Military Intelligence Museum

One of our earlier projects, from 2009, was the development of an exhibit to interpret the work of the Special Operations Executive from its inception, through its early years and highlighting its crucial work during the Second World War.

A single exhibit was required cover its whole range of activity from training to operations and including the tools and equipment that an operative would need. An interesting challenge.

Our concept was to recreate a scene featuring an agent who has parachuted into northern France and landed in woodland. A canister containing his equipment has landed nearby and burst open, spilling its contents. A member of the French Resistance has come to meet him. Through the trees, torchlight warns that German soldiers are heading towards them…

The case incorporates four interactive panels projected onto the glass, each presenting a different part of the story.

The first panel, at the end of the case, gives the visitor an introduction to the Special Operations Executive. Three further panels help the visitor explore the training that operatives underwent, the equipment that they used, and tales of life in the field.

At the equipment panel, the lighting dims to highlight the physical item within the display that the visitor has selected from the interactive screen, putting the spotlight on the essential kit that an SOE agent would rely on.

Opened in 2009 by Prince Philip, this exhibit remains a very popular one and we are happy to keep it that way with occasional maintenance and TLC to address the wear and tear that can occur over time and keep it good shape.