BFBS Stories

In June 1944, Group Captain James Stagg and a team of Allied meteorologists faced an extraordinary challenge: predict the weather well enough to help General Eisenhower decide when to launch the D-Day landings - the largest amphibious invasion in history.

In this BFBS Special, veteran Karl Lambert meets Dr Catherine Ross - Library and Archive Manager at the Met Office - who reveals the remarkable true story behind the D-Day forecast. Using original hand-drawn weather charts from 4th, 5th and 6th June 1944, Stagg’s personal diary and meteorological equipment used during the Second World War, she explains how weather forecasting played a crucial role in the success of Operation Neptune and Overlord.

🎬 The movie will be showing at BFBS Cinemas, find out more at https://bfbscinemas.com/

WARNING: This contain accounts of war and conflict which some may find distressing. If you, or someone you know, are affected by anything talked about in these interviews then support is available at bfbs.com/audience-support.
On the 15th anniversary since the final withdrawal of British troops from Iraq, BFBS sit down with serving personnel and veterans who served on Operation TELIC.

From snipers to military chefs, they share their experiences of extraordinary service while deployed between 2003 and 2011, remembering Op TELIC and recounting stories from the frontline and featuring archive footage captured on the ground.

This week at BFBS we are commemorating 15 years since the end of the British Military campaign in Iraq, Op Telic.

Nicky Ness is the Director of Broadcasting and Entertainment at BFBS but back in 2004, she became head of CSE (Combined Services Entertainment) which is now known as BFBS Live Events.

This team were tasked with getting talent to and from theatre who could entertain troops to boost their morale.

Danni G sat down with Nicky and asked her to take us back to Op Telic and to share her experience there.

This International Women’s Day Honor Mant is taking you on a deep dive to the world of strategical thinking and the women who helped create, shape, and innovate operational tactics. From the all-female WATU Wrens in 1942, to the present day of AI, this is snapshot of the expansive world of Women in Wargaming.

With thanks to Tess Butler and the Ruddy Nice team, Emma Barrossa, Barbora Mcgregor, Simon Robinson, Christian Lamb, Western Approaches Museum, Lauren Shacklady, Fred Jefferiss, Kiren Velez, Jess Tolliday & Taja Hillier.

Warning: This interview includes themes that some listeners may find challenging. If you are affected then you can find information about support here bfbs.com/mentalhealth

'Invisible' follows Luke’s journey as he becomes a father to baby Josh and is a dramatised version of events, highlighting factors that may impact new dads’ mental health.

Tim Humphries talks to writer/director Chris Godwin, lead actor Ryan Clayton and Kieran Anders from Dad Matters about the film and the importance of the topics raised around men's mental health.

You can see the full film at bfbs.com/invisible

Warning: This interview includes themes that some listeners may find challenging. If you are affected then you can find information about support here bfbs.com/mentalhealth

Ryan Knight is an Army veteran who now works as a Care-Coordinator with Walking With The Wounded. He spoke to George Ryland on World Mental Health Day about his journey.

To mark the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, our BFBS documentary tells the story of the decisive victory of the Royal Air Force over the German Luftwaffe on that day in 1940. 

September 15th was chosen as the date to recognise the RAF's success in repelling two massive German raids on London, securing the first major military defeat for Nazi Germany and averting a potential invasion. 

In this original programme, hear the story of the Battle of Britain through original archive recordings of the events that led to this pivotal point in World War Two.

Narrated by Mark Chadwick.

Written and produced by Andrew Wright.

Warning: the following programme contains sounds of gunfire, explosions and descriptions of war. Some listeners may find this disturbing. If you or anyone needs help or support, bfbs.com/audiencesupport.

For months after VE Day war continued in the Asia-Pacific region. It ended after two atomic bombs were dropped on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Victory over Japan Day on 15th August 1945 marked the surrender of Japanese forces, which in effect ended the Second World War.

In this original programme, hear the story of VJ Day through original archive recordings of the events following VE Day, that led to the end of the war.

Narrated by Mark Chadwick.

Written and produced by Andrew Wright.

Warning, the following contains material that may be harmful or traumatising to some audiences, if you or anyone needs help or support then visit bfbs.com/audiencesupport.

