Visitor Experience

After the Nazi invasion of Poland on 1st September 1939, Britain and France declare war with Germany. Working together with Hitler, Stalin orders the invasion of Poland, securing a share of Polish territory

Preparations in Gibraltar begin with the start of the construction of a solid surface runway. Gibraltar’s civilian branch of City Council Engineers, have already begun excavations on ARP (Air Raid Precautions) shelters and essential tunnels.

Image: Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister from 28th May 1937 – 10th May 1940

The Blitzkrieg begins and the Nazis invade Denmark and Norway. Paris falls to German forces and the France capitulates, whilst Italy joins the Axis powers.

The Battle of Britain pits British fighters against German bombers who target major cities in Great Britain and N Ireland.

The evacuation of the civilian population in Gibraltar begins in June  to allow military personnel to take up defensive operations.

By the end of 1940, two tunnelling companies from the Royal Engineers and the Royal Canadian Engineers continue to expand the tunnel network in Gibraltar

Image: Royal Engineer tunnellers using a water pressure drill

Italy and Germany attack Yugoslavia and Hitler attacks Russia (Operation Barbarossa).

In March, a second tunnelling company from the Royal Canadian Engineers arrives on the Rock to continue tunnelling

Mini submarine-borne attacks on Gibraltar continue throughout 1941, resulting in a number of Allied shipping being destroyed.

By the end of 1941, war is declared on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbour

Image: Italian frogmen riding on a submarine torpedo known as ‘maiales’, breaking through the British net-barrier ahead of Gibraltar

Preparations for Operation Tracer, the creation of a secret cave for spying operations in Gibraltar, are well underway.

Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa, is launched, with Gen D Eisenhower commanding the operation from Gibraltar.

In the Pacific theatre of war, the Battle of Midway takes place as US bombers sink four Japanese aircraft carriers.

Image: General Dwight D Eisenhower and British naval officers make a final check-up on the North African invasion plan

Germany suffers a major defeat at Stalingrad, and Axis forces surrender in North Africa.

The Allies take Sicily in August 1943, and Italy surrenders in September. The threat of invasion in Gibraltar is reduced and discussions about repatriation of evacuees begin.

Image: A British infantryman capturing a German tank crewman at El Alamein, Egypt

Evacuees begin to return to Gibraltar in April 1944 however those that remain in London are re-evacuated to N. Ireland due to bomb threats.

Allied forces carry out Operation Overlord, landing in Normandy on D-Day. Rome and Paris are liberated and the Battle of the Bulge begins.

Image: Gibraltarian evacuees disembark at Gibraltar

Operation Plunder is successful as the Allied forces cross the Rhine and shortly after, the Russians reach Berlin.

Germany surrenders on 7th May. The war continues in the Pacific theatres but Victory in Europe is declared on 8th May.

Atomic bombs are dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and subsequently the end of WWII is officially declared on 2nd September. Gibraltar holds a Victory Parade on 12th March.

Most of the Gibraltarian evacuees return to Gibraltar but not all. Some do not return until 1951.

Image: VE victory parade on Main Street, Gibraltar, 12th May 1945