The 大象传媒 and World War Two

大象传媒 Bridge Club - men and women play bridge inside the curved 1930s senate room at Broadcasting House

The 大象传媒 clubs were legendary pre-war, and a considerable attraction to staff joining the corporation. The 大象传媒 Bridge Club, continues un-perturbed by the threat of war, summer 1939.

A man ponders his next chess move while his female opponent looks on

The 大象传媒 Chess Club was attractive to the producers of serious music on the 大象传媒 Home Service, and was still in operation by the Autumn of 1939.

A building site behind 大象传媒 Broadcasting House

Despite clear indications that war was on the horizon, the new extension to the 大象传媒鈥檚 Broadcasting House in London was still under construction by the end of 1939.

The entrance hall of Broadcasting House in 1939, men and women in smart clothes sit around the art deco opulence

Keeping up the facade of normality in Broadcasting House in 1939. Later a sentry was posted outside, and sand bags issued to protect studios within.

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret inspect the work of various radio technicians at Broadcasting House

King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret visit Broadcasting House, when war was a mere six months away.

The finishing line of Derby Day, 1939, is filmed by a 大象传媒 TV camera

No change to the sports schedule. Derby Day, 1939, considered a 大象传媒 TV outside broadcast success.

A racing driver and his pre-war racing car with large radiator is filmed by a TV camera

Motor Racing from Crystal Palace, with war, 4 months away.

Technical experiments in radio continued throughout 1939. Here new kit is being tested in the 鈥榬adio saloon car鈥�.

New radio broadcasting kit is being tested in the 鈥榬adio saloon car鈥�.

Technical experiments in radio continued throughout 1939. Here new kit is being tested in the 鈥榬adio saloon car鈥�.

An engineer fixes a large valve into radio apparatus.

Updating valves at the Clevedon Transmitting Station, June 1939.

Two engineers in suits fiddle with various bits of analogue apparatus in a gothic room

Parts of 大象传媒 Research and Development were commandeered for war work, but by February 1939, technical teams were still working solely on 大象传媒 projects.

A TV camera filming a male and female inspecting some flowers at the Chelsea flower show

Broadcasting as normal, TV visits the Chelsea flower show in May 1939.

Children gather round the radio to hear Chamberlain鈥檚 declaration of war on Nazi Germany.

Prime Minister Chamberlain at the microphone wearing a stiff collar and tie

Prime Minister Chamberlain, with a solemn message to the nation in 1939.

A Home Guard soldier with an uncocked shotgun inspects a woman's pass. There are sandbags to their left.

A member of the Home Guard conducts a security check at the 大象传媒鈥檚 Broadcasting House. These were imposed following the declaration of war, and the building is shored-up with sand bags.

Correspondents with 大象传媒 Midget Recorders make a report in the field with tin hats on

As war begins, correspondents are sent out with 大象传媒 Midget Recorders, and start to send despatches back to London.

Bomb damage inside a sleeping quarter at 大象传媒 Maida Vale. There is a hole in the roof and a large amount of rubble.

In 1941 大象传媒 buildings were targeted. The Maida Vale studios, home to 大象传媒 orchestras, were bombed in May of that year.

Bombed 大象传媒 studio with a hole in the ceiling and rubble on the floor

The effect of bombing on 大象传媒 studios, 1941.

Jasmine Bligh at a microphone wearing a typical 1940s coat

Pre-war TV announcer Jasmine Bligh whose career was cut short because of hostilities, was the first person to appear on TV in 1946, when 大象传媒 TV re-opened.