Author: Sami Agel

When the Wehrmacht invaded Luxembourg on the 10th of May 1940, the C.L.R. immediately stopped broadcasting. To prevent the invaders from using the powerful transmitters as propaganda tools, much of the broadcasting equipment was taken to France. While this gained some time, the Nazis soon repaired the antennas and started broadcasting towards Great Britain.

In the final days of the nazi occupation, the stations in Junlinster and the Villa Louvigny narrowly escaped destruction. Before much damage was done, the Allies captured the station and quickly turned the antenne towards their recently departed occupants. This time, the propaganda shows featured among others anti-nazi jokes and were meant to undermine support for Hitler among German civilians.

“Hello world. Here is Radio Luxembourg”. These were the opening words when Radio Luxemboug resumed independant broadcasting on Novemeber 12th, 1945. The new schedule clearly set itself apart from the precedent program launching new programs including a show dedicated to luxembourgish songs.

Sources:

Literature:

Dominguez-Muller, David: Funkstille, Propaganda, Zerstörung – Die Sendeanlagen während des Krieges, dans: Ons Stad 2014, p. 16-17

Lesch, Paul: Des blagues antinazies sur les ondes de Radio Luxembourg en 1944-1945, dans: Ons Stad 2014, p. 18-20

Pauly, Jos: Das Schicksal Radio Luxemburgs gegen Ende des 2. Weltkriegs, in: Luxemburger Wort : Beilage 1994:: Lëtzebuerg as fräi! 10. September 1944. p. 22-23