Handel (warning system)
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Handel was the code-name for the United Kingdom's national attack warning system in the Cold War that was in place between 1962 and 1992.[1] It consisted of two injection sites (RAF High Wycombe and the Royal Observer Corps Group 21 bunker in Goosnargh, Lancashire)[2] linked to a series of 252 carrier control points installed in major police stations; in turn, the control points were linked to some 11,000 receiver units installed at so-called warning points in various police, fire, and coastguard stations, government buildings, hospitals, industrial centres, and Royal Observer Corps posts,[3] with sufficiently remote areas having the units installed in post offices, public houses, churches, or even private dwellings.[4][5] If an enemy attack was detected, a key on the left-hand side of an "operating unit" console at one or both of the injection sites would be turned and two lights would come on; the operator would then press and hold down a red button and announce "Attack Warning Red".[2] At the carrier control points, if one or both red lights flashed with a constant alarm, or if a white light flashed with an intermittent alarm, the control point operator was to lift two red handsets (red lights) or one black handset (white light), listen for the injection site's "Attack Warning Red", and acknowledge it; they would then pass on their own "Attack Warning Red" to the warning points before activating any sirens linked to the control point. Those manning the warning points would also activate warning sirens (or operate hand-cranked ones) once they had received the attack warning message.[3][6][7][5] The sirens would coincide with the broadcast of a "four-minute warning" on media channels.[8][7][5]
Initial Handel equipment fell under the WB400 and WB600 series of designations;[7] this was upgraded in the 1980s to an EMP-resistant equipment line falling under the WB1400 series of designations.[9] The "operating unit" console at the injection sites was known as the WB1800.[2]
The Handel system was based around the telephone system used for the speaking clock.[7][5] The rationale for piggybacking off the speaking clock system was to tackle two problems at once; it reduced running costs (Handel would most likely be used only once in its working life, though it was regularly tested) and the telephone lines were continually tested for readiness by sharing infrastructure with a public service, meaning a fault could be detected and repaired in time to give a warning.[10]
| Message | How it is received | Action to be taken | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Attack warning | Warbling note followed by the message: "Attack warning RED!"[11] This would be followed by a control signal, activating the powered sirens | Sound warning by activating sirens, the attack warning will be a rising and falling note. | Attack warning will be broadcast on all television and radio stations.[12][8] |
| Fallout warning | High-pitched pip signal followed by a spoken message. For example: "Fallout warning BLACK, London!"[11] | Fire warning maroon three times. Though in some areas, it can be three gongs, whistles, or even church bells[13] creating one long note followed by two short notes forming the morse note "D-". | Fallout warning will be broadcast on the radio "wherever possible".[8] |
| Fallout expected within one hour or more | High-pitched pip signal followed by the spoken message. For example: "Fallout warning GREY, Canterbury!" | Fire warning maroon[14] or sound siren producing one long note but interrupted in short succession. Can also be given by church bells or word of mouth from the police and civil defence wardens | Fell out of use by the late 1960s |
| All clear | High-pitched pip signal followed by a spoken message: "Attack message WHITE!"[11] A steady control tone will activate the powered sirens.[clarification needed] | Sound siren giving a steady note | Further warnings may be broadcast on radio, along with information on aid for survivors and morale-boosting broadcasts (There was also a "confidence tone" that demonstrated the system was working and advised listeners to stand by for a warning at any time). |
A Handel warning console can be seen at the Imperial War Museum in London among their Cold War exhibits,[1] alongside the warning apparatus used by Kent Police (which was located at Maidstone police station to activate the sirens).
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "Signalling Equipment, Handel Unit 1A, British". Imperial War Museum. 2011. Retrieved 10 September 2012.
- ^ a b c "WB1400 and HANDEL Page 1 of 2". RINGBELL.CO.UK. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ a b Instructions For Warning Point Operators. Derbyshire Constabulary. c. 1980s. pp. 5–6. Cited in "WB1400 Page 2 of 2". RINGBELL.CO.UK. Retrieved 4 August 2025.
- ^ McCamley, Nick (4 March 2014). Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 9781783030101.
- ^ a b c d McDowall, Julie (4 April 2024). Attack Warning Red!: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War (Paperback ed.). Vintage. pp. 19–20. ISBN 9781529920017.
- ^ "Carrier Control Card 3, War Emergency Public Warning Action" (PDF). Retrieved 31 July 2025 – via ROCA Heritage.
- ^ a b c d Campbell, Duncan (2015) [1983]. War Plan UK. pp. 228–229. ISBN 9781326506124.
- ^ a b c UKWMO: United Kingdom Warning and Monitoring Organisation (PDF). Central Office of Information. 1985. p. 11 – via ROCA Heritage.
- ^ THG Journal (August 2003). "Cold War Early Warning System". Subterranea Britannica.
- ^ Strachan, Jackie; Moseley, Jane (16 November 2017). The Order of Things: How Hierarchies Help Us Make Sense of the World. Robinson. p. 59. ISBN 9781472139917.
- ^ a b c McCamley, Nick (4 March 2014). Cold War Secret Nuclear Bunkers. Pen and Sword Books. ISBN 9781783030101.
- ^ Fox, Steve. "Struggle for Survival, File 16: Civil Defence Communications and Warning". Subterranea Britannica. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ McDowall, Julie (4 April 2024). Attack Warning Red!: How Britain Prepared for Nuclear War (Paperback ed.). Vintage. pp. 25–26. ISBN 9781529920017.
- ^ Home Office; Scottish Home Department (1960). Civil Defence Pocket Book No. 3: General Information (All Sections). Her Majesty's Stationery Office. p. 18.