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Narrator:
A towering circular structure
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00:00:04,100 --> 00:00:07,867
That stands above
Hidden underground tunnels...
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00:00:07,867 --> 00:00:12,967
It has a very mysterious,
Kind of otherworldly feel to it.
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00:00:12,967 --> 00:00:17,000
Clearly something top secret
Was going on here.
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00:00:17,000 --> 00:00:19,500
Narrator: ...A seemingly endless
Concrete line
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Slicing through
The countryside...
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00:00:21,800 --> 00:00:25,433
It looks modern and ancient
At the same time,
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00:00:25,433 --> 00:00:28,700
Almost like it's some sort of
A ruin from the future.
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00:00:28,700 --> 00:00:30,000
Narrator: ...And a building
With a decorative exterior
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Narrator: ...And a building
With a decorative exterior
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00:00:31,300 --> 00:00:34,633
That hides a macabre
And confusing interior.
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00:00:34,633 --> 00:00:38,167
But on the inside, it actually
Had a really sinister purpose.
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You'd never guess that
Just by looking at its facade.
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Narrator: once, they were some
Of the most advanced structures
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And facilities on the planet,
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At the cutting edge
Of design and construction.
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Today, they stand abandoned,
Contaminated,
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And sometimes deadly.
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And sometimes deadly.
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But who built them?
And how?
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And why were they abandoned?
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-- captions by vitac --
Www.Vitac.Com
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Captions paid for by
Discovery communications
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*
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*
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Narrator:
In the southwest of poland,
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Close to the border
With the czech republic
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Stands the remains
Of a structure
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Stands the remains
Of a structure
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That's challenging
Established history.
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Bell:
Seemingly out of nowhere,
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You see this large,
Circular structure.
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It's almost like aliens have
Just dropped this from the sky.
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What is this thing?
What's it doing here?
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And you know what?
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Something about it tells me
There's more than meets the eye.
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Narrator: it cuts a striking
Figure in these hills,
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Narrator: it cuts a striking
Figure in these hills,
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But it's not the only
Decaying structure found here.
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Gough: you see there's lots of
Other buildings nearby,
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00:02:10,900 --> 00:02:13,567
And more importantly,
You see they've dug
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And created tunnels underground.
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You wouldn't build a site
Like this here for convenience.
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You'd build it for secrecy.
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Narrator:
So what was this all for,
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And what unworldly secrets
Might this land be hiding?
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And what unworldly secrets
Might this land be hiding?
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Swirling around this site
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00:02:36,867 --> 00:02:40,067
Are all sorts of theories
And stories
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That stem from the later years
Of the second world war,
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When this area was a hive
Of hidden nazi activity.
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The structure has been built
At a remote location
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Miles from any cities.
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It's up in the mountains.
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There's dense woods.
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It's out of each of the allies,
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And I think that's
The important point.
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00:03:00,000 --> 00:03:01,000
And I think that's
The important point.
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00:03:04,333 --> 00:03:07,400
Narrator: as the allies advance
Their bombing raids,
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The nazis move their weapons
And research facilities
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To remote locations,
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Camouflaging the sites
As they built them.
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Sheltered beneath the trees,
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This was once a sprawling
Secret facility,
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Just one of many across
This heavily defended region.
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On the ground, you would have
Different defenses
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Consisting of bunkers,
Machine-gun posts,
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Anti-tank posts.
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It would be the kind of defenses
That would take up
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Probably several thousand men
To protect.
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Narrator:
However, in these hills,
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This 100-feet-wide monument
Stands alone.
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00:03:56,567 --> 00:04:00,000
Some believe it's simply
The remnants of a cooling tower
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00:04:00,000 --> 00:04:00,267
Some believe it's simply
The remnants of a cooling tower
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00:04:00,267 --> 00:04:01,000
For the nearby power plant,
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00:04:03,367 --> 00:04:06,933
But others, like igor witkowski,
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Fear this was for something
Far more devastating
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And perhaps even linked
To a futuristic technology.
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In the very center
Of this valley,
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We find such a strange structure
Visible here.
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00:04:20,467 --> 00:04:24,433
It's a concrete ring,
32 meters in diameter
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With very massive columns.
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It was built
In such a strong way,
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With strong, thick
Reinforcement rods,
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With strong, thick
Reinforcement rods,
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That it is clear
That it was built
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To withstand
Really great forces.
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Narrator: igor believes
This concrete circle
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Was once a key part
Of the nazis' plan
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To take over the world.
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I have found a similarity
To test rings
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Used in the modern times
For testing helicopters,
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Only this is much larger.
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Then one may suspect that
It might have been used
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00:05:00,000 --> 00:05:01,000
Then one may suspect that
It might have been used
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00:05:02,433 --> 00:05:07,733
To test some really large
Flying objects.
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Narrator: this structure is
Known as the henge.
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00:05:14,367 --> 00:05:18,733
But what could those secret
Flying objects have been?
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Bell: one possible theory as to
The purpose of this site
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00:05:21,767 --> 00:05:24,567
Is that it was a test facility
For the development
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Of the germans' last great hope
To win the war --
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the wunderwaffe,or miracle weapon.
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00:05:30,000 --> 00:05:31,000
the wunderwaffe,or miracle weapon.
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Narrator: some of their greatest
Successes in this field
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Came with
The vengeance rocket program.
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00:05:41,600 --> 00:05:44,200
Corum:
Quite a few will hit britain,
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00:05:44,200 --> 00:05:48,067
And they will cause 20,000 dead,
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And they will cause
A lot of devastation.
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Narrator: but the germans were
Working on all sorts
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Of new, devastating ideas,
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And there's a suggestion the
Henge site was involved in this.
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And there's a suggestion the
Henge site was involved in this.
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Gough: under the site, we see
Long, dark, wet tunnels
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That lead nowhere.
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Now, we can't see where they go.
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That's been all blocked off,
But it cannot be a coincidence
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They lie just below this weird
Circular structure above ground.
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*
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Narrator: at first sight,
There's little here to suggest
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00:06:30,000 --> 00:06:30,867
Narrator: at first sight,
There's little here to suggest
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00:06:30,867 --> 00:06:31,000
They were anything other
Than empty corridors,
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00:06:34,533 --> 00:06:39,133
But for those in the know,
The devil is in the detail.
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00:06:41,767 --> 00:06:45,167
We are in one of the tunnels
Connecting the power plant
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With the underground complex
Here,
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00:06:48,100 --> 00:06:51,300
And you have these niches here
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Where the high-voltage
Power cables were placed
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00:06:54,500 --> 00:06:56,067
One above the other,
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00:06:56,067 --> 00:07:00,000
And they give some idea about
The size of the entire project,
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00:07:00,000 --> 00:07:01,000
And they give some idea about
The size of the entire project,
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00:07:01,733 --> 00:07:04,333
And these cables are the size
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00:07:04,333 --> 00:07:07,567
Comparable with
A high-voltage power line
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That would power
A medium-sized city.
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00:07:15,067 --> 00:07:17,733
Narrator: it's believed
That further below,
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00:07:17,733 --> 00:07:21,967
The nazis took over
A vast former mining network.
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All these signs
Of unusual secrecy
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That we can see in this valley
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00:07:27,933 --> 00:07:30,000
Are only an introduction
To the main part of the complex,
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00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:31,000
Are only an introduction
To the main part of the complex,
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00:07:32,800 --> 00:07:34,967
Which is unaccessible today.
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00:07:37,267 --> 00:07:40,933
Narrator: so what were the nazis
Developing underground,
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00:07:40,933 --> 00:07:44,900
And what kind of flying objects
Might have been tested here?
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*
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Narrator:
Deep in the countryside
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00:07:55,300 --> 00:08:00,067
Of southwestern poland
Stands the henge.
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00:08:00,067 --> 00:08:02,633
One theory suggests
That this was a test ring
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For a new nazi secret weapon.
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00:08:07,067 --> 00:08:10,067
Around 1944,
There were reports surfacing
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Of these advanced flying objects
Called foo fighters
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00:08:14,233 --> 00:08:16,733
Who were seen
By the allied pilots --
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00:08:16,733 --> 00:08:17,300
These singular balls of light
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These singular balls of light
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00:08:18,633 --> 00:08:22,067
That were streaking in the air
Around the plane,
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Only faster than the plane.
