WW2-story

(transition: "dissolve")[The information that you are about to read is confidential. You have been selected to help a British agent complete a number of tasks on behalf of Bedfordshire Archives Specialist Establishment (B.A.S.E.) Due to the nature of the assignment, B.A.S.E has taken an unprecedented decision in their selection of an agent. Age and physical description of the agent: CLASSIFIED INFORMATION The agent will be identified as ‘Agent Archivist’. Agent Archivist has almost completed basic training and needs your help to find documents lost through time. As you have A1 security clearance from B.A.S.E, you have access to the following information: Agent Archivist attends a school somewhere in Bedfordshire. B.A.S.E has asked Agent Archivist to find lost documents that have been scattered through time. The lost documents are a matter of national importance and may be of use in the event of a global threat. The documents will be identified by a straw hat or a black eagle painted on them. The document will also have an official seal. Agent Archivist completed a 20 week training course and is now qualified to pilot the ‘Nebula Migration Vehicle’ in order to reach the destinations in this assignment. The recovered documents will be brought back to the present day and will be collected by B.A.S.E for analysis. All the recovered documents will be locked in a vault until such a time as they are required. All you have to do is to help Agent Archivist find the lost documents and help answer a few questions from B.A.S.E. Agent Archivist will activate a carbyne communication device (CCD) to communicate with you through your computer in due course. Good luck. B.A.S.E. * CCD = looks like a pair of glasses with an attachment behind the ear. The wearer can communicate with B.A.S.E, take images of the things they see and link to a computer located in 2017. Nebula Migration Vehicle = a single cockpit machine enabling the pilot to travel through time. The main feature of the NMV is the ability to mirror its surroundings, making it appear invisible.] [[Begin]] <audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ds44vlkzazpns5f/typewriter.mp3?dl=1" autoplay>

Hey, I'm Agent Archivist and I’m glad you’ve logged on. B.A.S.E has given me a small box and they are trying to download a map on to the CCD for me to navigate with but it’s not through yet. I’m in a street. Ahead are some shops and there’s a bridge over a river behind me. It feels quite warm here. The leaves on some of the trees are beginning to turn copper in colour. What should I do next? <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4i9bajq518207e0/howardstatueandstreet.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> [[Keep walking around]] [[Look at the map]] [[Look for a street sign]] [[Look for any more unusual features]]

I could get lost. If I have to ask someone where I am, they might ask me too many awkward questions. Then I could be in trouble. [[Return|Begin]]

The map is downloading but it is really slow. The letters JH are coming through. I need to find out more about this place. [[Return|Begin]] (set: $map to 'true')

I can’t see any street signs yet. [[Return|Begin]]

There’s a statue coming up on my left. It’s a bronze figure of a man. He looks serious. Underneath Serious Dude it says John Howard 1726 – 1790 and underneath that is 1890. That’s confusing. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ekt04qgtq8l300o/howardstatue.jpg?dl=1"; width= 100%; height=auto;> Hang on, B.A.S.E is sending the first question through. (color: #8A2BE2)[Why are there different dates?] [[John Howard was born in 1726 and died in 1790. There are a total of 1890 statues in Bedfordshire.|Wrong statue]] [[John Howard was born in 1726 and died in 1790. 1890 is the year that the statue was ordered to be built.|Right statue]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Look for any more unusual features]]

(if: $map is 'true')[That’s right. John Howard did a lot to improve the conditions inside prisons. I guess that’s why there is a statue to honour him. JH were the initials on the map. We must be in the right place. So where in Bedfordshire am I?] (else: $map is 'false')[That’s right. John Howard did a lot to improve the conditions inside prisons. I guess that’s why there is a statue to honour him. So where in Bedfordshire am I?] [[Ampthill]] [[Bedford]] [[Luton]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Right statue]]

Correct! Great job. Now I just need to find out when I am. The shops look really different. The windows are all covered with wooden barriers. There is a newsagent and a greengrocer on my right. Maybe I should go inside one of them. Which one do you think I should try? [[Greengrocer]] [[Newsagent]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Right statue]]

The shelves are almost empty. What’s going on? I can’t see anything that tells me the date in here. [[Return|Bedford]]

