Former Secret War Gallery at IWM London pictures wanted...

[WWIIBuff]

Hello Gentlemen,

By chance does anyone have pictures from the former Secret War Gallery that used to be part of the Imperial War Museum in London? Someone posted pictures from the display on a Facebook page recently, but they were mostly blurry. I was able to see enough in the pictures to spark my interest, but could not see any details of the display case contents.

Please post them if you have them.

Thanks

John

 

[kiwieod]

heres a couple i took in 2011,have they changed this display for something else,or do you mean the display that they had back in the 50,60s?

 

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks for posting your pictures kiwieod, those are what I am looking for. I am not sure what was there in the 50's and 60's.

Unfortunately the IWM did a complete remodel in 2014, and it was NOT for the better. You probably wouldn't recognize the place now. It is completely PC, and many of the WWII displays were removed. That is why pictures like yours are so important, we'll probably never see these artifacts on display again. So sad.

 

[Snufkin]

Some images from late 2014 before the display was removed. Unfortunately not the best of pics, given the display case lighting and limited time.


.

 

[Snufkin]

And a few more.


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[WWIIBuff]

Those are great shots Snufkin, thanks for posting them. You definitely show some of the items I was hoping to see in greater detail, and your pictures are pretty clear.

The Limpet mines are my favorite, but that Mark.2 Underwater Buoyant Charge is extremely cool to see! :tinysmile_classes_t

If anyone else has pictures and other parts of the Secret War Gallery display, please post them.

 

[Snufkin]

Finally, a few images of various SOE small arms and side arms. Again not the greatest quality but hopefully mostly in focus.

ETA: that's all I took. There were other displays but - concerning SOE stuff - I seem to recollect mostly of letters, pamphlets and documents, and some radio kit.


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[Bonnex]

Another photographed at the IWM . Made for OP KINDLE. Has two cable operated nail-guns (pin ups), M&C Magnet and two sympathetic fuzes.

 

[glevum]

What was Op Kindle?

 

[Bonnex]

What was Op Kindle?

I believe it was a plan to block Scandinavian waterways by effecively 'scuttling' merchant ships at strategic points. Sorry I cannot be more positive. Next trip to the achives (TNA) I will see if there is a file on the subject.

PS TNA Ref is HS 2/77 KINDLE 1943-1944 Sabotage of shipping in German Canals
SOE Group C Scandinaviaan Registered Files DENMARK KINDLE

 

[Scout Sniper]

Great pictures, thanks for sharing! Shame the display is no longer there, i did make a visit to the IWM maybe 2 or so years ago and found the whole experience pretty disappointing.

Did anybody else notice the time pencils? 4 of them are for the tree spigot gun, not often seen!

 

[WWIIBuff]

Did anybody else notice the time pencils? 4 of them are for the tree spigot gun, not often seen!

Are you referring to the time pencils with the #15 tag? The Tree Spigot used time pencils? What makes those different?

 

[Scout Sniper]

The correct designation is 'Fuze, Time, Tree Spigot' and is used to replace the firing pin mechanism. This allows the tree spigot to be setup and ready to fire after the specified time (Give or take for temperature)

It has a longer body than the No.10 and is NOT fitted with a snout or cap. The internal pin is also longer as is the pressure spring.

The SR1 Signal Relay pencils can also be used with the snout unscrewed, i have confirmed this as they are identical in length when side by side and snout removed. It does not however have the longer firing pin so i do not know how reliable it was.

I have included a page from the 'Descriptive Catalogue of Special Devices & Supplies' for reference. The pencil in the picture appears to have one black stripe painted on the body similar to the SR1 signal relay pencil.

Later versions have the coloured safety strips the same as the No.10.

Information and pictures of these are featured in Anders Thygesen's stunning new book 'SOE Equipment Air Dropped in Europe 1940-1945 - Revised & updated'.
If you like SOE collecting you 100% need this book in your collection and is available now!

Hope that helps

 

[WWIIBuff]

Thanks Scout Sniper! I've seen the sketch you supplied before, but had not really paid that much attention to it, and did not realize exactly what they were. I have both of Anders books, and the catalog reprint, so I will take another look. Thanks for spotting those!