World War II Tunnels

These tunnels, run by an independent company, offer tours of the tunnels built by the Royal Engineers before and in preparation for the Second World War. There are a total of 33 miles or 52 kilometres of tunnel inside the Rock. The British, in preparation for war, set up a “town” inside the Rock or Gibraltar. The intention was to house up to 17,000 military personnel inside the Rock who could remain hidden inside for up to 2 years with ample food and water supply for this period. There were fully kitted sleeping accommodation for the Army, Navy, Royal Air Force and domestic staff (mainly women). There were kitchens, a hospital including a fully fledged operating theatre, a pharmacy, ammunition, food, water and fuel stores.

It was within the Rock that Operation Torch was planned i.e. the Invasion into North Africa by Eisenhower and Montgomery.