London Civil Defence Region Plotting Room

A photograph (dated 2 February 1940) from the "Secrets of the ARP" series. This photo has the following information:

"In the event of an emergency the London Area's Civil Defence organisation is controlled from one central control room. On receipt of an air raid warning on the teleprinter, direct from Fighter Command, the watch on duty immediately go to "battle stations". From this room there is direct communication to all A.R.P. group headquarters, Scotland Yard and the Home Office. From here the Operations Officer can transfer as many A.R.P. forces as necessary to cope with severe damage in any one quarter - this is known as "mutual assistance". The Regional Commissioners in charge of this whole operation are Sir Earnest Gowers K.C.B., K.B.E., and Admiral Sir Edward Evans, K.C.B., D.S.O., L.L.D.

Photos shows: The Operations Officers (centre) and staff at work in the control room, showing the Current Events and Damage Maps."

The location of the No. 5 (London) Region Control Room was beneath the Geological Museum, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London. It covered the 28 Metropolitan Boroughs in the London County Council (LCC) area, the City of London and the County Boroughs of Croydon, East and West Ham and the urban/rural councils in Essex, Middlesex, Surrey and Kent out to the boundary of the Metropolitan Police District.

London Civil Defence Region Plotting Room