CBS sent Edward R. Murrow to London to head their European Operations. Please use modern, free, secure browser such as FIREFOX or CHROME to fully enjoy the website. The Soviet Union was able to make a rapid and powerful recovery; soon they would be able to rival the US militarily and in a short time they would develop their own atomic weapons. Tales inspired by true stories from the front lines. A unique collection of original BBC and other radio actuality recordings brings to life the London of the 1920s to the 1950s. Sponsored by Parker Watch Company as part of the War Bond Drive. Wings to Victory (1940-45) gave us dramatized stories of our flying heroes over the Blue Network. Although most radio listening was music and entertainment in the form of comedies and dramas, the various radio networks developed news departments. President Roosevelt, radio address from the U.S.S. Hollywood Celebrities gather to answer requests sent into the show by GI's stationed overseas during WWII, The opening of the War in Europe. During WWII, the radio became a tool of immense political power. GI Journal (1943-46) used the celebrities as the guest editors and staff for a weekly newspaper for the WWII troops. rock. Sad Sack had been a pantomime cartoon character featured in the Army weekly newspaper Yank. The first notice of the attack came at 2:26pm, Eastern Time, over the Mutual network, interrupting a football game 63 minutes after the first bombs fell. 1941, May 16. Churchill was the British Prime Minister during the War. The CBS home office in New York called for a "News Roundup" special to be put together in reaction to the Anschluss. Songs about the surf, the sun, hot-rods, and California Girls. Programs would be sent to overseas radio stations from the ARFS Hollywood studios. Radio Biafra official website address is www.radiobiafra.co. Comedy and Pin-up girl talent was featured with a healthy share of popular music. Hitler and his misguided philosophy were confronted directly in Dear Adolph (1942) and You Can't Do Business with Hitler (1942). Several disc jockey's "spun hot wax" for the program, sometimes civilian celebrities while other times servicemen would man the microphone. 200(R)-205B. Up frequency (to the right on the display) are two more shortwave BC stations very close to each other's operating frequency (common in the shortwave BC bands.) If morale was allowed to slip there could be a fatal decline in combat efficiency. Radio Londres, broadcasts made by the Free French Forces via the BBC during World War II. << Return to Full List of WWII Radio Recordings. * Your email address will not be published. Edward R. Murrow: First Night of the Blitz on London - YouTube The effectiveness of Tokyo Ros's efforts is in dispute, and tales of her supposed clairvoyance in speaking directly to individual units was largely a fabrication for the movies. Next, that money was taken out of circulation, thereby controlling inflation. 66. The BBC reports on the battle taking place in the skies. True tales of WWII heroes in action were also popular WWII old Time radio shows. Then as now, radio had music—big bands, singers, ensembles, orchestras, whatever you could want. Reports emphasize American Diplomatic moves in the Pre-War months. West Coast Oldies. In 2009 the Military cable network, The Pentagon Channel", reprised Command Performance featuring currently popular acts. His vision for radio in Britain was that it should an independent broadcaster able to educate, inform and entertain. GI Jane was thought to be an answer to the Tokyo Rose propaganda broadcasts. Early in the show's run, just before America entered the War, the Gildersleeve household organized Thanksgiving dinner for the Troops at the local Army post. Guest Star Radio (1947-66) ran after WWII, with an even greater selection of Stars, and promoted "Savings Bonds" rather than "Victory Bonds". You are using an outdated browser that will prevent you from accessing and enjoying old time radio. Although they were not in uniform, the men and women of the Civilian Aircraft Warning Service during WWII were vital to the mission of the Army Air Forces 4th Fighter Command. The Japanese sneak attack on. Fibber McGee and Molly was so good at getting OWI's message out that they were occasionally given exclusives"; the day following a program showcasing the need for Merchant Mariners was the single most successful recruiting day for Merchant Mariners. Modern collectors value the programs as some of the best War-time jazz performances. The Man Behind The Gun (1942-44) featured highly dramatized stories of America's fighting men during the second world war. The most important improvement needed to be reliable and desirable content. 