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00:08:26,067 --> 00:08:29,333
Narrator: it's been suggested
That a top-secret technology
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00:08:29,333 --> 00:08:33,567
Called die glocke, or
the bell, was beingdeveloped.
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The aim was to create
A new vertical takeoff machine,
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And the henge was to be
The final test site.
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The theory of the bell
Goes something like this --
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00:08:46,167 --> 00:08:47,300
Two large spinning discs
Inside a cylindrical shell,
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00:08:47,300 --> 00:08:48,000
Two large spinning discs
Inside a cylindrical shell,
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And it was the spinning
Of these discs,
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Possibly fueled by some kind
Of radioactive material,
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That enabled the vertical lift.
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Narrator: later, u.S. Military
Tests of alternate aircraft
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Never prove successful,
166
00:09:07,267 --> 00:09:10,267
But had the nazis
Ever cracked it?
167
00:09:10,267 --> 00:09:12,833
The theory suggests
This would have been a machine
168
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Able to outmaneuver and outpace
Anything in the world.
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00:09:17,300 --> 00:09:17,667
Able to outmaneuver and outpace
Anything in the world.
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00:09:17,667 --> 00:09:18,000
We know for some time
That there is a link
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Between electromagnetism
And gravity and antigravity,
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But exploiting this
New phenomenon would have been
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Probably the greatest leap
In human history
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Because it would have
Been something
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That would have
Changed the world.
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Whether this was to be used
In flying craft
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Or flying bombs is unclear,
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But it does make you wonder
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If something extraordinary
Was in the pipeline,
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00:09:47,300 --> 00:09:48,000
If something extraordinary
Was in the pipeline,
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00:09:50,600 --> 00:09:52,500
And had it come to fruition,
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Might the course of the war
Have been different?
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Narrator: the clues to such work
Having taken place here
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Are all but gone,
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And as the nazis retreated
At the end of the war,
186
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They quickly covered
Their tracks,
187
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Sometimes in a brutal fashion.
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The scientists working on
This project here
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Who might have have provided
Some answers to our questions --
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00:10:17,300 --> 00:10:18,000
Who might have have provided
Some answers to our questions --
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They were killed just in case
192
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To prevent the secret
Of this place being revealed.
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No matter what people say
It was used for,
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00:10:30,833 --> 00:10:34,000
There is no denying
The number of buildings,
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The security rings,
The trenches, and the fact
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That it took an incredible
Amount of effort to create this.
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All this leads you
To the conclusion
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00:10:44,033 --> 00:10:47,300
That something quite big
Must have been going on here.
199
00:10:47,300 --> 00:10:47,400
That something quite big
Must have been going on here.
200
00:10:50,733 --> 00:10:54,433
Narrator: today, all that
Remains of the henge site
201
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Are dark, walled-off tunnels
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And this baffling
Circular structure.
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Witkowski:
There is still a great mystery
204
00:11:01,900 --> 00:11:06,067
Associated with this place
That has not been clarified,
205
00:11:06,067 --> 00:11:09,867
But in the very center of
This mystery is this structure.
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00:11:13,233 --> 00:11:15,200
Narrator:
On the east coast of china,
207
00:11:15,200 --> 00:11:17,300
Near the heart of the city
Of shanghai,
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00:11:17,300 --> 00:11:17,767
Near the heart of the city
Of shanghai,
209
00:11:17,767 --> 00:11:18,000
Is a building with a violent
And bloody past life.
210
00:11:21,833 --> 00:11:27,300
*
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00:11:27,300 --> 00:11:28,900
Gough: this is such
An interesting building.
212
00:11:28,900 --> 00:11:31,967
It's a huge concrete,
Multi-story structure
213
00:11:31,967 --> 00:11:33,567
Supported by pillars,
214
00:11:33,567 --> 00:11:38,167
But it has all these
Intricate lattice windows.
215
00:11:38,167 --> 00:11:40,367
Somara: from the outside,
The design of this building
216
00:11:40,367 --> 00:11:43,800
Was obviously of real
Importance to the community,
217
00:11:43,800 --> 00:11:47,300
But on the inside, it actually
Had a really sinister purpose.
218
00:11:47,300 --> 00:11:48,000
But on the inside, it actually
Had a really sinister purpose.
219
00:11:48,267 --> 00:11:50,633
Narrator:
Hidden behind the grand facade
220
00:11:50,633 --> 00:11:54,467
Lies an experience
Altogether unnerving.
221
00:11:54,467 --> 00:11:58,067
Somara: it was almost like
A maze of staircases and ramps
222
00:11:58,067 --> 00:11:59,633
And structures.
223
00:11:59,633 --> 00:12:02,867
Someone really thought hard
About the design of this place.
224
00:12:02,867 --> 00:12:05,100
Gough: there are sections
That are completely isolated,
225
00:12:05,100 --> 00:12:06,700
So whatever went on here
226
00:12:06,700 --> 00:12:08,467
Couldn't see
What's going on here.
227
00:12:08,467 --> 00:12:12,100
I don't think anyone would guess
In a million years
228
00:12:12,100 --> 00:12:15,233
What it was originally used for.
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00:12:15,233 --> 00:12:17,067
Narrator:
So what was the need for this
230
00:12:17,067 --> 00:12:17,300
Confusing, brutalist structure,
231
00:12:17,300 --> 00:12:18,000
Confusing, brutalist structure,
232
00:12:20,533 --> 00:12:22,433
And to what traumatic end
233
00:12:22,433 --> 00:12:25,500
Did these labyrinthine
Passages lead?
234
00:12:28,367 --> 00:12:30,533
While the corridors
Of this building
235
00:12:30,533 --> 00:12:33,667
Were once filled
With the stench of death,
236
00:12:33,667 --> 00:12:36,833
Its origins are entwined
With the hopeful years
237
00:12:36,833 --> 00:12:38,733
Of shanghai's expansion
238
00:12:38,733 --> 00:12:43,067
During the decades ahead
Of the second world war.
239
00:12:43,067 --> 00:12:45,100
Dickrell: in the 1930s,
Shanghai was the place to be.
240
00:12:45,100 --> 00:12:47,300
It was referred to as
The paris of the east.
241
00:12:47,300 --> 00:12:47,667
It was referred to as
The paris of the east.
242
00:12:47,667 --> 00:12:48,000
Many foreigners keen
To do business
243
00:12:49,300 --> 00:12:51,767
Were flooding into the area.
244
00:12:51,767 --> 00:12:53,500
Gough:
It had a thriving port.
245
00:12:53,500 --> 00:12:55,900
It had a industrial center,
246
00:12:55,900 --> 00:12:58,233
And it was a magnet
For businessmen
247
00:12:58,233 --> 00:13:01,467
Who were looking for
New ventures.
248
00:13:01,467 --> 00:13:03,700
Narrator:
With investment pouring in,
249
00:13:03,700 --> 00:13:08,100
New towers were growing
All across the booming city.
250
00:13:08,100 --> 00:13:10,067
Man:
Today, shanghai's skyline
251
00:13:10,067 --> 00:13:11,767
Towers with
The tallest buildings
252
00:13:11,767 --> 00:13:14,433
Ever erected outside
The united states.
253
00:13:17,333 --> 00:13:18,000
Narrator:
But this low-rise structure
Is probably more intriguing
254
00:13:21,367 --> 00:13:23,233
Than any of them...
255
00:13:26,267 --> 00:13:30,800
...As patrick cranley,
A local expert, can attest to.
256
00:13:30,800 --> 00:13:34,133
It's a very complex building
That reminds a lot of people
257
00:13:34,133 --> 00:13:37,433
Of the work of an artist
Called m.C. Escher
258
00:13:37,433 --> 00:13:40,467
Who used
Three-dimensional illusion
259
00:13:40,467 --> 00:13:43,400
To create really fascinating
Works of art.
260
00:13:43,400 --> 00:13:47,300
You almost feel like you're
Entering into an escher drawing.
261
00:13:47,300 --> 00:13:47,667
You almost feel like you're
Entering into an escher drawing.
262
00:13:47,667 --> 00:13:48,000
You get disoriented,
And then you get fascinated.
