This spring, the Royal Signals Museum in Blandford Forum, will open its doors on a brand new immersive and interactive exhibition: The Cold War, in the Shadow of the Bomb.
In 1945, World War II came to an end. What followed, however, was not peace, but the beginning of a new and dangerous global confrontation.
The Soviet occupation of East Germany marked the start of a political and ideological struggle between Communism and the Western Allies – a conflict that would come to define the second half of the 20th century.
It was a time of profound uncertainty and fear. An arms race for nuclear weapons and escalating rhetoric between Soviet and American leaders, combined to create a doctrine grimly known as Mutually Assured Destruction. In response, mass peace demonstrations urged governments to invest in ‘Bread not Bombs’.
Royal Signals Museum Director, Fritha Costain, said,
“Cold War themes will be brought vividly to life through personal testimonies from soldiers who served on the front line, and anti-nuclear activists who opposed the US air base at Greenham Common.The displays will highlight the crucial and often unseen role of the Royal Corps of Signals, whose communications expertise was vital in an age when seconds could mean the difference between peace and nuclear war. The exhibition offers visitors a compelling insight into a tense and transformative period of modern history – and the people who lived it.”
The exhibition will be opened for invited guests by Kate Adie, former Chief News Correspondent for BBC News, and Dick Strawbridge, a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Signals known for presenting Channel 4’s Escape to the Chateau.
Kate Adie said,
“The Cold War, in the Shadow of the Bomb brings back powerful memories of living in this turbulent period. The displays are poignant and thought-provoking with an exciting immersive quality. I strongly encourage people to visit and experience the exhibition for themselves.”
Dick Strawbridge said,
“Despite there being no direct engagement between the superpowers, the Cold War consumed vast resources and was conducted between two fiercely opposed ideologies, and under the threat of Mutually Assured Destruction. With both sides looking for any advantage, the Cold War period was defined by extraordinary technological progress. The Royal Signals Museum has managed to capture both the anxiety and the ambition that defined the age.”
The exhibition has been generously sponsored by BAE Systems Digital Intelligence. Fritha Costain, said,
“We’re extremely grateful for the support of our sponsor, without which this new exhibition would not have been possible.”
The exhibition opens for the public on Friday 13th February at 10am.
