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| Secret RAF WW2 maps unveiled in Buckinghamshire | |
| (4 months later) | |
| Maps of Germany which were created for the RAF as part of a secret operation during World War Two have been revealed publically for the first time. | Maps of Germany which were created for the RAF as part of a secret operation during World War Two have been revealed publically for the first time. |
| Between 1941 and 1946 more than 3,500 hand drawn target maps were produced at Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire. | Between 1941 and 1946 more than 3,500 hand drawn target maps were produced at Hughenden Manor in Buckinghamshire. |
| About 100 people were based there but it was only a "chance encounter" in 2004 which led to the Manor's map-making history coming to light. | About 100 people were based there but it was only a "chance encounter" in 2004 which led to the Manor's map-making history coming to light. |
| Original maps are part of an exhibition at the manor which opens on 3 July. | Original maps are part of an exhibition at the manor which opens on 3 July. |
| Due to there being few accurate maps of Germany when the war began in 1939, the RAF's campaigns were "largely ineffective with only around a third of bombs falling close to their target", according to the National Trust. | Due to there being few accurate maps of Germany when the war began in 1939, the RAF's campaigns were "largely ineffective with only around a third of bombs falling close to their target", according to the National Trust. |
| Two years later, a secret map-making operation was commissioned as Britain relied on an airborne response to the threat from across the sea, following the retreat from Dunkirk in 1940. | Two years later, a secret map-making operation was commissioned as Britain relied on an airborne response to the threat from across the sea, following the retreat from Dunkirk in 1940. |
| The manor was taken over by the Air Ministry and used as a base for the operation. | The manor was taken over by the Air Ministry and used as a base for the operation. |
| Artists, designers, architects and cartoonists were recruited to produce the maps for Bomber Command HQ based at Naphill near High Wycombe. | Artists, designers, architects and cartoonists were recruited to produce the maps for Bomber Command HQ based at Naphill near High Wycombe. |
| The team remained at Hughenden for five years but the manor's map-making history only came to light in 2004 when a volunteer guide overheard a visitor telling his grandson he was stationed there during the war. | The team remained at Hughenden for five years but the manor's map-making history only came to light in 2004 when a volunteer guide overheard a visitor telling his grandson he was stationed there during the war. |
| Victor Gregory was recruited from a printing company in London when he was 18 years old. | Victor Gregory was recruited from a printing company in London when he was 18 years old. |
| As part of the exhibition, Mr Gregory and his former colleagues shared their stories of the days working at the manor. | As part of the exhibition, Mr Gregory and his former colleagues shared their stories of the days working at the manor. |
| Rob Bandy, Hughenden's house and collections manager, said: "The display highlights the significant role Hughenden played in helping to turn around the outcome of the war, and how that impact was keenly felt by the map-makers themselves. | Rob Bandy, Hughenden's house and collections manager, said: "The display highlights the significant role Hughenden played in helping to turn around the outcome of the war, and how that impact was keenly felt by the map-makers themselves. |
| "We are very grateful to the families of those men and women who have allowed us to share their stories, to shine a new light on this important piece of local and national history." | "We are very grateful to the families of those men and women who have allowed us to share their stories, to shine a new light on this important piece of local and national history." |