Secret D-Day Tunnels: UGHQ Underground WW2 Bunker (Fort Southwick)

Fort Southwick is maintained and managed by the UCAP airsoft games company. That's why you will see various props in the tunnels and rooms in my video - no wartime artefacts remain. Access to the Fort Southwick tunnels in Portsdown Hill is by strict invitation only. The site has 24 hour security and extensive CCTV.
These tunnels and rooms were built as an underground headquarters (UGHQ) for D-Day, Operation Overlord. This bombproof bunker was designed to gather information and coordinate the Allied naval forces.On the 6 June 1944 there were 700 staff working underground.
Please visit Bob Hunt's website below for comprehensive details on the history of the site:
www.portsdown-t...
** Current usage **
In modern times, the Fort Southwick tunnels are used by the UCAP airsoft company for war games. That's why you will see various props in the tunnels and rooms in my video.
More about the UCAP airsoft games here and the history of the bunker:
www.ucap.co.uk...
** Learn more **
You can also read more about the UGHQ's history on the following websites. Both go into a lot of detail on the Portsdown Hill tunnels, and D-Day rooms underneath Fort Southwick.
www.portsdown-t...
www.subbrit.or...
** Join the discussion **
Please visit the New Forest and Hampshire WW2 Heritage Facebook group where members talk about local wartime history and other sites of interest:
➜ / 400948317956198
** Music credits **
All music Licensed via Storyblocks.com
- Deep Thoughts by Joel Thomas Hunger
** Credits and Thanks **
- Andy for letting us onto the premises
- Dave Reed for organising the day out
The film has been researched, produced, and presented in historical context for educational purposes. I am a local history enthusiast and am not an expert historian, so please get in touch if you find any inaccuracies.
#dday #ww2 #tunnels

[@MariTeabag-lf1ly]

I worked there in the early 70’s, the pictures of the Commcen (Communication Centre) look the same as when I worked there. He’s going UP the stairs we used to use on the way out. The little stick figures show the number of steps. These steps were harder after a night watch. We had two Megaton weapons trained at us by the Russians all the time I was there. The tunnel down to the ladies was very ling & narrow. We also had a galley down there where we made tea (wets) and bacon, sausage & egg on the night watch. There were always rumours of ghosts down there too.

[@angelawhitmarshfarrar9933]

I was a 17 year old WREN in 1969 when drafted to telecommunications .Working deep underground for Commander-in-Chief .Fort Southwick .Days and Nights ..A scary place .And lots of Asbestos in our Telecommunication place of work .!! Am 71 .72 in January 2024 .and my first ever lung Xray 3 weeks ago as shown up Asbestos in both lungs!! Am not surprised.Very Sad ...

[@19jch76]

Brilliant video, thanks for not swareing... So many people do, now a days

[@user-jn7lh2no6k]

Had 2 years there 1966/68. Great draft.

[@CJBlandford]

Brilliant Marc ! Most enjoyable vid!

[@TrexplorerUK]

Thanks Chris, it was an amazing afternoon and an incredible experience.

[@Chrismartin88]

This is used for airsoft, did you go on a permission visit ?

[@TrexplorerUK]

@@Chrismartin88 yes, at the start of the video I explain I’ve been invited to look at it. At the end of the video I thank Andy who runs the Airsoft company for letting me enter. In the video description I explain the site’s current purpose. Yes, I had permission. Tried to make it as clear as I could really. 😀

[@Chrismartin88]

@@TrexplorerUK got to excited and skipped them bits 😂

[@TrexplorerUK]

@@Chrismartin88 Ha brilliant 😂

[@8964TS]

What?! Why is this not a museum? This would be a great place to restore with some life size dioramas of how it looked back then plus a more general exhibition about D-Day across the South Coast.

[@zetlandersoaghar7551]

Was used 70s FOCAS which became FOF3.

[@angelawhitmarshfarrar9933]

Well done .A bad memory .Not a nice place to have worked many hours ..night and day ..