Californian Reacts | How Britain Built its Top Secret MI6 HQ
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- čas přidán 28. 05. 2024
- MI6, formally known as the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), is the United Kingdom's foreign intelligence service. It was established in 1909, primarily to oversee intelligence gathering and operations abroad. Here is a brief history of MI6 and its London headquarters:
Foundation (1909): MI6 was officially established on October 1, 1909, by Captain Sir Mansfield Cumming, a naval officer, who became the organization's first chief. It was created in response to concerns about Germany's growing naval power and the need for better intelligence gathering.
Early Years (1909-1914): In its early years, MI6 focused primarily on naval intelligence. Its activities included monitoring the movements of German ships and obtaining information about Germany's naval capabilities.
World War I (1914-1918): During World War I, MI6 played a crucial role in intelligence operations. It was involved in espionage, code-breaking, and covert missions against enemy forces.
Inter-War Period (1918-1939): After the war, MI6 continued to evolve and expand its capabilities. It established various regional stations around the world to gather intelligence on geopolitical developments.
World War II (1939-1945): MI6 played a vital role in World War II, working closely with other intelligence agencies, such as the Government Code and Cypher School at Bletchley Park. Its efforts contributed significantly to the Allied victory.
Post-War Era (1945-1989): The Cold War era saw MI6 heavily involved in intelligence gathering regarding the Soviet Union and its satellite states. It operated globally, often in partnership with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) of the United States.
Rebuilding and Restructuring (1989-2000): The collapse of the Soviet Union brought about a reevaluation of MI6's priorities. It shifted its focus towards counter-terrorism, organized crime, and emerging geopolitical threats.
21st Century (2000-present): MI6 has been at the forefront of counter-terrorism efforts, especially in the wake of the 9/11 attacks in 2001. It has also been involved in addressing emerging threats, including cyber warfare and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
London Headquarters:
MI6's headquarters, commonly known as "The SIS Building," is located at 85 Albert Embankment in Vauxhall, London. It is often referred to by its nickname, "Vauxhall Cross." The building, designed by architect Terry Farrell, was completed in 1994.
The structure is an iconic example of modern architecture, characterized by its distinctive, curving glass façade. It was designed with security and efficiency in mind, incorporating advanced technology and features to support MI6's intelligence operations.
The location of the headquarters along the River Thames reflects the organization's historical connection to naval intelligence. While the building itself is highly secure and not open to the public, it has become an emblematic symbol of British intelligence in popular culture, featuring in various movies and novels.
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MI6 is a truly impressive building. If I find the picture I snapped of the building I'll post it. When I was in London I had no idea where it was, other on The River Thames. Was a pleasant surprise to see the MI6 HQ!
Favorite Bonds have to be Roger Moore and Sean Connery and grew up with Pierce Brosnan. Favorite Bond film? I have too many I enjoy greatly. What are yours?
Oh dear my friend... I don't think you have the intelligence to work for MI6 or even the CIA. Not being funny but look how you've spelt the word 'GENIUS' on your thumbnail of this video! 🤪🤠😜
The MI6 building is not the equivalent of the Pentagon. For that you need to see our circular GCHQ building. And as for Pierce Brosnan as Bond, there can only be one man to play the world's best known secret Agent, and that is Sean Connery, a Scotsman funnily enough, or Roger Moore for the more humourous version!
Bus drivers when approaching the M16 building, says “spies alight here”
It was in the Bond movie The World Is Not Enough and others when the producers updated 007 from 'Universal Exports' which was in The Strand (?). Each time I pass it I always think of Pierce Brosnan shooting out into the river in his jet boat😀.
The Langley HQ of the CIA is a place I passed at least weekly on my drive from DC to my then home in Loudoun County. Likewise, Quantico is hardly a secret location, any more than is the FBI's Edgar Hoover Bldg on Pennsylvania Ave. Just as with MI6 at Vauxhall Cross and MI5 at Millbank and GCHQ in Cheltenham, the world's leading intelligence agencies have recognised that hiding in plain sight is the best way to keep secrets secret.
It’s got to be Sir Sean Connery as the best Bond ever
It's built right beside the river because of the specialist dolphins mi6 employs as 009 Agents!
