"In the dark days and darker nights when Britain stood alone - and most men save Englishmen despaired of England’s life - he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle." - John F Kennedy, President of the United States. No more eloquent tribute was ever made.
It was not only The Englishmen. Men and women from the dominions and the Empire stood shoulder to shoulder to vanquish the foes of peace and humanity. About 2.5 million men from the British Indian Empire partook in the Great War against fascism. We shall never forget their sacrifice.
Churchill would never have made such an error as to refer to the coalition of men and women of all nations who gathered in and around BRITAIN to fight tyranny as English. England did not stand alone. Scots, Orish and Welsh did not despair either, nor poles, Czechs, slovaks, kiwis and aussies and a whole range of motley allies. England indeed.
This is the most uplifting speech I have ever listened to, and the strength with which it is spoken always makes me cry. It strengthens my resolve. I am so glad to be British.
The last part of Churchill's speech is missing,,,"Let us then brace ourselves so that if the British Empire and the Commonwealth lasts for a thousand years, men will still say that this was England's finest hour.
actually, the last part was:" and even 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."
Few leaders in the history of man were ever so meant for their time as was Sir Winston Spencer-Churchill. Tough as nails, no nonsense and highly motivated, he was possessed of a great sense of moral right and justice which defied one of the most dread powerful nations in history. When the folk of the U.K. looked desperately to their leaders for strength, Churchill gave inspiration and courage. Leaders today could take lessons from him. He is one of the true Titans of history. RIP Sir Winston.
morbius109 in the future he will most likely be forgotten because he spoke out against communism and socialism and those groups will make an effort to censor all voices against them I mean look at American school system how it makes children think there government is God and don't even get me started on Europe how it's in the grips of another socialist tyrannical group that threatens to rob western culture of its reason' Freedom, and national pride
A moral example to the world at the right time. However we bought time rather than defeated Germany. 78% was destroyed by the Soviets. The entire British Empire and USA accounted for the other 22%
playing hoi2 as uk accidently broke the scripting by sending every single polsih divison into warsaw so france now owns italy and hungrey all i can think is what wii churchill do
for me this part of his speech is the best part. 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 even 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.
Undoubtedly the greatest political leader that humanity has witnessed during the XXth century, and possibly all of history. He saved Britain and all of civilization along with it!
David Rodgers If the Usa hadn't intervened ,which wouldn't have happened if the Perl Harbor attack had never occured , both Britain and USSR would have eventually been conquered ,We should all thank president Roosvelt.
true but it could have taken a lot longer british resistance would have eventually become as fanatical as the japanese and we would have made them pay dearly for every inch of ground
Κωνσταντίνος Ρόδης if USA hadn't intervened, the maximum what would happen is that the victory would be delayed for 1-2 years. USA joined the war after Stalingrad and Kursk, at this point it was obvious that russian will kick Hitler's ass
June 1940. When a small island nation stood against an indestructible war machine alone. And won. Never surrender. The passion of the British people when under threat is remarkable.
@david marjason You are absolutely correct in saying that Churchill is not a hero: he was an anti-hero. Judging human action over time from a Manichean point of view is an error of evaluation. These attitudes by Churchill provoked the revolt that resulted in the disconnection of these nations with the British administration. In the end, the need for human self-determination corrected the relations between these nations, unfortunately at high cost in lives and without adequate repairs and compensation. Maybe World War II was nothing more than the realization of the "Sowing Law" against the British people. Karma's a bitch. However, if the people of East Asia don't realize that they need a "homemade" Churchill, they will end up being victims of this new "Chinese Empire" just as they ended up being victims of the aggressiveness from the old British Empire. History can always repeat itself. The Chinese "pearl necklace" initiative is already underway and is surrounding India in their own backyard, the Indian Ocean. No one knows what other future problems may come from this Chinese aggressiveness and this is just one between so many problems. Sad but true: you'll need a "Churchill" in your country's administration to contain the "Churchill" of the other country that wants to dominate yours.
+Aleksander Korencan Stojakovic During The Great War he did some awful mistakes, but he more than made up for it during the 2nd World War. After Bismarck, who in my opinion easily tops the list, I think that Churchill has a well-deserved second spot.
***** It's debatable how useful the tank was during WW1. I'd like to get more knowledge on the matter. If you'd provide it, I'd be more than delighted.
