AFRS-26

(5 stars; 2 reviews)

The biggest names in Hollywood and Broadway recorded for AFRS during the war years. The American Forces Network can trace its origins back to May 26, 1942, when the War Department established the Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS).

The U.S. Army began broadcasting from London during World War II, using equipment and studio facilities borrowed from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The first transmission to U.S. troops began at 5:45 p.m. on July 4, 1943, and included less than five hours of recorded shows, a BBC news and sports broadcast.

AFN programmes were widely enjoyed by British civilian listeners who could receive them, and once AFN operations transferred to continental Europe shortly after D-Day, they were able to broadcast with little restriction. Mobile stations were deployed to broadcast music and news to troops in the field, reporting on front line activities and feeding news reports back to studio locations in London.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

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