The Link With Home - and the Germans Listened In.
The Broadcasting Stations of the Western Allies 1945 to 1994

September 30, 2001 - may 13, 2002

The radio stations of the Western forces made a major contribution toward establishing the friendly relations which developed after World War II between Germany and the Western allies: the USA, Great Britain and France. Although their primary mission was to provide a link with home to the soldiers and their families, AFN (American Forces Network), BFN (British Forces Network), later called British Forces Broadcasting Service, and Radio Forces Françaises à Berlin opened the window to a new world for many generations, particularly among young Germans.

The exhibition tells the story of the soldiers´ stations from their initial years during the war until 1994, when the troops of Western forces withdrew from Berlin. The exhibition´s objects, documents, models, photos, as well as audio and film materials, will make the radio world of those days come alive. Also featured will be the most important and best-known radio journalists. Some of them, such as Bill Ramsey and Chris Howland, later became famous personalities of the German entertainment industry.

The exhibition will open on September 30, 2001 with a full and varied program. Highlights will include performances by a band of the US Army in Europe, as well as by jazz veteran Coco Schumann and his band. Veterans of the radio stations will share their memories with us, and to top off the event, AFN Europe will present an authentic "stage show" featuring a current disc jockey. With the exception of the Coco Schumann concert, admission is free. AFN and BFBS will be reporting live on site, as will the Berlin radio station 100.6.

Contact at the Allied Museum:
Bernd von Kostka,
Tel. +49 / 30 / 81 81 99 82;
Fax 81 81 99 88;
E-mail: kostka@alliiertenmuseum.de