Secret network of spy tunnels to open as London's newest tourist attraction
A secret underground network of London World War II tunnels that inspired the James Bond books is set to turn into a brand-new spy museum, with new details now revealed.
The capital is set to gain a new visitor attraction hidden in plain sight 40 metres below High Holborn, as the tunnels will now become open to the public after being kept in relative secrecy for nearly 70 years under the Official Secrets Act.
The London Tunnels, the company that looks after this underground labyrinth, has recently announced a collaboration with the Museum of Military Intelligence (MMI) on the project, two years after the plans were first announced.
The below street-level network is known as the Kinsway Exchange Tunnels and was constructed during the Blitz as a deep-level air raid shelter under the London Underground.
The mile-long series of tunnels was shortly after occupied by the Special Operations Executive, a clandestine organisation established in July 1940 under the orders of then Prime Minister Winston Churchill, during the later stages of World War II.
It was during this time that Bond author Ian Fleming was working as a liaison officer within the wartime administration, and it is thought that the tunnels inspired the research and development Q Branch in his novels.
After a few other uses for the network, the tunnels were used for a secure hotline that connected the White House to the Kremlin during the Cold War, before it was taken over by BT.
Now, the tunnels will have a new life as a major tourist attraction that hopes to welcome up to three million visitors per year.
The tunnels will have a permanent exhibition showcasing the history of military intelligence and its use of the tunnel complex, including a special exhibition centred around the Special Operations Executive.
The displays will spotlight original artefacts, equipment, weapons, documents and images through a 'modern high-tech experience' that promises to bring to life the history and techniques used by military intelligence.
The exhibition will feature stories from the Battle of Britain and D-Day, the espionage operations of the Cold War and the Falklands War.
It will also display more recent military operations, including peace-keeping missions and the response to terrorism threats that have occurred within the 21st century.
Visitors will also be able to delve into how the British military works today and what operations they carry out.
Angus Murray, CEO of The London Tunnels, said: 'We are delighted to become the home of the public exhibition of the Museum of Military Intelligence. This new location will provide convenient central London access to an important and unique collection which has until now been largely hidden.
'The tunnels, built and designed to protect Londoners during the Blitz, are the ideal backdrop to tell the remarkable, and untold, stories of the men and women who played a vital role in protecting Britain then, and the role of the armed services protecting Britain today.'
In its 2023 consultation documents, London Tunnels said the new museum would increase local spending up to £80m per year, create 40 onsite jobs and offer free trips for local schools.
The London Tunnels said work is scheduled to begin in 2027, with completion in 2028.
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Time Magazine
a day ago
- Time Magazine
The Most Influential Fashion Designers in History According to AI
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It is also widely documented that Chanel had ties to Nazi intelligence through her relationship with a German officer, leading to allegations of collaboration during World War II. This remains a controversial chapter in her legacy, prompting debate over how her political affiliations should be weighed against her fashion innovations. Little Black Dress: Debuted the iconic 'little black dress,' repurposing a color traditionally reserved for mourning into a fixture of timeless refinement. Jersey Fabric: Elevated jersey from an undervalued textile to a go-to option for classy yet comfortable apparel. Menswear Influence: Adopted masculine cuts and details, enabling women to feel both liberated and fashion-forward. Chanel Suit: Created the famed Chanel suit, celebrated for its boxy jacket and sleek skirt, epitomizing modern sophistication. Empowerment: Fostered a new wave of female confidence by challenging outdated conventions in women's style. 2. Christian Dior (January 1905 – October 1957) Christian Dior, born in Granville, France, is best remembered for resurrecting extravagant fashion after the austerity of World War II. His designs, unveiled under the label 'New Look,' brought voluminous silhouettes and luxurious fabrics back into focus. By reintroducing femininity and opulence, Dior restored Paris's reputation as the global epicenter of haute couture. The New Look: Presented voluminous skirts and nipped-in waists, a radical shift from wartime restrictions to a more romantic, celebratory style. Luxurious Textiles: Emphasized craftsmanship and lavish materials, underscoring the refined air of Parisian couture. Mentorship: Guided budding talents, including Yves Saint Laurent, molding the future landscape of high fashion. Brand Expansion: Broadened his label to incorporate perfumes, accessories, and ready-to-wear, forging a modern luxury empire. 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With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies. Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
