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London and the Second World War, 1939–45

London’s response to the war

  • 3 things to know
  • Paper 1

Overview

The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace and its bombing, the Cabinet War Rooms and the Map Room, Churchill's bunker, and Dig for Victory in Victoria Park, the Tower moat and across the capital.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What was the Map Room in the Cabinet War Rooms used for?

Key term

Besides meeting rooms, what else did the Cabinet War Rooms bunker in Whitehall contain?

Key term

How was Victoria Park in the East End used during the campaign?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    Where did the King and Queen stay while the capital was being bombed?

    Model answer

    They remained at Buckingham Palace and worked in the city, and were photographed touring wrecked streets in the East End.

  2. 2

    What happened to Buckingham Palace in September 1940?

    Model answer

    It was hit on 13 September while the King and Queen were inside, and the chapel was destroyed.

  3. 3

    Why did the Queen say she was glad the palace had been bombed?

    Model answer

    Because it meant she could now look the East End in the face, sharing the danger of people who resented that the poorest districts were suffering most.

  4. 4

    Where did Churchill and his ministers direct the war from?

    Model answer

    From a strengthened basement beneath government offices in Whitehall, known as the Cabinet War Rooms.

  5. 5

    What was the Map Room used for?

    Model answer

    Officers worked there day and night marking up convoys, front lines and losses so that the latest picture of the war was always ready for the Prime Minister.

  6. 6

    Besides meeting rooms, what else did the Whitehall bunker contain?

    Model answer

    A bedroom from which Churchill made some of his broadcasts, and a converted cupboard fitted with a scrambled telephone link for speaking to President Roosevelt.

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