Ascension Island

These pictures come from an aerial survey undertaken by the United States of Ascension Island, completed in 1945/6. It details the changes that took place on the Island during the War - notably the defence positions and the airstrip at Wideawake Field, which was a vital link in the supply of aircraft from America during the War. Ascension was the central point in the South Atlantic Ferry Route.

(CO 968/105/1)

Tunnels for Cable and Wireless... and for Western Union?

(FO 371/28654)

Another snippet from the PRO. Where Cable and Wireless had the tunnels at Porthcurno, Western Union - who also landed cables in Cornwall - had a largely unprotected office at the top of Alexandra Road in Penzance (now flats - boo, hiss). Whether or not this protected underground 'reserve' cable station was built is something I'll follow up...

Strategic Cables

(HW 14/07)

I found this diagram of the strategic cable network from the Second World War in the PRO; it was prepared in 1943/44 by Bletchley Park (MI5, MI6, Inter-Services Research Bureau... who knows?), but it does highlight just how many important cables were 'C+W'.