In 1944 the Allied Forces reinvaded mainland Europe. It was a hard fought but important victory in the fight to free the world from the threat of tyranny. But what happened next?

In this original programme, hear the story of VE Day through original archive recordings of the events after the Normandy landings to the end of the war in Europe.

Narrated by Mark Chadwick.

Written and produced by Andrew Wright.

Image credit: Imperial War Museum

The United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus; what are they doing in Nicosia? It’s an intriguing question.

Alice Vickery was given exclusive access to the UNFICYP and the British contribution, Op Tosca, to learn about their roles in this unique, ongoing operation.

Where Time Stands Still; left physically untouched since 1974, what are the benefits of operating in the Green Line?

Trigger warning; this piece contains gun shots.

Misty McCready presents this unique documentary recalling the memories of young inmates at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during the Second World War.

The programme includes interviews with survivors of the camp, poignant archive audio, and first-hand accounts written in 1945.

You’ll hear interviews with survivors Rudi Oppenheimer and Miryam Sommerfeld. Bernard Levy, a British soldier who arrived approximately one week after the liberation, also shares his story.

BBC archive audio featuring Richard Dimbleby, the first reporter into Belsen post-liberation, and Harold-Osmond le Druillenec, the only British National found in the camp, set the documentary in raw historical context.

This programme was made to mark the 70th anniversary of the camp’s liberation in 1945.

Produced by Dave Roberts and Misty McCready, ‘Children of Belsen’ won two trophies at the 2016 New York Festivals Radio Awards and was a winner at the 2015 AIBs (Association for International Broadcasting).

Monday the 27th of January marks Holocaust Memorial Day and this year sees the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.

On this day we remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, the millions more people murdered through Nazi persecution, and other more recent genocides.

For the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, it’s about bringing people together to honouring the survivors, and to work to build a better, brighter future.

Tim Humphries spoke to Paul Lopez-Salzedo, their Chief Operating Officer.

As the Royal Airforce Aerobatic team marked 60 years of flying incredible displays across the world in 2024, we take you on a behind-the-scenes special to Canada on exercise Maple Hawk.

Amy Casey - aka Flight Lieutenant Casey - was mobilised with over 120 personnel across 5 weeks in Canada and brings us behind the scenes access to the Red Arrows. 

November is Men's Mental Health Awareness Month. To mark this, Curtis Tyler sat down with Mark Mckenzie, Tom Paine and Dom Atkins to talk about times they had to be brave, who their role models are, how they feel about work-life balance and more!

If you have been affected by any of the topics discussed, you can find support online at bfbs.com/audience-support

Richard Hatch shares memories with BFBS presenters who lived and worked alongside those at Camp Bastion.

We reflect on what a privilege it was to be there and discuss the highs and lows of Op Herrick.

Marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day, through the voices of the people who made it happen, telling the story of the largest naval, air and land operation in history.

This Pride, BFBS is celebrating how far our Armed Forces have come from accepting, to welcoming, to championing their LGBTQ+ service personnel.

Adam Powney has been finding out more from Commander Mandy McBain MBE, Brigadier Clare Phillips CBE, Flight Lieutenant Louise Tagg, Able Rate Nicole Scahill and Wing Commander Mark Abrahams.

After discovering a story on Ops last year about the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA), Forces Radio's Amy Casey set out to learn more and in doing so, was fortunate enough to spend time with one of the few remaining “Spitfire Girls”.

Amy went to meet national treasure Joy Lofthouse at her home in Cirencester. Joy's stories of her days with the ATA were incredible.

To mark the Battle of Britain on BFBS, we aired unique stories of the heroines of the Second World War whose contributions to the war effort were nothing short of exceptional.

In August 2021, Kabul was in chaos as coalition troops were withdrawing from Afghanistan.

The city's airport was under attack from terrorists. Meanwhile, in the air, a Royal Air Force pilot received a call from the German Ops centre.

His mission... to rescue two German soldiers who had been left behind.

Warning - contains strong language

Listen again as BFBS chats with Polar Preet about her adventure to the South Pole - we find out about the highs and lows, her future plans PLUS find out if she broke the world record!

Photo: Credit Preet Chandi