Lowell Thomas was best known for publicising the feats of T E Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia) at the end of the First World War. During the Second World War his voice kept American citizens up to date with news via NBC and CBS radio, and the American Newsreel Company and fox Movietone News.



Thomas was initially prevented from serving overseas as his broadcasts were considered important to American morale. He arrived in the European Theatre of Operations in February 1945, when Officials felt confident that Allied victory was assured, and he quickly began reporting on advances in Northwest Europe. On 2 April 1945, he was flown to Limburg to report on the captured airfield becoming operational by the USAAF.



Eager to learn when the Western Allies would connect with Russian forces, Thomas piggybacked on a flight with Major Karl Kraft in his F-6 Mustang on a mission over Berlin on 24 April 1945. He reported:

'Berlin in flames, but not entirely. Potsdam and the southern side of the city seemed comparatively undamaged. The rest was in flames, from one end to the other. An artillery duel was going on. Heavy guns on both sides going all out- dense clouds of smoke blowing over Berlin, concealing much of it.'