The news that Britain was at war was broken by Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain at 11.15am on Sunday 3 September 1939. In a 5 minute broadcast on the Home Service, he announced that as Hitler had failed to respond to British demands to leave Poland, "This country is at war with Germany". Chamberlain went on to say that the failure to avert war was a bitter personal blow, and that he didn't think he could have done any more.
Following the Prime Minister's speech there were a series of announcements. All places of entertainment were to close with immediate effect, and people were discouraged from crowding together, unless it was to attend church. Details of the air raid warning were also given and it was emphasised that tube stations were not to be used as shelters.
In London the air raid sirens sounded only 8 minutes later, and - although most BBC staff had been evacuated in preparation for hostilities - many of those remaining, including commentator John Snagge, donned tin helmets and rushed to the roof of Broadcasting House to watch the bombs falling. It was a false alarm.
World War 2 and the BBC
The BBC at War
The BBC 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.
BBC Monitoring founded - 26 August 1939
As part of the intelligence war effort, BBC 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 BBC Television for six years as the TV service is shut down for the duration of WW2.
