AFRS-5


(4 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. That day, Corporal Syl Binkin became the first U.S. Military broadcaster heard over the air. The signal was sent from London via telephone lines to five regional transmitters to reach U.S. troops in the United Kingdom as they made preparations for the inevitable invasion of Nazi-occupied Europe. Fearing competition for civilian audiences the BBC initially tried to impose restrictions on AFN broadcasts within Britain (transmissions were only allowed from American Bases outside London and were limited to 50 watts of transmission power) and a minimum quota of British produced programming had to be carried. Nevertheless AFN programmes were widely enjoyed by the British civilian listeners who could receive them and once AFN operations transferred to continental Europe (shortly after D-Day) AFN were able to broadcast with little restriction with programmes available to civilian audiences across most of Europe (including Britain) after dark. As D-Day approached, the network joined with the BBC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation to develop programs especially for the Allied Expeditionary Forces. Mobile stations, complete with personnel, broadcasting equipment, and a record library were deployed to broadcast music and news to troops in the field. The mobile stations reported on front line activities and fed the news reports back to studio locations in London.

This recording is part of the Old Time Radio collection.

License

Chapters

0877 - GI Jive - Harry James - The Mole 15:01
0878 - GI Jive - Bob Crosby - At The Jazz Band Ball 15:00
AFRS - GI Journal - Special Anniversary Edition 1944 30:16
AFRS - Jill's All Time Juke Box - Christmas Special 12-25-46 30:07
AFRS 01 - Jills All Time Juke Box 30:00
AFRS 06 - Mystery Playhouse - Those Who Walk In Darkness - Peter Lorre - Boris … 28:33
AFRS 090 - Hit Parade 07-15-44 31:02
Pgm 125 - 1945-08-10 This Is Your FBI 25:09
Pgm 129 - 1945-10-05 Molle Mystery Theater - Angel Face 25:06
The Distant Future 29:02
Pgm 15 - 1944-08-04 Mr. District Attorney 30:35
Pgm 154 - 1945-12-11 Inner Sanctum - The Dark Chamber 25:10
AFRS 166 - Globe Theater -Porgy and Bess 09-19-44 30:09
AFRS 180 - Command Performance ~ Joan Edwards-Jack Carson-Paulette Goddard 06-2… 30:25
AFRS 181 - Mail Call - Jack Haley - Helen Forrest 02-06-46 30:33
Pgm 24 - The Lost Special with Orson Welles 30:18
1944-09-16 Yeoman of the Guard 58:36
AFRS 539 - Personal Album - Jo Stafford 15:10
AFRS 540 - Personal Album - Martha Mears 15:03
AFRS 619 - One Night Stand - Freddy Martin 03-03-45 30:40
AFRS 635 - Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands - Lawrence Welk - First Song - Mar… 15:05
AFRS 636 - Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands - Gene Krupa - First Song - Blue M… 15:05
AFRS 83 - GI Journal - Burns and Allen - Robert Young - Connie Haines 02-23-45 30:18
AFRS 83 - Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands - Richard Himber - First Song - Som… 15:08
AFRS 84 - Victory Parade of Spotlight Bands - Benny Goodman - First Song - Afte… 15:08
Pgm 21 - Kate Smith 29:17
AFRS Fibber Mcgee & Molly - Mr.Fixit 01-23-45 29:32
AFRS-17 - Jill's All Time Juke Box 29:50
AFRS-651-Melody Round-Up-Bill Boyd 15:00
AFRS-652-Melody Round-Up-Roy Acuff 14:58