My family and I are on vacation in London this week (16 March to 21 March, 2012). My daughter Melissa (middle child, oldest girl) is leading a study abroad program in London and her husband and our grandchildren are here with her. On Saturday, we toured the Cabinet War Rooms located three stories below ground in Central London near the government office complex, not far from the Texas Embassy in London.
The Cabinet War Rooms are where Winston Churchill and his cabinet ran the British War effort from 27 August 1939 until the end of the War in 1945. This is one of the most moving and vivid examples of the courage of those who lead and fought for the freedom of the world during the second world war.
The Cabinet War Rooms are located 30 feet under ground (& existing buildings) in what was in 1938 when the idea was conceived, basement storage rooms under the Office of Works and the Board of Trade. Thought first to be temporary, the facility was quickly expanded to over 30,000 square feet to house Prime Minister Churchill, his staff and his cabinet members and protect them as much possible from German air raids for then next six years.
This is an incredible museum and a testament to incredible work, by incredible people, in extraordinary times. The War Rooms were closed in late 1945 but are today as they were when the last soldier left them thanks to the restoration and preservation by the Imperial War Museum of Great Britain.
When you are visiting WW II points of interest put this one right next to Pearl Harbor in authenticity and emotion.
Marc
19 March 2012