200(R)-205A. Churchill delivers the first of many broadcasts which define the collective memory of WW2. WWII News and Related Sound files from 1940 Notes. Nearly every nation on Earth participated in or was affected by WWII. These sounds were captured at street markets, fairgrounds, skittle alleys, auction houses, hopfields and elsewhere. ), Weekly chronical of Hit music from the Tin Pan Alley era through the War Years until the beginning of the Rock and Roll Era. Mail Call(1942-49) was another early AFRS WWII radio show. BBC Radio 1. dance. Marjorie from The Great Gildersleeve was constantly writing to WWII servicemen, or organizing dinners or shows for the troops. Roosevelt wisely took the advice of his Treasury Secretary, Henry Morgenthau Jr., and put a voluntary Loan program in place as War clouds loomed in the fall of 1940. By the end of the month Mussolini would be killed by Italian Partisans and Adolph Hitler would commit suicide. 120 mins Davis became a trusted and comforting voice during the second world war, and in 1941 he was appointed by President Roosevelt to head the Office of War Information. Proudly We Hail was a syndicated Cold War / JET AGE! It … pop. This was true with early Radio coverage. This is a recording of Radio London’s Final Hour…..broadcast between 2.00pm and 3.00pm on Monday August 14th 1967. Their story was told by NBC in Eyes Aloft (1942-43). The Radio Officers’ Association (ROA) was formed in 1995 as a membership organisation with two principal aims: to seek out, honour and preserve the distinguished history of marine radio. "Free words of Free Men", dramatizations of the best books and literature to come out of the War. Although the Mass Media of the time seems primitive by the modern standards of the Internet and 24-hour Cable News Coverage, old time WWII radio shows brought the war home to the American people in a way that had never been imagined before this time. War time rationing was a common complaint on sitcoms, but Fibber managed to get the message across better than others by getting it beat into his own head. Please also see Blitzkrieg Collection (Invasion of Poland). The enemy tried to use propaganda old time radio to disrupt Allied morale using the radio. Tokyo Rose's mission was to make the GIs homesick by playing popular American Music and telling outlandish tales of girlfriends being unfaithful while their men were at war. Broadcast every Sat evening over NBC Blue Network, and transcribed for AFRS. The program was broadcast on March 13, 1938, and became the basis of the CBS World News Roundup, which still broadcasts on CBS Radio. Reports of the Technological Advances the Army Air Forces used in Victory in WWII and beyond, program claimed to be "an official military operation of the AAF." Music for Millions (1945) didn't seem to attract the A-list talent of some of the other shows, but featured songs made up just for the bond drive. On May 8, 1945 the Allied Powers accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. Introductrion -- Dan Rather. Radio was the place to be back then, and even movie stars such as Carole Lombard and Clark Gable performed on the airwaves. The station recorded the entire Broadcast day in expectation of the Japanese surrender. The listener is placed in the boots of our fighting men, feels the boredom and the terror of war, and feels the sting when a buddy is lost. The bad guys in Kiddie Shows and some detective dramas changed from gangsters and rustlers to Japs and Nazis, or at least worked for them. Treasury Star Parade (1942-44) featured Hollywood Stars in short dramas, many of which would remind listeners to comply with rationing and take seriously the other home front sacrifices the second world war made necessary. The program was concurrently broadcast on the four major networks. It began after the start of WW2 with petrol and later included other goods such as butter, sugar and bacon. Anschluss - March 13, 1938 -- Edward R. Murrow. As tensions increased in Europe, American Radio Journalists continued to cover the events. The germans also used Axis Sally while the infamous "Tokyo Rose" was played by as many as a dozen different English speaking women for Japan. The chats were thought to be a great comfort to the nation during dark and frightening times. Old Time Radio, News, WWII, WW2, 1940. Chamberlain returns from Munich - 30 September 1938, Close down of Television service for the duration of the War - 1 September 1939, Chamberlain announces Britain is at war with Germany - 3 September 1939, Winston Churchill's first wartime broadcast - 1 October 1939, De Gaulle's first broadcast to France - 18 June 1940, Bombing of Broadcasting House - 15 October 1940, The Queen’s Hall destroyed by bombing - 10 May 1941, London Calling Europe began - 6 July 1941, First regular colour television programme Wimbledon, First live television transmission from the US via Telstar satellite, Daventry Transmitter opens providing national radio coverage, Olympic Games from Wembley first televised, The Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer. indie. Often as the result of unjustified accusations, see the actions of Sen Joseph McCarthy. The company went out of