The Tunnels

27/04/2025

“Clapham Junction” – The Heart of the Tunnels

Deep beneath the Rock, this bustling crossroads was nicknamed “Clapham Junction” by soldiers — after the famous railway station in south London.

Just like its namesake, it was a hive of movement and connection. From here, soldiers could reach almost every part of the WWII tunnel network — from workshops and storerooms to communications hubs and living quarters.

In a labyrinth stretching for miles, places like this were essential for keeping things moving, especially in the pressure of wartime.

The nickname might’ve started as a joke… but it stuck.
Even deep underground, the soldiers brought a little piece of home with them.

24/04/2025

Discover Jock’s Balcony
Hidden deep in Gibraltar’s WWII Tunnels, this lookout was built by the Black Watch in 1941—perched on the North Face of the Rock with sweeping views of the airfield and coast.

Once a key military post, now an unforgettable stop on your visit.

History. Views. Legacy.

21/04/2025

November 20, 1942 – The Rock Illuminated
As darkness enveloped Gibraltar, beams of light pierced the night sky during an air-raid practice. This photograph captures the moment when searchlights scanned the heavens, a testament to the strategic importance of Gibraltar during World War II. The Rock served as a crucial fortress, monitoring the Strait and safeguarding Allied naval routes. These drills ensured readiness against potential Axis air attacks, highlighting Gibraltar’s role as the “key to the Mediterranean.” 

📸 Image courtesy

18/04/2025

Gibraltar’s 9.2-inch Gun: A WWII Coastal Sentinel

Perched atop the Rock of Gibraltar, the formidable 9.2-inch BL Mk X gun stood as a guardian of the Mediterranean during World War II. Here’s a closer look at this engineering marvel: 
• Caliber & Firepower: Boasting a 233.7 mm (9.2-inch) caliber, it launched 380 lb (172.4 kg) shells at a muzzle velocity of 2,700 ft/s (823 m/s), reaching targets up to 36,700 yards (33.6 km) away. 
• Strategic Deployment: Gibraltar housed 14 of these guns during WWI, with 8 still operational in WWII, strategically placed to monitor and defend the Strait of Gibraltar. 
• Enduring Legacy: After decades of service, the gun at Spur Battery was decommissioned and relocated to the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, England, as part of Project Vitello in 1981. 

16/04/2025

It was an absolute pleasure to guide His Excellency through The Tunnels, discussing both the restoration and upgrade works, as well as the incredible stories that make Gibraltar’s WWII experience so meaningful for visitors and locals alike.

15/04/2025

Eyes on the Strait. Ears to the ground.
During WWII, Gibraltar’s tunnels became the nerve centre for Allied communication and intelligence in the region.
From deep inside the Rock, military personnel operated telephone exchanges, signal stations, and radar systems—tracking enemy movements and monitoring every ship that passed through the Strait.

In a war of information, Gibraltar listened, watched, and stayed one step ahead.

12/04/2025

Deep within the WWII Tunnels, the walls speak.

Among the many names and markings left behind by the soldiers who carved these tunnels is a piece of poignant graffiti from an Italian POW named Pelle.

A quiet reminder that history lives not just in grand events, but in the personal stories etched into stone.

10/04/2025

Join us this VE Day for a special day of remembrance and discovery.

Explore the WWII tunnels, learn about Gibraltar’s role in the war, and reflect on what Victory in Europe meant to so many.

We’ll have guided tours, artifact displays, and free tea and coffee for all serving military personnel and veterans throughout the day.

Don’t miss it — we’d love to see you there!

📣 Gibraltar’s Heritage Weekend 2025! 🇬🇮✨

GCS, on behalf of the Ministries of Tourism & Culture, is proud to present a vibrant programme celebrating Gibraltar’s rich history:

VE Day 80th Anniversary Ceremony at the Moorish Castle – 8 May
Outdoor event ft. GAMPA & JF Dance – 9 May
Street art & bollard tours for schools + interactive art templates
Historical tours with the Gibraltar Heritage Trust – 8–11 May (🎟️ buytickets.gi)
WWII Tunnel displays & tours
Victorian re-enactments with UK & local groups

Read the full PR: culture.gi/news

09/04/2025

Tunnel Trivia!

This worn diamond-tipped drill bit is more than just a forgotten tool — it tells a story of improvisation and ingenuity during Gibraltar’s WWII tunneling effort.

Used to cut deep into solid limestone, these rotary drill bits were often left embedded once worn down — too stuck to retrieve, but not useless.

Wartime engineers found clever ways to repurpose them: many like this one were used to hang cables, ventilation ducts, and phone lines, helping to turn raw tunnel spaces into operational military hubs.

Still in place over 80 years later, it’s a small but powerful detail of the underground war that raged beneath the Rock.

06/04/2025

Henri Jeanne Paul Delabastita — A Life of Flight, Resistance, and Sacrifice

Henri Delabastita was born in Leuven, Belgium, and took to the skies young — earning his pilot’s licence at just 20. Though he worked at the Ministry of Justice, his passion for flying never faded. By the time WWII broke out, he had logged over 2,500 flight hours.

