Customer Reviews

Secret Underground Cities: an Account of Some of Britain's Subterranean Defence, Factory and Storage Sites in the Second World War

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4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I have to admit I have more than a passing interest in the book's subject matter; I visited the vast underground installations in Wiltshire when I was in the military. The site of an underground railway station was quite impressive. The author gives us the history of the tunnels and some maps, although they are not particularly detailed. More recent photos would have been interesting. Worth buying, especialy if you live in the area and wondered what on earth (or under it) was going on under the rolling hills outside Bath.

A comprehensive history of Britain's underground military / industrial infrastructure of WW2, with the mass of detailed historical fact pierced by the occassional shaft of dry humour. Very readable. This book put straight many of my previous misconceptions about the infamous 'Corsham Complex' and revealed new sites in the Midlands and Wales about which I was previously unaware.
A little more on the underground RAF bomb-depots would perhaps have been welcome, along with details of the 'sinister' mustard gas factory at Rhydymwn, which, tantalyzingly, gets just a passing mention.
Overall though, a gem squeezed into 270 pages.

A superb book, but hard to come by now. (Just out of print, I think). If you can'y find a copy I would suggest 'Second World War Secret Bunkers' by the same author... basically a larger format, fully illustrated update of 'Secret Underground Cities'.

This is a great book detailing the underground going ons around the Bath area.

The book takes you from pre World War II. Through the war years and up to quite recently.

The book includes many maps of the underground tunnel systems along with photos during their development and usage.

If you are interested in underground defence establishments. Then this is an absolute must have book for you.

This gives a good,detailed history of how these places were planned and constructed.The maps and diagrams help in appreciating the enormous scale of these working depots and the problems that had to be overcome.Although really interesting,it would be more so if there were a few anecdotes and tales from those who worked down below.If,like me(I was an Ammunition Examiner in the R.A.O.C.),you were stationed at C.A.D.Corsham doing your National Service, this book will awaken long-forgotten memories and make you aware of being part of a unique bit of the country's history.We were sometimes referred to as the "Mole Men"(because in winter we went down the shaft at 7a.m.and up again around 5p.m. and didn't see much daylight!We really enjoyed the summer because we often went onto Salisbury Plain doing demolitions-blowing up unstable or surplus munitions-great fun!).A lot of the work was pretty boring and tiring because of the articial lighting.If you got an unexpected break you thought nothing of kipping on top of a stack of high explosive shells! I worked at Monkton Farleigh with its long galleries most of the time but remember being amazed at the sheer scale of the Corsham depot when I went below.The photographs can only hint at this.My family have also found it of interest,so I recommend it.

Secret Underground Cities: an Account of Some of Britain's Subterranean Defence, Factory and Storage Sites in the Second World War
Excellent book, full of interesting information about these WW2 ammo stores. Plenty of diagrams and photos, but could have done with some more detailed maps of where the sites are and a chapter on what the sites are like today. Well worth buying, though.

In itself, not too bad a book, but then again, not at all what I was expecting. The book details almost exclusively the huge underground site a Corsham, Wiltshire. As such, the book should probably take its name from this site in order to avoid the mistaken belief that its any more generic.

If ever there was a book that promised so much in its title and then delivered so little in its content this must be it. "Secret Underground Cities" conjurs up visions of vast subterranean areas designed for habitation. Wow, what a story, why have I not heard of this before? Well, actually, it's because there were no "Cities" underground. Yes, this book does document the fate of old mines and quarries converted to mainly miltary purposes but is so dry and dull that it is of very little interest to any but a very small audience. Note to self: peer carefully between the covers before buying the next volume with a clever title.