Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years men will still say, ‘This was their finest hour’. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight on the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills we shall never surrender. Churchill’s first radio broadcast as Prime Minister, Ĥ. As the will of God is in Heaven, even so let it be. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: ‘Arm yourselves, and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our altar. Churchill’s first speech as Prime Minister, House of Commons, ģ. I would say to the House… ‘I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat’… Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be for without victory there is no survival. It is a riddle wrapped inside a mystery inside an enigma. Radio broadcast, 1 October 1939Ģ. I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. This signals a turning point in Britain and America’s view of the Soviet Union from military ally to ideological adversary. Victor Gregg retells his traumatic experience of the Second World War and how it has shaped the rest of his life. In reference to the forced removal of Germans from Poland’s newly drawn borders after the war. He rather preferred its sometimes urgent, over-crowded character. In reference to the coming invasion of Italy, where public support for the war was weakening.Ī defence of Britain engaging in the Mediterranean as opposed to concentrating on Northern Europe.Ĭhurchill states that future wars will be ideological, rather than soley based on territory or resources.Īs a true conservative, Churchill did not wish to see the House of Commons redesigned. Spoken at the school Churchill attended in his youth, his words were delivered to inspire the country’s youth in difficult times.Ī prediction of joint victory for the US and UK over the Axis powers.Ĭhurchill is pointing out Britain’s continued survival and successes despite the warnings of the French generals.įrom ‘The Bright Gleam of Victory’ speech, Churchill sees a light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
Here Churchill is referring to his full intention of brining the United States into the war against the Axis powers. In honest fashion, Churchill is warning of difficult times ahead for the Allies.Ĭhurchill is requesting the US for arms for the war effort, which led to the President proposing a military aid bill to Congress. Underlining the importance of the Battle, which prevented a German invasion and was a turning point in the war. Here Churchill is highlighting the moral and ideological implications of the war and that it was not about leaders, but a war of the people.
It warns of a possible Nazi invasion of British shores.įrom the third great speech during the Battle of France, justifying support for France as being in the UK’s national interest.
The second major speech given during the Battle of France. Here Churchill is quoting an (edited) verse from scripture in order to inspire and ready the country for war. Here is a list of 20 memorable quotes attributed to the iconic leader.įrom a BBC broadcast from London, Churchill is referring to the reaction of Russia to Hitler’s eastern ambitions.įrom the first of three speeches given during the battle of France, ‘blood, toil, tears and sweat’ entered the national vocabulary. Chris is a Professor of Military Science and Doctrine, and the Director of the Security Studies Institute at Cranfield University. To discuss perhaps the most brutal siege of the Second World War, James Rogers is joined by Chris Bellamy, author of Absolute War: Soviet Russia in the Second World War. One of the strategic objectives of this operation, Barbarossa, was to conquer Leningrad. In 1941, Nazi Germany turned on its former ally, the Soviet Union.