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Allan goes to investigate the barn

Tempsford's secret memories

film by contributor Allan Mott

To the uneducated eye it's a modest barn minding it's own business on the Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire border. But Allan Mott reveals a hidden history of espionage, death and remembrance.

Secret memories in Tempsford
听
Film maker:	Allan Mott
Length:	1:52 mins
Subject:	History, espionage, Remembrance Sunday

Keep checking back for more films from Allan about Cambridgeshire's hidden history.

Sat on the Cambridgeshire/Bedfordshire border (well, it's a little bit more Beds we suppose), Tempsford Airfield has an historic story of espionage and death that few military bases in the country can boast.

It would often be the last port of call for agents of the Secret Operations Executive before they would execute their high risk missions deep in Nazi Germany territory.

Remembering Violtte Szabo

One such agent was Violette Szabo, who was immortalised in the 1956 film Carve Her Name With Pride, and has since been renowned for her displays of courage while acting as a spy for British forces during World War II.

Cambridgeshire author and historian Allan Mott explores the abandoned barn which acted as the equipment room for outgoing agents. It's a poignant building: it would have been the venue for the last steps on British soil for those who would later lose their lives in German concentration camps.

In April 1944 Violette was parachuted into France from Tempsford. She would never return to England after being incarcerated by German soldiers in Northern France and was later executed at Ravensbr眉ck.

The Tempsford barn

Now the barn is strewn with poppies and poems that act as a fitting reminder of the many men and women (10% of all SOE agents were female) who left their lives behind when they picked up their equipment and stepped onto a plane.

Allan's film is a fitting reminder of our history and heroism, not only on Remembrance Sunday, but for generations to come.

last updated: 27/03/2008 at 12:49
created: 09/11/2007

Have Your Say

Edwin
Simon , if you had visited the website mentioned in Steve's message you would see that the barn is visited by many people. There are a lot of people (including the landowner) who care about the barn and all it stands for. I can assure you (as one of the organisers of reunions at Tempsford) that the building has not been left to deteriorate - in fact it is better condition than it was some years ago. Next time you visit the barn look closely at the wreaths/memorials - you will see that they are added to each year by people who care and know that, without these people who are being remembered, we could be living a very different life to that we have now.

Sue (nee Hemming)
A moving reminder of all those brave people. So glad you made this film and that Chris told me about it.Will think about it on Nov 11th.

Rob
"Secret Operations Executive"? I think you'll find it was called the Special Operations Executive.

Simon
RoyThere is a bridle path that runs right past the barn it's called the Skylark ride cycle path. The barn is not locked as there are no doors. The airfield has restricted access but not the cycle path and barn. Whilst Steve Harris' comments are valid I rather doubt the barn is visited by many people in the course of a year and going by the way that the interior,wreaths and memorials have been left to deterioate I rather doubt that many people, and that includes the landowners, are too concerned about it nowadays.It is worth a visit to see the various memories of all aircrew and SOE members who left never to return.

roy
i went to visit the barn and was not allowed in i think its disgusting why should the owners of the land be allowed to do this

Steve Harris
In association with TVAR (Tempsford Veterans and Relatives) there is a website all about RAF Tempsford at www.tempsford.20m.com which we would ask people to visit RATHER THAN going to the barn, because the barn is on private land and permission from the landowner must be obtained in advance.

VJ
What a beautiful, moving film. This man is really talking from the heart and gives a poignant reminder of the importance of the 11th November.

sjmallett
Where can I buy a DVD of this film?

Dennis from Colorado
Incredible internet find. I know the story well. Great reporting/great story. Thanks

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Tempsford's secret memories

Keep checking back for more films from Allan about Cambridgeshire's hidden history.

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