JavaScript has been disabled.

This page needs JavaScript to work correctly. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

JavaScript is required for the following feature(s):

opening and closing the navbar (on mobile)

The BBC and World War Two - picture gallery

Images of the BBC as seen on the brink of war in 1939, during the war, and beyond.

Picture shows C.D Adamson, engineer correspondent of the BBC War Reporting Unit, with a midget Recorder of the type used in Normandy.

BBC Bridge Club - men and women play bridge inside the curved 1930s senate room at Broadcasting House — The BBC clubs were legendary pre-war, and a considerable attraction to staff joining the corporation. The BBC Bridge Club, continues un-perturbed by the threat of war, summer 1939.

A man ponders his next chess move while his female opponent looks on — The BBC Chess Club was attractive to the producers of serious music on the BBC Home Service, and was still in operation by the Autumn of 1939.

A building site behind BBC Broadcasting House — Despite clear indications that war was on the horizon, the new extension to the BBC’s Broadcasting House in London was still under construction by the end of 1939.

The entrance hall of Broadcasting House in 1939, men and women in smart clothes sit around the art deco opulence — Keeping up the facade of normality in Broadcasting House in 1939. Later a sentry was posted outside, and sand bags issued to protect studios within.

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret inspect the work of various radio technicians at Broadcasting House — King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret visit Broadcasting House, when war was a mere six months away.

The finishing line of Derby Day, 1939, is filmed by a BBC TV camera — No change to the sports schedule. Derby Day, 1939, considered a BBC TV outside broadcast success.

A racing driver and his pre-war racing car with large radiator is filmed by a TV camera — Motor Racing from Crystal Palace, with war, 4 months away.

Technical experiments in radio continued throughout 1939 — Technical experiments in radio continued throughout 1939. Here new kit is being tested in the ‘radio saloon car’.

New radio broadcasting kit is being tested in the ‘radio saloon car’. — Technical experiments in radio continued throughout 1939. Here new kit is being tested in the ‘radio saloon car’.

An engineer fixes a large valve into radio apparatus. — Updating valves at the Clevedon Transmitting Station, June 1939.

Two engineers in suits fiddle with various bits of analogue apparatus in a gothic room — Parts of BBC Research and Development were commandeered for war work, but by February 1939, technical teams were still working solely on BBC projects.

A TV camera filming a male and female inspecting some flowers at the Chelsea flower show — Broadcasting as normal, TV visits the Chelsea flower show in May 1939.

Children gather around a radio set — Children gather round the radio to hear Chamberlain’s declaration of war on Nazi Germany.

Prime Minister Chamberlain at the microphone wearing a stiff collar and tie — Prime Minister Chamberlain, with a solemn message to the nation in 1939.

A Home Guard soldier with an uncocked shotgun inspects a woman's pass. There are sandbags to their left. — A member of the Home Guard conducts a security check at the BBC’s Broadcasting House. These were imposed following the declaration of war, and the building is shored-up with sand bags.

Correspondents with BBC Midget Recorders make a report in the field with tin hats on — As war begins, correspondents are sent out with BBC Midget Recorders, and start to send despatches back to London.

Bomb damage inside a sleeping quarter at BBC Maida Vale. There is a hole in the roof and a large amount of rubble. — In 1941 BBC buildings were targeted. The Maida Vale studios, home to BBC orchestras, were bombed in May of that year.

Bombed BBC studio with a hole in the ceiling and rubble on the floor — The effect of bombing on BBC studios, 1941.

Jasmine Bligh at a microphone wearing a typical 1940s coat — Pre-war TV announcer Jasmine Bligh whose career was cut short because of hostilities, was the first person to appear on TV in 1946, when BBC TV re-opened.

A large parade with soldiers in full number 1s takes place at Horseguards Parade - a soldier on a podium takes the salute. A BBC TV camera looks on — A moment of tradition - the first full dress parade since 1939, televised by the BBC in 1949.

Search by Tag: