This is William Joyce. Anglo-Irish political activist and broadcaster. Born in America, grew up in Ireland during the War for Independence. Never killed anyone, nor actively organized genocide... 
After graduating from university & a short dalliance in Conservative politics, he was drawn to Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists.
He did very well there as an organizer and speaker, and was known for wading into brawls against anti-fascists.
He did very well there as an organizer and speaker, and was known for wading into brawls against anti-fascists.
In 1939, with war looking and the British government seeking to detain those sympathetic to the Nazi state, Joyce and his wife fled for Germany.
After looking for a job, Joyce got an interview an audience with the Nazi state's radio service.
After looking for a job, Joyce got an interview an audience with the Nazi state's radio service.
William Joyce wasn't the first 'Lord Haw-Haw' - this was a nickname given to a succession of English-speaking Nazi propaganda announcers.
However, Joyce made it his own and leaned into the role, introducing himself with the nickname on-air.
However, Joyce made it his own and leaned into the role, introducing himself with the nickname on-air.
Joyce, as 'Lord Haw-Haw' was well-known for his sign-on, 'Germany Calling, Germany Calling', much parodied by the British public.
Joyce was kept very busy from 1939 to 1945. In addition to his radio broadcasts, he wrote propaganda broadcasts for other announcers and created material for dispersal in POW camps, encouraging British soldiers to fight for the Nazis in the British Free Corps (to little effect). 
Joyce's last broadcasts came as the Allies closed in on Berlin - to the end he insisted that Germany would prevail.
It's not sure whether this last recording was broadcast, but as you can hear, he's rather 'tired and emotional'.
It's not sure whether this last recording was broadcast, but as you can hear, he's rather 'tired and emotional'.
Joyce was captured in May 1945 by British forces (shot in the attempt) and, realising who he was, was taken for immediate trial in London.
Claiming that he was not a British citizen when broadcasting, he fought treason charges. However, he was found guilty at trial and appeal.
Claiming that he was not a British citizen when broadcasting, he fought treason charges. However, he was found guilty at trial and appeal.
Joyce, American-born, had lied when applying for a British passport regarding his place of birth.
Turns out that lie signed his death warrant - the British government upheld the validity of the passport during his broadcasting, and thus the conviction.
Turns out that lie signed his death warrant - the British government upheld the validity of the passport during his broadcasting, and thus the conviction.
Joyce was executed for high treason on the 3rd of January, 1946.
I say no more.
I say no more.