business after the War. Technology had improved in answer to the needs of the Military, and these improvements naturally made their way into the civilian market. to provide former radio officers with the means to share their experiences. Long time Indiana Journalist appointed by Roosevelt to head the Office of War Information analyses events of the day though the early days of the War. Classic Rockabilly Party. From the Larger Collection, KM99's WWII (THE BIG ONE)Many Thanks to the People who put this collection together. Nazis took over northern stations, focusing heavily on Radio-Paris, and Vichy took control of the south. Although not as universally acknowledged as the World War, the nascent Cold War soon became pervasive through out Radio in reflection of the Nation as a whole.Just as Bad Guys had gone from Gangsters and Rustlers early in WWII, the new boogie men became Reds and Communists. The program featured classical as well as popular music. The sign-off of nearly every popular radio program had a pitch for WWII bonds. CBS had sent their leading news analyst to Europe to report on WWII events, and persuaded the likable Elmer Davis to fill the spot beginning in August 1939. While democracy was endangered in Europe, there were still many voices in the US that called for America to stay out of World War II. War related content found its way into regular programming. Iva Toguri D'Aquino, one of several ", Presented by the Treasury Department, program was based on a salute to heroic individuals, both military and civilians, as well as occupations and Military Units, Well written 15 minute dramas broadcast for the Treasury Department in support of the War Effort and the War Loan drive. The Treasury Department sponsored a number of popular old time radio programs which would remind listeners to buy bonds. London Calling Europe always began with the familiar announcement "this is London calling", which was followed by the stirring 'Trumpet Voluntary' by Purcell. Because the economy of continental Europe was interdependent between nations, when the German economy was aided by the Marshall Plan most of Europe recovered as well. When actual recordings were not available, actors would be called in to imitate the actual news-makers and World Leaders. Not only were the Treasury Department programs popular, but almost every show had a appeal in the closing dialog. The series Speaking of Liberty (1941) was presented by NBC in the months prior to Pearl Harbor. Mildred Gillars lead an abused and disjointed life, eventually winding up in Germany and landing a job with German State Radio. BBC Teach > School Radio > History > World War 2 Clips > The Blitz. Music for the Troops and the Folks back home. And finally it gave the general citizenry a direct feeling of contributing to the WWII effort. 1941, March 29. Elmer Peterson based his commentary on preWar experience in Europe as well as interaction with American and Allied soldiers of all ranks. His speeches are credited with boosting the morale of the British People during the War's darkest hours, as well as that of people in all the free nations. Modern Cable TV coverage of significant events is notable for the saturation of coverage as events unfold. President Roosevelt, radio address on the occasion of his purchase of the first defense savings bond and stamps. Discussions under the auspices of the Council for Democracy (Hosted by Rex Stout), CBS News reports PreWar Europe, during the period just previous to the US entry to the war (CBS News). One of the most popular DJs was "GI Jane", the on-air persona of Martha Wilkerson. The Major events and campaigns of WWII are presented using historic recordings and reenactments of important speeches. 2.6M . BBC Radio London, the BBC's local station for London. Gildy was often involved in War bond drives and even helped to christen a Liberty Ship. Treasury Star Salute (1944-46) paid tribute to individuals and organizations that contributed to the American Way of life and the war effort with music and dramatic sketches. Weekly on CBS, sustaining. In early August under President Truman's orders, the United States Enola Gay dropped Atomic Weapons on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and then Nagasaki. A reporter describes London on fire - BBC Teach. The formal surrender took place on September 2 on board the USS Missouri. As part of the intelligence war effort, BBC Monitoring gathered and interpreted international news from across the World. At the same time, other Americans called for intervention in order to keep the conflict from reaching our shores. During World War II, America had ample reason to be proud of her fighting men and radio did all it could to show the folks back home the fine job they were doing. One of the most poignant of the lessons came on the Dec 1, 1942 episode. Commercial radio was still a business. / Korean War-era radio program that was produced by the US government to promote Army, WAC, and Air Force recruitment. On August 15 Emperor Hirohito announced over the radio to the Japanese people that Japan would accept the terms that the Allies had set forth at the Potsdam Conference. Fibber writer Don Quinn was well known for subtly incorporating the sponsors message into the fabric of the program, and this same talent was even better showcased in messages for the OWI. The show featured a play by Arch Oboler and included a call to a serviceman stationed overseas, sometimes allowing a family connection to be made over the radio. NHK broadcast Popular American Music to attract GIs, then peppered the broadcast withtidbits designed to disrupt their morale and dedication to the Allied cause. 