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Stepping back in time — London’s Churchill War Rooms (Includes interview and first-hand account)

The exhibition is divided into two parts: the Cabinet War Rooms, from which the British government operated out of during World War II; and an exhibition space dedicated to the life of the prime minister during much of the conflict — Winston Churchill.

With the war rooms, the exhibition follows through the underground bunker that protected the staff and secrets at the heart of Britain’s government during the Second World War.

This room was used by the joint chiefs of staff during the war.

This room was used by the joint chiefs of staff during the war.

As well as seeing where Churchill and his inner circle plotted the route to Allied victory, the bunkers provide a glimpse of what life would have been like during the tense days and nights of the Second World War.

A special kitchen in the war rooms  used to prepare meals for Winston Churchill and his guests.

A special kitchen in the war rooms, used to prepare meals for Winston Churchill and his guests.

Some of the bedrooms were more salubrious than others.

The room used by Winston Churchill s wife in the bunker  more elegantly decorated than others.

The room used by Winston Churchill’s wife in the bunker, more elegantly decorated than others.

The bunkers were built in 1938, a year ahead of the war starting based on fear of a conflict with Germany. The Cabinet War Rooms became fully operational on August, 27 1939.

The cabinet room where politicians sat with military strategies during WWII.

The cabinet room where politicians sat with military strategies during WWII.

The rooms were most often used by politicians during bomb raids, especially during ‘The Blitz’. However, they were staffed at all times.

A model of a V1 rocket  representing the number of bombs dropped on London during WWII.

A model of a V1 rocket, representing the number of bombs dropped on London during WWII.

A room used by an army general.

A room used by an army general.

The Cabinet War Rooms were in use 24 hours a day until August, 16 1945, when the lights were turned off in the Map Room for the first time in six years.

Two other notable rooms include the Transatlantic Telephone Room and Churchill’s office-bedroom.

The transatlantic telephone room  allowing the UK to communicate with US allies during World War II.

The transatlantic telephone room, allowing the UK to communicate with US allies during World War II.

Churchill s bedroom in the bunker. He rarely used the bed  preferring to be in Downing Street.

Churchill’s bedroom in the bunker. He rarely used the bed, preferring to be in Downing Street.

Churchill made four wartime broadcasts from the Cabinet War Rooms.

A reconstruction of Winston Churchill making a broadcast at the Cabinet War Rooms.

A reconstruction of Winston Churchill making a broadcast at the Cabinet War Rooms.

A room used by the BBC so that broadcasts to the U.K. could continue during German bombing raids.

A room used by the BBC so that broadcasts to the U.K. could continue during German bombing raids.

After the end of the war, the Cabinet War Rooms became redundant and were abandoned until the Imperial War Museum took them over in the mid-1980s.

In the Churchill section, visitors can listen to extracts from Churchill’s rousing wartime speeches. Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill was a British statesman who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955. The first period coincided with most of the Second World War.

The museum gallery makes effective use of modern technology to depict the war and Churchill’s role.

The use of interactive technology to display a time line for the events that made World War II.

The use of interactive technology to display a time line for the events that made World War II.

Within the museum there is plenty of memorabilia relating to Churchill’s life.

A photograph of Winston Churchill visiting British troops  on show in the museum.

A photograph of Winston Churchill visiting British troops, on show in the museum.

One of Churchill s famous cigars. He smoked one for breakfast  apparently.

One of Churchill’s famous cigars. He smoked one for breakfast, apparently.

Winston Churchill s revolver from the First World War  on display at the Cabinet War Rooms.

Winston Churchill’s revolver from the First World War, on display at the Cabinet War Rooms.

There are also letters and other correspondence.

A committee correspondence book  with D-Day highlighted. The Normandy landings (codenamed Operation ...

A committee correspondence book, with D-Day highlighted. The Normandy landings (codenamed Operation Neptune) were the landing operations on Tuesday, 6 June 1944 (termed D-Day) of the Allied invasion of Normandy in Operation Overlord during World War II.

The museum, although celebrating Churchill, also acknowledges some of his more controversial aspects, such as relating to his reluctance to agree to independence in India. Also featured are other items relating to the war effort, such as one of the code breaking machines used to crack the German Enigma code.

Cryptanalysis of the Enigma enabled the western Allies in World War II to read substantial amounts o...

Cryptanalysis of the Enigma enabled the western Allies in World War II to read substantial amounts of secret Morse-coded radio communications of the Axis powers that had been enciphered using Enigma machines. The photograph shows one of the devices used to crack the code.

There is also plenty of video footage, covering the war and up to Churchill’s state funeral.

Visitors watch archive footage of World War II in the Churchill museum.

Visitors watch archive footage of World War II in the Churchill museum.

Some of the archive video footage is shown in unusual ways  such as via a telescope.

Some of the archive video footage is shown in unusual ways, such as via a telescope.

The exhibition is located at the Churchill War Rooms, King Charles Street, London. The war rooms provide a fascinating glimpse into life during wartime.

The original door from 10 Downing Street  the Prime Minter s residence.

The original door from 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minter’s residence.

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Written By

Dr. Tim Sandle is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for science news. Tim specializes in science, technology, environmental, business, and health journalism. He is additionally a practising microbiologist; and an author. He is also interested in history, politics and current affairs.

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