Never Give Up

By June 4, 1940, Nazi Germany had already rolled over Poland, Belgium, France and much of Europe and was now setting its eyes on England. The British had just completed the evacuation of its Allied troops from Dunkirk, France, and its people were frightened, anticipating a German invasion at any moment. Prime Minister Winston Churchill, seeking to reassure his people, went to the House of Commons and stood before the packed chamber to make a nationally-broadcast address.

“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,” told his rapt audience. “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!”