7 min. The correspondent's job was to stay out of the way that the soldiers could do their job, and then send reports back to the States. The opening of a Second front had long been demanded by the USSR to take pressure off the Eastern Front. The English language broadcasts were part of the radio propaganda and information war directed towards occupied Europe. After WWII he returned to misadventures in his home town. … Her reaction to, Report to people of the United States on the progress of its navy in the war being fought in five oceans. Radio actuality recordings. The Germans conducted mass air attacks against industrial targets, towns, and cities, beginning with raids on London towards the end of the Battle of Britain in 1940 (a battle for daylight air superiority between the Luftwaffe and the Royal Air Force over the United Kingdom). Featuring Top Name Acts, great set up of Fibber McGee and Molly with Frank Sinatra as Editor. Everything for the Boys (1944-45) was dedicated to raising the morale of our fighting men and sponsored by Autolite. Sometimes shortwave transmission to the frontline stations was used when the program required immediacy, but the preferred method was by phonographic disk. The economy of Europe was in ruins. The series was sponsored by Old Gold Cigarettes as a summer replacement for the Frank Sinatra Show. America was finally drawn into the second world war when the Navy Base at Pearl Harbor was attacked. Goebbels knew that it was impossible to know what every household with a radio was listening to. "I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany.". << Click here to return to the full list of old time radio WWII series <<, Entertaining fifteen-minute Treasury Dept spot featured a Patriotic Sketch and a Patriotic Song, OTRCat presents some of our favorite Patriotic Radio Episodes. The day-time Soaps would often lose a character who had joined the military, or add one who had returned home to convalesce from battle injuries. ... London After Dark download. Capt Glenn Miller and the Band of the AAF Training Command doing there best with Swing Music to beat the Axis. The Institute for Democratic Education presented Lest We Forget (1943-48) dramatized morality tales that demonstrated not only the superiority of American ideals, but the dangers if they are lost. During the summer of 1940 many expected the Germans to attempt an invasion of the British Isles, and CBS had Larry LeSueur in place to report on the Battle of Britain. Sad Sack was a lowly private who always wound up at the butt end of the absurdities of military life. Featuring the Maritime Service Orchestra. The project was intended to inform the American People of the Reasons the US was fighting the War, the greatest talent in radio was called upon in support of the project. The Proms loses its home, but rises from the ashes at the Albert Hall. NBC also carried a four-part report on the Navy fighting in five oceans called Battle Stations (1943). Find out more about six World War II broadcasters who used the radio waves as a weapon. By the end of the First World War the importance of recreation for the troops was becoming recognized. Email * Your email address will not be published. Although old time radio was relegated to Little Brother" status by the rise of Television, the solid entertainment value of Programing from the Golden Years of Radio is still with us just as much as the many legacies of the Second World War. But it was difficult to stay objective when the people around them, whom they had come to care about, were fighting and dying. President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away on April 12, 1945 leaving Harry S. Truman in the presidency during the second world war. Radio Havana presents a strong AM signal as shown by the peak at the center of the display. General Charles de Gaulle broadcast to German occupied France, and rallied the French Resistance to him in London. Despite the many advantages of the less expensive radio medium, advertisers were drawn by the flashy new kid on the block, and invested their advertising money there. 