Fox News
a day ago
- Fox News
Jake Tapper slams Democrats for alienating young men after podcasters mock his son
CNN host Jake Tapper blasted the Democratic Party last Thursday after a pair of "left-leaning" podcast hosts made fun of his teenage son for wanting to be a police officer, saying, "This is why you f---kers are losing elections.'" Tapper and his "Original Sin" co-author Alex Thompson were asked about the Democratic Party having a problem reaching young men on NYU Professor Scott Galloway's podcast "The Prof G Pod" and Tapper gave the example of how the liberal podcasters spoke about his son. "I went on a left-leaning podcast, that shall remain nameless, and we were talking about my kids… and they asked me about my son and I said he's a football player, and he wants to be a policeman and their joke was, 'Oh, how does he feel about minorities?" Tapper said. "Like, the idea that he wants to be a policeman therefore, he's racist… this is why you f---kers are losing elections," Tapper added. "My football-playing son, who has no political views - he's 15, he thinks about World War II, and gaming and playing linebacker, that's his world - you're deciding he's a racist because he wants to be a cop. "And why does he want to be a cop? He wants to be a cop because he wants to help people, you know, and he thinks that's the best way he can help people," Jake Tapper said. "And that's how the Democratic Party talks to men, not just White men, but men." "They thought Tim Walz could… translate the Democratic Party values because he hunts and fishes and drinks a beer… I find it just insane," he added. "The Democratic Party has no way of communicating with [my son], they have no entrée into his world." President Donald Trump made significant gains among young voters in the 2024 election. Trump ran up the score with his base while narrowing traditional Democratic advantages among Black, Hispanic, and young voters. The show Tapper declined to name is the "How Long Gone" podcast — hosted by Chris Black and Jason Stewart — which he appeared on in April. When the conversation on that program turned towards the Democratic Party's struggles and appealing to young men, Tapper broached the subject of his own son, which earned the scorn of the hosts. When Tapper told them of his son's interest in being a police officer, the "How Long Gone" hosts broke out in laughter. "Like, he thinks they're cool? I don't understand, what about a cop?" Black asked incredulously. "How does he feel about minorities?" Stewart chimed in. The two hosts responded to Tapper's latest comments on their podcast Monday, calling the CNN host a "flip-flopper" and Stewart's remark a "really funny f---king joke." "I think this is pretty funny and ridiculous… Jake's got a book to sell, baby, and that's the part I respect. Him choosing, willfully, to take a joke wrong, that he definitely knew what it was in the moment, I would say is only a pro move," Black said. "He spun it for his own gain, and it's working."
Washington Post
a day ago
- Washington Post
U.S. vet from WWII is honored in Europe, showered with gratitude at age 99
Harry Humason's right arm became so fatigued from waving at the adoring crowd that the 99-year-old used his left arm to support it. Humason sat in the passenger seat of a truck, wearing a U.S. Army jacket and a hat that listed his World War II regiment and division. As the truck inched past a synagogue, apartments and stores in Pilsen, Czech Republic, roughly 50,000 people cheered, threw lilacs from balconies and waved Czech and U.S. flags. Humason was treated like a hero this month when he visited the Czech Republic, returning to a place he helped liberate from Nazi Germany during World War II. He pulled thousands of dollars from his emergency fund to realize his dream trip, visiting Europe for the first time since 1945 and receiving recognition for his service there. His daughter, Linda Humason, created a GoFundMe for the trip, but only a handful of people had contributed by the time the pair flew to Europe. That changed after the festivities in Pilsen. Humason was shocked that hundreds of grateful Czech citizens donated money to thank him for his contributions to their country. The GoFundMe reached nearly $30,000, largely in small donations, so Humason wouldn't have to pay a cent for his travels. 'I went over with the idea that it was a trip of a lifetime for me,' Humason told The Washington Post. 'And I soon discovered from the Czech people that really I was a token representative of all the veterans that had fought in World War II to liberate Europe and Czechoslovakia, and I took that very seriously.' 'I was just so moved by the people there,' he added. 