Auntie's War By Edward Stourton

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

A War Footing

20180108

20180109 (R4)

The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people.

Writer and presenter Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for.

In this first episode, Ed describes how the BBC adapted to being on a war footing, the boredom of the Phoney War and the experiences of reporters sent to France.

These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness.

It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn.

During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth.

Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today.

Read by Edward Stourton

Abridged in five parts by Anna Magnusson.

Producer: Pippa Vaughan

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018.

Ed Stourton describes how the BBC adapted to being on a war footing.

Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.

Wartime Propaganda

20180109

20180110 (R4)

The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people.

Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for.

In this episode, Ed investigates wartime propaganda, coded messages sent across Europe, and relaying less than truthful information to the enemy.

These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn.

During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth.

Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today.

Read by Edward Stourton.

Abridged by Anna Magnusson.

Producer: Pippa Vaughan

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018.

Wartime propaganda and relaying less than truthful information to the enemy.

Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.

Remarkable Voices

20180110

20180111 (R4)

The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people.

In this episode - General de Gaulle rallies the French from London and US journalists arrive to report the Blitz.

During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth.

Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today.

Read by Edward Stourton.

Abridged by Anna Magnusson.

Producer: Pippa Vaughan

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018.

Ed Stourton on the French and Americans broadcasting from Britain.

Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.

George Orwell

20180111

20180112 (R4)

The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people.

In this episode - Propaganda, truth and lies and the space between.

George Orwell joins the BBC.

During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth.

Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today.

Read by Edward Stourton.

Abridged by Anna Magnusson.

Producer: Pippa Vaughan

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018.

George Orwell joins the propaganda effort at the BBC. Written and read by Ed Stourton.

Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.

Eyewitness Reports

20180112

20180113 (R4)

The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people.

In this final episode, the BBC's War Reporting Unit comes into being, and correspondent Guy Byam is parachuted behind enemy lines.

These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches, de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn.

During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth.

Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today.

Concluded by Edward Stourton.

Abridged by Anna Magnusson.

Producer: Pippa Vaughan

A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018.

Ed Stourton on the creation of the BBC's War Reporting Unit, and live dispatches on D-Day.

Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	A War Footing	20180108	20180109 (R4)	The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people. Writer and presenter Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for. In this first episode, Ed describes how the BBC adapted to being on a war footing, the boredom of the Phoney War and the experiences of reporters sent to France. These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn. During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth. Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today. Read by Edward Stourton Abridged in five parts by Anna Magnusson. Producer: Pippa Vaughan A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018. Ed Stourton describes how the BBC adapted to being on a war footing. Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.
02	Wartime Propaganda	20180109	20180110 (R4)	The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people. Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for. In this episode, Ed investigates wartime propaganda, coded messages sent across Europe, and relaying less than truthful information to the enemy. These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn. During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth. Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today. Read by Edward Stourton. Abridged by Anna Magnusson. Producer: Pippa Vaughan A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018. Wartime propaganda and relaying less than truthful information to the enemy. Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.
03	Remarkable Voices	20180110	20180111 (R4)	The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people. Writer and presenter Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for. In this episode - General de Gaulle rallies the French from London and US journalists arrive to report the Blitz. These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn. During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth. Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today. Read by Edward Stourton. Abridged by Anna Magnusson. Producer: Pippa Vaughan A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018. Ed Stourton on the French and Americans broadcasting from Britain. Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.
04	George Orwell	20180111	20180112 (R4)	The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people. Writer and presenter Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for. In this episode - Propaganda, truth and lies and the space between. George Orwell joins the BBC. These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn. During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth. Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today. Read by Edward Stourton. Abridged by Anna Magnusson. Producer: Pippa Vaughan A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018. George Orwell joins the propaganda effort at the BBC. Written and read by Ed Stourton. Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.
05	Eyewitness Reports	20180112	20180113 (R4)	The BBC is a British institution unlike any other, and its story during the Second World War is also the story of Britain's people. Writer and presenter Edward Stourton is a sharp-eyed and affectionate companion on the BBC's wartime journey, investigating archives, diaries, letters and memoirs to examine what the BBC was and what it stood for. In this final episode, the BBC's War Reporting Unit comes into being, and correspondent Guy Byam is parachuted behind enemy lines. These were the years when Auntie (the BBC's enduring nickname) earned a reputation for bossiness. It was also a period of remarkable voices - Churchill's fighting speeches, de Gaulle's broadcasts from exile, George Orwell, Ed Murrow, Richard Dimbleby and Vera Lynn. During these extraordinary times, eyewitness testimonies gave a voice to everyone, securing the BBC's reputation as a reliable purveyor of the truth. Auntie's War is more than a portrait of an institution at a critical time, it is also a portrayal of the British in wartime and an insight into why we have our broadcast culture today. Concluded by Edward Stourton. Abridged by Anna Magnusson. Producer: Pippa Vaughan A Loftus production for BBC Radio 4, first broadcast in January 2018. Ed Stourton on the creation of the BBC's War Reporting Unit, and live dispatches on D-Day. Edward Stourton's account of the BBC during the Second World War.