Cold War Nuclear bunkers in plain sight in Army barracks?

[jim30]

Gents,

Being a bit of a cold war geek, I follow a reasonable amount of research on Cold War sites. One thing that has come to light recently is the fact that towards the end of the Cold War, a number of bunkers were built hidden 'in plain sight' on various Army bases (picture below of one).

Simple question for you - does anyone recall seeing buildings like this one on any major sites, and where - they'd have functioned as the Armed Forces HQ for a region in the UK - so essentially a 1/2* HQ to support what was left of government. The bunker was essentially built within this using submarine like facilities creating a honeycomb effect to reinforce the inside into a series of cells, giving it a lot more strength and sustainability than you might think.

Thanks!

 

[dingerr]

HQ 2 Div at Craigiehall has one.

Not like the one in the picture though.

 

[jim30]

HQ 2 Div at Craigiehall has one.

Not like the one in the picture though.

cheers mate - don't suppose you can recall when it was built do you?

 

[Mediaeval]

Gents,

Being a bit of a cold war geek, I follow a reasonable amount of research on Cold War sites. One thing that has come to light recently is the fact that towards the end of the Cold War, a number of bunkers were built hidden 'in plain sight' on various Army bases (picture below of one).

Simple question for you - does anyone recall seeing buildings like this one on any major sites, and where - they'd have functioned as the Armed Forces HQ for a region in the UK - so essentially a 1/2* HQ to support what was left of government. The bunker was essentially built within this using submarine like facilities creating a honeycomb effect to reinforce the inside into a series of cells, giving it a lot more strength and sustainability than you might think.

Thanks!View attachment 294156

As I recall, there was one in Imphal Barracks, York. Rather a sad story associated with it. Evidently, these bunkers have, as you say, a submarine style sealing system. One night a chap went in to service this bunker and an airtight door closed on his legs, trapping him (in pre-mobile phone days). By the time he was found, he had died of blood loss...

 

[bob_the_bomb]

Gents,

Being a bit of a cold war geek, I follow a reasonable amount of research on Cold War sites. One thing that has come to light recently is the fact that towards the end of the Cold War, a number of bunkers were built hidden 'in plain sight' on various Army bases (picture below of one).

Simple question for you - does anyone recall seeing buildings like this one on any major sites, and where - they'd have functioned as the Armed Forces HQ for a region in the UK - so essentially a 1/2* HQ to support what was left of government. The bunker was essentially built within this using submarine like facilities creating a honeycomb effect to reinforce the inside into a series of cells, giving it a lot more strength and sustainability than you might think.

Thanks!View attachment 294156

I worked in a couple. Both were underground.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[dingerr]

1950s if this link is anything to go by.

Subbrit:RSG:sites: Craigiehall

 

[Bubbles_Barker]

Thiepval, Lisburn.

As for the original picture, I can't imagine glass windows or louvred slats were a good idea?

Still, a visit to SubBrit will confirm your worst fears about what some councils thought would work in a nuclear war.

Threads got it pretty right I think, but better still was 'The Wargame':


I only did one tour when I was guaranteed a slot in an AFHQ - thankfully just after the Cold War ended.

 

[Bubbles_Barker]

@jim30 You are a self-confessed Cold War geek, tell me you've visited SubBrit? Much of what you need/want to know is there. If however you'd like to know how many MT were assigned to your particular location in 1986 then I might be able to help you...............

 

[Roadster280]

Nothing at all like what @jim30 has there, but the basements of blocks 3 and 4 in Bradbury Bks, Krefeld had extensive cellars that were fitted as an HQ of some sort. Certainly not new build overall, as it was a 1930s Wehrmacht Panzer barracks, but the fit-out was modern.

RHQ across the road had a standby TARE installation and the crypto distribution agency for BAOR/BFG in its cellars. I suspect Krefeld would have been an alternate to JHQ. At least for a few minutes

 

[WO2.Ghandi]

Imphal is well known, thought it was under the HQ block? Also something fenced off at Fort George and Cultybraggan. Not sure of their actual use, but had a nose in Culty - mahoosive.

 

[jim30]

Thanks guys - this is York barracks bunker in image.

Will follow up tomorrow with detailed comments / questions.

 

[Turret_Monster]

Thanks guys - this is York barracks bunker in image.

Will follow up tomorrow with detailed comments / questions.

You'll be disappointed to hear that the York one was demolished last year to make way for some sort of modular tat. The thick bits took some knocking down though.

 

[Bubbles_Barker]

Nothing at all like what @jim30 has there, but the basements of blocks 3 and 4 in Bradbury Bks, Krefeld had extensive cellars that were fitted as an HQ of some sort. Certainly not new build overall, as it was a 1930s Wehrmacht Panzer barracks, but the fit-out was modern.

RHQ across the road had a standby TARE installation and the crypto distribution agency for BAOR/BFG in its cellars. I suspect Krefeld would have been an alternate to JHQ. At least for a few minutes

If I went to the right part of 'Flak Kaserne' Offrs' Mess kellar bar in Duisburg (Glamorgan Bks in English), I could apparently go by tunnel all the way to my girlfriend who was the dentist in Bradbury in 1982.........

It was easier by car.

 

[wafubustard]

HQ 2 Div at Craigiehall has one.

Not like the one in the picture though.

I don't know if it is still there. Would like a visit if it is and I could find a good enough reason for doing so.

 

[TamH70]

Some more information about the nuclear bunker in Cultybraggan camp in this link, Jim.

Global media frenzy over Nuclear Bunker at Cultybraggan Camp

Spent a fortnight in it when I was on exercise with my T.A Signals regiment yonks ago. We called the bunker there the "HIG" for some odd reason. And yeah, it is really quite big.

 

[Roadster280]

If I went to the right part of 'Flak Kaserne' Offrs' Mess kellar bar in Duisburg (Glamorgan Bks in English), I could apparently go by tunnel all the way to my girlfriend who was the dentist in Bradbury in 1982.........

It was easier by car.

I spent two weeks getting shitfaced in said Mess bar aged about 17 on a Fam Visit. Thank Christ the whole commissioning thing went pear shaped on me (or more correctly I pushed it out of round), otherwise I might possibly have ended up as a Trog officer. The shame of it

Glamorgan Bks was quite similar to Bradbury, IIRC.

 

[Bubbles_Barker]

I only ever saw Bradbury at night............

Duisburg was my first BAOR posting - very fond memories.

 

[Nimbus]

Tesco in Brighouse has a nuclear bunker under the car park. Local fire brigade use it for rescue training.

 

[Kromeriz]

Just how many stories / floors did the stairs go down at Edinburgh Castle? I think I went down 8 levels to the RMP bar but felt sure there were more.

 

[supermatelot]

HMS Cambridge (when it existed) had airtight doors and fortified areas.