Inside Churchill’s secret tunnels

[Jazzy]

A labyrinth of forgotten Second World War tunnels built beneath the White Cliffs of Dover on Winston Churchill’s orders have revealed glimpses of wartime life.

The Fan Bay Deep Shelter was carved out of chalk in just 100 days in the 1940s as part of Dover’s connected offensive and defensive gun batteries, aimed at foiling German shipping movements in the Channel.

Lying 75 ft (23m) below the Kent coastline, the 3,500 sq feet (325 sq m) of interconnecting tunnels, which are reinforced with iron girders and metal sheeting, accommodated four officers and up to 185 men during the war.

The shelter – which was personally inspected by Churchill in 1941 – was decommissioned in the 1950s before being filled in with rubble and soil and abandoned during the 1970s.

Officials at the National Trust said the tunnels were a ‘time capsule’, giving fascinating insights into war-time life, with graffiti-covered walls, discarded ammunition and even a pools coupon found in the depths.

Following their rediscovery, 100 tonnes of rubble and soil were removed by hand from the tunnels in a project involving more than 50 National Trust volunteers, archaeologists, mine consultants, engineers and a geologist.

After remaining bricked up for more than 40 years, the tunnels will open to the public today following an 18-month project and 3,000 man hours.

Click here to see pictures

Wow how fascinating I'd love to go see it!

What do think?

 

[DrLeftover]

"well found, thank you, mum."

 

[Jazzy]

"well found, thank you, mum."

Thank you very much. I thought of you when I found it. Glad you liked it!

 

[Smiley]

I keep looking at the picture and a part of me expects the Doctor to show up in it any moment, running down the tunnel.