AFRS-11


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

AFRS 024 - Serenade For Strings - first song - Londonderry Air 04-24-45 15:06
AFRS 024 - Swingtime - Johnny Mercer - Mel Torme 04-24-45 15:00
AFRS 029 - American Album Of Familiar Music - first song - Strange Music 06-03-… 30:12
AFRS 048 - Concert Hall - (Host) Lionel Barrymore - Webster Aitken - first sele… 30:11
AFRS 049 - Concert Hall - (Host) Lionel Barrymore - Fritz Kreisler - Patrice Mu… 30:06
AFRS 052 - Music America Loves Best - Tommy Dorsey - first song - Sentimental J… 30:09
AFRS 058 - Command Performance - Judy Garland - Kenny Baker - John Charles Thom… 29:28
AFRS 088 - Jubilee - International Sweethearts Of Rhythm - Ethel Waters - Johnn… 30:19
AFRS 088 - Melody Hour - Percy Faith - first song - The Battle Hymn of the Repu… 30:06
AFRS 088 - Waltz Time - first song - Don't Say No 06-08-45 30:10
AFRS 093 - Family Hour - first song - All My Heart 05-06-45 30:26
AFRS 094 - Music We Love - Igor Gorin - first song Tritsch-Tratsch-Polka (Strau… 30:00
AFRS 103 - Sunday Serenade - Sammy Kaye 05-27-45 30:12
AFRS 111 - Hour Of Charm 05-20-45 29:38
AFRS 156 - Jubilee - Stan Kenton - June Cristy 11-12-45 29:55
AFRS 167 - Showtime - Pat Friday - Nelson Eddy - Theaters Of War Theme 30:05
AFRS 215 - Command Performance - June Haver - Desi Arnaz - Red Skelton 03-14-46 29:32
AFRS 237 - Hymns From Home 15:11
AFRS 238 - Hymns From Home - (Guadalcanal Story) 15:10
AFRS 315 - Sound Off - First Song - Nodaway Road 14:48
AFRS 316 -Sound Off - First Song - Old Man River 14:53
AFRS 623 - Personal Album - Anita Ellis - first song - Blue Skies 15:00
AFRS 624 - Personal Album - Martha Mears - first song - Ragtime Cowboy Joe 14:59
AFRS 633 - Personal Album - Ginny Simms - first song - Don't Ever Change 15:00
AFRS 634 - Personal Album - Jo Stafford - guest Johnny Mercer - first song - It… 15:05
AFRS 635 - Personal Album - Helen Forrest - first song - Make Love To Me 15:01
AFRS 636 - Personal Album - Martha Mears - first song - By The Light Of The Sil… 15:04
AFRS 650 - One Night Stand - Woody Herman - first song - Who Dat Up Dere 11-14-… 30:04
AFRS 691 - Spotlight Bands - Eddie Oliver - first song - Texas Polka 06-02-45 15:09
AFRS 692 - Spotlight Bands - George Olsen - first song - June Is Busting Out Al… 15:07