Station IX
Encyclopedia
Station IX was a secret British Special Operations Executive
factory making commando equipment during World War II
. It was established at a mansion called 'The Frythe
' about an hours drive north from London near the town of Welwyn
.
'Station IX' was responsible for the development and production of weapons for the SOE which was formed on 19 July 1940 to support the organisation of agents and cells of resistance throughout occupied Europe and to provide weapons and special equipment. The SOE headquarters was at 64 Baker Street in London
, under the cover name of the Inter Services Research Bureau (ISRB). Station IX was one of several workshops and laboratories throughout England and the Commanding Officer was John Dolphin
.
'The Frythe' was an exclusive hotel but was commandeered in August 1939 by the British Military Intelligence
. Under the Chief of Scientific Research, Professor D.M. Newitt, secret research included military vehicles and equipment, explosives and technical sabotage, camouflage
, biological
and chemical warfare
. In the grounds of the Frythe small cabins and barracks functioned as laboratories and workshops. It was an unusual organisation to command for as well as being heavily guarded by alsatian dogs
the personnel included civilian scientists and craftsmen, (who like Dolphin received 'war service' military rank) and military personnel from all three services, who all wore their own regimental badges and uniform.
All machines developed for the SOE by Station IX at Welwyn were given prefix "Wel-". Dolphin was responsible for the Welbike
and Welman and lead the development of the Welfreighter
. One of the most productive and creative engineers attached to Station IX was Major H Q A Reeves
who invented both the Welrod
and the Sleevegun. He was also, among others, behind the silencer for the Sten gun, fluorescent night sights, the Welbum gun and the Welbum. This was made clear in a document that was produced the end of the war to ensure that the correct people were credited for their inventions. The Welbum was a device to provide motive power for parachutists who were dropped into water. It consisted of a streamlined metal container with an electric motor and battery inside which was harnessed to the back of the swimmer. Driven by a screw, it would travel silently for 2 miles at 2 knots.
Special Operations Executive
The Special Operations Executive was a World War II organisation of the United Kingdom. It was officially formed by Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Minister of Economic Warfare Hugh Dalton on 22 July 1940, to conduct guerrilla warfare against the Axis powers and to instruct and aid local...
factory making commando equipment during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was established at a mansion called 'The Frythe
The Frythe
The Frythe is a country house set in its own grounds in rural Hertfordshire, just outside the village of Welwyn, about 30 miles north of London....
' about an hours drive north from London near the town of Welwyn
Welwyn
Welwyn is a village and civil parish in Hertfordshire, England. The parish also includes the villages of Digswell and Oaklands. It is sometimes called Old Welwyn to distinguish it from the newer settlement of Welwyn Garden City, about a mile to the south.-History:Situated in the valley of the...
.
'Station IX' was responsible for the development and production of weapons for the SOE which was formed on 19 July 1940 to support the organisation of agents and cells of resistance throughout occupied Europe and to provide weapons and special equipment. The SOE headquarters was at 64 Baker Street in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, under the cover name of the Inter Services Research Bureau (ISRB). Station IX was one of several workshops and laboratories throughout England and the Commanding Officer was John Dolphin
John Dolphin
John Robert Vernon Dolphin CBE was a British engineer and inventor who became the Commanding Officer of the top secret Second World War Special Operations Executive 'Station IX' where specialist military equipment was developed. During his time there his inventions included the Welman midget...
.
'The Frythe' was an exclusive hotel but was commandeered in August 1939 by the British Military Intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
. Under the Chief of Scientific Research, Professor D.M. Newitt, secret research included military vehicles and equipment, explosives and technical sabotage, camouflage
Camouflage
Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed, by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly...
, biological
Biological warfare
Biological warfare is the use of biological toxins or infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi with intent to kill or incapacitate humans, animals or plants as an act of war...
and chemical warfare
Chemical warfare
Chemical warfare involves using the toxic properties of chemical substances as weapons. This type of warfare is distinct from Nuclear warfare and Biological warfare, which together make up NBC, the military acronym for Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical...
. In the grounds of the Frythe small cabins and barracks functioned as laboratories and workshops. It was an unusual organisation to command for as well as being heavily guarded by alsatian dogs
German Shepherd Dog
The German Shepherd Dog , also known as an Alsatian or just the German Shepherd, is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding Group, the German Shepherd is a working dog...
the personnel included civilian scientists and craftsmen, (who like Dolphin received 'war service' military rank) and military personnel from all three services, who all wore their own regimental badges and uniform.
All machines developed for the SOE by Station IX at Welwyn were given prefix "Wel-". Dolphin was responsible for the Welbike
Welbike
The Welbike was a British single-seat motorcycle devised during World War Two at Station IX — the "Inter Services Research Bureau" — based at Welwyn, UK, for use by Special Operations Executive . It has the distinction of being the smallest motorcycle ever used by the British Armed Forces,...
and Welman and lead the development of the Welfreighter
Welfreighter
The Welfreighter was a Second World War British midget submarine developed by the Special Operations Executive for the purpose of landing and supplying agents behind enemy lines...
. One of the most productive and creative engineers attached to Station IX was Major H Q A Reeves
Hugh Reeves
Hugh Quentin Alleyne Reeves was a British inventor and engineer. He was one of the most productive and creative engineers attached to Station IX the SOE research station during World War II....
who invented both the Welrod
Welrod
The Welrod was a British bolt action, magazine fed, suppressed pistol devised during World War II at the Inter-Services Research Bureau , based near Welwyn Garden City, UK, for use by irregular forces and resistance groups...
and the Sleevegun. He was also, among others, behind the silencer for the Sten gun, fluorescent night sights, the Welbum gun and the Welbum. This was made clear in a document that was produced the end of the war to ensure that the correct people were credited for their inventions. The Welbum was a device to provide motive power for parachutists who were dropped into water. It consisted of a streamlined metal container with an electric motor and battery inside which was harnessed to the back of the swimmer. Driven by a screw, it would travel silently for 2 miles at 2 knots.