Fort Southwick is maintained and managed by the UCAP airsoft games company. That's why you will see various props in the tunnels and rooms in my video - no wartime artefacts remain. Access to the Fort Southwick tunnels in Portsdown Hill is by strict invitation only. The site has 24 hour security and extensive CCTV.
These tunnels and rooms were built as an underground headquarters (UGHQ) for D-Day, Operation Overlord. This bombproof bunker was designed to gather information and coordinate the Allied naval forces.On the 6 June 1944 there were 700 staff working underground.
Please visit Bob Hunt's website below for comprehensive details on the history of the site:
www.portsdown-tunnels.org.uk
** Current usage **
In modern times, the Fort Southwick tunnels are used by the UCAP airsoft company for war games. That's why you will see various props in the tunnels and rooms in my video.
More about the UCAP airsoft games here and the history of the bunker:
www.ucap.co.uk/bunker-history...
** Learn more **
You can also read more about the UGHQ's history on the following websites. Both go into a lot of detail on the Portsdown Hill tunnels, and D-Day rooms underneath Fort Southwick.
www.portsdown-tunnels.org.uk
www.subbrit.org.uk/sites/fort...
** Join the discussion **
Please visit the New Forest and Hampshire WW2 Heritage Facebook group where members talk about local wartime history and other sites of interest:
➜ / 400948317956198
** Music credits **
All music Licensed via Storyblocks.com
- Deep Thoughts by Joel Thomas Hunger
** Credits and Thanks **
- Andy for letting us onto the premises
- Dave Reed for organising the day out
The film has been researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. I am a local history enthusiast and am not an expert historian, so please get in touch if you find any inaccuracies.
#dday #ww2 #tunnels