WWII: Outbreak | Britain on the brink of World War II

Britain Declares War on Germany

'This country is at war with Germany' announces the Prime Minister.

CHANNEL | Home Service

FIRST BROADCAST | 03 September 1939

DURATION | 12 minutes 38 seconds

FIRSTBROADCAST

1939

Synopsis

At 11.15am, the news that the country is at war is communicated to the population of the United Kingdom. Chamberlain's famous words are followed by government announcements warning that air raids are expected to follow quickly.

Note: there is a gap in this recording between Chamberlain's announcement and the follow up announcement read by Alvar Lidell.

Did you know?

In the preceding months, Chamberlain and the government had planned to shut down BBC broadcasts in the event of hostilities, believing they were unnecessary during wartime. However, their value in providing information and boosting morale soon became obvious.

Contributors

Bruce Belfrage
Presenter
Alvar Lidell
Presenter
Neville Chamberlain
Contributor

Associated subjects

Home Front | UK Prime Ministers | World War II

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Memo Regarding the Protection of Broadcasting House.

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A BBC memo on gas masks for staff.

Air Raid Defence Scheme

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Galleries

The Rt Hon Neville Chamberlain, MP at a BBC microphone.

Outbreak of War

A collection of photographs from the BBC archives on the outbreak of World War II.

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