War is in the Air: Networks of Enemy Radio Broadcasting in France and Germany During the Phoney War (1939–1940)

Abstract

The enemy radio broadcasting took a great part in the propaganda war between France and Germany during the Phoney War. Its roots can be found in the Interwar Period when radio became a central media in both countries. With the declaration of war on 2 September 1939, the war was definitely in the air. On both sides of the border, the state provoked the enemy. The aims were clear: agitate the population against the enemy state and destabilise enemy civilians as well as troops. Both states reacted to enemy radio attacks: they not only created new radio programs, responded to enemy allegations but also forbade the listening of enemy radios and scrambled enemy broadcasts. It was a war of words, which became more and more intense and technically sophisticated. Behind this broadcasting, a dense international network was needed to transform these programs into real propaganda weapons. Credible information, language knowledge and technical equipment were required to try to influence the enemy population. On which information channels and contacts both states could rely on? How did these programs in the enemy’s language emerge? This article focuses on the development of enemy broadcasting, its international networks and its impact in both countries.