The caves were adapted by British forces during World War II initially used to store a variety of equipment, including munitions. In 1942 it was decided they would serve better as a bomb-proof location for the repair of aircraft engines by the Royal Air Force, and it was the engine repair section under 111 Maintenance Unit that was inspected on 22 August 1942 by Winston Churchill who recorded that "Everything looked very smart and efficient on the spot, and an immense amount of work was being done day and night by masses of skilled men.
The caves were initially utilized by British forces during World War II to store a variety of supplies, including ammunition. In 1942, it was decided that they would be more suitable for use as a secure facility for repairing aircraft engines by the Royal Air Force, and it was the engine repair department under 111 Maintenance Unit that was inspected on 22 August 1942 by Winston Churchill, who observed that "Everything looked very smart and efficient on the spot, and an immense amount of work was being done day and night by large numbers of skilled workers.