Sound Pioneer's Hidden Nazi-Era Berlin Trauma

Ludwig Koch, a celebrated German sound recordist, achieved a level of fame comparable to David Attenborough in his prime, bringing the sounds of nature into British homes. His career spanned sound books and BBC radio, and he was even parodied by Peter Sellers.

Koch and his wife, Nelly, were entangled in a Gestapo investigation related to the 1933 Reichstag fire. They had unknowingly rented a room to Georgi Dimitrov, a plotter in the fire. Fearing arrest, the couple attempted suicide by gas, but were resuscitated by their maid.

This tragic event, which was mentioned during Dimitrov's trial, was largely kept secret by the Kochs. His granddaughter, filmmaker Anthea Kennedy, pieced together this story from archives for her film, 'Alarm Notes,' which explores his life and escape from Nazi Germany in 1936.

Despite initially being valued by the Nazis for his recording skills, Koch fled to Britain after being warned his life was in danger. He found refuge and success there, becoming a beloved radio personality. Kennedy's film interlaces Koch's recordings with modern imagery, creating a dialogue about his past.