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Winston Churchill - We Shall Never Surrender

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S1: When? A week ago today. Mr. speaker, I asked the House to fix this afternoon as the occasion for a statement. I feared it would be my hard lot to announce the greatest military disaster in our long history. I thought, and some good judges agreed with me, that perhaps 20 or 30,000 men might be re-embarked, but it suddenly seemed that the whole of the French First Army and the whole of the British Expeditionary Force north of the Amiable Gap would be broken up in the open field, or else would have to capitulate for lack of food and ammunition. These were the hard and heavy tidings for which I called upon the house and the nation to prepare themselves a week ago, the whole root and core and brain of the British Army, on which and around which we were to build and are to build the great British armies in the later years of the war, seemed about to perish upon the fields, or be led into an ignominious and starving captivity. The enemy attacked us on all sides with great strength and fierceness, and our main power, the power of their far more numerous air force, was thrown into the battle, or else concentrated upon Dunkirk and the beaches pressing in upon the narrow exit, both from the east and from the west. The enemy began to fire with cannon upon the beaches, by which alone the shipping could approach or depart. They sowed magnetic mines in the channels and seeds. They sent repeated waves of hostile aircraft, sometimes more than 100 strong in one formation, to cast their bombs upon a single pier that remained, and upon the sand dunes on which the troops had their only shelter, their U-boats, one of which was sunk, and their motor launches took the toll of the vast traffic, which now began. For 4 or 5 days an intense struggle rained all their armored divisions or what was left of them, together with great masses of infantry and artillery, hurled themselves in vain upon the ever narrowing, ever contracting appendix within which the British and French armies fought. Meanwhile, the Royal Navy, with the willing help of countless merchant seamen, strained every nerve to embark the a British and Allied troops, 220 light warships and 650 other vessels were engaged. They had to operate upon the difficult coast, often in adverse weather, under an almost ceaseless hail of bombs and an increasing concentration of artillery fire. Nor were the seas, as I have said, themselves, free from mines and torpedoes. It was in conditions such as these that our men carried on with little or no rest, for days and nights on end, making trip after trip across the dangerous waters, bringing with them always men whom they had rescued. The numbers they have brought back are the measure of their devotion and their courage. The hospital ships, which brought off many thousands of British and French wounded, Being so plainly marked, were a special target for Nazi bombs. But the men and women on board them never faltered in their duty. Meanwhile, the Royal Air Force, which had already been intervening in the battle supported range, would allow from our home bases, now use part of its main metropolitan fighter strength and struck at the German bombers and at the fighters, which in large numbers protected them. This struggle was protracted and fierce. Suddenly, the Dean cleared the crash and thunder, and for the moment, but only for the moment died away. A miracle of deliverance, achieved by valor, by perseverance, by perfect discipline, by faultless service, Irish, lost by skill, by unconquerable fidelity. It manifests to us all. The enemy was hurled back by the retreating British troops. They were so roughly handled that he did not carry their departure seriously. Sir, we must be very careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory. Wars are not won by evacuations. But there was a victory inside this deliverance, which should be noted. It was gained by the Air Force. Many of our soldiers coming back have not seen the Air Force at work. They saw only the bombers which escaped its protective attack. They underrated its achievements. I have heard much talk of this. And that is why I go out of my way to say this. I will tell you about it. This was a great trial of strength between the British and German air forces. Can you conceive a greater objective for the Germans in the air than to make evacuation from these beaches impossible, and to sink all these ships, which were displayed almost to the extent of thousands? Could there have been an objective of greater military importance and significance for the whole purpose of the war? To this they tried hard and they were beaten back. They were frustrated in their task. We got the army away, and they have paid fourfold for any losses which they have inflicted. Sir, when we consider how much greater would be our advantage in defending the air above this island against an know what he’s attacked. I must say that I find in these facts a sure basis upon which practical and reassuring thoughts may rest. I will pay my tribute to these young airmen, the great French Army, who has very largely for the time being, cast back and disturbed by the onrush of a few thousands of armored vehicles. May it not also be that the cause of civilization itself will be defended by the skill and devotion of a few thousand airmen? There never had been, I suppose, in all the world, in all the history of war, such an opportunity for youth. The Knights of the Round Table, the Crusaders all fall back into the past. Not only distant, but prosaic. these young men going forth every morn to guard their native land. And all that we stand for, holding in their hands these instruments of colossal and shattering power, of whom it may be said that every morn brought forth a noble chance, and every chance brought forth a noble knight deserve our gratitude. And to all the brave men, in so many ways, and on so many occasions, are ready and continue ready to give life and all for their native land. Nevertheless, our thankfulness at the escape of our army and so many men whose loved ones have passed through an agonizing week, but not blind us to the fact that what happened in France and Belgium is a colossal military Disaster. The French army has been weakened. The Belgian army has been lost. A large part of those fortified lines upon which so much faith had been reposed is gone. Many valuable mining districts and factories have passed into the enemy’s possession. The whole of the channel ports in Chinese hands, with all the tragic consequences that follow from that. And we must expect another blow to be struck almost immediately at us or at France. We are told, sir, that Herr Hitler has a plan for invading the British Isles. This has often been thought of before. When Napoleon lay at Boulogne for a year with his flat bottomed boats and his grand army, he was told by someone. There are bitter weeds in England. There are certainly a great many more of them since the British Expeditionary Force returned. Sir, I have myself full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once more able to defend our island home, to ride out the storm of war and to outlive the menace of tyranny if necessary, for years, if necessary alone. At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the result of His Majesty’s Government, every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation. The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades, to the utmost of their strength. 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 in the fields and in the streets. We shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender. And if which I do not for a moment believe, this island, or a large part of it were subjugated and starving. Then our empire, beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the new world, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

