Audley End House was used as a base for the Special Operations Executive. HB enjoyed learning how to be a WW2 spy as part of their half terms activities. The most important thing was to be boring. Do not draw attention to yourself. An interesting spy is a dead spy! After learning the importance of being boring the SOE candidates discussed methods of passing secret messages and used several different codes.
Next they learnt about British WW2 weapons, bullets (particularly which weapons could fire German bullets and which could not), and firing range.
Then they learnt about American WW2 weapons.
They also learnt that a knife and fists (or better yet an ability to hide) were probably the more useful weapon for an SOE. HB then handled some of the weapons.
Next they received a message to say a parachute drop was expected. They went out to check for landmines. They all died quite a few times during this mission!
Finally they defused a bomb 'operation' style (or not in most cases!).
