RADIO & WORLD WAR II IN THE SPRING OF 1945 – PT 1

Originally broadcast WDCB
Saturday, May 7th, 2005 

SPECIAL BROADCAST (4-27-45) President Harry Truman announces the meeting of Anglo-American and Soviet forces in the heart of Nazi Germany, cutting the country in two. NBC. (9 min)

NEWS BROADCASTS (4-30-45) Scanning the radio dial on the night of Hitler’s death with great speculation about the sur­render of Germany. “One thing is clear, it’s now over in Europe.” Short clips from various stations. (12 min)

DEATH OF ADOLPH HITLER (4-30-45) Ex­ Cincinnati news commentators with speculation following the death of Hitler. “Will the Allies now deal with Heinrich Himmler? Will President Truman go on the air tonight with an announcement of V-E Day?” Plus: a profile of Hitler’s early life. WCPO, Cincin­nati. (12 min)

DEATH OF ADOLPH HITLER (4-30-45) Mu­tual correspondents John Thompson, Seymour Korman and Paul Manning with reactions from Allied Headquarters on the reports of the death of Adolph Hitler. MBS. (13 min)

FIBBER McGEE AND MOLLY (5-1-45) Jim and Marian Jordan star. Fibber plans to catch a criminal and turn him in for the $6,000 re­ward. Cast: Arthur Q. Bryan, Shirley Mitchell, Bea Benadaret, Marlin Hurt, Harlow Wilcox, King’s Men, Billy Mills and the orchestra. Johnson’s Wax, NBC. (30 min) Program is preceded by a news bulletin officially announc­ing the death of Adolph Hitler.

VAN DEVENTER AND THE NEWS (5-7-45) Newscaster Fred Van Deventer with news of the events surrounding Germany’s surrender. “In many respects, this has been a lamentable day despite the fact it’s been celebrated throughout much of the world as V-E Day. There seems to be no doubt but what the Germans have surrendered unconditionally. The Germans admit it and it’s not denied by any official sources… but (the news) was not supposed to have been made public in any way.” Hoffman Beer, MBS. (14 min)

HARRY S TRUMAN (5-8-45) The President of the United States announces the unconditional surrender of Germany, the end of the war in Europe. “This is a solemn but glorious hour… I only wish that Franklin D. Roosevelt had lived to witness this day.” ALL NET­WORKS. (6 min)

V-E DAY IN LONDON (5-8-45) Edward R. Murrow and Douglas Edwards report on V-E Day and the victory celebration in London. (5 min)

V-E DAY SPECIAL (5-8-45) The nation’s “official” acknowledgment of the end of the war in Europe, broadcast on all networks and on short wave around the world. From Wash­ington, Paris, Guam, the Philippines. Among the speakers are Gen. George C. Marshall, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, Adm. Chester W. Nimitz, Gen. H. H. Arnold, Gen. Douglas A. McArthur. “In our nation’s capital today an atmosphere of calm permeates the city.” ALL NETWORKS via NBC. (29 min & 30 min)

THIS IS V-E DAY (5-8-45) An “audio news­reel” dealing with the major events of WW II in Europe. “There is still a long way to go be­fore the final victory throughout the world.” WMPS, Memphis. (31 min).