RADIOATWAR.NET

The Voice of Company A

Radio At War — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Suspense - The Voice of Company A

When William N. Robson was the producer and director of Suspense, he would begin the show by giving the audience a brief introduction to the story that was about to be performed. His monologues were always intriguing but his introduction for the episode "The Voice of Company A" speaks volumes. He described the episode this way: "During its long and distinguished career on the air Suspense has never taken an editorial stand, until now. Now we state unequivically that this program is against murder. Oh, we play around with the more titallating and entertaining aspects of murder from time to time, but fundamentally we are against it as a personal, national or international policy. Only those in favor of murder will find anything objectionable or controversial in the next half hour. The story you are about to hear is but a tiny word of protest, perhaps it is too little, but please God, let it not be too late."

This is a story about "celestial propaganda" that begins in a lab at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The world is on the verge of war and at midnight the United States is planning to launch a screamer satellite that will jam all of the radio and television transmissions on Earth. Dr. George Grieg has been put in charge of the satellite's message but he is haunted by his own experiences as a lieutenant in WWII. Not long before the satellite's launch, he is visited by the ghost of one of the soldiers who served with him. The ghost explains to George that he and all of the other soldiers who died in WWII would like him to put that screamer satellite to a better purpose.

"The Voice of Company A" was written by Michael Frost and starred Everett Sloane. Also appearing were Lillian Buyeff, John Dehner, Jack Kruschen, Barney Phillips, Sam Pierce. This episode aired on August 3, 1958.

http://www.escape-suspense.com

The Gunpowder Plot

Radio At War — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Radio 3 marks the 400th anniversary of the plot to blow up King James I and his
Parliament with a play that looks at how the Establishment deals with a terrorist threat.

The Gunpowder Plot (R3 2005-11-06)

The Gunpowder Plot By Jonathan Davidson.

Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, ruthlessly and efficiently conducts the hunt for the plotters
- but his real target is Father Henry Garnet, leader of the Jesuits.

Lord Salisbury....David Calder
Lord Popham....Sean Arnold
King James....Cal Macaninch
Father Garnet....John Henshaw
Father Oldcorn....Hugh Dickson
Anne Vaux....Helen Longworth
Nicholas Owen....Ben Crowe
Thomas Bromley....Trevor Cuthbertson
Carey....Gary McFarlane
Adviser....Chris Moran
Servant 1....Anthony Glennon
Directed by David Hunter

An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

Radio At War — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:11:00 GMT

Suspense 571215 e729 An Occurrence At Owl Creek Bridge

"An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge" tells the strange story of a Confederate civilian sentenced to be hanged by the Union army. The short story by Ambrose Bierce was first published in 1890, and the text is available online from Wikisource.

In 1947, William N. Robson adapted this story for Escape, and though he took some liberties to fill the half-hour time slot, his dialogue and story enhancements were good. He added a scene with a deadly snake, presumably so we wouldn't forget what show we were listening to, and also added a scene with Jethro, a former slave. He presented his radio play once on Escape and then three times on Suspense. Though the script is the same in all four episodes, the lead role was played by four different actors. Most notably, by Joseph Cotten and Vincent Price.

"An Occurance at Owl Creek Bridge" was produced, directed and adapted for Escape by William N. Robson. The role of Peyton Fahrquhar was played by Harry Bartell and Jethro was played by Luis Van Rooten. William Conrad and Bill Johnstone narrated. This episode aired on December 10, 1947.

Nine years later, the story was presented for the first time on Suspense.
Victor Jory starred. This episode aired on December 9, 1956.

Suspense presented a slightly shorter version of the same radio-play on December 15, 1957. Joseph Cotten played Peyton Fahrquhar. Also appearing were Ellen Morgan, Harry Bartell, Jack Kruschen, Lou Merrill, and Roy Glenn. William Conrad was the narrator. This episode aired on December 15, 1957.

Suspense presented this story for the last time on July 9, 1959, with Vincent Price in the lead role. Also appearing were Cathy Lewis, Barney Phillips, Sam Pierce, Roy Glenn, Norm Alden, and Sam Edwards.

http://www.escape-suspense.com/

Bearing the Cross

Radio At War — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:13:00 GMT

Bearing the Cross (Afternoon Play) Augest 7th 2009

Ken Blakeson's play tells the story of the Battle of Rorke's Drift

and the effect it had on three of the soldiers who fought in it.

