The British Army has established the Cultural Heritage Protection Unit to protect at - risk art and archaeological sites in warzones . It is inspired by the US Monuments Men from WWII and follows on from the UK 's ratification of the peace Hague Convention on protecting cultural property during military conflict . The unit will be led by Gulf War veteran lieutenant Colonel Tim Purbrick . He is putting together a team from the Army , Navy , RAF and Royal Marines . Civilian experts in art , archaeology and art crime investigation can also join the 15-person team , but must be willing to enlist in the Special Reserves .
The British Army has created the Cultural Property Protection Unit to protect at-risk art and archaeological sites in warzones. It is inspired by the US Monuments Men from WWII and follows on from the UK's ratification of the 1954 Hague Convention on protecting cultural property during military conflict. The unit will be led by Gulf War veteran Lt Colonel Tim Purbrick. He is putting together a team from the Army, Navy, RAF and Royal Marines. Civilian experts in art, archaeology and art crime investigation can also join the 15-person team, but must be willing to enlist in the Army Reserves.