The BBC at War: Broadcasting Through the Blitz

The Voice of Freedom

During the Second World War, the BBC played a vital role in maintaining British morale, coordinating resistance movements across occupied Europe, and countering enemy propaganda. Broadcasting from studios in London and emergency facilities across the country, the BBC became the most trusted source of news in the world.

Morale and Information

BBC bulletins brought news of the war directly into British homes. The Corporation walked a careful line between maintaining morale and reporting truthfully. Programmes like "Workers' Playtime" and "ITMA" provided entertainment and humour during the darkest days of the Blitz.

European Service

The BBC's European Service broadcast in dozens of languages to occupied countries. These broadcasts carried not only news but also coded messages to resistance networks. The famous "personal messages" before D-Day alerted resistance groups across France to prepare for the invasion.