Here's a snippet. The US embassy is only a stones throw away at Nine Ems, Vauxhall, In 20th Sept 2000, the Real IRA attacked the MI6 building with an RPG only causing slight damage to a couple of tiles and window. No injuries.
My friend worked in Vauxhall many years ago and he rang me once and told me someone had fired a rocket at the building. He told me that the shape of the building makes it difficult for air assault by paratroopers/ helicopters, and apparently the external facing areas/ offices are not used
Now I'm going to look at more pictures of this building! Very interesting.
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There is a sign near me, it reads "This way to Top Secret WW2 American Air Base". Makes me laugh every time I pass by. My favourite Bond is the original Sean Connery, it's because I'm old.
Ha! I wonder if its now a museum of some sort?
Sean Connery, right there with you on that one! Countless great Bond films he's in.
@@californianreacts correct, it's a massive piece of land with a museum on it.
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They got fed up with hiding in plain sight so they have an plain in sight building, and actually label it as such, which does not mean it is, so while everyone assumes this is SIS. They can operate quietly somewhere else outside London
I would assume they have enough going on from external locations that even if the building was levelled by a missile they could still operate.
True! Can't imagine how many truly secret portions around the rest of the UK and the world MI6 is operating from.
I'm certain that "A38 barber shop" is some secret location. It's rarely ever has the shutters lifted on it. It has a small social media presence and is a 10 minute drive from Bristol Airport. It's also in a fairly remote location to most other buildings just outside Bristol.
@@Jimmy_Jones Is there anything odd about it on Google Earth or Google Maps?
@Jamie_D Well, it looks normal. It has a small section of trees surrounding it. It's just an odd place to have a barbers.
Postcode: BS41 8JP
It goes by Paul the Barber on Google maps. But I don't see any web presence for that apart from where the business is located
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So James Bond didn’t get it blown up then 🤔😂
Favourite James Bond is definately Daniel Craig
I've worked inside that building 🏫, done a bit off computer 🖥️💻 programming with my spectrum 48k
Only ever seen three bond films in full, with my sister at the cinema when they came out.
Dr. No 1962
From Russia with Love 1963
Goldfinger 1964, all Sean Connery, so Sean the Scotsman who wanted to leave the United Kingdom when he lived in America is my go to Bond. At the time of the referendum, as a joke my circle of friends in England said , the vote to leave is close enough let them leave anyway. I say let have another go every time we have a General election. What calamity could possibly happen.
Roger Moore used to live in a quite large house with a balcony outside all the five front facing windows near where I live.
I've been in that building...
It has 4.5 stars on Google Maps. Must be good!
That's hilarious! The fact that people can rate it on Google 🤣
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I wouldn't be surprised if the main HQ is underground now adays, We have Nuclear proof bunkers in a few places, and a few of them are huge.
I would look up the history of GCHQ
True! I wouldn't be surprised if a good portion of it was underground. Might be able to find photos during the early states of construction and see how deep down the initial construction went. With The River Thames right next to it I could only imagine the difficulty.
@@californianreacts Good idea, I wasn't thinking of it being underground where it is now but it more than likely is, I was thinking of a Nuclear bunker away from the City Centre and that being the main HQ 👍
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Talking of places that were never acknowledged in London, The Post Office Tower was a great example, especially as it had a revolving restaurant on top !
*genius 🧠
Roger Moore Moonraker
Is the most well known secret building😅
Why are you giving out measurements in kilometres?
The official measurement is miles!
Roger Moore, live and let die. 🙂
Great film! Remembering the boat chase the most.
@californianreacts loved it as a kid, the boat chase was great, the cops were funny, the baddies were scary, the chic was hot and Bond was cool, what more can you ask for. Lol
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It's so secret it's regularly filmed, has featured in films and TV news reports and documentaries. Everyone knows where it is, so secret service is badly named.
Ah perhaps it's a bluff.
@@barriehull7076 That would be a master stroke, they're not actually there it's a distraction occupied by the Environment Agency after all.
ALL BS! If you can find a MI6 operative in London, he/she is not worth their salt.
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