeological investigation. The excavation was spearheaded by Operation Nightingale, a Ministry of Defence initiative that uses archaeology to support the recovery of servicemen and women returning from conflict.

Time Team’s creator and Series Producer, Tim Taylor, says: “What a thrill to join forces once again with Operation Nightingale.” The initiative’s co-founder, Richard Osgood, MBE, adds: “We’ve made some fantastic discoveries together in Aldbourne, while continuing our efforts to assist military veterans with the power of archaeology.” Tony Robinson says: “It’s wonderful to be back out in the field with Time Team again, and what a project to kick things off!”

COMPETITION

To celebrate the release, Time Team has partnered with Warner Hotels for a very special competition. The prize includes a luxurious 3-night stay at Littlecote House, a grand Tudor mansion near Aldbourne, with a stunning Roman mosaic in the grounds. Littlecote was the headquarters of the 101st Airborne during the war, and is where Tony Robinson filmed several scenes for the new episode.

Full details on how to enter will be announced shortly.

Since returning to screens, Time Team has investigated sites including a Knights Hospitaller preceptory, an Anglo-Saxon cemetery and a Roman sarcophagus. The episodes are possible thanks to thousands of fans worldwide, on the online membership platform, Patreon. With over 9,000 current members, Time Team has set a goal of 10,000 ongoing members in order to develop more episodes.

Tim Taylor says: “We can’t wait to share our new Time Team Special with you, and investigate more historic sites together!”

Photo credit: Harvey Mills