DS Forums

 
 

FOI Act reveals BBC plans in the event of a nuclear attack on the UK.


Reply
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old 08-09-2015, 21:00
Richardcoulter
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,702

The second article, about 10 mins in, on tonights 'The One Show' shows tells us what the BBC would have broadcast had the UK been hit by a nuclear bomb:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...-show-08092015

Playlists were created in advance should we ever be involved in a nuclear war.

I was surprised to learn that the last time the Wartime Broadcasting Service (based in Droitwich) was readied for service was as late as 1989

Is there anything of significance in Wood Norton, Droitwich that we know about that makes it a more suitable place than anywhere else?
Richardcoulter is offline   Reply With Quote
Please sign in or register to remove this advertisement.
Old 08-09-2015, 21:58
Mark C
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 8,079

Is there anything of significance in Wood Norton, Droitwich that we know about that makes it a more suitable place than anywhere else?
It's nowhere near London, and it's not near any other urban conurbation
Mark C is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2015, 22:27
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
It's nowhere near London, and it's not near any other urban conurbation
Very centrally located and near Droitwich so circuits can be easily routed through there and out to the rest of the country. It was used in WWII though I don't think it had any function as the main headquarters then, but it also meant there was plenty of accommodation, equipment and often a pool of staff who could be called upon if there was not time to get everyone out from London. It's in a valley so probably would get a certain amount of protection from the hills around it.

I don't think there was anything new in the film, I was hoping they might get in the bunker but unfortunately not. I think they mentioned the WTBS transmitters around the country, they could perhaps have said more. I had not heard the name BANDMASTER (I think that was it?) before but not read everything on the subject.
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2015, 22:32
Isambard Brunel
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,087
Is there anything new that hasn't already been covered in Radio 4, BBC2 or BBC4 documentaries years and even decades ago?
Isambard Brunel is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-09-2015, 23:17
voltore
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: US
Posts: 220
Is there anything of significance in Wood Norton, Droitwich that we know about that makes it a more suitable place than anywhere else?
All of us engineers who passed through Wood Norton in the late 70s and 80s have a really good understanding of Wood Norton and the DF, Deferred Facilities as it was called then.
voltore is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 00:05
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
Is there anything new that hasn't already been covered in Radio 4, BBC2 or BBC4 documentaries years and even decades ago?
Strange thing is that all the national newspapers were taken in the bunker at the end of the 1960s and ran stories which said where it was, with photosgraphs but they stil pretended that it was secret!
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 05:22
Richardcoulter
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,702
Very centrally located and near Droitwich so circuits can be easily routed through there and out to the rest of the country. It was used in WWII though I don't think it had any function as the main headquarters then, but it also meant there was plenty of accommodation, equipment and often a pool of staff who could be called upon if there was not time to get everyone out from London. It's in a valley so probably would get a certain amount of protection from the hills around it.

I don't think there was anything new in the film, I was hoping they might get in the bunker but unfortunately not. I think they mentioned the WTBS transmitters around the country, they could perhaps have said more. I had not heard the name BANDMASTER (I think that was it?) before but not read everything on the subject.
In the analogue days, I believe that the Wartime Broadcasting Service would have been broadcast on the former BBC1 and Radio 4 frequencies & their transmitters. Not sure what would happen in the digital era or to the other TV and radio channels. I assume that they would be closed down or forced to simulcast the WBS.

Whilst the WBS would have been run by the BBC, the BBC would not be independent and the WBS would be the mouthpiece of the Government.
Richardcoulter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 06:41
Radiogram
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,919
Surely a major flaw in the plan would be that many of the TX sites would be wiped out?

It was reassuring to hear that Just a Minute would still be on the air though! 60 seconds on the following subject without repetition, deviation or surrender
Radiogram is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 09:39
Barnard
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 76
I doubt many households have battery powered AM/FM radios these days. I certainly don't own one any more.