1940s Radio Station broadcasting vintage British Home Front, Big Band, Swing, Lindy Hop, Jive, Charleston, Collegiate Shag and Balboa classic 1940s wireless Old Time Radio wartime radio hits | A variety of vintage international 1940s Radio Presenters with diverse collection of … The free performances by celebrities became a tradition, and it has been pointed out on numerous occasions that no career was ever harmed by performing for the Troops for free. Please use modern, free, secure browser such as. Many of the Presiden Rosevelt's advisers advocated increased taxation and enforced saving programs that would raise the funds necessary and control inflation. Several DJs are used, including "Pin-up" girls and GI Jane. Throughout the 1930s, in spite of the Great Depression, electricity, and with it radio, was coming into most American homes. President Franklin D. Roosevelt began his Fireside Chats (1936-45) during the Great Depression, and continued then through the War Years. The Anschluss, the Nazi Annexation of Austria, occurred while Murrow was in Poland arranging the broadcast of Polish Children's Choirs. Radio as the dominant entertainment medium was more a victim of post war prosperity than the superiority of TV. Murrow immediately sent William Shirer to London to broadcast an uncensored report. The US economy had been stimulated by the War, and rode this wave for a number of decades. Wounded heroes and the Gallant Doctors who worked to save them was the subject of The Doctor Fights (1945), featuring A-List Hollywood talent like Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Robert Montgomery and Franchot Tone. GIs often tuned in the broadcast to "read between the lines" to get a feel for how the War was going. World War II began on Sept 1, 1939, when Nazi forces invaded Poland. Radio transmitters throughout Eastern and Western Europe had been destroyed but this was not so in London. From the beginning Hollywood A-List performers such as Bob Hope, Dinah Shore, Fred Allen, Frances Langford, Spike Jones, Frank Sinatra, Burns and Allen, Vincent Price, Ginger Rogers, Gary Cooper, Tallulah Bankhead, Andrew Sisters, Bette Davis, Judy Garland, Bing Crosby, and Margaret Whiting all appeared free of charge, allowing AFRS to produce extremely high quality shows for far less than expected. Winston Churchill announced the end of the War in Europe with a speech broadcast from Downing St, but the war in the Far East continues. Murrow became famous for reporting live from London during the nine-month Nazi bombing campaign called the "Blitz." A global war doesn't come cheap. The shows were decommercialized for AFRS broadcast so that the War Dept would not be seen as endorsing any product. Charlie and His Orchestra played popular American Jazz tunes with the lyrics rewritten with a pro-Nazi message. The UK 1940s Radio Station - We play music and historical news broadcasts from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s, that would have been heard predominantly in England and the USA. Eventually, most foods were covered by the rationing system with the exception of … On weekday afternoons during 1943-45 CBS presented programs from the various Service Bands. The service was set up by the Director of European Broadcasts, NF Newsome, who broadcast himself, as 'The Man in the Street'. The show also used A-list talent (working for free) and took the form of a love letter from the celebrities to the troops. Hören Sie WW2: War and Words, Learning English News Review - BBC World Service und viele andere Radiosender aus aller Welt mit der radio.de-App WW2: War and Words London Podcast Learning English News Review - BBC World Service London Podcast NBC Department of Special Event, in cooperation with the US Navy, New reports and speeches from various sources concerning Nazi occupation of Europe, American Jazz tunes rewritten with Nazi Lyrics, The Holiday Season with the Nation At War. Radio London Broadcast Engineering Consultancy Radio, Digital Audio Systems, Television & Satellite: Radio London Recording Services Audio Tape Rescue and Archiving Music Editing and CD Mastering Welcome to OTRCAT.com: Old Time Radio Catalog. Heater's signature sign-on, "There's Good News Tonight" brought optimism to the nation in some of the War's darkest days.Paradoxically, the Nation's great comforter was almost crippled by personal insecurity, AFRS Program featuring "Hot Wax" for the Troops. The D-Day invasion was the largest Amphibious Invasion ever attempted, and the results were far from assured. Considered the turning point of War in Europe. One type of program that seemed to take WWII in stride was the Situation Comedy. Premiering in Aug 1942, the show drew its title from the military practice of gathering the troops when mail was delivered to the unit. A bomb lands on the BBC's headquarters, killing 4 men and 3 women. Blue-Eyed Soul. 1941, April 30. The Collection includes extensive News reports, AFRS Broadcasts, Homefront Entertainment shows, and War related PSAs, The Nazi regime had declared a trade war on the US years before the bullets began to fly.