The Hidden History of Bletchley Park : A Social and Organisational History, 1939–1945

This book is a 'hidden' history of Bletchley Park during the Second World War, which explores the agency from a social and gendered perspective. It examines themes such as: the experience of wartime staff members; the town in which the agency was situated; and the cultural influences on the wartime evolution of the agency. Bletchley Park is typically described as a 'unique' institution, a conclusion derived from the eccentricities of its most celebrated staff members, its perceived egalitarian and collegiate working environment, and the extreme secrecy surrounding its activities. Yet contrary to this popular image of Bletchley Park, the agency developed over the course of the war into a highly regimented, highly professional -- and highly typical -- wartime institution. Notwithstanding the veil of secrecy that permeated every level of its operation, the agency faced the same kinds of logistical, organizational and administrative challenges common to organizations during the war and in many respects responded in a 'typical' fashion. Similarly, prevalent social norms within British society dominated the day-to-day lives of staff members. Meanwhile, the agency was able to function and remain secret in no small part thanks to the willingness of local people to accept a surprising degree of wartime inconvenience and restriction Front Matter....Pages i-vii Introduction....Pages 1-14 The Organisation of the Government Code and Cypher School....Pages 15-39 Recruitment at GC&CS: 1919–1945....Pages 40-69 On-Duty Life at the Government Code and Cypher School....Pages 70-98 The Administration of Off-Duty Life and Staff Welfare....Pages 99-117 Off-Duty Life: Staff Experience....Pages 118-139 Bletchley Park and Its Impact on the Local Community....Pages 140-157 Conclusion....Pages 158-173 Back Matter....Pages 174-238