263
00:13:51,100 --> 00:13:54,667
You want to figure out
How the building works
264
00:13:54,667 --> 00:14:00,133
And where all these ramps
And stairways go.
265
00:14:00,133 --> 00:14:03,300
Narrator: the convoluted layout
Offers few clues
266
00:14:03,300 --> 00:14:07,900
As to what the function
Of this place was, but in fact,
267
00:14:07,900 --> 00:14:11,633
This was all part of the grand
Plan to keep the city alive.
268
00:14:11,633 --> 00:14:17,133
*
269
00:14:17,133 --> 00:14:17,300
So, with the second world war
Appearing on the horizon,
270
00:14:17,300 --> 00:14:18,000
So, with the second world war
Appearing on the horizon,
271
00:14:20,433 --> 00:14:24,567
What gruesome history might
This beastly structure hold?
272
00:14:27,133 --> 00:14:32,667
*
273
00:14:32,667 --> 00:14:35,233
Narrator: as shanghai's
Expansion continued
274
00:14:35,233 --> 00:14:37,767
In the lead-up
To the second world war,
275
00:14:37,767 --> 00:14:42,267
This building was erected for
A dark but necessary purpose.
276
00:14:42,267 --> 00:14:45,667
Shanghai was the sixth-largest
City in the world.
277
00:14:45,667 --> 00:14:48,167
It had more than
3 million residents
278
00:14:48,167 --> 00:14:49,633
And was growing quickly,
279
00:14:49,633 --> 00:14:53,833
And the municipal authorities
Were taking responsibility
280
00:14:53,833 --> 00:14:56,765
For making this a modern city
In many ways.
281
00:14:56,765 --> 00:14:57,000
For making this a modern city
In many ways.
282
00:14:57,867 --> 00:15:01,600
Narrator: with its colossal size
And opulent exterior,
283
00:15:01,600 --> 00:15:05,667
This was clearly a building
Of vital importance,
284
00:15:05,667 --> 00:15:08,467
But maybe not
In the way expected.
285
00:15:08,467 --> 00:15:11,067
The design of this building
Is very unusual
286
00:15:11,067 --> 00:15:15,067
And really reflects both the
Creative mind of the designer
287
00:15:15,067 --> 00:15:17,067
And the purpose of the building,
288
00:15:17,067 --> 00:15:20,367
Which was to slaughter animals.
289
00:15:20,367 --> 00:15:22,967
This building is an abattoir.
290
00:15:22,967 --> 00:15:24,633
It's where animals go to die
291
00:15:24,633 --> 00:15:26,765
And where meat is produced
For a huge populace.
292
00:15:26,765 --> 00:15:27,000
And where meat is produced
For a huge populace.
293
00:15:28,833 --> 00:15:32,967
Narrator: this is
The 1933 slaughterhouse.
294
00:15:35,733 --> 00:15:37,733
But even on the inside,
295
00:15:37,733 --> 00:15:41,300
This doesn't have the appearance
Of a slaughterhouse.
296
00:15:41,300 --> 00:15:44,100
So how did it work?
297
00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:48,300
The design in very unusual
In that it is a square,
298
00:15:48,300 --> 00:15:52,933
And then inside a round area
Where work was done.
299
00:15:52,933 --> 00:15:55,067
Narrator:
Linking the two areas together
300
00:15:55,067 --> 00:15:56,765
Were a series of bridges,
Ramps, and staircases.
301
00:15:56,765 --> 00:15:57,000
Were a series of bridges,
Ramps, and staircases.
302
00:15:59,433 --> 00:16:02,367
The ramps were for
The animals --
303
00:16:02,367 --> 00:16:03,900
The cattle and the pigs --
304
00:16:03,900 --> 00:16:07,100
And the stairways, obviously,
For the humans.
305
00:16:07,100 --> 00:16:10,533
Narrator: different floors were
For different animals.
306
00:16:10,533 --> 00:16:14,767
Gough: the outer area is where
They would keep the animals.
307
00:16:14,767 --> 00:16:18,400
The inner sanctum --
That was for the killing.
308
00:16:21,067 --> 00:16:22,467
Narrator:
Designed specifically
309
00:16:22,467 --> 00:16:25,567
For the sole purpose
Of slaughtering animals,
310
00:16:25,567 --> 00:16:26,765
Everything in this building
Was built around this goal.
311
00:16:26,765 --> 00:16:27,000
Everything in this building
Was built around this goal.
312
00:16:29,667 --> 00:16:31,067
Dickrell: if you think about
A slaughterhouse,
313
00:16:31,067 --> 00:16:33,767
The smell was probably
Very, very strong,
314
00:16:33,767 --> 00:16:38,567
So the windows allowed
Lots of air to pass through.
315
00:16:38,567 --> 00:16:41,067
What was really fascinating
Was the attention to detail,
316
00:16:41,067 --> 00:16:43,933
So things like rough surfaces
Of floors
317
00:16:43,933 --> 00:16:46,100
To allow animals to walk,
318
00:16:46,100 --> 00:16:50,733
Or hollowed-out walls
For temperature control.
319
00:16:50,733 --> 00:16:51,967
Narrator:
But it wasn't just about
320
00:16:51,967 --> 00:16:55,133
Keeping this place
Light and breezy.
321
00:16:55,133 --> 00:16:56,765
The other side of the design
Was all about
322
00:16:56,765 --> 00:16:57,000
The other side of the design
Was all about
323
00:16:58,067 --> 00:17:00,867
Dealing with death.
324
00:17:00,867 --> 00:17:04,633
So, these pipes and this trough
And the drains
325
00:17:04,633 --> 00:17:08,300
Were all part of a system
Of hygiene to drain the blood
326
00:17:08,300 --> 00:17:12,067
And other fluids from
The slaughtering of the animals.
327
00:17:12,067 --> 00:17:14,900
Somara: these were all features
That were thought about,
328
00:17:14,900 --> 00:17:19,867
Specifically with the function
Of the building in mind.
329
00:17:19,867 --> 00:17:22,967
Narrator: the slaughterhouse
Ran like clockwork.
330
00:17:22,967 --> 00:17:26,400
Animals were brought up ramps
To the required floor,
331
00:17:26,400 --> 00:17:26,765
Kept in the large halls,
Then were led across the bridges
332
00:17:26,765 --> 00:17:27,000
Kept in the large halls,
Then were led across the bridges
333
00:17:30,067 --> 00:17:33,633
To the slaughter hall
And into a cage.
334
00:17:33,633 --> 00:17:37,400
The animal was killed
By a bolt to the head,
335
00:17:37,400 --> 00:17:39,167
And then the cage was tilted
336
00:17:39,167 --> 00:17:42,567
So it would slide down
Naturally to the floor
337
00:17:42,567 --> 00:17:45,300
Where the butchers
Would process the meat.
338
00:17:45,300 --> 00:17:48,133
Narrator: from here,
Their carcasses were hung
339
00:17:48,133 --> 00:17:50,667
And transferred
Into the chilling rooms.
340
00:17:50,667 --> 00:17:54,767
This place was a finely tuned
Killing machine
341
00:17:54,767 --> 00:17:56,765
Able to process thousands
Of animals each day.
342
00:17:56,765 --> 00:17:57,000
Able to process thousands
Of animals each day.
343
00:17:58,333 --> 00:18:00,900
It was almost like a reverse
Manufacturing process.
344
00:18:00,900 --> 00:18:02,967
So rather than
Assembling things,
345
00:18:02,967 --> 00:18:06,300
It was designed to dissemble.
346
00:18:06,300 --> 00:18:09,600
It's such a sinister function
Of a space,
347
00:18:09,600 --> 00:18:14,633
But in terms of efficiency,
It's brilliant.
348
00:18:14,633 --> 00:18:17,933
Narrator: but although the
Process was well-thought-out,
349
00:18:17,933 --> 00:18:20,900
There was always
An ever-present danger.
