The Classic Dystopia Nineteen Eighty-Four (1952)
Part II The Birth of the Modern World: The Atomic War 1950-1952 continued
CBS studios, New York –June 4th, 1952
“We interrupt all regularly scheduled all broadcast .. repeat this is a CBS news and we interrupt all regular scheduled broadcasts. “
“There has been multiple nuclear strikes on the Eastern portion of the United States ..REPEAT there has been multiple strikes at the Eastern portion of the United States. If and When we receive a transmission from the Emergency Broadcast System we will turn over all CBS broadcasts facilities to the Emergency Broadcast System (EBS) and CBS will go off the air until the present crisis is declared over. CBS and all its affiliates are in proud compliance with the Civil Defense Act- keeping America safe. Please keep your radio tuned to CBS stations and on at all times.”
“This is New York.
Here in New York, Middle Village in the Borough of Queens was hit by an Atomic Rocket. New Yorkers speculate that the Brooklyn Navy Yards or The Wall Street District which both lie less than 10 miles away must have been the true target. Phone lines here in Manhattan appear intact, but power is off and all radio frequencies are full of interference. Although we are reporting from CBS News Headquarters via phone line to all CBS affiliates it is unlikely that any New Yorker is hearing this report. Here in New York 880 on the AM dial and CBS 101 on the FM dial are currently off the air. “
“Jim Bushnell is just back from a very dangerous journey to the East River. For listeners at home stay safe and do not go outside if you live in one of the affected areas. Jim what did you see?"
"This is Jim Bushnell; the classic mushroom cloud that we have been reading about for so long over the skies of Europe was very visible on the New York Skyline. Major Portions of Queens and Brooklyn are now in flames. Rumors abound that firefighters are afraid to put out any ‘radioactive fires’, but I saw no evidence of cowardice among city workers responding to the emergency. Speaking of rumors, the Brooklyn Bridge has not fallen and is still intact. The mood on the street was one of…”
“Hold on Jim, this message has just arrived in the newsroom. It has been confirmed by European sources that the following Atlantic Ports and military targets were targeted by the German High Command: New York, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Oak Ridge Tennessee. We
Hold On…”
“… Good point Jim. For those of our listeners unaware, Oak Ridge is a US Army base near Knoxville Tennessee. Why the Germans have made this a target in unknown but it would be illegal to speculate if you get my drift.
CBS News can confirm hits to Washington DC, where an atomic rocket landed with precision directly above the Washington Mall. We can also confirm a direct hit on Baltimore. We cannot confirm German claims about Philadelphia. Repeat Philadelphia may be safe and we are waiting on confirmation of this Philadelphia miracle. “
[ed. The V-4 missed Philly and instead destroyed the seaside resort of Atlantic City NJ roughly 25 miles away.]
“Given that Congress was in session and the New President was known to be in Washington riding heard on his newly inherited cabinet, our CBS resident military expert Colonel Simin called this a decapitation strike. Retired Colonel Simin will be on the air next.”
“Back to reporter Jim Bushnell who has just returned from a perilous journey here in [CUT TRANSMISSION]
Tonal BUUUUUP
“THIS IS THE EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM, THIS IS THE EMERCENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM
This is not a test. Please report to your designated Fallout shelter. If you are not near your designated shelter please follow the yellow civil defense signs to the closest shelter in your area."
"This is the Emergency Broadcasting System, This is not a test. The following areas have been designated ...”