William Jones VC ...... Nigel Anthony

Robert Jones VC ...... Sebastian Harcombe

Henry Hook VC ...... Jon Strickland

Landlord/Buffalo Bill ...... Robert Blythe

Barmaid ...... Bethan Walker

Original music by David Chilton

A Goldhawk Essential production for BBC Radio 4.

Tarawa Was Rough

Radio At War — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Suspense 0512 e698 Tarawa Was Rough

http://principlesoverpolitics.com/tarawa.html

TARAWA

"Hell Revisited"

by Gil Ferguson

The battle for the island of Tarawa, 50 years ago this November 20th [1993], marked America's first major offensive in the Pacific war. It was also the first attempt to make an amphibious assault against a highly fortified enemy position. It wrote a new page in military annals, as one of America's and the Marine Corps' bloodiest battles. And though I fought in three wars and dozens of battles, I will never forget Tarawa: It was living Hell.

XPD

Radio At War — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 07:42:00 GMT

1985 Pt 8- Expedient Demise

Columbia Presents Corwin

Radio At War — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 07:03:00 GMT

Norman Corwin - 1945-05-13 On A Note Of Triumph

(I'm not sure that Columbia Presents Corwin is correct)

XPD

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 07:38:00 GMT

1985 Pt 7- The Geneva Raid

Columbia Presents Corwin

Radio At War — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 07:47:00 GMT

Columbia Presents Corwin - 1945-08-14 Fourteen August

read by Orson Welles

XPD

Radio At War — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 07:34:00 GMT

1985 Pt 6- A Safe House for Moscow

Suspense

Radio At War — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 07:25:00 GMT

520303 e463 Suspense - The Thirty Nine Steps

XPD

Radio At War — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 07:28:00 GMT

1985 Pt 5- Operation Ziegfried

Nazi Eyes on Canada

Radio At War — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 07:58:00 GMT

421025_Alameda

XPD

Radio At War — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 07:21:00 GMT

1985 Pt 4- The Hitler Menace

Nazi Eyes on Canada

Radio At War — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 07:52:00 GMT

421018_Holly Metcalf Bob Haxwell Story

XPD

Radio At War — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 07:10:00 GMT

1985 Pt 3- An Egg Farn in Norfork

Nazi Eyes on Canada

Radio At War — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 07:47:00 GMT

421011_Maritimes Under The nazis

XPD

Radio At War — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:06:00 GMT

1985 Pt 2- The House in Geneva

Nazi Eyes on Canada

Radio At War — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 07:39:00 GMT

421004_Flame In The House

XPD 1

Radio At War — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:03:00 GMT

1985 Pt 1- A Small Killing in Hollywood

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

XPD is a spy novel by Len Deighton, published in 1981, and set in 1979, roughly contemporaneous with the time it was written. It concerns a plan by a group of former SS officers to seize power in West Germany, in which they intend to publish some wartime documents about a (fictional) secret meeting between Winston Churchill and Adolf Hitler in June 1940, and the efforts of a British agent, Boyd Stuart, to prevent the documents becoming public.

The title is the code used by the Secret Intelligence Service in the novel to refer to assassinations it carries out, short for "expedient demise".

The novel was dramatised in eight parts by Michael Bakewell for BBC radio in 1985.

Nazi Eyes on Canada

Radio At War — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 07:31:00 GMT

420920_Premiere Show

1942. From the West, from the East, the war draws near to Canadian shores. Canada is saying goodbye to her sons who are off to serve in all parts of the world. Taxes, the restrictions on unessential services, and the re-allocation of man power bring the war into the life of every Canadian. But Canadians are still living in relative luxury, and they still hold fast to the greatest of blessings - freedom. "Nazi Eyes on Canada" shows how all this would have changed in the Nazi lust for power on the North American continent had been fulfilled.

A Nazi Spy, alias Colin Ross, travelled throughout Canada in the 1930s reporting back to his Nazi superiors on strategic Canadian locations that would enable a North American invasion. Based on Ross' reports,"Nazi Eyes on Canada" brings the Nazi vision for North American domination to life.

September 20, 1942

Military Medicine

Radio At War — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:06:00 GMT

Case Notes - Military Medicine

broadcast on Wed, 13 Jan 2010, 16:30 on BBC Radio 4

In the week when it was revealed that one in five of Britain's infantry soldiers are not fit enough for full deployment,

often as a result of injuries sustained in battle, Mark Porter visits Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

The soldiers, injured mostly in Afghanistan, are flown here and cared for by a combination of NHS and military medical staff.

