Telephone, field telephone

This military version of a portable magnetic field telephone was made ad Siemens Brothers' electrical engineering and cable factory at Woolwich during World War II. The telephone 'F' Mark 2 is stored in a metal reinforced wooden case with a webbing shoulder strap. Instructions for use are printed on a metal plate screwed to the inside of lid.

During World War II Siemens Engineering company produced communications equipment for use by both the military and civilian ARP divisions. Magneto telephones were self-contained units including a handset and ringing mechanism powered by battery. Two phones could be wired up together avoiding the need for a central operator. The Siemens factory suffered extensive bomb damage during the war losing over 32,515 square metres of factory floor space. In addition the workforce was reduced from 10,000 to 7000. Despite this, the factory continued to develop and produce military telephones, cables and radar equipment in enormous quantities. In September 1943 the company began production of the first pipe line under the ocean, known as PLUTO. Over 320 kilometres of the pipeline was produced, supplying vital fuel to the Allied troops in Normandy and Calais and then overland into Europe.