Danger UXB is a 1979 British television series developed by John Hawkesworth and starring Anthony Andrews as Lieutenant Brian Ash, an officer in the Royal Engineers. The programme is titled and partly based on the memoirs of Major A. B. Hartley, M.B.E, RE, Unexploded Bomb - The Story of Bomb Disposal, with episodes written by Hawkesworth and four screenwriters. The series chronicles the exploits of the fictional 97 Tunnelling Company which, as a result of thousands of unexploded bombs in London during the Blitz, has become a bomb disposal unit. As with all his fellow officers, Ash must for the most part learn the techniques and procedures of disarming and destroying the UXBs through experience, repeatedly confronted with more cunning and deadlier technological advances in aerial bomb fusing. The storylines were primarily military, with a romantic thread between Ash and an inventor's married daughter, and other human interest vignettes.
Cast: Anthony Andrews, Maurice Roëves, George Innes
Series 1
13 episodes
- 1. Dead Man's ShoesSeptember 1940: Brian Ash, a direct entry officer of the Royal Engineers after ten weeks of basic training at the Hampshire Depot, joins 97 Tunnelling Company. Without benefit of training as a bomb disposal officer, he is immediately put in charge of a section whose previous officer was killed by a bomb. The unexploded bombs they deal with have been armed by electrical fuses that activate after being dropped, but sometimes fail to go off on impact. If they fail to explode on impact, they can detonate when vibrations caused by movement or contact close the circuit. Under the tutelage of Sergeant James, he defuses a relatively straightforward type 15 fused bomb, but is dismayed to learn that the Germans have deployed an even deadlier fuse, the type 17, that is rigged with a clockwork long-delay detonator activated by the bomb's impact.12CC50minJan 8, 1979
- 2. Unsung HeroesAsh is reprimanded, first by Francis for a newspaper story about the section that the 2IC believes injures the dignity of the service, then by Luckhurst for his reckless behaviour when defuzing a low-priority bomb. Ash becomes acquainted with new officer Ken Machin, who is assigned to his tutelage and billeted with him. Ash and Machin find they are to be sent on a hastily developed new disposal course.12CC50minJan 15, 1979
- 3. Just Like a WomanOn their course, Ash and Machin learn that the boffins have developed a powerful electromagnetic 'clockstopper' to counter the type 17's fuse. Ash gives in to Machin's pleadings, allowing him to finish disarming the type 17 discovered in a residential garden while Ash deals with a Category A bomb near a telephone exchange. In Ash's absence, the type 17 explodes, killing Machin, despite the clockstopper. Ash later finds the Category A bomb has ruptured without exploding, and has an intact type 17 fuse, which is also rigged with an anti-handling device called the Zeus 40 that detonates if there is an attempt to extract the fuse.12CC50minJan 22, 1979
- 4. Cast Iron KillerAsh is ordered to take a defused bomb direct to a scientist working on ways to get around the booby-trap timer.12CC50minJan 29, 1979
- 5. The Silver LiningA bomb under a nightclub provides 347 Section with an opportunity for a little recreation. Ash admits that he is smitten with Susan.12CC50minFeb 5, 1979
- 6. The Quiet WeekendAsh and Susan go off for a quiet weekend away but Ash is recalled to deal with an unexploded bomb and Susan returns home to find her husband waiting for her.12CC50minFeb 12, 1979
- 7. Digging OutAsh works on a bomb outside a destroyed office building while the men of 347 Section try to rescue a woman trapped inside and with another bomb right beside her.12CC50minFeb 19, 1979
- 8. Bad CompanyNewly-promoted Major Francis takes command of the unit and proceeds to enforce new disciplines, but his chief target seems to be Ash and his men.12CC50minFeb 26, 1979
- 9. Seventeen Seconds to Glory347 Section cooperates with the Royal Navy to deal with a bomb that has a 17-second fuse. Ash decides to ask Susan to marry him.12CC50minMar 5, 1979
- 10. Butterfly WinterThe Germans have been dropping a new butterfly bomb that are proving difficult to defuse. 347 Section is one of a number of units called to a small English village to deal with them.12CC50minMar 12, 1979
- 11. Dead LetterAsh is assigned to Cambridge to help Dr. Gillespie with the new Y fuse, and meets Susan again.12CC50minMar 19, 1979
- 12. The PierThe Company packs up and moves to the coast where they are to clear the beaches of dozens of British mines laid in preparation for a German invasion.12CC50minMar 26, 1979
- 13. With Love From AdolfAsh convalesces after a near-fatal accident while defusing a mine. With his mobility severely impaired, he is to be reassigned to light duties away from the bomb disposal unit.12CC50minApr 2, 1979
Danger UXB
Danger UXB is a 1979 British television series developed by John Hawkesworth and starring Anthony Andrews as Lieutenant Brian Ash, an officer in the Royal Engineers. The programme is titled and partly based on the memoirs of Major A. B. Hartley, M.B.E, RE, Unexploded Bomb - The Story of Bomb Disposal, with episodes written by Hawkesworth and four screenwriters. The series chronicles the exploits of the fictional 97 Tunnelling Company which, as a result of thousands of unexploded bombs in London during the Blitz, has become a bomb disposal unit. As with all his fellow officers, Ash must for the most part learn the techniques and procedures of disarming and destroying the UXBs through experience, repeatedly confronted with more cunning and deadlier technological advances in aerial bomb fusing. The storylines were primarily military, with a romantic thread between Ash and an inventor's married daughter, and other human interest vignettes.
Creators and cast
- Created by
- John Hawkesworth
- Studio
- Euston Films, Thames Television
Maturity rating
12Check the rating before watching with younger viewers.
