1939: William Shirer Reports from Berlin as Germany Advances into Poland

Historic CBS radio broadcast by William L. Shirer, recorded from Berlin on September 7, 1939, during the first week of the Second World War. Broadcast just six days after Germany invaded Poland and four days after Britain and France declared war, Shirer reports from the German capital on the mood inside Nazi Germany, official wartime censorship, and the rapid advance of German forces across Poland. While military operations continue in the east, Berlin remains untouched by Allied air attacks, and German authorities present the conflict as a series of uninterrupted victories. 00:00 - Historical Context and Introduction 00:26 - Berlin Under Wartime Censorship 00:58 - German Army Advances into Poland 01:28 - The Fall of Westerplatte 01:52 - Berlin's Mood Amidst War 02:46 - German Admiralty Denies Athenia Sinking and New Regulations for British Citizens 03:22 - 00:03:29 William Shirer's Final Report from Berlin Key topics covered in this broadcast: Berlin under wartime censorship: • Shirer notes that German newspapers contain virtually no reports about British or French military activity, reflecting the strict control of wartime information inside Germany. Germany's campaign in Poland: • Official announcements claim continued German successes as Wehrmacht forces advance deeper into Polish territory and report the destruction of major Polish formations. The surrender of Westerplatte: • The broadcast mentions the fall of the Polish garrison at Westerplatte, whose week-long defense became one of the first symbols of Polish resistance after the German invasion began on September 1. Life in Berlin during the first week of war: • Shirer observes that many Berlin residents appear calmer than they were only days earlier, relieved that the feared Allied bombing raids have not yet materialized. The absence of a Western offensive: • Although Britain and France are now at war with Germany, Berlin reports no significant fighting on the Western Front, contributing to the impression that the conflict remains focused on Poland. The sinking of the SS Athenia: • Shirer reports the German Admiralty's official denial that a German submarine was responsible for sinking the British passenger liner SS Athenia, one of the earliest naval incidents of the war. Significance: Recorded on September 7, 1939, this broadcast captures Germany during the opening week of World War II. William Shirer's reporting provides a rare firsthand account of Berlin as Nazi authorities tightly controlled information, confidence remained high after early military victories, and the wider European conflict was only beginning to unfold. His dispatch remains one of the most important contemporary radio accounts from inside Germany during the first days of the war. Subscribe for more rare radio broadcasts, historic news reports, and original recordings from the Golden Age of Radio. #WilliamShirer #CBSRadio #Berlin #WorldWarII #WWII #Poland1939 #OldTimeRadio #VintageRadio #HistoricBroadcast #Westerplatte