Roughly 10 hours from a DAB portable isn't going to keep you informed about nuclear fallout forecasts for very long....
Barnard is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 18:17
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
In the analogue days, I believe that the Wartime Broadcasting Service would have been broadcast on the former BBC1 and Radio 4 frequencies & their transmitters. Not sure what would happen in the digital era or to the other TV and radio channels. I assume that they would be closed down or forced to simulcast the WBS.

Whilst the WBS would have been run by the BBC, the BBC would not be independent and the WBS would be the mouthpiece of the Government.
I don't think there were plans to main a television service?
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 18:22
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
Surely a major flaw in the plan would be that many of the TX sites would be wiped out?

It was reassuring to hear that Just a Minute would still be on the air though! 60 seconds on the following subject without repetition, deviation or surrender
I seem to remember that masts and towers tend to be able to withstand a nuclear attack provided not near Ground Zero.

As briefly mentioned in the films, there was protected accommodation at some transmitter sites, there were a few transmitter sites solely for the WTBS - some were just effectively mothballed Group H sites but I know of at least one 'covert' one, there were mobile transmitter trailers all around the country that would be towed to pre-arranged sites and it is claimed some government bunkers had small transmitters.
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 19:30
Toxteth O'Grady
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,629
Is there anything of significance in Wood Norton, Droitwich that we know about that makes it a more suitable place than anywhere else?
Well Droitwich is the home of the BBC's Long Wave transmitter and it covers (almost) the whole UK, hence why it's more useful for emergency broadcasting.

Wood Norton is nearby and was originally obtained by the BBC for broadcasting during World War 2 so was always intended for that sort of purpose. It's also by a hill called 'Tunnel Hill'... make of that what you will. It's still owned by the BBC
Toxteth O'Grady is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 20:41
Anthony_Ryan
Forum Member
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Liverpool UK not EU !
Posts: 431
The second article, about 10 mins in, on tonights 'The One Show' shows tells us what the BBC would have broadcast had the UK been hit by a nuclear bomb:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode...-show-08092015

Playlists were created in advance should we ever be involved in a nuclear war.

I was surprised to learn that the last time the Wartime Broadcasting Service (based in Droitwich) was readied for service was as late as 1989

Is there anything of significance in Wood Norton, Droitwich that we know about that makes it a more suitable place than anywhere else?
That One Show report didn't mention that it was former Radio 4 announcer Peter Donaldson, who was chosen to make the pre-recorded announcement that would have been broadcast on every Independent and BBC station 4 minutes prior to a nuclear attack. Did that announcement ever come close to being accidentally broadcast ? I wonder. I've read on Wikipedia about an incident in the USA back in 1971 when the Emergency Broadcast System was activated by accident.
I know that Peter Donaldson was 1 of the voices chosen to be on the Wartime Broadcasting Service, but who where the others ? I've heard that Terry Wogan was asked but he said that he couldn't face broadcasting to the nation in the aftermath of a nuclear attack.
Anthony_Ryan is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-09-2015, 20:45
Ex Pat
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Just passin' through
Posts: 3,371
I seem to remember that masts and towers tend to be able to withstand a nuclear attack provided not near Ground Zero.

As briefly mentioned in the films, there was protected accommodation at some transmitter sites, there were a few transmitter sites solely for the WTBS - some were just effectively mothballed Group H sites but I know of at least one 'covert' one, there were mobile transmitter trailers all around the country that would be towed to pre-arranged sites and it is claimed some government bunkers had small transmitters.
http://www.vq5x79.f2s.com/greenradio/Bunker.html
Ex Pat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 11:40
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
There is an article in the December issue of Prospero about the WTBS.
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 13:17
commseng
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: London
Posts: 710
That One Show report didn't mention that it was former Radio 4 announcer Peter Donaldson, who was chosen to make the pre-recorded announcement that would have been broadcast on every Independent and BBC station 4 minutes prior to a nuclear attack. Did that announcement ever come close to being accidentally broadcast ? I wonder. .
I know this is replying to a 3 month old question, but the answer to your question is no.