Good thinking. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/10hiid0ygkt93l4/newsagent.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> There’s a newspaper with today’s date on it. It says '21^^st^^ September 1944'. I am in Bedford during World War 2! (color: #8A2BE2)[When did World War 2 take place?] [[1914 to 1918]] [[1940 to 1946]] [[1939 to 1945]] <audio src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/c4z3vbtnrnczhtc/shopbell.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

I’m getting hungry. I’d almost forgotten about the box I was given. It’s not very big and is quite light. I hope there is food inside. [[Open the box]] [[Ignore the box]]

It’s a gas mask. Everyone had to keep a gas mask with them during World War 2. If you went to school without your gas mask you would have to go back home and get it. [[Continue|Continue2]]

Ok. Maybe it will be useful later. [[Continue|Continue2]]

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So that’s what B.A.S.E meant! This was put there in 1870 by the family of John Bull, a local jeweller. It used to have a golden ball behind the clock that would strike a large bell so people could set their pocket watches. [[Continue|Continue3]]

The roads during World War 2 are a lot quieter in 1944 than they are today. I think it’s because there are not as many cars on the roads. (color: #8A2BE2)[Why are there not as many cars on the roads in 1944?] [[There was no petrol for private cars]] [[Cars were not safe. There was even a law that a man with a red flag had to walk in front of a car to warn people that the car was approaching]]

There’s a car parked up ahead. The headlights have caps over them. I’m looking more closely and I can see there are strips cut into the caps. (color: #8A2BE2)[What is that for?] [[The caps protected the headlights when it was parked]] [[The cuts in the caps allowed a small amount of light through so it was safe to drive when it was dark]]

I have a new message from B.A.S.E. They think that I should look for a rose. There are two men coming towards me. They are both wearing uniforms that I haven’t seen before. They have American accents. They must be G.Is. (color: #8A2BE2)[Why were American soldiers called G.Is?] [[It stood for Government Inspectors]] [[G.I was written on their equipment. G.I stood for Government Issue]] [[G.I stood for General Infantry]]

I’m passing more shop windows. One has got a pair of giant glasses on the shop front. It’s called Charnleys. I’ve just seen a Lloyds Bank, too. <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/g8co7itzdak5q4g/charnleys.jpg?dl=1"; height = auto; width = 100%;> No sign of any roses yet. Someone is walking past holding a book. I’ll try to send you an image of it using the CCD [[View image]]

<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/uc14skjf2u94dzw/ww1rationbook.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> (color: #8A2BE2)[Which food was not rationed during World War two?] [[Sweets]] [[Tea]] [[Vegetables]]

On the other side of the road there are two boys. They are looking at a book with an aeroplane on the cover. Aeroplane spotting was a popular game during the war. I wonder if they are evacuees. (color: #8A2BE2)[How many children were evacuated during World War 2?] [[Between 400,000 and 600,000|Over 400,000]] [[Between 600,000 and 800,000|Over 600,000]] [[Over 800,000]]

One of the shops is selling furniture. I'll need to cross the street and double back a bit to have a look. The furniture looks a lot different to 21^^st^^ century furniture. I think the design is a bit boring. See if you agree. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/qihq83dfps25k62/utilityfurniture.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> (color: #8A2BE2)[What was this type of furniture called?] [[MDF furniture]] [[Rationing furniture]] [[Utility furniture]]

Try again. [[Return|Furniture]]

Try another choice. [[Return|Furniture]]

Correct! Materials for furniture were needed for the war effort. Designs had to be simple. There is a large building on the right. It’s called a Corn Exchange. A Corn Exchange was a place where merchants and farmers traded cereal grain. The BBC played concerts at the Corn Exchange in Bedford during the war because it was too dangerous to stay in London. The concerts were broadcast on the radio. B.A.S.E really must fix this map. I don’t know which way to go now. Should I turn right by the Corn Exchange or go back down the High Street? [[Corn Exchange]] [[High Street|Straight on]]

Okay. I’ll take this path. The Corn Exchange is on my right and there is a church on my left. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/jldmgl03recqhdf/stpaulschurch.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> [[Continue|Harpur centre]]

