Remembering 1945: A Radio Time Capsule from the End of World War II

Step back into the pivotal year of 1945, a time when the world held its breath and history turned on a dime. This extraordinary collection of 63 recordings, spanning over 23 hours, captures the final, dramatic chapters of World War II as they were heard over the airwaves. From the fall of dictators to the dawn of the Atomic Age, this compilation offers a raw and immersive listening experience, weaving together news bulletins, iconic entertainment, and the everyday voices of a nation emerging from conflict.

Collection Highlights

Historic News as It Happened: Hear the chilling last broadcast of Adolf Hitler, the frantic live coverage of the Iwo Jima landings, Edward R. Murrow’s haunting report from Buchenwald, and the triumphant announcements of VE Day. The collection also includes FDR's final Fireside Chat and the somber reports of his funeral train.
Stars at War's End: Entertainers rallied the troops and the home front alike. This set includes rare Armed Forces Radio Service programs like Command Performance with Jeanne Crain, Mail Call with Jack Benny, and the warm, familiar voice of "G.I. Jill" on G.I. Jive. Bing Crosby, Bob Hope, the Andrews Sisters, and Dinah Shore are all here, providing the soundtrack to a nation at war.
Drama and Suspense in a Changing World: Radio’s greatest storytellers reflected the anxieties and hopes of the era. Arch Oboler’s Lights Out presents a chilling vision of an atomic future in "The Rocket Ship," while Suspense delivers Ronald Colman in the unforgettable "August Heat." The debut of The Whisper Men signals the paranoia of the coming Cold War, and series like Superman and The Green Hornet continue their classic adventures.

Track Listing

Show all 63 tracks (23 hours, 26 min)

Aaofm 451014
Atlantic Spotlight 450811 Beatrice Kay
BB 450625 Larry Brown Case
Bergen McCarthy 450225 Gene Tierney
Bill Stern 450615 293 W Kathlene Windsor
Bing Crosby 450125 with Andrews Sisters
Bing Crosby 450215 Ella Logan
Bob Hope 450102 246 Andrews Sisters
Breakfast Club 450622 Louisiana Lark
Burns Allen 450512 In Palm Springs
COTY 450522 0381 A Boy And A Dog
CP 450208 161 Jeannie Crain William Bendix Gene Krupa
Dinah Shore 450125 Birdseye W Akim Tamiroff
Duffys 450202 157 With Sonny Tufts
Ellery Queen 450801 237 Nick Knife
FMM 450123 0424 Too Much Energy
Fred Allen Show 4549 490626 194 Final Show
GG 450520 169 Unclaim Savings Acct Buy Stock
Gi Jive War Department Test Pressing H12933 1945
Green Hornet 451101 Ballots And Bluff
Hedda Hoppers Hollywood 450430
Hollywood Mystery Time 450520032 Tcot Glowing Eyes
Inner Sanctum 450424 225 Song Of Slasher
Isnt It A Crime 451214013 Speaking Of Murder
Jack 450000 Themutineers
Jack Benny 450128 1618 From Mitchel
Jimmie Fidlers Hollywood 450115 Martha Rae Sues
Lights Out 450728 The Rocket Ship
LR 451022 1214 Post War Schemer
Lux Radio Theater 450122 467 Tender Comrade
Mail Call 450307 135 Premiere Of Jacks Movie
Murder Will Out 450508 Mystery Of Swindled Song Writer
News 450106 FDR Fireside Chat Battle Bulge
News 450130 RRG Adolf Hitler Last Broadcast
News 450219 CAN Live Coverage US Marines Landing Iwo Jima
News 4502xx NBC Battle for Iwo Jima Bud Foster
News 450322 CBS March Time Black Marketeers In France
News 450403 NBC War Report on Battle Okinawa Bud Foster
News 450413 NBC Reports FDRs Funeral Train
News 450415 CBS Edward Murrow Buchenwald
News 450417 CBC Canadian Army Repels Desperate Germans
News 450427 BBC Russians And Americans Link
News 4504xx CBS Edward R Murrow Delayed Action War
News 450504 BBC Chester Wilmot Await Surrender Mongomerys HQ
News 450508 BBC Churchill Germanys Unconditional Surrender
News 450508 Harry Truman Announces German Surrender
News 450508 NBCB VE Day Special Broadcast
News 4505xx AFRS VE Broadcast Generals and Fleet Admirals
News 4509xx 504 Maj Glenn Miller Band AAF Training Command
News 4509xx SYN Victory Chest 45 Victory Dr Orson Welles
Pabst Blue Ribbon 451026
Red Skelton Show 451218 117 Housing Shortage
Red Skelton Show 451225 118 Christmas Trees
Rudy Vallee 450927 Battle Of The Crooners
Screen Guild Theater 450514 First Love
Superman 451204 00852 LookingForKryptonit1
Susp 450531 143 August Heat
The Whisper Men 451229 Rose Gilman Is Murdered
This is My Best 450529 Babes In The Woods
Tom Mix 450813 Vanishing Village Pt2
Voxpop 450319 Red Cross Hq Washington Dc [8 Min]
Whistler 450122 139 Seascape
Your Army Air Forces 450712 More News Abt Atomic Bomb

WWII

Remembering 1945

WWII

Remembering 1945