Watch The BBC at War

The BBC at War is a historical documentary mini-series that takes a close look at the British Broadcasting Corporation during World War II. The series was created for BritBox in 2015, and stars Jonathan Dimbleby, Pip Torrens and Will Adamsdale. Although there are many documentaries covering various aspects of the Second World War, this series is unique in its focus on the role that the BBC played during this pivotal time.

The series is divided into four episodes, each of which highlights a different aspect of the BBC’s involvement in the war effort. Throughout the series, viewers will learn about the BBC’s role in propaganda, espionage, and the struggle to maintain morale on the home front. The show features interviews with historians and experts, as well as archival footage and photographs, providing a rich and detailed account of the BBC’s operations during the war.

As the series opens, viewers are introduced to the BBC as it existed in 1939, just prior to the outbreak of hostilities. At this time, the BBC was a relatively small organization, with just a few hundred employees. However, as the war progressed, the BBC’s role in British life expanded exponentially. The show traces the BBC’s journey from a small group of broadcasters struggling to keep the airwaves open, to a massive organization that played a vital role in the war effort.

One of the key themes of the show is the BBC’s role in propaganda. As the war progressed, the BBC was tasked with creating broadcasts that would encourage the British people to keep fighting, even in the face of great adversity. The series takes a deep dive into the creation of broadcasts such as “This is London”, which were designed to counter Axis propaganda with a message of hope and resilience. The show also explores the work of William Joyce, also known as “Lord Haw-Haw”, a British fascist who was used by the Germans to broadcast propaganda to the British people. Through interviews with historians and archival footage, viewers gain a clear picture of the techniques used by both sides to influence public opinion.

Another key aspect of the series is the BBC’s role in espionage. The show delves into the world of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), a clandestine organization that was tasked with sabotage and subversion operations behind enemy lines. The SOE worked closely with the BBC, using its broadcasts to transmit coded messages to agents working in Europe. The series explores the challenges of this work, and the dangers faced by those who took part.

The series also examines the challenges faced by the BBC on the home front. With many BBC employees conscripted into military service, the organization struggled to maintain its operations. The show details the efforts made by the BBC to keep the airwaves alive, even in the darkest days of the war. Viewers will learn about the creation of the “Home Service”, which provided news and entertainment to those on the home front, and the challenges faced by the BBC’s engineers as they worked to keep the transmitters running.

Throughout the series, viewers will be struck by the sheer scale of the BBC’s operations during the war. From the creation of special “mobile” radio studios that could be transported to war zones, to the development of new technology such as radar, the BBC was at the forefront of technological innovation. The show highlights the contributions made by key individuals such as Alvar Lidell, the BBC newsreader who became known as “the voice of the home front”.

Each episode of The BBC at War is packed with fascinating details and insights into the operations of this iconic organization. With expert commentary and immersive archival footage, viewers will gain a clear understanding of the role that the BBC played during World War II. This series is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of the BBC, the Second World War, or the power of propaganda.

The BBC at War is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (2 episodes). The series first aired on June 14, 2015.