European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - January 24, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Imperial Warlow underground Headquarters of a a Sinondon s Cabinet War rooms shed Light on world War ii a museum 9h886ksk5 top the underground Cabinet room where More than 100 meetings were held under Churchill from 1940 to 1945. Above left the weather Indica Tor Board. As a joke the word Quot Windy Quot Ivas put up to mean that a heavy raid was in Progress. Above right Churchill s bed in his combined a office and bedroom. Right the desk from which he made some of his wartime broadcasts. The maps on the a Walls which show Britain s coastal and air defense installations had curtains that could be drawn across to conceal them. By Brian j. Smith staff writer in 1939, As the Clouds of War covered Europe the government of Winston Churchill prepared to move underground faced with the threat of German bombing raids the basement of the government offices building on King Charles Street in London was gradually taken Over As Cabinet members generals and admirals moved their offices into the subterranean Complex. Protected by a few feet of steel and Concrete and an emergency ventilation system in Case of Poison Gas attacks the chiefs of staff directed. Britain s War Effort from the cramped quarters near the famous horse guards Parade. The original passageways offset to hinder bomb blasts also had gun Racks placed  Corners As a last line of defense. Other facilities in the basement were More primitive. Chemical toilets were used. Throughout the War. Emergency dormitories and a Small snack bar became the Home away from Home for the staff Many of whom did not see Daylight for Days on end. While directing the movements of armies and naval convoys the staff s closest Contact with the world above was a signboard that indicated the weather. One of the few luxuries was a huge but primitive air conditioner donated by president Roosevelt. A for More than five years As bombs an rockets fell the Cabinet War rooms were the secret Center of the British Ware fort. When the japanese surrendered in 1945, the underground staff dispersed and the rooms were closed off and almost forgotten. In 1984 the rooms were opened to the Public As an exhibit of the Imperial War museum. With the exception of some new passageways the labyrinth is still much As it was at the end of the War. Notepads pin riddled Convoy maps the multicoloured telephones of Quot the chorus line Quot a the nerve Center of the entire British War Elfort a Are still there. With earphones that can be rented at the Entrance to the exhibit the visitor is taken Back in time accompanied by the Wail of sirens and the ghostly Clatter of  who never actually recorded his conversations with president Roosevelt is overheard discussing the War from his private Telephone Booth. From this Small soundproof room which is still concealed behind a Quot toilet engaged Quot sign the Premier called his ally almost daily. Quot a the modest sleeping accommodations for the prime minister and his wife Are remarkable though Churchill preferred to sleep above ground unless air raids made it impossible. To find the Cabinet War rooms look for signs along Whitehall Between the houses of. Parliament and Trafalgar Square. The main Entrance is on King Charles Street. The rooms Are open daily from 10 . To 6 . Lat admittance is at 5 15 . Entrance Lee is 3.50 pounds about $7 for adults 1.75 pounds for children and 2.30 pounds for students and senior citizens. For More information Call 0044 0 71 930-6901. Photos Courtesy Imperial War museum stripes Magazine january 24, v 9