Summary:- – The speaker anticipated announcing a significant military disaster involving the potential loss of 20-30,000 men from the French First Army and the British Expeditionary Force, due to being surrounded and lacking supplies.
– Despite the dire situation, with the enemy’s air force and naval forces attacking, the Royal Navy and merchant seamen managed to evacuate a large number of troops, with the Royal Air Force successfully engaging German bombers and fighters.
– The speaker emphasizes that while the evacuation was not a victory, it demonstrated the strength of the British and Allied forces, and he expresses confidence in defending Britain against any future attacks, vowing to fight on regardless of the circumstances.

Chapters:
00:00:00
The Anticipation of Disaster
A week prior, the speaker had anticipated having to announce a significant military disaster, potentially the worst in history. The expectation was that only a fraction of the forces might be evacuated, with the rest facing destruction or capture. The situation appeared dire, with the core of the British Army at risk.

00:00:52
The Unexpected Success of Evacuation
Contrary to the speaker’s fears, a successful evacuation unfolded. The French First Army and the British Expeditionary Force were at risk of being encircled, but the possibility of a large-scale evacuation became apparent, offering a glimmer of hope amidst the crisis.

00:01:27
Valor Amidst Struggle
The speaker describes the ferocious attacks by the enemy, including the use of their superior air force. Despite the onslaught, the British and French forces fought back, enduring bombardment and naval threats as they were evacuated from Dunkirk.

00:02:55
Naval Endeavors in the Evacuation
The Royal Navy and merchant seamen played a pivotal role in the evacuation, facing adverse conditions and enemy fire. Their relentless efforts resulted in the rescue of a significant number of troops, a testament to their courage and dedication.

00:04:15
The Royal Air Force’s Critical Role
The Royal Air Force was instrumental in the battle, engaging German bombers and fighters to protect the evacuation. Despite some public perception to the contrary, the RAF’s efforts were crucial in thwarting the enemy’s objectives and minimizing losses.

00:08:49
Reflection on the Aftermath
While grateful for the successful evacuation, the speaker acknowledges the severe consequences of the military disaster. The loss of the Belgian army, fortified lines, and valuable territories presents significant challenges, with the imminent threat of further attacks on Britain or France.

00:11:08
Determination to Persevere
The speaker rallies the nation with a powerful declaration of resolve, vowing to fight on all fronts and never surrender. The determination to defend the British Isles, even if alone, is clear, with a belief that allies beyond the seas would continue the struggle if necessary.

Sentiment where -1 (completely negative) and 1 (completely positive)
Overall Sentiment: -0.26
Sentiment for S1: -0.26

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