Wentworth D-Day Control Bunker
January 2016
The Wentworth estate, which is infamous for its world class golf course, was commandeered at the outbreak of WW2 and became a military encampment just outside of Virginia Water in Surrey. The bunker was constructed as a backup control bunker in the event that the main one, under Whitehall was destroyed during the heavy bombardment of London by the Luftwaffe; its layout is identical to that of the Whitehall bunker.
The most unique feature of the tunnels are that they are constructed of surplus London underground cast iron tubes, used in the construction of the tube lines and stations. It is constructed of two tubes, with a smaller diameter tube as an access tube running between the two larger tubes. The whole bunker is protected on the surface by a massive bombproof slab with a brick ventilation cowl protruding. The slab is now used as a car park. Wentworth had been earmarked by General Sir Alan Brooke, Commander in Chief Home Forces, as his headquarters in the event of an invasion by the Germans, instead it was used by the 21st Army Group as a signals centre in the lead up to D-Day.
The Wentworth estate, which is infamous for its world class golf course, was commandeered at the outbreak of WW2 and became a military encampment just outside of Virginia Water in Surrey. The bunker was constructed as a backup control bunker in the event that the main one, under Whitehall was destroyed during the heavy bombardment of London by the Luftwaffe; its layout is identical to that of the Whitehall bunker.
The most unique feature of the tunnels are that they are constructed of surplus London underground cast iron tubes, used in the construction of the tube lines and stations. It is constructed of two tubes, with a smaller diameter tube as an access tube running between the two larger tubes. The whole bunker is protected on the surface by a massive bombproof slab with a brick ventilation cowl protruding. The slab is now used as a car park. Wentworth had been earmarked by General Sir Alan Brooke, Commander in Chief Home Forces, as his headquarters in the event of an invasion by the Germans, instead it was used by the 21st Army Group as a signals centre in the lead up to D-Day.
