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Alright, welcome back. Today I think it is necessary that we take a very close look at one of the greatest minds that lived in the 20th Century. A very key player in the Second World War, he was one of the respected “BIG THREE” and is widely regarded as the greatest British leader of the 20th Century. He’s none other than Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill.
A Great Mind
Shortly after he took over as Prime Minister on the 10th of May, 1940, in the second year of the Second World War, Sir Churchill delivered a phenomenal, never-to-be-forgotten and courageous speech to the House of Commons of the British Parliament . This speech, titled “We shall Fight on the Beaches”, amongst others, was a great inspiration to an embattled United Kingdom as it entered what was probably the most dangerous phase of the entire war. It was given in the wake of the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force from France at Dunkirk, after it was cut off by the massive German breakthrough at Sedan, France, and as France reeled, shortly to be overcome. In it he tried to temper the national euphoria engendered by this seemingly miraculous delivery (almost the entire army was rescued, a feat thought most improbable beforehand), and send a message to the rest of the world that there would be no negotiated settlement.
Below, I share with you the closing paragraph of the speech (insert are my comments)
I have, myself, full confidence (a clear mindset) that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, (knowing what needs to be done and taking ACTION) 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 (the circumstances notwithstanding). 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 (what a resolved mind?). 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 (a hopeful mind). 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 (a determined mind), and even if, which I do not for a moment believe (a positive mind), 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.
Need I say more? The rest is history. With such great minds as this, how could victory over the world’s problem at the time (Hitler and his Nazi army) not be certain?
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