Thanks to Lundavra for the Prospero article heads up.
commseng is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 13:55
Declan_McGrath1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bangor, Gwynedd
Posts: 1,353
What would the likes of Bauer and Global do.
Declan_McGrath1 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 14:44
MikeBr
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Herts
Posts: 6,184
There is an article in the December issue of Prospero about the WTBS.
Page 6, all editions of Prospero can be downloaded here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mypension/documents/prospero.html
MikeBr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 15:37
Ex Pat
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Just passin' through
Posts: 3,371
Deleted
Ex Pat is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 16:36
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
What would the likes of Bauer and Global do.
Run continuous adverts (payment in advance), knowing that OFCOM are not going to be around to give them any penalties?
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 20:19
Declan_McGrath1
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bangor, Gwynedd
Posts: 1,353
Run continuous adverts (payment in advance), knowing that OFCOM are not going to be around to give them any penalties?
True
Declan_McGrath1 is offline Follow this poster on Twitter   Reply With Quote
Old 08-12-2016, 21:04
Phil Dodd
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Stoke Prior, Leominster, Hfds
Posts: 1,399
Thank goodness that the emphasis is no longer on a "cold war" type attack. In the early 1980s, the greatly-missed magazine "Wireless World" published a report about a North Korean MIG fighter. The pilot decided to ask for asylum in South Korea, so flew south and landed it on an airfield without ending up being shot down. I'm not sure if the gentleman concerned was granted asylum - let's hope so after going to all of that trouble. The military experts who examined the MIG were taken aback, because it contained no solid state electronics. Because of sanctions imposed by the West, the aircraft was using valves - indeed a miniaturised version. Electronics experts concluded that this MIG and others like it would be one of the few planes still flying in a nuclear conflict because not only would the valves be unaffected by the electro-magnetic blast, but the body of the plane would act as a Faraday cage.

We have to apply the same principle to modern devices. I suggest that the majority of domestic devices such as DAB radios and satellite boxes - even the LNBs on the dishes - would be rendered inoperable by a strong electromagnetic shock wave. Good news that the threat of a cold war conflict from 30 years ago is no longer what it once was ?
Phil Dodd is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 15:19
Richardcoulter
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 9,702
There is an article in the December issue of Prospero about the WTBS.
Page 6, all editions of Prospero can be downloaded here.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mypension/documents/prospero.html
Thanks, I'll take a look at that

Edit: An interesting read.

I am surprised that the announcement of a nuclear attack on the UK was played at the funeral of Peter Donaldson.

Two reasons, it would be a bit morbid on an already sad day for the attendees and secondary i'd have thought that it would be restricted material.

Is this available anywhere to listen to?

Also, if the continuation of the human race may have relied on BBC staff procreating, why fill up the posts with mainly men!

Any females would have found themselves in an extraordinary (and busy) situation!
Richardcoulter is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 16:00
Harry_Stevens
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 496
Look on the bright side (no not the bombs) at least it would have been the end of the licence fee.......
I suppose they could have also played that old time musical favourite "flash bang wallop what an explosion" to start the post nuclear day.
Harry_Stevens is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-12-2016, 16:06
lundavra
Forum Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 25,462
Thanks, I'll take a look at that

Edit: An interesting read.

I am surprised that the announcement of a nuclear attack on the UK was played at the funeral of Peter Donaldson.

Two reasons, it would be a bit morbid on an already sad day for the attendees and secondary i'd have thought that it would be restricted material.

Is this available anywhere to listen to?

Also, if the continuation of the human race may have relied on BBC staff procreating, why fill up the posts with mainly men!

Any females would have found themselves in an extraordinary (and busy) situation!
Don't you remember the bit near the end of Dr Strangelove? Perhaps Top of the Pops was a cunning plan to provide nubile females to keep the human race going though many of the male staff at TVC did not seem that way inclined!
lundavra is offline   Reply With Quote
 
Reply



Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

 
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 23:46.