D-DAY NEWS COVERAGE, TAPE 4 OF 5 (RADIO)
Summary
Continued from R85:0389. Tape four of five tapes of segments of the continuous CBS news coverage of events surrounding the Allied landing on the northern coast of France on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Anchor Robert Trout broadcasts from the CBS newsroom in New York while reports and bulletins from England are broadcast as they come in. The program continues with the completion of Robert Trout's report on German propaganda. Trout then reviews General Dwight D. Eisenhower's Order of the Day and quotes comments from General John Pershing and Herbert Hoover as they pertain to the news at hand. Trout states that the DMB has finally announced the news of the invasion to the German people and reviews Churchill's statements to the House of Commons, made earlier in the morning. Don Pryor talks with a member of the French staff, who details the locations of the landings. In the process, he paints a picture of the Normandy Coast, describing the area north of Le Havre, the estuary of the Siene River, the area between Caen and the estuary of the Vire river, the area between Carentan and Cherbourg, roads and highways, and important ports. He also speculates on the objective of the Allied troops. Major George Fielding Eliot analyzes some of the German military reports coming over the wire. Robert Trout then reads a bulletin from S.H.A.E.F. which describes the German destroyers and E-Boats rushing to the Normandy Coast to counter the Allied troops. At the Pentagon building, a reporter talks about how the pattern for D-Day was fashioned and about the efforts of the Army Corps of Engineers and the airforce in creating operational maps. Others are credited for this work as well. At approximately 7:15 Eastern War Time, Robert Trout reads bulletins stating that all of the Royal Air Force bombers have returned safely, that landing forces have established beachheads on the northern coast of France and are slashing their way inland, and Tokyo's reaction to the news of the invasion. Joe King re-reads Richard C. Hottelet's report on what occurred during the invasion. Next, Charles Collingwood interviews two soldiers, who describe their feelings about the invasion and their experiences thus far. Trout then reads the reaction of the Swiss to the news and reads a United Press dispatch that states that all Thunderbolt pilots have returned safely from the invasion and that Allied troops are pouring onto the shores of France. Bill Henry reveals information about the liberation of Europe. Robert Trout announces that the DMB has acknowledged that Allied tanks have penetrated several miles on the Normandy Peninsula. Major Eliot explains the background of naval support, which is vital in this operation. Quentin Reynolds attempts to ease the anxiety of American parents by revealing the types of guns and new weapons that have gone ashore with their sons. A reporter explains the importance of the French Underground and specifically explains the difference between the jobs of the active and inactive sections. Then, Quentin Reynolds comments on Eisenhower's contact with underground leaders. Next, Trout comments on the number of bombers being used in the invasion, reveals the way in which the news of the invasion was read over the air in Russia, and states that the 28th and 101st parachute divisions have dropped into the Normandy area. General de Gaulle addresses the people in London. During his speech he states that this is the time for French forces to distinguish themselves and urges all of the people of France to assist the Allied troops in defeating Germany. Quincy Howe comments on the way in which this invasion will raise the prestige of British and American troops in Europe and how this invasion differs from the one in Italy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's invasion prayer is read as well as excerpts of Churchill's report on the landing. Edward R. Murrow reports from London on the conflicting advice being given to the people of France by the Vichy government and the committee of National Liberation in Algiers. Lastly, Douglas Edwards reads bulletins about the invasion front. Continues with R85:0392.
Details
- NETWORK: CBS
- DATE: June 6, 1944 7:00 (approximately) AM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:37:04
- COLOR/B&W: N/A
- CATALOG ID: R85:0390
- GENRE: Radio - News
- SUBJECT HEADING: D-Day; Normandy, Invasion of; World War II - 1944
- SERIES RUN: CBS - Radio, 1944
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert Trout … Anchor, Reporter
- Don Pryor … Reporter
- George Fielding Eliot … Reporter
- Joe King … Reporter
- Charles Collingwood … Reporter
- Bill Henry … Reporter
- Quentin Reynolds … Reporter
- Quincy Howe … Reporter
- Edward R. Murrow … Reporter
- Douglas Edwards … Reporter
- de Gaulle, Charles … Speaker
- Winston Churchill
- Dwight Eisenhower
- Herbert Hoover
- John Joseph Pershing
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Thunderbolt