Thanks for your help. I think this is a good route to take. I can see a fishmongers. It’s called Wilshaws. You are lucky that the CCD doesn’t transmit smells! I’m at the top of Silver Street now. There’s a shop called E. P Rose where Debenhams is in the 21^^st^^ century. There’s also a butchers close by but there’s not a lot to offer in the window. (color: #8A2BE2)[Meat was rationed during the war. What year was bacon and ham rationed?] [[1939]] [[1940]] [[1941]]

I still can’t see any roses. Maybe it’s the wrong time of year for flowers. I’m walking past the Harpur Centre. The final design was decided in 1830. The Harpur Centre has been a shopping centre since 1976 but was once a school. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8crydf9kt448sl2/harpurcentre.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> (color: #8A2BE2)[Why was the building called the Harpur Centre?] [[It is named after William Harpur who died in 1574. He set up charities to support education. In the present day the Harpur Trust contiunues to give this support.]] [[It is named after John Harpur who died in 1601. He was a writer in Bedford and wanted more children to learn to read and write]] [[It is named after James Harpur who died in 1501. He was an artist who made enough money from painting to build the Harpur Centre]]

I’ve just past Maitland Street to my right and I’m walking down Commercial Road. B.A.S.E is telling me to be careful. In 1944, V1 and V2 rockets began to fall across Britain. (color: #8A2BE2)[What was a V1 rocket sometimes called?] [[A firebug]] [[A doodlebug]] [[A blitzer]]

I’ve just realised what B.A.S.E meant by looking out for a rose. They meant E.P Rose the shop, not an actual rose .I must be walking in the correct direction. <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/ioishh76j77kbak/EPRose.jpg?dl=1"; height = auto; width = 100%;> (color: #8A2BE2)[E.P Rose was a ‘drapers’. What is a draper?] [[A shop that sold canned food]] [[A shop that sold books]] [[A shop that sold cloth. People could by large amounts of wool or cloth from a draper in order to make clothes.]]

I don’t recognise many of the shops in Silver Street. I wonder if the Harpur Centre was there in 1944? The Harpur Centre has a lot of shops in it in the 21^^st^^ century. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/8crydf9kt448sl2/harpurcentre.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> The final design for the Harpur Centre was decided in 1830. The Harpur Centre has been a shopping centre since 1976 but was once a school. (color: #8A2BE2)[Why was the building called the Harpur Centre?] [[It is named after William Harpur who died in 1574. He set up charities to support education. In the present day the Harpur Trust contiunues to give this support.|Correct2]] [[It is named after John Harpur who died in 1601. He was a writer in Bedford and wanted more children to learn to read and write|Wrong1]] [[It is named after James Harpur who died in 1501. He was an artist who made enough money from painting to build the Harpur Centre|Wrong2]]

If I look to the left I can see a shop called Braggins. It is where a shop called Beales is now. I have decided to keep going straight down this road on the left. The digital map is not working very well and I’ve got a feeling that turning left or right might get me lost. B.A.S.E is telling me to be careful. In 1944, V1 and V2 rockets began to fall across Britain. (color: #8A2BE2)[What was a V1 rocket sometimes called?] [[A firebug|fierbug2]] [[A doodlebug|doodlebug2]] [[A blitzer|blitzer2]]

I wish B.A.S.E could fix this map. It's not working again. I’m at Prebend Street. I could go left or right. Which way should I go? [[Head left towards the river]] [[Turn right]]

Oh no. I can see the Nebula Migration Vehicle. I’m back where I started and without the document! That noise is an air raid. Looks like I better get out of here. [[End]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fe9tpfkfqoe70m/siren.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

I think that’s a good choice. [[Continue|Midland Road]]

I’m at Midland Road. There seems to be some damage to some of the buildings here. There must have been an air raid at some time. (color: #8A2BE2)[What year did The Blitz begin?] [[April 1939]] [[September 1940]] [[December 1946]]

B.A.S.E is really trying to test us. All they have told me now is the final clue is H34. I wonder what that is supposed to mean? There’s a railway bridge ahead of me to the left and a line of buildings on my right. One of the buildings is a hotel and another building is a theatre. What do you think that I should do now? [[Investigate the hotel]] [[Investigate the theatre]]

