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Context:
The BBC's fledgling TV service was closed down during the War and so radio - already the most popular medium of mass entertainment - became a crucial source of information. Throughout the country families would gather around their radio set to hear the latest news about the War.
Alvar Lidell was one of the BBC's newsreaders and thus was one of the most familiar voices to the people of Britain. This news summary dates from 15th September 1940 - when the Battle of Britain was at its most intense.
The figures quoted for the loss of German aircraft have since become the subject of dispute. But for those listening at the time they may have provided a much-needed boost to morale.
Transcript:
Here is the midnight news...and this is Alvar Lidell reading it. Up to 10 o'clock, 175 German aircraft had been destroyed in today's raids over this country. Today was the mostly costly for the German air force for nearly a month. In daylight raids, between 350 and 400 aircraft were launched in two attacks against London and south east England. About half of them were shot down.
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