After 3 days of delay & pleas from German commanders, Hitler has rescinded the "halt order" instructing German tanks to wait for infantry to catch up- panzers can surge into Flanders. https://t.co/j3DuGcD8Os
11.30PM Bill arrives at Augusta's house on bike: "Get your things. You're British now. This is the only way you can be safe." Disguised as a soldier in steel helmet & greatcoat, Augusta is smuggled aboard an army truck.
One British soldier ordered to evacuate from Dunkirk is Bill Hersey, who married a French girl, Augusta, 2 months ago. Bill's Captain tells him "Go & get her."
Calais has fallen; French, Belgian & British troops surrendering. Germans amazed how few British remain in the Citadel: "You fought with great courage." https://t.co/3kcF1u2Fxv
Churchill: If Britain can get peace & independence by surrendering some land "I would be happy to get out of our present difficulties." Several British ministers favour deal with Hitler.
British War Cabinet now discussing negotiated peace with Germany, which Mussolini has offered to arrange. Foreign Secretary Lord Halifax wants to give in.
The Site
The surface surrounding the bunker has changed considerably since the War. One of the major changes was the dismantling of the many Nissen Huts and water tanks that existed in the early 1940’s. The other was the erection of the DSS buildings in 1948 to house offices of the fledgling National Health Service.
The area actually on top did used to contain many shrubs and trees (as can be seen from the map) though today it is just grassed over. There is still some greenery that exists on the south side around the concrete mast plinths.
The bunker had two main entrances/exits, on the west and east side for obvious reasons (in case of attack, fire etc.).
The map below shows the site in 1948, as it was at the time.
There was also a generator hut with surrounding blast wall (not shown on map). It could be found at the west side of the compound, close to Ponteland Road just inside the fence.
Follow
- Nipped up there this morning to recover the broken pieces of tanking. There's clear evidence of impact damage to th… https://t.co/nKeCF1XQEJ
- Bit of a gap in postings on here - not a lot been happening. Stopped by the bunker last week, did the usual walk ro… https://t.co/NeGKLCH4o2
- Decided to drop in on the bunker, as I was passing, today to find that it is now a dangerous building! I hope... https://t.co/LIStQLS0qw
- And finally - the windows at the rear entrance have been bricked up so next time someone manages to get the steel... https://t.co/H2qAEAj1Bm
- Finally got some new tubes for our lights so we should be able to see in the bunker again. We're working on... https://t.co/hNhPFwOUL7
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