Hellfire Corner

Beneath Dover's medieval castle and within its famous white cliffs lies a huge network of military tunnels which have been in use since Napoleonic times. It was from these tunnels in May 1940 that the evacuation of British and French troops from Dunkirk was directed. In that operation, over 338,000 men were saved and no fewer than 693 British ships took part. Throughout the Second World War the tunnels were used as command headquarters, controlling naval vessels in the Straits of Dover and the development of coastal artillery. Removed from the Secret List, the story of the Dover Tunnels and the Dunkirk evacuation can now be told. The tunnels have been opened to the public and key areas such as some of the operations rooms can be viewed as they were in the war. This meticulously researched book tells the fascinating story of the key role that Dover played in England's defence.