The Government

The Government During WWII

Before WWII, the government decided to make underground headquarters to run the country during war without leaving the capital.

Whitehall

The New Public Offices building in Whitehall was chosen.
It had a steel frame and a basement that they reinforced with a layer of concrete.
They protected the basement from gas and floods.

The ‘Cabinet War Rooms’

Whitehall became known as the ‘Cabinet War Rooms’.
Chiefs of Army, Navy and Airforce based in the Map Room, as well as Churchill, who slept here.

Bombs

However they were not bomb proof (concrete was not thick enough and the rooms kept growing).

Communication technology

There was a telephone room that could connect to USA and broadcasting equipment with connections to the BBC, as well as bedrooms and kitchens.

Secrecy

The site remained secret.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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