Nevertheless, our thankfulness at the escape of our Army and so many men,
whose loved ones have passed through an agonizing week,
must not blind us to the fact that what has happened in France and Belgium
is a colossal military disaster. (…)
We must expect another blow to be struck almost immediately at us or at France. (…)
We shall not be content with a defensive war.
We have our duty to our Ally. (…)
Turning once again, and this time more generally, to the question of invasion,
I would observe that there has never been a period in all these long centuries of which we boast
when an absolute guarantee against invasion
still less against serious raids,
could have been given to our people. (…)
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 again 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.
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At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do.
That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Governmentevery 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.
Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall
into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule,
we shall not flag or fail.
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. |