The casualties make up an unusual group of patients. They have often sustained a complex set of injuries,

from gunshots and multiple fractures to amputations, loss of sight or hearing and brain injury.

As Mark Porter discovers, despite quite devastating injuries, the fitness and determination

of this unique group of patients helps them to cope with the challenges of recovery.

Selly Oak Hospital primarily treats the physical impact of war, but identifying and treating the psychological scars is also important. Soldiers are now being trained to identify warning signs in their peers while in Afghanistan, so that they can be treated early.

Efforts are also being made to help soldiers cope with the transition from the war zone to civilian life.

Crossing Paris (Suspense Version)

Radio At War — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Escape - Crossing Paris (Suspense Version)

Escape's "Crossing Paris" takes place during the Nazi occupation of France. It isn't so much a war story as it is a suspense story about two men who have to cross Paris on an icy winter night without getting caught by the German police. Food rationing is in effect and they are carrying four suitcases containing a slaughtered pig that is worth a fortune on the black market. The main character, Martin, makes his living this way but not his new assistant, Grandgil, whom he had only met earlier that day. Out of the compassion felt during hard times, Martin had asked Grandgil to join him on this job to earn 450 francs, but as the night passes he soon regrets his goodwill. Grandgil is difficult, dishonorable, and condescending from the start. Martin is non-confrontational at first, but as the truth about Grandgil comes to light, their trek together takes a bleak turn.

Escape's radio-play was adapted by John Meston from the 1950 short story "Crossing Paris" by the French novelist Marcel Ayme (1902-1967.) Their version stays close to the original work but makes a few changes at the end. Ayme's story is available in English in the anthology Stories in the Modern Manner (1953). In 1956, the short story was the basis for the movie La Traversee de Paris, but the movie version was a comedy with a happy ending. In 1957 Escape's radio-play was performed again for an episode of Suspense.

"Crossing Paris" starred Jay Novello and William Conrad. It also featured Howard McNear, Barney Phillips, Edgar Barrier, Vivi Janiss and Paul Frees. Unfortunately, none of the actors have convincing French accents. This episode aired on August 25, 1950.

Suspense's version made a few changes and has better French accents. It starred Hans Conried, John Dehner, Ted Di Corsia, Joe Di Santis, and Paul Dubov. This episode aired on June 2, 1957.

Leeched the above material from: (do you think I could write this?)

http://www.escape-suspense.com

Check out the site, it is one of the best.

Hitler's Buddha

Radio At War — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 06:15:00 GMT

Hitler's Buddha by R J Gallaher - R4 - 20010213 - Afternoon Play

In Nanking, in 1937, as the Japanese pursue their brutal invasion, hundreds of Chinese lives are saved by the bravery

of John Rabe, a hero and a Nazi. With John Rowe, Paul Courtenay Hyu, Rachel Atkins and Richard Rees.

Directed by Alison Hindell

copied from a usenet newsgroup

Rogue Male

Radio At War — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Suspense 511231 e454 Rogue Male

In A Land Far Away

Radio At War — Sat, 13 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

In A Land Far Away

Afternoon Play

By Andy Macdonald. Jamie, a British soldier in Afghanistan, struggles to show his emotions when a friend is killed on patrol and to communicate with his young son back home in Scotland. But thanks to the help of Wali, the company's Afghan interpreter, he begins to open up and talk about his feelings.

Jamie 'Bullett' McQueen ...... Sean Biggerstaff

Wali ...... Khalid Laith

Gavin Yates ...... Steven McNicoll

Kay ...... Molly Innes

Kyle ...... Hugo Homer

Steve/Corporal ...... Robert Jack

Officer/Padre ...... Kenny Blyth

Directed by Gaynor Macfarlane.

A very very special thanks to Private Walker for posting this and many other posts on the newsgroups

Betrayal In Vienna

Radio At War — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Suspense - Broadcast: October 08th 1951 e442 Betrayal In Vienna

This story is based on actual events.

The true story of a man who traitorously destroyed an empire.

Suspense #361

Radio At War — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

Great story starring Jimmy Stewart as an ex-pow in a hospital when he see's his former prison chief.

491201 e361 Mission Accomplished

Suspense - Episode #112

Radio At War — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

441005 e112 Dateline - Lisbon

Story about a photograph, and finding a war criminal.

