[Milsurplus] SWL Radio Heroes WW2

Hue Miller kargo_cult at msn.com
Sun Jan 20 18:35:59 EST 2013


During WW2 SWLs in America listened to Berlin's propaganda broadcasts
for names of captured Americans, and then wrote to the men's relatives
to give them much-wanted assurance of their loved ones' well being.

A book published a few years back, "World War II Radio Heroes", details
one woman's search into her grandfather's history - he had been one
of the POWs - and the shortwave listeners who gave of their time and
money to pursue this kind work.

http://www.powletters.com/WWII_Radio_Heroes.html

Has more information, plus a couple videos. Not all the videos seemed
to function for me; however, the first one did, and it perhaps summarizes
the story. Also a nice view of an era SW radio, in fine condition still,
the 'Howard 430'.

I will mention also that I first heard of this civilian war effort many 
years
back from Jim Barrows, W7BCT, of Bothell, Washington, who had worked
during WW2 for the FCC and FBIS.  He mentioned that some letter writers
asked for money before they would volunteer any information. I believe
complaints led to warning letters from the government.
-Hue Miller 



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