350
00:18:20,900 --> 00:18:22,167
Well, since a large number
Of cattle
351
00:18:22,167 --> 00:18:24,067
Were being processed
Through the facility,
352
00:18:24,067 --> 00:18:25,800
It was important
To be able to provide
353
00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:26,765
Safe zones for the workers
354
00:18:26,765 --> 00:18:27,000
Safe zones for the workers
355
00:18:27,333 --> 00:18:30,267
In case there was a large panic
Amongst the cattle,
356
00:18:30,267 --> 00:18:33,333
So the angular nature
Of these ramps
357
00:18:33,333 --> 00:18:35,467
Would prevent a large stampede
358
00:18:35,467 --> 00:18:38,533
And allow refuge zones
For the workers.
359
00:18:40,600 --> 00:18:43,633
Narrator: while some dangers
Could be prepared for,
360
00:18:43,633 --> 00:18:45,767
Others couldn't.
361
00:18:45,767 --> 00:18:48,067
A few years after
The building was built,
362
00:18:48,067 --> 00:18:50,700
Shanghai dramatically changed.
363
00:18:54,500 --> 00:18:56,765
Narrator: in 1941,
Japanese forces invaded
364
00:18:56,765 --> 00:18:57,000
Narrator: in 1941,
Japanese forces invaded
365
00:18:58,133 --> 00:19:01,067
This part of the city,
366
00:19:01,067 --> 00:19:03,700
And this place of death
Became embroiled
367
00:19:03,700 --> 00:19:06,867
In a different kind of killing.
368
00:19:06,867 --> 00:19:09,167
So, this is a cement blockhouse
369
00:19:09,167 --> 00:19:12,333
That was used
During world war ii
370
00:19:12,333 --> 00:19:15,333
To protect the canal
That brought some of the animals
371
00:19:15,333 --> 00:19:18,067
And other materials
To this area.
372
00:19:18,067 --> 00:19:21,267
So there would be machine guns
Placed inside,
373
00:19:21,267 --> 00:19:24,733
And they'd be protecting
Both sides of the canal.
374
00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,600
Narrator: while the slaughter
Numbers were reduced
375
00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:30,867
During those years,
376
00:19:30,867 --> 00:19:33,867
When the war ended
And the japanese left,
377
00:19:33,867 --> 00:19:37,867
It appeared this place
Had emerged unscathed.
378
00:19:37,867 --> 00:19:39,900
Somara: in an occupied city
During wartime,
379
00:19:39,900 --> 00:19:42,967
The future of this building
Was uncertain,
380
00:19:42,967 --> 00:19:45,067
But because it was
Such a well-designed building,
381
00:19:45,067 --> 00:19:47,733
After the war,
It continued to function
382
00:19:47,733 --> 00:19:51,267
As it was designed for decades.
383
00:19:51,267 --> 00:19:53,967
Narrator:
Ultimately, though, in 2002,
384
00:19:53,967 --> 00:19:56,700
The city outgrew
The slaughterhouse
385
00:19:56,700 --> 00:19:56,765
And operations were moved
To the outskirts.
386
00:19:56,765 --> 00:19:57,000
And operations were moved
To the outskirts.
387
00:20:04,300 --> 00:20:06,200
Having lived through war
388
00:20:06,200 --> 00:20:09,300
And decades of condemning
Animals to their deaths,
389
00:20:09,300 --> 00:20:13,733
The slaughterhouse today
Remains a beguiling structure.
390
00:20:13,733 --> 00:20:16,333
Cranley: it could have been
Just an afterthought
391
00:20:16,333 --> 00:20:18,133
Without any aesthetic appeal,
392
00:20:18,133 --> 00:20:21,000
But the designer used
His creativity
393
00:20:21,000 --> 00:20:23,433
To make something
Very beautiful,
394
00:20:23,433 --> 00:20:26,700
But it's purpose was
Rather macabre --
395
00:20:26,700 --> 00:20:26,765
That is, to slaughter animals.
396
00:20:26,765 --> 00:20:27,000
That is, to slaughter animals.
397
00:20:28,733 --> 00:20:34,800
*
398
00:20:34,800 --> 00:20:36,433
Narrator:
In the heart of france,
399
00:20:36,433 --> 00:20:40,800
Almost 60 miles south of paris
Near the town of chevilly,
400
00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:43,700
Stands a fractured
Concrete platform
401
00:20:43,700 --> 00:20:46,733
Stretching out
Far across the fields.
402
00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:53,033
Miegs: when you see this rising
Out of the countryside,
403
00:20:53,033 --> 00:20:56,667
It looks modern and ancient
At the same time,
404
00:20:56,667 --> 00:20:56,765
Almost like it's some sort of
A ruin from the future.
405
00:20:56,765 --> 00:20:57,000
Almost like it's some sort of
A ruin from the future.
406
00:21:00,467 --> 00:21:03,200
Somara:
It's this random structure
407
00:21:03,200 --> 00:21:05,633
That looks like
It's something industrial
408
00:21:05,633 --> 00:21:07,833
Sitting in the middle
Of the countryside,
409
00:21:07,833 --> 00:21:11,467
And it just goes on
For miles and miles.
410
00:21:11,467 --> 00:21:15,867
Narrator:
But this line isn't complete.
411
00:21:15,867 --> 00:21:18,100
It makes absolutely no sense.
412
00:21:18,100 --> 00:21:20,067
There are three separate
Sections,
413
00:21:20,067 --> 00:21:25,700
But yet they don't start or end
In any particular place.
414
00:21:25,700 --> 00:21:26,765
When you get closer to it,
415
00:21:26,765 --> 00:21:27,000
When you get closer to it,
416
00:21:27,067 --> 00:21:30,767
You see bits of concrete
Crumbling off it,
417
00:21:30,767 --> 00:21:33,067
And then there's
This strange ridge
418
00:21:33,067 --> 00:21:35,867
That runs through
The center of it.
419
00:21:35,867 --> 00:21:38,233
It seems almost
"Blade runner"-esque,
420
00:21:38,233 --> 00:21:40,367
But yet it's in
The middle of nowhere
421
00:21:40,367 --> 00:21:42,800
And clearly does nothing.
422
00:21:42,800 --> 00:21:45,200
Narrator:
So what was this built for,
423
00:21:45,200 --> 00:21:48,567
And did it make it
To its final destination?
424
00:21:51,933 --> 00:21:55,467
Abandoned for decades,
The history of this structure
425
00:21:55,467 --> 00:21:56,765
Is marred by rumors
Of sabotage and conspiracy,
426
00:21:56,765 --> 00:21:57,000
Is marred by rumors
Of sabotage and conspiracy,
427
00:22:00,100 --> 00:22:05,067
But recently it's begun
To attract some new admirers.
428
00:22:05,067 --> 00:22:07,200
Interpreter: the structure
Doesn't look like much now,
429
00:22:07,200 --> 00:22:08,933
But in its day,
It was the scene
430
00:22:08,933 --> 00:22:13,433
Of a revolutionary project
That was way ahead of its time.
431
00:22:13,433 --> 00:22:16,333
Narrator: this was once
A continuous track
432
00:22:16,333 --> 00:22:19,900
Running 11 miles in length.
433
00:22:19,900 --> 00:22:21,967
Interpreter:
It was an extraordinary project,
434
00:22:21,967 --> 00:22:24,933
And it has been
A huge inspiration for us.
435
00:22:24,933 --> 00:22:26,765
Today, we want to use
The engineering of that time
436
00:22:26,765 --> 00:22:27,000
Today, we want to use
The engineering of that time
437
00:22:27,933 --> 00:22:29,533
Along with today's technology
438
00:22:29,533 --> 00:22:33,800
To create our own
Transport revolution.
439
00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:36,400
Narrator: but if this is linked
To transportation,
440
00:22:36,400 --> 00:22:39,633
Then what kind?
441
00:22:39,633 --> 00:22:41,767
The answer can be found
During a period
442
00:22:41,767 --> 00:22:46,567
When engineers
Were reaching for the stars.
443
00:22:46,567 --> 00:22:48,300
Selwood: the '60s was
An incredible period
444
00:22:48,300 --> 00:22:50,367
For the burgeoning
Of technology.
445
00:22:50,367 --> 00:22:54,100
People were looking to
The future in all sorts of ways.
446
00:22:54,100 --> 00:22:56,433
There was the space race,
Concorde.
447
00:22:56,433 --> 00:22:56,765
Science blossomed.
448
00:22:56,765 --> 00:22:57,000
Science blossomed.
