AFTER-ACTION REPORT

On November 13, 1940, the German bombers hit the Royal London hospital, among other targets, during an exceptionally damaging night of the Blitz. Air Raid Wardens organized a civilian effort to put out the fires and evacuate patients from the hospital. One unusual feature to the damaged hospital was a hole punched through from the roof, through several floors, to the sub-basement.

MI-5 agents were able to reconstruct events on the scene after the fact, from interviews with witnesses and investigation of the structure after clean-up. "We heard cries for help, coming from down the hole, so we thought... well, we thought we could give 'em a hand, yeah? So down we went." this comment from Bennie Spench, a local street youth. According to accounts, Spench and several others (dossiers included in this file; of note are IRA operative Callahan, Professor Oakley, and fascist peer Green) attempted to descend into the sub-structure of the building. One of the party was, apparently, a young boy, the son of an American importer in the city. How and why this child was allowed to go below is unknown at this time.

Historical records show that the Royal London Hospital has undergone numerous expansions and retrofittings over the years, changing its focus several times to suit the differing medical needs of London. Most recently, a portion of the hospital was converted to house the overflow of "disturbed persons" from Bedlam hospital. Most of this operation was done under the supervision of Doctor Henry Temple Perkins. It is unknown where Perkins is at present, or even whether he survived the bombing. Investigations into his background and personal files are in progress.

The civilians apparently discovered an older section of the hospital substructure, clearly suffering from lack of maintenance but still possibly in use. MI-5 agents report seeing numerous padded cells, showing evidence of occupation, but found no patients. This is not unexpected, considering the conditions of the ward. Below this ward was found an experimental German UXB (unexploded bomb). Unlike others before it, this bomb measured nearly 8 feet in length and 2 feet in diameter, and was apparently floated in on a parachute. The chute clearly failed, dropping the bomb through the roof to the basement. The fact that it didn't trigger is perhaps attributable to its experimental design. In the end, after an unsuccessful attempt by the civilians to defuse the bomb, it was found that the bomb contained an unknown gas. Our scientists are analyzing the compound at this time, but it is believed to be an agent that acts on the nervous system and lower brain functions.

Additional reports of unusual sightings within the building have so far been unsubstantiated. The civilians report experiencing visions of "twisted children, beckoning them down hallways"; "odd moaning sounds in the corridors"; "swarms" of rats, which left no trace; and, most oddly, interactions with madman patients, occupying the cells and "dancing" around the UXB. Our field agents are hesitant to think that the civilians are capable of lying, considering their condition after the experience, and so these reports remain unexplained. One theory put forward by the research team is that the gas might be a "fear toxin", stimulating a fear and hallucinatory reaction in its victims. A leak in the UXB might explain the civilians unusual experiences below. However, this fails to explain the disappearance of Constable John Dempsey, whose body has not yet been recovered, and the strangulation death of nurse Elizabeth Brooke. Recommendations: forward this file to the 20 Committee for use in the Double-Cross operation; Continue research on experimental gas, for use in future military endeavors; monitor all civilians involved in the event until further developments occur.