By: Leanna Chojnacki World War II On the Radio

Research Question Did radio broadcasts boost war morale?

Findings

Armed Forces Radio Service (AFRS) Created on May 26, 1942 under the War Department First radio station was in Delta Jct, Alaska and was called the KODK or Ft. Greely Utilized BBC facilities while in London – July 4, 1943-Corporal Syl Binkin – Sports and News – Channels available to British civilians Mobile stations developed by BBC and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation – Music, news, front line activities

Command Performance ( ) Produced by AFRS Allowed for troops to mail in requests for performers on the show – Example: Ann Miller tap-dancing wearing Army boots Performers on show – Fred Allen, Jack Benny, Judy Garland, Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers, Frank Sinatra, and The Andrew Sisters CBS created Request Performance ( )

Mail Call ( ) Created by the AFRS and first aired on August 11, 1942 Mail Call was a system in which soldier’s would receive their mail when their names were called Meant to be written as a love letter from the celebrities Included music, comedy and sketches

GI Journal ( ) Created by the AFRS and located in Hollywood July 4, 1943 aired in Europe after D-Day Ran by the soldiers themselves Included comedies and orchestras (Army Air Force Training Command Orchestra) Pin-up comedy talent – Lucille Ball, Linda Darnell, Roy Rogers, Fibber McGee and Molly, Ginger Rogers, etc.

The Jubilee Program ( ) Radio for black soldiers that furthered segregation amongst the soldiers and suffered from the lowest of morale 30 minute long shows directed by Black soldiers Performers: – Louis Armstrong, Lionel Hampton, Nat King Cole, etc. Included jazz of the highest quality Hosted by Dooley Wilson (Casablanca) then Ernie Whitman Introduced jazz to other countries

Everything for the Boys ( ) Sponsored by the Electric Autolite Company Directed by Ronald Colman and Arch Oboler Aired in both the U.S. and to the soldiers overseas Used to connect families to their loved ones 30 minute shows that also included comedy, artists, and published announcements from newspapers

Music America Loves Best Initially produced by NBC to play classical and popular music then utilized by AFRS – Played musical genres from operas and other classical music Created in the 1940s by AFRS Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington had been on the show as band leaders

Connections to Class Roles of Women in the War  Westbrook, “‘I Want a Girl, Just Like the Girl That Married Harry James’ : American Women and the Problem of Political Obligation in World war II” Roles of African American Men in the War Cayton, “Fighting for White Folks?” Ottley, “A White Folks’ War?” Redding, “A Negro Looks at this War”

Conclusions Boosted the morale of the white male soldier Exclusively attempted to boost the morale of the black male soldier Like other propaganda methods, the radio perpetuated similar stereotypes through celebrities on the radio Radio shows entertained all sorts of soldiers while abroad

Questions?Questions?