449
00:22:59,267 --> 00:23:02,867
Narrator:
While it seemed the sky
Was no longer the limit,
450
00:23:02,867 --> 00:23:06,333
With this design, engineers were
Keeping their ambitions
451
00:23:06,333 --> 00:23:08,367
Closer to the ground.
452
00:23:08,367 --> 00:23:12,067
The project was to reinvent
Rail travel,
453
00:23:12,067 --> 00:23:15,500
To replace the train
With something much sleeker,
454
00:23:15,500 --> 00:23:17,133
Must faster.
455
00:23:17,133 --> 00:23:19,900
You would expect it
To just be parallel tracks,
456
00:23:19,900 --> 00:23:22,067
But what makes it really unusual
457
00:23:22,067 --> 00:23:24,567
Is this ridge
That runs along it,
458
00:23:24,567 --> 00:23:25,800
Which kind of suggests
That there was
459
00:23:25,800 --> 00:23:26,765
Some kind of innovation
Involved,
460
00:23:26,765 --> 00:23:27,000
Some kind of innovation
Involved,
461
00:23:28,133 --> 00:23:30,933
Some new thinking.
462
00:23:30,933 --> 00:23:34,333
Narrator: the remnants of that
Adventurous new technology
463
00:23:34,333 --> 00:23:37,300
Can be found
In a nearby warehouse --
464
00:23:37,300 --> 00:23:40,233
A strange,
Futuristic-looking vehicle
465
00:23:40,233 --> 00:23:44,800
That would slot onto
The concrete ridge.
466
00:23:44,800 --> 00:23:49,300
This route was to be a key step
In a new way of travel.
467
00:23:49,300 --> 00:23:52,867
This is the aérotrain
Test track.
468
00:23:55,533 --> 00:23:56,765
But was this really
The ticket to the future,
469
00:23:56,765 --> 00:23:57,000
But was this really
The ticket to the future,
470
00:23:58,833 --> 00:24:00,933
Or does its decrepit state
Suggest
471
00:24:00,933 --> 00:24:04,067
That someone or something
Stood in its way?
472
00:24:06,133 --> 00:24:11,400
*
473
00:24:11,400 --> 00:24:14,467
Narrator: in rural france are
The weathered remains
474
00:24:14,467 --> 00:24:18,967
Of a futuristic transport
Project from the 1960s,
475
00:24:18,967 --> 00:24:22,200
But what was so revolutionary
About this idea?
476
00:24:22,200 --> 00:24:24,067
Man:
It's an experimental aérotrain
477
00:24:24,067 --> 00:24:25,933
Which set a world
Speed record for trains,
478
00:24:25,933 --> 00:24:29,400
Hitting 233 miles an hour.
479
00:24:29,400 --> 00:24:33,167
The aérotrain was
An incredibly ambitious project.
480
00:24:33,167 --> 00:24:35,600
The idea was a train
That would be powered
481
00:24:35,600 --> 00:24:35,777
By a jet engine strapped to it.
482
00:24:35,777 --> 00:24:36,000
By a jet engine strapped to it.
483
00:24:38,633 --> 00:24:42,967
It ran on a cushion of air
Instead of wheels.
484
00:24:42,967 --> 00:24:46,067
You would pump air
Under the body of the train,
485
00:24:46,067 --> 00:24:50,167
And it would lift the train
Off of the concrete track.
486
00:24:50,167 --> 00:24:53,600
Somara: essentially, the
Vehicles were flying, hovering.
487
00:24:53,600 --> 00:24:56,333
All you need is
A few millimeters of distance
488
00:24:56,333 --> 00:24:59,067
Between the concrete structure
And the vehicle.
489
00:24:59,067 --> 00:25:02,833
That allowed
Very, very low-friction travel,
490
00:25:02,833 --> 00:25:05,777
Theoretically very high speeds.
491
00:25:05,777 --> 00:25:06,000
Theoretically very high speeds.
492
00:25:06,067 --> 00:25:11,200
Narrator:
The idea was the brainchild
Of engineer jean bertin,
493
00:25:11,200 --> 00:25:12,833
And when his first prototype
494
00:25:12,833 --> 00:25:15,900
Proved the theory worked
In 1967,
495
00:25:15,900 --> 00:25:19,433
He built the next version
Purely for speed.
496
00:25:19,433 --> 00:25:21,933
Selwood: initial testing was
Extremely encouraging,
497
00:25:21,933 --> 00:25:23,900
But what they knew
They really needed to do
498
00:25:23,900 --> 00:25:27,933
Was scale it up to the size
Of a passenger train.
499
00:25:27,933 --> 00:25:30,300
Narrator:
But this wasn't the only issue.
500
00:25:30,300 --> 00:25:34,700
Aérotrain had a new adversary
To overcome.
501
00:25:34,700 --> 00:25:35,777
The bigger problem was
There was another project
502
00:25:35,777 --> 00:25:36,000
The bigger problem was
There was another project
503
00:25:37,133 --> 00:25:40,600
In the pipeline --
The tgv high-speed train,
504
00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:45,633
That in many ways was more
Practical than the aérotrain.
505
00:25:45,633 --> 00:25:49,467
Narrator: the state-owned tgv
Was a serious contender,
506
00:25:49,467 --> 00:25:52,200
And the pressure was mounting
On jean bertin
507
00:25:52,200 --> 00:25:55,967
To come up
With something special.
508
00:25:55,967 --> 00:25:59,500
The result was
The aérotrain 180.
509
00:25:59,500 --> 00:26:05,777
*
510
00:26:05,777 --> 00:26:05,967
*
511
00:26:05,967 --> 00:26:06,000
Former pilot daniel ermisse
Recalls what it was like
512
00:26:09,800 --> 00:26:13,533
Taking the latest aérotrain
Out for a spin.
513
00:26:13,533 --> 00:26:17,600
[ speaking french ]
514
00:26:17,600 --> 00:26:19,100
Interpreter:
As the pilot,
515
00:26:19,100 --> 00:26:21,933
I entered the offices here
To meet the test engineer,
516
00:26:21,933 --> 00:26:24,900
Who'd then say to me,
"This is the plan for today."
517
00:26:24,900 --> 00:26:31,367
*
518
00:26:31,367 --> 00:26:32,933
It was always such a joy.
519
00:26:32,933 --> 00:26:34,633
Just after we started
The engine,
520
00:26:34,633 --> 00:26:35,777
The atmosphere
Was pure excitement
521
00:26:35,777 --> 00:26:36,000
The atmosphere
Was pure excitement
522
00:26:37,333 --> 00:26:40,567
Because we all knew we were
About to travel extremely fast
523
00:26:40,567 --> 00:26:42,533
And in absolute comfort.
524
00:26:45,133 --> 00:26:47,667
Narrator: capable of carrying
80 passengers
525
00:26:47,667 --> 00:26:52,067
And reaching speeds
Of over 260 miles per hour,
526
00:26:52,067 --> 00:26:55,867
It looked like
The winning ticket.
527
00:26:55,867 --> 00:26:56,933
Interpreter:
The advantage is
528
00:26:56,933 --> 00:26:59,100
The aérotrain weighed
Only 20 tons.
529
00:26:59,100 --> 00:27:02,233
If we compare that to the tgv
That weighs 400 tons,
530
00:27:02,233 --> 00:27:05,777
You see it accelerates
Very quickly.
531
00:27:05,777 --> 00:27:06,000
You see it accelerates
Very quickly.
532
00:27:06,333 --> 00:27:08,100
This place brings back memories.
533
00:27:08,100 --> 00:27:11,367
I can still see myself
On the track in the aérotrain.
534
00:27:11,367 --> 00:27:16,567
*
535
00:27:16,567 --> 00:27:21,700
*
536
00:27:21,700 --> 00:27:23,567
Narrator: when the government
Threw their weight
537
00:27:23,567 --> 00:27:25,300
Behind the aérotrain,
538
00:27:25,300 --> 00:27:29,633
It looked set to be the future
Of high-speed travel in france,
539
00:27:29,633 --> 00:27:32,433
And then possibly the world.
540
00:27:32,433 --> 00:27:35,233
But seeing the few
Remaining tracks today,
541
00:27:35,233 --> 00:27:35,777
Something clearly
Went dramatically wrong.
