P.G. Wodehouse

Starter of this subject: Geoff Loker
Last post in this subject: 8/2/2001
Messages in this subject: 1

Geoff Loker 8/2/2001
1 replies
I found this posted on another forum, and I was wondering if anyone here might have an answer as to whether the broadcasts still exist and, if so, where they might be found:

Good Afternoon, Everyone:

I have a question. In 1941, P. G. Wodehouse (he of Jeeves

and Wooster, the Drone's Club, and the Angler's Rest), while

a prisoner of the Germans, recorded four "talks" about his

life as an internee for his captors in exchange for

conditional, limited release. These talks were broadcast all

over Europe. I do not know if they ever aired in the United

States. As a result of these broadcasts, Wodehouse was

branded a coward, a collaborator, and a traitor in England.

He never returned home for fear of being arrested for

treason.

I have read transcripts of the broadcasts and I was

wondering if the recordings survived anywhere out there. If

so, are they available? As a die hard Wodehouse fan, I would

be very interested to know.

Thanks.

George Tirebiter 8/3/2001
0 replies
As I recall from reading about this some time ago the talks were broadcast to America on the German shortwave service. Whether there are any extant recordings made off the air in America or at the source in Germany I don't know. I don't believe that Wodehouse's release from internment was a "payment" for making the broadcasts. I seem to recall he reached the age of 60 in 1941 and, as such, he was entitled to be released as men of that age were not considered a threat to the German