Home » War » Trent Park was the British Prisoners of War Camp During World War II. They Would Take Axis Prisoners and Let Them Live in Luxury. The House was Bugged, and the Program Gave Allies Lots of Vital Intel
Trent Park

Trent Park was the British Prisoners of War Camp During World War II. They Would Take Axis Prisoners and Let Them Live in Luxury. The House was Bugged, and the Program Gave Allies Lots of Vital Intel

Trent Park is an English country house in north London, along with its former extensive grounds. The original great house, several statues, and other structures within the grounds, such as the Orangery, are Grade II listed structures. The site is designated as Metropolitan Green Belt, is located within a conservation area, and is grade II on England’s Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest. But did you know what the original purpose of Trent Park was?

During WWII, the British had a POW camp called Trent Park. They would take axis POWs and allow them to live in luxury while secretly bugging the house. The program provided the allies with a wealth of information, including the location of a V2 rocket facility.

Who was the Surviving Listener?

Fritz Lustig, now 97, is one of the few surviving listeners who were German speakers working for British intelligence who listened in on prisoner of war conversations.

He worked at the other two Buckinghamshire centers, Latimer House and Wilton Park. He is a staunch supporter of a museum at Cockfosters, Trent Park’s codename during the war.

Mister Lustig stated that listeners had to pay attention to everything the Germans said, from when they woke up until they went to bed. The conversation was only recorded when specific sensitive topics were discussed. The listeners would then turn on the gramophone.

For decades, eavesdropping was kept hidden. The listeners had all signed the Official Secrets Act, and many received no recognition for their efforts or understood their significance. Only 12 years ago were the last official papers declassified.

The records show that vital information was obtained, including early warning of the V1 and V2 rocket projects from Trent Park. (Source: BBC)

Trent Park’s Future

Doctor Helen Fry contends that it is as significant as Bletchley Park, the secret code-breaking center and that it should be preserved as a museum explaining the work of the secret listeners.

There is nowhere else in Britain where we could have this. The other two sites – all the other World War Two stuff has disappeared. On one site, even the stately home has been demolished.

Doctor Helen Fry, Author of The M Room: Secret Listeners

She is assisting in the leadership of a campaign to establish a significant portion of the building as a museum, requesting that the building’s new owners, Berkeley Homes, give up the grand rooms on the ground floor and basement.

We can recreate, for example, the office of the camp commander. We can restore the stairs to the basement and show the world of the secret listeners there – with all their spy gadgets,

Doctor Helen Fry, Author of The M Room: Secret Listeners

She is assisting in the leadership of a campaign to establish a significant portion of the building as a museum, requesting that the building’s new owners, Berkeley Homes, give up the grand rooms on the ground floor and basement.

She suggests that the spacious high-ceilinged rooms on the ground floor be furnished and decorated to reflect the comfortable lifestyle enjoyed by the German officers, similar to a country club. Those in charge of the center believed that the more relaxed the prisoners were, the less guarded their conversation became.

According to some rumors, it could end up as a cafe or a museum, although plans have not yet been published. 

(Source: BBC

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