542
00:27:35,777 --> 00:27:36,000
Something clearly
Went dramatically wrong.
543
00:27:39,467 --> 00:27:40,500
Miegs:
Very innovative,
544
00:27:40,500 --> 00:27:42,400
It's very elegant
And cool-looking,
545
00:27:42,400 --> 00:27:46,500
And yet it's also impractical
In certain ways.
546
00:27:46,500 --> 00:27:47,867
You have to ask yourself
The question,
547
00:27:47,867 --> 00:27:51,933
"Are wheels really
Such a big problem?"
548
00:27:51,933 --> 00:27:55,500
Narrator: when the french
President died in 1974,
549
00:27:55,500 --> 00:27:58,333
The new government
Withdrew their support,
550
00:27:58,333 --> 00:28:01,533
And the whole project collapsed.
551
00:28:01,533 --> 00:28:05,777
The aérotrain suffered
An even greater tragedy.
552
00:28:05,777 --> 00:28:06,000
The aérotrain suffered
An even greater tragedy.
553
00:28:06,633 --> 00:28:07,900
Ermisse:
[ speaking french ]
554
00:28:07,900 --> 00:28:10,333
Interpreter: the sudden end
Was a disaster for us,
555
00:28:10,333 --> 00:28:13,067
But it was an absolute
Catastrophe for jean bertin.
556
00:28:13,067 --> 00:28:17,767
He began to suffer as soon as
He knew the aérotrain was over.
557
00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:22,100
We saw this man wither away,
558
00:28:22,100 --> 00:28:27,100
And, unfortunately,
He died a year later in 1975.
559
00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:32,400
*
560
00:28:32,400 --> 00:28:35,777
Narrator: ultimately,
Tgv had won the race,
561
00:28:35,777 --> 00:28:36,000
Narrator: ultimately,
Tgv had won the race,
562
00:28:36,400 --> 00:28:39,133
But some believe it wasn't
Simply the government
563
00:28:39,133 --> 00:28:41,600
Trying to save
The state-owned network.
564
00:28:41,600 --> 00:28:44,500
Other forces may have been
At play.
565
00:28:46,700 --> 00:28:48,333
Interpreter:
Why was it stopped?
566
00:28:48,333 --> 00:28:50,467
Because somebody
Wanted it stopped.
567
00:28:50,467 --> 00:28:55,733
*
568
00:28:55,733 --> 00:28:59,800
Narrator:
So was there a conspiracy
Set against aérotrain,
569
00:28:59,800 --> 00:29:03,433
And what unlikely disasters
Still lay ahead?
570
00:29:06,133 --> 00:29:07,000
*
571
00:29:14,067 --> 00:29:17,867
Narrator: in the 1970s,
The aérotrain had looked like
572
00:29:17,867 --> 00:29:21,067
The future
Of inter-city travel in france,
573
00:29:21,067 --> 00:29:25,267
But all of a sudden,
That dream disappeared.
574
00:29:25,267 --> 00:29:29,767
Scientifically, it was proving
To be a brand-new frontier
575
00:29:29,767 --> 00:29:31,967
In the way we would travel,
576
00:29:31,967 --> 00:29:35,877
And then in a few years,
That just completely collapsed.
577
00:29:35,877 --> 00:29:36,000
And then in a few years,
That just completely collapsed.
578
00:29:36,233 --> 00:29:38,833
Narrator: the debate over
Whether there was a conspiracy
579
00:29:38,833 --> 00:29:44,900
Against aérotrain was inflamed
By a strange disaster in 1992,
580
00:29:44,900 --> 00:29:49,100
When the local mayor announced
Its reopening for tourism.
581
00:29:49,100 --> 00:29:52,133
It was all very exciting,
But then within a few days,
582
00:29:52,133 --> 00:29:56,300
The hangar that was actually
Housing the train burnt down.
583
00:29:56,300 --> 00:29:57,967
What was very mysterious was,
584
00:29:57,967 --> 00:30:01,267
This was actually the second
Fire to have occurred.
585
00:30:01,267 --> 00:30:03,433
[ camera shutter clicking ]
586
00:30:03,433 --> 00:30:04,933
Interpreter:
There is someone somewhere
587
00:30:04,933 --> 00:30:05,877
Who really wanted this
Over for good,
588
00:30:05,877 --> 00:30:06,000
Who really wanted this
Over for good,
589
00:30:07,167 --> 00:30:10,333
So the aérotrain was
Set on fire.
590
00:30:10,333 --> 00:30:12,200
Coincidence?
591
00:30:16,867 --> 00:30:20,467
Narrator: while the aérotrain
Never got far off the ground,
592
00:30:20,467 --> 00:30:24,500
This track may finally
Have found a new lease of life
593
00:30:24,500 --> 00:30:29,033
With a more modern project
Called spacetrain.
594
00:30:29,033 --> 00:30:31,833
Interpreter: spacetrain is
A shuttle project --
595
00:30:31,833 --> 00:30:35,667
A shuttle that is propelled to
Around 500 kilometers per hour
596
00:30:35,667 --> 00:30:35,877
On a cushion of air.
597
00:30:35,877 --> 00:30:36,000
On a cushion of air.
598
00:30:39,267 --> 00:30:40,833
The concept of aérotrain
599
00:30:40,833 --> 00:30:45,800
Was very inspiring
For our project, spacetrain.
600
00:30:45,800 --> 00:30:48,033
This structure is
In a very good condition.
601
00:30:48,033 --> 00:30:50,667
We'd like to reuse it
To do our first test.
602
00:30:54,700 --> 00:30:56,300
Narrator:
In the united kingdom,
603
00:30:56,300 --> 00:30:59,833
In a wooded area
20 miles northeast of london
604
00:30:59,833 --> 00:31:05,167
Lies an inconspicuous building
Placed far from prying eyes.
605
00:31:09,567 --> 00:31:11,300
Well, first impressions
Of this site
606
00:31:11,300 --> 00:31:13,700
Really are nothing surprising.
607
00:31:13,700 --> 00:31:17,533
There's a bit
Of an innocuous tower.
608
00:31:17,533 --> 00:31:20,667
You've got a small house nearby,
609
00:31:20,667 --> 00:31:24,733
But other than that,
Nothing really untoward.
610
00:31:24,733 --> 00:31:29,467
Nusbacher: even though
It is well cared for,
611
00:31:29,467 --> 00:31:34,167
You can just tell that no one
Has ever called this place home.
612
00:31:34,167 --> 00:31:35,877
Narrator: this small building,
In fact, harbors a vast secret.
613
00:31:35,877 --> 00:31:36,000
Narrator: this small building,
In fact, harbors a vast secret.
614
00:31:39,467 --> 00:31:43,100
Once you go through this
Unobtrusive front entrance,
615
00:31:43,100 --> 00:31:50,500
Now you realize that you are in
A very large kind of operation.
616
00:31:50,500 --> 00:31:54,767
You go into this long
Underground tunnel
617
00:31:54,767 --> 00:31:58,533
That leads into
A big underground labyrinth.
618
00:31:58,533 --> 00:32:04,133
Nusbacher:
You can tell that somebody
Wanted to come underground
619
00:32:04,133 --> 00:32:05,877
And hide something very valuable
From something very terrible.
620
00:32:05,877 --> 00:32:06,000
And hide something very valuable
From something very terrible.
621
00:32:10,767 --> 00:32:16,167
This is clearly a place
Someone has built out of fear.
622
00:32:16,167 --> 00:32:21,400
Narrator:
So what horrors drove people
To build inside this hill,
623
00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:23,767
And did disaster ever strike?
624
00:32:23,767 --> 00:32:28,833
*
625
00:32:28,833 --> 00:32:32,733
The roots of this structure
Can be found buried deep
626
00:32:32,733 --> 00:32:35,877
In the fear-ridden
Early years of the cold war,
627
00:32:35,877 --> 00:32:36,000
In the fear-ridden
Early years of the cold war,
628
00:32:36,633 --> 00:32:40,167
When the world had just entered
The nuclear age.
629
00:32:42,733 --> 00:32:45,133
1949, joseph stalin,
630
00:32:45,133 --> 00:32:49,833
Who is one of the most ruthless,
Brutal dictators of history,
631
00:32:49,833 --> 00:32:51,867
Explodes an atomic bomb.
