BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme facts for kids
The Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme headquarters was at Broadcasting House in London.
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| Country | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Broadcasting House, London, England |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | BBC |
| History | |
| Launch date | 7 June 1944 |
| Closed | 28 July 1945 |
| Replaced by | BBC Light Programme |
The BBC Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme was a special radio station created during World War II. It was set up in the mid-1940s to entertain and inform soldiers from different Allied countries. This included troops from the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada. The station was run by the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation).
Contents
A Radio Station for Soldiers
How it Started During World War II
When World War II began in 1939, the BBC changed its radio stations. It combined its two main stations into one, called the BBC Home Service. This was done to help people at home during the war.
Later, in 1940, the BBC started a new station just for soldiers. It was called the BBC Forces Programme. This station was for British troops serving in places like France and Belgium.
Joining Forces for D-Day
As the war continued, many soldiers from the United States and Canada arrived in Britain. They were getting ready for a huge event called the Normandy landings, also known as 'D-Day'. This was a major invasion of German-occupied Europe.
To help all these soldiers, the BBC decided to create a new, combined radio service. This new station would be for all the Allied forces. It was a way to share entertainment, news, and important information with everyone. Instead of each country having its own radio station, they worked together.
This new station was named the Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme. The BBC ran it for all the Allied armies. It started broadcasting on June 7, 1944, just after D-Day. The station played a lot of popular music, like swing music, and also featured cabaret shows.
The End of the Programme
When the Station Closed
The Allied Expeditionary Forces Programme did not last long after the war ended in Europe. It closed on July 28, 1945, which was soon after Victory in Europe Day.
By this time, the different Allied forces had set up their own radio services. For example, the British Forces Network, the American Forces Network, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation started their own stations in the areas where their troops were.
The very next day, on July 29, 1945, the BBC launched a new station for people back home. It was called the BBC Light Programme.