In May 1940, Henri’s aircraft was damaged by German artillery while on a reconnaissance mission over Belgium. He was captured and sent to Colditz, one of N**i Germany’s most notorious high-security POW camps. Remarkably, he was released just three months later — possibly due to his Flemish background and perceived potential as a collaborator. But Henri had no interest in collaboration — only in resistance.

He returned to Belgium, only to escape once more, this time through occupied France and over the Pyrenees. He was arrested in Spain and endured seven months in prison, including time in a concentration camp at Miranda de Ebro. After two months in Burgos, he was finally released and arrived in Gibraltar on April 22, 1942.

From there, Henri made his way to England and joined the Royal Air Force, training with Spitfire P8394, proudly named ‘GIBRALTAR.’ On January 29, 1943, tragedy struck during a routine bombing exercise in Scotland. His aircraft crashed, killing Henri.

Henri Delabastita’s story is one of incredible determination, sacrifice, and courage. He risked — and ultimately gave — his life for freedom. His memory endures in Gibraltar and beyond.

With thanks to the Delabastita Family for allowing us to share Henri’s story.

30/03/2025

Real Stories. Lasting Impact.
Recently, we had the honour of welcoming local families who have generously shared their personal histories with us — stories of evacuation, service, and sacrifice during WWII.

These aren’t just tales from the past. They are real, human experiences that remind us of the resilience, courage, and community spirit that shaped Gibraltar’s role in the war.

We’re proud to share these voices with the thousands who walk through the WWII Tunnels — because history means more when it’s personal.

27/03/2025

Discover the WWII Operations That Shaped Gibraltar

The WWII Tunnels now feature exhibits exploring Gibraltar’s role in key wartime operations.

Step inside and learn about:
• Operation Torch – the Allied landings in North Africa, launched with Gibraltar’s support.
• Operation Tracer – a secret mission to leave men hidden inside the Rock to report on enemy movements.
• Operation Catapult – Britain’s controversial decision to neutralise the French fleet.
• Operation Felix – N**i Germany’s unrealised plan to capture Gibraltar.

These exhibits bring to life the wider strategic importance of Gibraltar during the war, offering insight into the decisions, risks, and plans that unfolded around the Rock.

24/03/2025

During WWII, Gibraltar wasn’t just a fortress — it was the key to controlling the gateway between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

From inside The Rock, the Allies coordinated vital operations across the region, including the defence of Malta and the invasion of Italy. Aircraft were built here, fleets were launched, and strategies were shaped in secret.

Gibraltar stood as a lone Allied outpost surrounded by Axis forces — a strategic prize that changed the course of the war.



Image courtesy of

21/03/2025

🔎 Defending Gibraltar: A Fortress Reborn

In July 1940, Major-General Mason-MacFarlane was appointed Second in Command of Gibraltar’s garrison, making the Rock’s defenses a top priority. His drastic approach—demolishing buildings to clear fields of fire—earned him the nickname Demolition Mac.

18/03/2025

📻 Step Back in Time: The Sounds of WWII Inside Gibraltar’s Tunnels 🇬🇮

Inside Gibraltar’s WWII tunnels, history isn’t just something you see—it’s something you hear. A replica wartime radio plays a carefully curated mix of the Top 10 wartime hits enjoyed by Allied troops, along with intermittent news reports from the era, recreating the atmosphere of life underground during the war.

From the swing of Vera Lynn to the urgency of wartime broadcasts, this immersive experience transports you back to a time when the tunnels were a hive of military activity, secrecy, and resilience.

Come and listen to history in a way you’ve never heard before! 🎶📰

15/03/2025

✈️ Gibraltar’s Runway: Built from the Rock Itself! 🏗️

Did you know that Gibraltar’s iconic runway was expanded using rock mined from its very own tunnels? During WWII, thousands of tons of limestone were excavated from inside the Rock as part of an extensive tunnelling effort to create bombproof shelters, storage facilities, and hidden military installations. Rather than let the material go to waste, engineers used the excavated rock to extend Gibraltar’s airstrip into the Bay, creating the larger runway we see today!

This wartime innovation turned Gibraltar into a critical Allied stronghold, ensuring aircraft could land and take off safely, despite the limited flat land available. A true example of resilience, engineering ingenuity, and Gibraltar’s unique ability to make the most of its landscape!

12/03/2025

🔦 Discovering Gibraltar’s Hidden WWII Tunnels: Hay’s Level 🔦

Beneath the Rock of Gibraltar lies an incredible network of tunnels, a hidden fortress built during World War II. Hay’s Level, part of this vast underground system, was constructed by the Royal Engineers to support British troops against a potential German invasion, Operation Felix. These tunnels housed storage facilities, accommodation, hospitals, and power stations, making Gibraltar a stronghold for Allied forces.

Named after Lt. Col. Alistair Hay, Hay’s Level also played a crucial role in preparing 30,000 troops for Operation Torch, the 1942 Allied campaign in North Africa. The civilian branch of the City Engineer’s office contributed to early defensive works, including the excavation of the Calpe Road shelter—later transformed into one of Gibraltar’s four underground hospitals.

A testament to wartime ingenuity and resilience, Hay’s Level is a fascinating piece of history beneath our feet. Have you explored Gibraltar’s WWII tunnels? Share your experience!