632
00:32:51,867 --> 00:32:54,067
[ explosion ]
633
00:32:54,067 --> 00:32:56,367
This takes the west by surprise,
634
00:32:56,367 --> 00:33:00,867
And this changes
The entire game.
635
00:33:00,867 --> 00:33:03,667
President truman has announced
636
00:33:03,667 --> 00:33:05,877
We must now alert
The whole world to the peril
637
00:33:05,877 --> 00:33:06,000
We must now alert
The whole world to the peril
638
00:33:08,067 --> 00:33:12,733
That this event
Brings into being.
639
00:33:12,733 --> 00:33:17,133
Narrator: with a growing fear
Spreading throughout the world,
640
00:33:17,133 --> 00:33:21,600
Facilities like this
Sprung up across britain,
641
00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:25,067
But they weren't just
For hiding away in.
642
00:33:25,067 --> 00:33:26,533
During the second world war,
643
00:33:26,533 --> 00:33:31,167
Britain had a network of radar
Stations to warn of nazi attack,
644
00:33:31,167 --> 00:33:35,877
But once soviet nuclear attack
Became a threat,
645
00:33:35,877 --> 00:33:36,000
But once soviet nuclear attack
Became a threat,
646
00:33:36,633 --> 00:33:40,467
There was a hasty effort
To build new ones.
647
00:33:40,467 --> 00:33:46,867
Early warning becomes a top
Priority during the cold war.
648
00:33:46,867 --> 00:33:49,467
[ sirens wail ]
649
00:33:49,467 --> 00:33:52,433
Man: that signal means to stop
Whatever you are doing
650
00:33:52,433 --> 00:33:55,433
And get to the nearest
Safe place fast.
651
00:33:55,433 --> 00:33:58,667
Those few minutes
Of early warning
652
00:33:58,667 --> 00:34:00,667
Might make the difference
Between
653
00:34:00,667 --> 00:34:02,067
An effective counterstrike,
654
00:34:02,067 --> 00:34:04,233
Effective survival
Of your forces,
655
00:34:04,233 --> 00:34:05,877
Or some of your forces,
656
00:34:05,877 --> 00:34:05,933
Or some of your forces,
657
00:34:05,933 --> 00:34:06,000
And your national destruction.
658
00:34:08,733 --> 00:34:11,367
Narrator:
Built under a cloak of secrecy,
659
00:34:11,367 --> 00:34:14,567
The new radar system,
Named rotor,
660
00:34:14,567 --> 00:34:18,700
Had a network of operation
Centers across the country,
661
00:34:18,700 --> 00:34:20,467
Including this one --
662
00:34:20,467 --> 00:34:24,067
The kelvedon hatch
Secret nuclear bunker.
663
00:34:26,567 --> 00:34:30,333
But why was this disguised
As a bungalow,
664
00:34:30,333 --> 00:34:31,700
And how might it have become
665
00:34:31,700 --> 00:34:34,600
The country's last hope
For survival?
666
00:34:36,800 --> 00:34:37,000
*
667
00:34:42,733 --> 00:34:46,667
Narrator: near a small village
Just outside of london,
668
00:34:46,667 --> 00:34:49,533
An unlikely site was chosen
For one of britain's
669
00:34:49,533 --> 00:34:54,700
New early warning
Secret control centers.
670
00:34:54,700 --> 00:34:58,200
Corum: during
The nuclear-weapons testing
671
00:34:58,200 --> 00:35:01,167
In the late 1940s, early 1950s,
672
00:35:01,167 --> 00:35:04,467
They realized that
Everything above ground --
673
00:35:04,467 --> 00:35:06,574
Even a small nuclear weapon
Would just devastate everything.
674
00:35:06,574 --> 00:35:07,000
Even a small nuclear weapon
Would just devastate everything.
675
00:35:07,467 --> 00:35:09,233
It's all gone.
676
00:35:09,233 --> 00:35:15,333
However, people could survive
If they're underground.
677
00:35:15,333 --> 00:35:18,067
Jerram: the location itself
Was somewhat strategic
678
00:35:18,067 --> 00:35:20,233
Because there was
An r.A.F. Base nearby,
679
00:35:20,233 --> 00:35:23,800
But also the nature
Of the rock was important
680
00:35:23,800 --> 00:35:28,933
Because instead of being on soft
Material like the london clay,
681
00:35:28,933 --> 00:35:32,567
This was actually
Under much harder bedrock.
682
00:35:32,567 --> 00:35:35,667
Narrator:
Covered in 15 feet of topsoil,
683
00:35:35,667 --> 00:35:36,574
The outer layer of the bunker
Is a faraday cage
684
00:35:36,574 --> 00:35:37,000
The outer layer of the bunker
Is a faraday cage
685
00:35:38,667 --> 00:35:42,233
To protect it
From an electromagnetic pulse.
686
00:35:42,233 --> 00:35:45,100
Inside that is a brick skin,
687
00:35:45,100 --> 00:35:47,600
A 10-foot-thick concrete wall,
688
00:35:47,600 --> 00:35:51,200
And three fully operational
Floors.
689
00:35:51,200 --> 00:35:54,733
A 120-yard tunnel leads out
To the entrance,
690
00:35:54,733 --> 00:35:59,600
Masquerading as
A small countryside bungalow.
691
00:35:59,600 --> 00:36:01,900
Jerram: this was a colossal
Construction --
692
00:36:01,900 --> 00:36:05,967
27,000 square feet of area,
Completely hidden,
693
00:36:05,967 --> 00:36:06,574
And there's about
40,000 tons of concrete
694
00:36:06,574 --> 00:36:07,000
And there's about
40,000 tons of concrete
695
00:36:08,500 --> 00:36:10,733
That were used to construct
The whole thing --
696
00:36:10,733 --> 00:36:14,200
A real engineering marvel.
697
00:36:14,200 --> 00:36:16,467
Nusbacher:
Everyone knew in the '50s
698
00:36:16,467 --> 00:36:20,067
That there were
Russian spies everywhere,
699
00:36:20,067 --> 00:36:24,500
And that meant that it was
Impossible to keep it a secret
700
00:36:24,500 --> 00:36:28,433
That there were command bunkers
All over the country,
701
00:36:28,433 --> 00:36:33,667
But nobody knew exactly where
Those bunkers were located.
702
00:36:37,833 --> 00:36:40,433
Narrator:
Now owned by mike parrish,
703
00:36:40,433 --> 00:36:43,067
The farmer whose land
This sits on,
704
00:36:43,067 --> 00:36:45,867
He's become the expert
On the site
705
00:36:45,867 --> 00:36:49,267
And knows
Its imminent-attack protocol.
706
00:36:49,267 --> 00:36:53,300
We've now got the blast doors
Here which, once they're shut,
707
00:36:53,300 --> 00:36:56,400
Well, everybody will be in here
For at least three months.
708
00:36:56,400 --> 00:37:02,900
*
709
00:37:02,900 --> 00:37:06,574
Narrator: the bunker could
Support up to 600 inhabitants,
710
00:37:06,574 --> 00:37:06,933
Narrator: the bunker could
Support up to 600 inhabitants,
711
00:37:06,933 --> 00:37:07,000
And once locked inside,
712
00:37:08,767 --> 00:37:12,400
It was these machines
That kept the radiation out.
713
00:37:12,400 --> 00:37:14,900
Parrish: the air would normally
Flow into this fan here,
714
00:37:14,900 --> 00:37:17,100
Which would just pump it
Straight into the bunker,
715
00:37:17,100 --> 00:37:19,067
But if it had become
Contaminated,
716
00:37:19,067 --> 00:37:20,367
Then they'd switch that one off
717
00:37:20,367 --> 00:37:21,767
And switch the one
Over there on,
718
00:37:21,767 --> 00:37:23,733
Which would, in theory,
Filter all the nasty things out
719
00:37:23,733 --> 00:37:26,400
Before it actually got inside
The bunker itself.
720
00:37:26,400 --> 00:37:29,667
So, actually, this is
What's keeping us all alive.
