WWII: Prologue to War
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News correspondents and diplomats in Germany and Warsaw recall what they were doing and how they felt when reports about the invasion of Poland came in. In London, a politician, a police officer in Downing Street, a mother trying to decide whether or not to evacuate her children and a flower-seller in Piccadilly all vividly describe the atmosphere during the days leading up to the declaration of war. Most countries involved in World War Two had a policy of evacuating civilians to safer regions, but Britain moved more people than anyone else.
About four million adults and children were evacuated under a government scheme and two million more were relocated privately. In the first few days following the invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939, 827,000 unaccompanied youngsters and 524,000 mothers with pre-school children left their homes. However, because of the lack of activity during the 'Phoney War', 80% had returned by early 1940. Note: this item was recorded live from the radio playout of the original broadcast.
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Archive: Originally broadcast 23 August 1959.