At 10pm on 18 June 1940, General Charles de Gaulle broadcast to German occupied France, and rallied the French Resistance to him in London. With Petain's government about to sign an armistice with Germany, de Gaulle refused to accept that the fight for his country was over; "Quoi qu'il arrive, la flamme de la résistance française ne doit pas s'éteindre et ne s'éteindra pas".
De Gaulle announced his intention to broadcast again the following evening. He was furious to discover that his historic broadcast had not been recorded, as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ engineers with limited equipment had failed to recognise the importance of the speaker or of his speech. On the 22nd de Gaulle broadcast again, and repeated his message in a speech that was heard much more widely. This time it was recorded. De Gaulle was recognised by Churchill as "the leader of all Free Frenchmen, wherever they may be" and made many more broadcasts to France.
The Free French were given 5 minutes every day in which to broadcast to France, organising the resistance from afar. In addition the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ French Service broadcast the news in French as a counterbalance to Nazi propaganda. De Gaulle returned to France when it was liberated in 1944 and later became President of the Republic.
World War 2 and the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ
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The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ at War
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ reinvented itself during World War 2 and public perception of the institution changed dramatically. Explore its expansion into a global media network, the changing nature of its programming, and the way that war re-defined its relationship with both government and audiences. -
Chamberlain returns from Munich - 30 September 1938
Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returns with a paper signed by Adolf Hitler. -
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Monitoring founded - 26 August 1939
As part of the intelligence war effort, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Monitoring gathered and interpreted international news from across the World. -
Close down of Television service for the duration of the War - 1 September 1939
Mickey Mouse is the last star seen on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Television for six years as the TV service is shut down for the duration of WW2. -
Chamberlain announces Britain is at war with Germany - 3 September 1939
"I have to tell you now that no such undertaking has been received, and that consequently this country is at war with Germany." -
Winston Churchill's first wartime broadcast - 1 October 1939
Churchill delivers the first of many broadcasts which define the collective memory of WW2. -
De Gaulle's first broadcast to France - 18 June 1940
General Charles de Gaulle broadcast to German occupied France, and rallied the French Resistance to him in London. -
The Battle of Britain - Summer 1940
The Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ reports on the battle taking place in the skies -
Bombing of Broadcasting House - 15 October 1940
A bomb lands on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's headquarters, killing 4 men and 3 women. -
The Queen’s Hall destroyed by bombing - 10 May 1941
The Proms loses its home, but rises from the ashes at the Albert Hall. -
London Calling Europe began - 6 July 1941
London Calling Europe was one of many programmes broadcast by the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ to occupied Europe. -
D-Day broadcasts - 6 June 1944
John Snagge announces that "D-Day has come..." as the Allies land on the beaches in Normandy. -
VE Day broadcasts - 8 May 1945
Winston Churchill announced the end of the War in Europe with a speech broadcast from Downing St, but the war in the Far East continues.
June anniversaries
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Juke Box Jury
1 June 1959 -
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
2 June 1953 -
Mock the Week
5 June 2005 -
Real Lives
5 June 1984 -
D-Day broadcasts
6 June 1944 -
Till Death Us Do Part
6 June 1966 -
First broadcast of Crimewatch UK
7 June 1984 -
Steptoe and Son
7 June 1962 -
Driving School
10 June 1997 -
Last programme from Lime Grove Studios
13 June 1991 -
The Basil Brush Show
14 June 1968 -
Blackadder
15 June 1983 -
Yesterday's Men
17 June 1971 -
De Gaulle's first broadcast to France
18 June 1940 -
Parkinson first broadcast
19 June 1971 -
First female newsreader in vision
20 June 1960 -
Wimbledon first televised
21 June 1937 -
Royal Family first transmitted
21 June 1969 -
Music While You Work
23 June 1940 -
Our World
25 June 1967 -
Opening of Television Centre
29 June 1960