Wartime BBC Overseas Services
The wartime BBC Overseas Services were based here.
Location: 200 Oxford Street
Description: Today this busy shopping street is completely oblivious to the important World War II role this building played.
In June 1941 the BBC was asked by the Government to treble its output abroad resulting in some services moving from Broadcasting House, some here and some further afield.
This building was identified (then the 1924 built Peter Robinson department store).
Author George Orwell broadcast to India (BBC Eastern Service) from here although he wasnt impressed stating in his diary much of the stuff that goes out from the BBC is just shot into the stratosphere, not listened to by anybody.
US correspondent Ed Murrow's famous rooftops descriptions of London throughout the Blitz, was largely from the rooftop here.
John Arlott started his career as a radio producer, at one point working alongside a young David Jacobs and Jean Metcalfe got her first opportunity to be in front of the microphone here.
Around the back of the building is still access to studios and the plaque there reads From June 1942 for fifteen years, this building was the headquarters of the BBC Overseas Services. During the war direct broadcasts were made to America from the roof while air-raids were in progress, The BBC vacated the premises in November 1957.
The building reverted back to retail use and was occupied by the much-loved C&A until the company closed down in 2001.
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The wartime BBC Overseas Services were based here. |
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Other places nearby:
First Bomb of World War 1», 3.8km
Nelson Arms», 7.1km
St. Ermins Hotel», 1.1km
The Admiralty Citadel», 0.8km
Coalhouse Fort», 24.km
Bentley Priory's Military Legacy», 11.km
The London Cage, WW2 torture», 2.2km
Druid's Arch Bombing», 2.8km
Vital D-Day House», 5.9km
Rorkes Hero Hitch lived here», 5.1km
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