Strange Death of Charles Umberstein

Radio At War — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:20:00 GMT

431123 e067 The Strange Death of Charles Umberstein

Suspense

Operation Fleur De Lis

Radio At War — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 06:01:00 GMT

470714 Operation Fleur De Lis

High Quality recording - 40.5 mb

Starring Jack Webb

Leeched from: http://tennesseebillsotr.com/

05 LAST Minus 2 - Drop Zone 20040604

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:14:00 GMT

D-day Minus N
First broadcast from 20040531 to 20040604.
Series of dramas set in the week leading up to D-Day. Radio 4
Womans Hour Drama
5 episodes

05 LAST Minus 2 - Drop Zone 20040604 By Hilary Fannin from a story by Mike Walker.
On 4th June 1944 in FRANCE Father Pierre receives an urgent message to call on Mme des Rochers at her chateau. Life under German occupation has changed the lives of the locals in unexpected ways.
•directed by.... Tanya Nash
•father pierre....Bill Wallis
•louise....Claudia Harrison
•madame des rochers....avril elgar
•narrator....Juliet Stevenson

04 Minus 3 - Lilly's Mum 20040603

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:08:00 GMT

D-day Minus N
First broadcast from 20040531 to 20040604.
Series of dramas set in the week leading up to D-Day. Radio 4
Womans Hour Drama
5 episodes

04 Minus 3 - Lilly's Mum 20040603 By Louise Ramsden from a story by Mike Walker.
•directed by.... Peter Leslie Wild
•eddie....ricci harnett
•lilly....Emily Chennery
•margaret....alison belbin
•narrator....Juliet Stevenson
•on june 3rd 1944 margaret, down from coventry, tracks down her runaway daughter in london

03 Minus 4 - Harry And Gloria 20040602

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 20:01:00 GMT

D-day Minus N
First broadcast from 20040531 to 20040604.
Series of dramas set in the week leading up to D-Day. Radio 4
Womans Hour Drama
5 episodes

03 Minus 4 - Harry And Gloria 20040602 By Katie Hims
Harry is a Canadian soldier who's been stationed in ENGLAND for months but now it looks as if he's leaving to take part in the invasion. Their camp has been closed to visitors and no one is allowed in or out. Harry doesn't know when or where he'll be going. All he knows is that he has to say goodbye to Gloria, the ENGLISH woman he'll be leaving behind - so he writes her a letter.

02 Minus 5 - Taking Leave 20040601

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:55:00 GMT

D-day Minus N
First broadcast from 20040531 to 20040604.
Series of dramas set in the week leading up to D-Day. Radio 4
Womans Hour Drama

5 episodes

02 Minus 5 - Taking Leave 20040601 By Arnold Evans from a story by Mike Walker
•ben....steven meo
•narrator....Juliet Stevenson
•on june 1st 1944 a tommy makes an unscheduled visit to a welsh school
•peggy....mali harries
•directed by.... gilly adams

01 Minus 6 - Putting You Through

Radio At War — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:49:00 GMT

D-day Minus N
First broadcast from 20040531 to 20040604.
Series of dramas set in the week leading up to D-Day. Radio 4
Womans Hour Drama

5 episodes

01 Minus 6 - Putting You Through 20040531 By Patricia Hannah from a story by Mike Walker Wednesday, 31st May 1944.
At a telephone switchboard somewhere in LONDON, two young operators enjoy a short break from their duties.
•aurora....julie austin
•georgina....lucy paterson
•narrator....Juliet Stevenson
•directed by.... david jackson young

Welcome

Radio At War — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 03:14:31 GMT

Radio At War.Net is online and alive!

A look at the never ending human conflict of war through radio broadcasts.

After operating as a sub domain of M Radio, funding became available not only to buy

the domain name of radioatwar.net, but to fund this blog cast for the next two years!

Like many people, I have always had a interest with world conflicts.

World War II in particular, but not exclusively.

The site is totally free. There is NO advertising and NO begging for donations.

There is no real schedule for the posting, so stop by often or put your email address

in the SUBSCRIBE box, you will be notified of new entries (you will not be spamed).

Some of the stuff will be recent, some not so recent.

Feel free to contact me via the "Add Comment" icon under any entry or e-mail me

ralphcj@gmail.com

99.99% of the material here is available from multiple web sites and usenet newsgroups.

.01% is what I write.