721
00:37:32,067 --> 00:37:33,900
Narrator:
But while the completed bunker
722
00:37:33,900 --> 00:37:35,633
Functioned as planned,
723
00:37:35,633 --> 00:37:36,574
The wider rotor network
Soon had a problem.
724
00:37:36,574 --> 00:37:37,000
The wider rotor network
Soon had a problem.
725
00:37:39,300 --> 00:37:41,367
Jerram: built in less than
A year -- very, very quick --
726
00:37:41,367 --> 00:37:43,867
But interestingly, as well,
In such a short time
727
00:37:43,867 --> 00:37:45,900
The way that the radars
Were changing,
728
00:37:45,900 --> 00:37:49,067
It became fairly redundant
Quite quickly.
729
00:37:49,067 --> 00:37:51,200
Narrator:
Within only a few years,
730
00:37:51,200 --> 00:37:55,067
There was no longer a need
For these rotor control centers,
731
00:37:55,067 --> 00:37:58,733
But with its proximity to london
And the central government,
732
00:37:58,733 --> 00:38:00,367
This site would soon have
733
00:38:00,367 --> 00:38:05,167
A potentially far more
Important role to play.
734
00:38:05,167 --> 00:38:06,574
All major powers
During the cold war
735
00:38:06,574 --> 00:38:07,000
All major powers
During the cold war
736
00:38:07,667 --> 00:38:12,867
Developed large underground
Bunkers, facilities,
737
00:38:12,867 --> 00:38:15,567
That were survivable
In case of nuclear attack,
738
00:38:15,567 --> 00:38:18,667
And that was to preserve
And protect the government.
739
00:38:18,667 --> 00:38:23,667
If everything goes wrong,
Here is a way, at least,
740
00:38:23,667 --> 00:38:27,067
That they can maintain
Some kind of control
741
00:38:27,067 --> 00:38:31,667
Even in a devastated country
Afterwards.
742
00:38:31,667 --> 00:38:35,967
Narrator: around the mid-1980s,
Britain had a new network
743
00:38:35,967 --> 00:38:36,574
Of regional
Government headquarters,
744
00:38:36,574 --> 00:38:37,000
Of regional
Government headquarters,
745
00:38:38,600 --> 00:38:42,867
Many of which utilized
The former rotor bunkers.
746
00:38:42,867 --> 00:38:47,600
The british government was
Going to briefly disintegrate
747
00:38:47,600 --> 00:38:50,100
When a nuclear attack happened,
748
00:38:50,100 --> 00:38:54,233
And all of the cabinet members
749
00:38:54,233 --> 00:38:58,067
Would be assigned a different
Region of the country
750
00:38:58,067 --> 00:39:01,767
Where they would go and,
As a minister of the crown,
751
00:39:01,767 --> 00:39:06,574
Would be the most senior person
For miles around.
752
00:39:06,574 --> 00:39:07,000
Would be the most senior person
For miles around.
753
00:39:07,300 --> 00:39:12,700
In this worst-case scenario,
This facility is near london.
754
00:39:12,700 --> 00:39:18,267
It would have protected several
Hundred of the key personnel
755
00:39:18,267 --> 00:39:22,900
And enabled them
To live for weeks.
756
00:39:22,900 --> 00:39:24,700
Narrator:
With telecommunications linking
757
00:39:24,700 --> 00:39:27,300
This site to other
Regional headquarters
758
00:39:27,300 --> 00:39:32,600
And a bbc broadcasting suite to
Speak to those on the outside,
759
00:39:32,600 --> 00:39:35,800
The officer in charge
Would play a vital role
760
00:39:35,800 --> 00:39:36,574
In coordinating
The nation's recovery.
761
00:39:36,574 --> 00:39:37,000
In coordinating
The nation's recovery.
762
00:39:39,533 --> 00:39:42,900
But first, the population
Had to be reassured
763
00:39:42,900 --> 00:39:46,200
There was a real chance
Of survival.
764
00:39:46,200 --> 00:39:51,200
It was important to government
Not to let people know
765
00:39:51,200 --> 00:39:55,433
Just how bad the effects
Of nuclear war --
766
00:39:55,433 --> 00:39:57,900
Thermonuclear war --
Would be.
767
00:39:57,900 --> 00:40:02,167
They were afraid that if people
Really knew what would happen,
768
00:40:02,167 --> 00:40:04,900
They would lose hope.
769
00:40:04,900 --> 00:40:06,574
Narrator: governments around
The world issued advice
770
00:40:06,574 --> 00:40:07,000
Narrator: governments around
The world issued advice
771
00:40:07,700 --> 00:40:10,667
On what to do
In the event of catastrophe,
772
00:40:10,667 --> 00:40:15,333
Offering some faint hope
To cling to.
773
00:40:15,333 --> 00:40:18,900
But had the bombs ever been
Dropped,
774
00:40:18,900 --> 00:40:21,100
It would have been in rooms
Like this
775
00:40:21,100 --> 00:40:25,200
That the real fight for survival
Would have played out.
776
00:40:25,200 --> 00:40:29,467
They would be able to plot it
On these cold perspex here.
777
00:40:29,467 --> 00:40:31,267
The red ones were ground bursts.
778
00:40:31,267 --> 00:40:34,333
They produced a lot of radiation
'cause they picked the dirt up,
779
00:40:34,333 --> 00:40:35,700
And that's what the threat was
780
00:40:35,700 --> 00:40:36,574
'cause radiation
Is carried on dust.
781
00:40:36,574 --> 00:40:37,000
'cause radiation
Is carried on dust.
782
00:40:37,833 --> 00:40:39,700
There'd be people the other side
There who would be able to
783
00:40:39,700 --> 00:40:43,667
Write backwards describing
Where the radiation is flowing,
784
00:40:43,667 --> 00:40:46,033
So all the time that information
Was fed upstairs
785
00:40:46,033 --> 00:40:49,233
So that they'd be able
To deploy buses and coaches
786
00:40:49,233 --> 00:40:51,933
To move the population
Out of the way of the radiation,
787
00:40:51,933 --> 00:40:53,800
If that was indeed possible.
788
00:40:55,667 --> 00:40:59,467
Narrator: if called into action,
The fate of the population
789
00:40:59,467 --> 00:41:02,800
Would have been in the hands
Of those working in here.
790
00:41:02,800 --> 00:41:04,600
I suspect they would have been
Very professional
791
00:41:04,600 --> 00:41:06,333
And they would have got on
With the job,
792
00:41:06,333 --> 00:41:06,574
But I know if I was down here
793
00:41:06,574 --> 00:41:07,000
But I know if I was down here
794
00:41:07,533 --> 00:41:09,600
And I knew my family
Was at great risk
795
00:41:09,600 --> 00:41:12,100
And the whole world
Was about to fall apart,
796
00:41:12,100 --> 00:41:14,833
My mind wouldn't be 100%
On crayoning in
797
00:41:14,833 --> 00:41:17,500
Which way
The wind was blowing.
798
00:41:17,500 --> 00:41:20,600
Narrator: primed and ready
For action for decades,
799
00:41:20,600 --> 00:41:25,167
Ultimately, the site
Was never called upon,
800
00:41:25,167 --> 00:41:26,967
And when the threat level
Dropped,
801
00:41:26,967 --> 00:41:29,633
The bunker was decommissioned.
802
00:41:32,933 --> 00:41:36,300
With britain never suffering
A nuclear attack,
803
00:41:36,300 --> 00:41:36,574
Today this site might appear
Like the embodiment
804
00:41:36,574 --> 00:41:37,000
Today this site might appear
Like the embodiment
805
00:41:39,867 --> 00:41:41,867
Of cold war paranoia,
806
00:41:41,867 --> 00:41:43,867
But was it?
807
00:41:43,867 --> 00:41:47,533
I don't believe in using
The term "Paranoia"
808
00:41:47,533 --> 00:41:49,267
When we're talking about
The cold war
809
00:41:49,267 --> 00:41:53,200
Because paranoia indicates
An irrational fear.
810
00:41:53,200 --> 00:41:55,733
And when you're talking about
The soviet union
811
00:41:55,733 --> 00:41:57,533
And joseph stalin,
812
00:41:57,533 --> 00:42:01,600
You're talking about completely
Sensible, rational fears.
813
00:42:01,600 --> 00:42:03,933
*
66520
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