+Kristin Olsen I'm saying this from the memory I have, so do not trust it but look for confirmation. But so, the importance of the tanks was that they were able to solve to a great extent the terribly bloody trenches conflict. Churchill's project, if it had been given the sufficient attention and carried out to effect, would have allowed the Allies (mainly the British) to break through the Ardennes before it became a vast field of trenches and barbed wire were so many thousands died for absolutely nothing - for not even gained ground. This I read in William Manchester's biography The Last Lion (WWI is covered in the first volume). It is a very well-considered biography, with meticulous detail and a great attention to and fidelity as regards historical facts. I hope that was somehow useful.
Only missed one Line, actually they missed about 3 paragraphs out of that speech like At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve 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. and even 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.”
I served my country just as a police officer so I have right to even to be mentioned in the same breathe as our soldiers (I'm American ) but I can tell you this. I didn't live through the world war but everytime I watch stuff like this it relights that fire. Remember we aren't who our politicians are. As a American (whether you Brits like it or not lol) I not any of my countryman will ever , ever allow the uk to be attacked again. We are brothers through actual blood. Remember that. Also there is another amazing video just search for Ronald regans speech "never surrender" him talking with the music from transformers lol is amazing
Basically, it's like that scene in Lord of the Rings. When the Ents say "We cannot hold back this storm" and Merry says "But you're part of this world"
One of the best speeches ever given, he may have been a British Prime Minister though his Mother was American I have pride to say he was a smart and honorable man, unlike Chamberlain. Also I get goosebumps every time I listen to that speech
Churchill is the only man who understood De Gaulle. That simply makes him great. He gave France a real place in the struggle by keep trusting them because of the sacrifice France did for England at Dunkirk. He is a great man.
Christopher Nolan, please finish the Dunkirk Movie with this speech - especially the part about the Dunkirk miracle itself. I'm not even British, but hell, if Churchill starts saying this at the end of the movie I will stand with hand on heart and scream rule Brittania
From this viewpoint the real British view the EU.......we just will not surrender any part of this Great Island of ours! we only ever have a trade agreement,...never our Soverignty, we are the British and proud of it!!!!!
Yeah, we voted him out cause he was such a racist who's ideas were too right-wing. I mean, i am myself a right-wing supporter, but he was so far right; he was in Japan.
‘’a form of faith doesn’t act against the face of oppression’’-William Wilberforce. ‘’I would like to be remembered as the woman that wanted to be free so others could be free’’-Rosa parks. ‘’if it’s wrong for me at the sight of me
never meet your Heroes Churchill had many false but he speeches whoever wrote them are still powerful for someone who likes history they can still bring you almost to tears
Battlefield parody: We shall fight in the seas and lands, we shall defend our objective whatever the cost may be we shall fight on the spawn points, we shall fight with growing strength in the air! 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."
It's horrifying to think that the fate of the entire world rested with Winston Churchill in that moment, after the Dunkirk evacuation. At that point in time, there was no realistic chance that the British could win a war alone against the Axis powers, especially after the unexpected secret pact between Germany and the Soviet Union. It would've been so simple to negotiate peace with Hitler...and if Churchill had succumbed to that temptation, to safeguard the United Kingdom against an imminent invasion, the world today would've been completely different.
We don't have a hero like Sir Winston anymore or anyone even close! Look at the lunatic in the White House now!! This is May 2017. I can't even type out his name. THIS is how far we have sunk! Disgraceful!
By virtue, I can't say I see mr. Churchill as a hero, it wasn't a glorious war on part of the West. Everyone was afraid, but Churchill still did the right thing. He kept his people safe and did the best efforts to defeat the Nazi death machine. So God bless you, Mr. Churchill. I salute you.
The first part about Napoleon is missing, and when he says we shall fight in France, and the last part "if this island, or a large part of it were subjugated"
I'm going through this comment section and it's mainly patriotic englishmen like myself being verbally attacked. I sooo love how in this world every country can have it's patriots and be seen as proud but when we British show some patriotism it's considered bigotry. I admit our Empire did some uber shitty things but at the end of the day it's now history, move on. As for the people here from our old colonies, shut your trap, if we wanted we could have wiped your culture and people out of existence but we didn't mainly because we didn't want to nor did we need too.
Where oh where is our Churchill of today?? When we need a great statesman to lead us through such trying times as we see today, what do we get, appeasers all.