The hotel doors are locked. [[Investigate the theatre]]

Okay. Guess what? I’ve just seen a flag pole on top of the theatre. We must be getting close now. B.A.S.E is able to send through a picture of what the theatre used to look like before the war. <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/7ijb8w0ruw1sr12/royalcountytheatre.jpg?dl=1"; height = auto; width = 100%;> You can’t see the flag pole in the picture but it is definitely the correct building. I wonder if the theatre is open? [[Continue|Theatre]]

There’s a man a few metres ahead and he looks official. He’s wearing a pair of blue overalls with the letters A.R.P written on them. (color: #8A2BE2)[What did A.R.P stand for?] [[Air Raid Patrol]] [[Air Raid Precautions]] [[Air Raid Personnel]]

It’s pretty dark inside here but I can see a ticket booth and two sets of stairs. One goes up and one leads down. Which stairs should I take? [[Staircase leading up]] [[Staircase leading down]]

Wow. I’m looking out over an empty stage. There’s a curtain hanging half way down. There are rows of seats in front of me up here and the same downstairs. All the seats have letters and numbers on the back. They start with K1 and the last row is P52. Now I know what the final clue is. It’s a seat number. I need to go downstairs. <img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cgqmfwz7xeknu7z/Z26-10.jpg?dl=1"; width=100%; height=auto;> [[Staircase leading down]]

I’m heading through a doorway. The stage is in front of me and there are rows of seats. All the seats down here have letters and numbers. They start with A1. Do you remember what the last clue was? [[B33]] [[G36]] [[H34]]

I’m at B33. I can’t see anything here. [[Try G36|G36]] [[Try H34|H34]]

This seat doesn’t appear to have anything unusual about it. [[Try H34|H34]] [[Try B33|B33]]

I’m looking but...wait. I can feel something behind the fabric on the underneath of the seat. Let me see if I can pull away the fabric and get to it. [[Continue|Success]]

SUCCESS! <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/rns60o7cwietl0a/L26-1426%20box.jpg?dl=1"; height = 45%; width = 45%; > <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbkqe2pj70fybt5/L26-1426.jpg?dl=1"; height = auto; width = auto;> We found the document and the seal! Let’s get out of here before someone sees us. [[Continue|Outside Theatre]]

I’m back outside. I can hear a strange noise in the distance. It is a low rumbling noise, almost like a growl but I’m pretty sure it’s not an animal. The growl is getting closer. [[Listen]]

Amazing! That was a spitfire flying overhead. The spitfire was a single-seater fighter aeroplane. It was designed by Supermarine in 1936. Spitfires were very fast and easy to manoeuvre. I’m running back to the NMV time machine and then it will be back to the present day. St. Paul’s church is behind me. I’m almost back. [[Keep running]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/mdo7csxi50py1k9/spitfire.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

I know what that sound is and it’s not a fighter plane. That’s an air raid siren. (color: #8A2BE2)[What was an air raid siren sometimes called?] [[Moaning Micky]] [[Moaning Minnie]] [[Moaning Pluto]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fe9tpfkfqoe70m/siren.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

I’ve made it and just in time. Thanks for your help. Who knows, maybe I’ll see you in the future. Then again, maybe I already have! [[End]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/mdo7csxi50py1k9/spitfire.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

That was World War 1. [[Try again|Newsagent]]

Not quite. [[Try again|Newsagent]]

You know your history. Good work. [[Continue]]

Correct. The supply of Petrol ended for private cars in 1942. [[Continue|carcaps]]

Not quite right. This was a law between 1865 and 1896. Cars became a lot safer by World War 2. [[Try again|Continue3]]

Think again. [[Try again|carcaps]]

Correct. The blackout meant that people were not allowed to have lights showing that might tell enemy aircraft where houses and factories were. The map is telling me to carry on walking in the same direction. [[Continue|Continue4]]

Not quite right. [[Try again|Continue4]]

Correct. Well done. I wonder if the G.I soldiers have been billeted in Bedford? (color: #8A2BE2)[What does 'billeting' mean?] [[Billeting meant that the soldiers lived in the town and had to live in other people's homes.]] [[The soldiers had to pay a monthly bill in order to stay in the army]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Continue4]]