'It was just amazing.' Humason, who grew up in Alhambra, California, volunteered to join the Army in December 1943 as a teenager. He became a private first class under Gen. George S. Patton Jr., carrying a Browning automatic rifle. He was in combat for more than four months in Europe near the end of World War II, helping liberate Frankfurt, Germany, before his division was sent to a Czechoslovakia mountain range in May 1945. Humason said he walked about 50 miles through woods, small towns and a swamp for a few days carrying playing cards that his division used to decide who would pick up tasks like digging a latrine or being on night patrol. They reached the Teplá Vltava river, where Humason saw trouble: German bunkers, an 8.8 centimeter flak gun and machine guns on the other side. He heard gunfire from Russian liberators fighting German soldiers. 'If we had to cross that river,' Humason said, 'I might not be here.' Before they crossed, they were relieved to receive word that they should stay on the hillside. A white plane would be flying above them, carrying the German delegation that would sign a ceasefire to end the conflict. Humason said he and his division captured German soldiers who surrendered and held them at a hunting lodge with a large, fenced courtyard. After the war, Humason received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the University of California at Berkeley and began building missiles and rockets at a Naval Ordnance Test Station in Pasadena, California. He met his late wife, Jean, in college and started a family. He never expected to return to Europe. That changed in October. Jiri Kluc, a Czech historian who interviews World War II veterans and Holocaust survivors, saw photos on Facebook of Humason from a recent Puget Sound Honor Flight, a nonprofit that flies Washington state veterans to D.C. Kluc noticed a red diamond on the front of Humason's green helmet, a symbol of the division that liberated Czechoslovakia, before it split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993. Kluc, 28, emailed Humason to invite him to Pilsen's liberation festival in May. Linda Humason created a GoFundMe in December, asking for help buying flights, transportation in Europe, hotels, travel insurance, meals, tickets for public attractions and pet sitting for her two dogs and cat. 'I wanted to make sure he made this trip because it was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime shot, I thought,' said Linda, 56. 'And I didn't care what it took to get him there.' So despite only raising $2,605 by the end of April, they flew to Europe. After visiting relatives in Amsterdam for a few days, Humason and Linda arrived in Pilsen, a city in west Czech Republic, on May 1 for four days of liberation celebrations. Veterans' family members, including Patton's grandson, George Patton Waters, were there, but Humason said he was the only U.S. veteran. Some Czechs wore makeshift U.S. uniforms and set up tents for a reproduction of the U.S. Army's encampment and a reenactment of the May 1945 liberation convoy through the city. Humason tried to attend every event, even if they were honoring divisions he wasn't a part of. Humason participated in the convoy and delivered a speech in the city's Republic Square in front of about 5,000 people, where he said 'no one wins, everyone loses' in war. After a few days in Pilsen, city officials arranged a 50-mile drive to Prague for Humason and Linda, and Kluc shared a link to Linda's GoFundMe on Instagram. To Kluc's surprise, Czechs helped donate $20,000, Linda's fundraising goal, within a few days. Humason said he was relieved he could reimburse the money he spent from his savings. And his recognition was far from over. Humason attended a concert at the Municipal House, where a symphony orchestra played famous songs from World War II movies. Before performing the theme song from the 1970 movie 'Patton,' the conductor walked off stage and toward Humason to introduce him to the crowd. Hundreds gave him a standing ovation for about a minute. After the concert, spectators approached him for photos and autographs. Kluc's father, Aleš, drove Humason and Linda about 80 miles south to the Teplá Vltava river, where the country had established a diamond-shaped monument in honor of Humason's division. Vegetation covered the German bunkers that Humason saw across the river decades earlier. Humason and Linda then flew to Frankfurt, where Humason was amazed to see the city clean and lively with modern buildings. When Humason was there in the spring of 1945, rubble filled the sides of the streets from demolished buildings and other structures. Before they flew home May 13, Linda bought another suitcase to fill with about 39 pounds' worth of gifts that Humason had received. He took home a small granite pillar that had broken off from Pilsen's Thank You America Memorial. He received dozens of challenge coins and badges, including one from the U.S. Embassy that showed a U.S. flag and a Czech flag intertwined and Pilsen police patches that officers ripped off their uniforms to give him. He received World War II books, even though he can't read the ones written in Czech. The Embassy is mailing him a U.S. flag that flew there May 6, the 80th anniversary of U.S. troops liberating Pilsen. Linda said she and her father spent about $24,000 on the trip, but with the extra money she received on GoFundMe, she said she'll donate to her county's veterans assistance center. She's saving some money so she and her dad can begin planning another trip to Pilsen.