Sweets were rationed in July 1942 until February 1953! [[Try again|View image]]

Tea was rationed from July 1940 until October 1952. Try another answer. [[Try again|View image]]

Correct answer! Vegetables could also be grown at home. People used whatever land they could, even on top of their Anderson shelters. During the war a lot of food was rationed. It was seen as a fair way to share out food when there was not a lot available to eat. <img src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/o18mdxa4a3qc4o8/Quaker%20puffed%20wheat.jpg?dl=1"; height = 50%; width = 50%;> When you bought rationed food, a stamp was marked into your book. Everyone had weekly rations, including children. [[Continue|Plane]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Plane]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Plane]]

Correct answer! By the end of the war around 3.5 million people experienced evacuation and 13,000 of those were evacuated to Bedford from London. ‘Evacuated’ meant that someone was sent somewhere that was thought to be safer during the war. [[Continue|Furniture]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Harpur centre]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Harpur centre]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Maitland Street]]

Yes! That’s the correct answer. V1 and V2 rockets were flying bombs. They didn’t have a pilot. When the rockets ran out of fuel they would fall from the sky and explode. B.A.S.E told me to look for a building with a flag pole. The document should be close to it. [[Continue|Prebend Street]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Maitland Street]]

Try again, it’s a tricky question. [[Try again|Straight on]]

Yes, well done! [[Continue|Rose]]

Have another go. It’s a difficult question. [[Try again|Straight on]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Rose]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Rose]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Braggins]]

Yes. That’s the correct answer. V1 and V2 rockets were flying bombs. They didn’t have a pilot. When the rockets ran out of fuel they would fall from the sky and explode. B.A.S.E told me to look for a building with a flag pole. The document should be close to it. [[Continue|Midland Road]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Braggins]]

It was later than this. [[Try again|Midland Road]]

Correct! You make remembering historical facts look easy. [[Continue|Choice]]

Not right. Remember that World War 2 ended in 1945. [[Try again|Midland Road]]

That’s a good try but it’s not correct. [[Try again|Theatre]]

Correct. The job of someone in the A.R.P was to protect civilians (the public) from the dangers of air raids. The doors to the theatre are unlocked. I’m going inside before the A.R.P man sees me. [[Continue|Theatre interior]]

I can see why you thought that but it’s not correct. Have another go. [[Try again|Theatre]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Keep running]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fe9tpfkfqoe70m/siren.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

Correct answer. I think I’ve just got time to get to the NMV. I can hear the sound of more aeroplanes. [[Continue|Ending]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fe9tpfkfqoe70m/siren.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

Have another go. [[Try again|Keep running]] <audio src = "https://www.dropbox.com/s/8fe9tpfkfqoe70m/siren.mp3?dl=1"; autoplay>

You’re good at history! That’s the correct answer. [[Continue|Braggins]]

Wrong answer. [[Try again|Silver Street]]

Have another go. [[Try again|Silver Street]]

I’m back out in the street now. Great! The map has come through on the CCD and shows that I should turn right onto the High Street and keep walking. Maybe the CCD is breaking down because B.A.S.E has told me to look out for a bull. |street>[<img src="https://www.dropbox.com/s/quid5bry1rs6jvu/Bull-partial.jpg?dl=1"; width=400px; height= 400px>] (click: ?street)[(goto: "next")]

Welcome Thank you for choosing to play Agent Archivist. This game was created by Bedfordshire Archives for use in schools but is free for everyone to play. This game uses sound effects but can still be enjoyed without them. All images in this game are from the collections of Bedfordshire Archives and all sound files have come from www.freesound.org [[Start|Classified]] (set: $map to 'false')

Thank you for playing and we hope you enjoyed Agent Archivist. If you would like to give any feedback please contact us on Twitter at @AdvnturesinTime

Correct! Well done. [[Continue|Shops]]

It's a difficult question. Have another go. [[Try again|G.I was written on their equipment. G.I stood for Government Issue]]

Correct answer! [[Continue|Silver Street]]

You’re good at history! That’s the correct answer. [[Continue|Maitland Street]]