UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain

Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

‘We shall fight them on the beaches’ Churchill’s speech, 4th June 1940
(abridged version)

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.

Listen to audio version at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/june/4/newsid_3500000/3500865.stm

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Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

‘The Few' Churchill's speech, August 20, 1940

The great air battle which has been in progress over this Island for the last few weeks has
recently attained a high intensity. It is too soon to attempt to assign limits either to its scale
or to its duration. We must certainly expect that greater efforts will be made by the enemy,
than any he has so far put forth. Hostile airfields are still being developed in France and the
Low Countries, and the movement of squadrons and material for attacking us is still
proceeding. It is quite plain that Herr Hitler could not admit defeat in his air attack on Great
Britain without sustaining most serious injury. If after all his boastings and bloodcurdling
threats and lurid accounts trumpeted round the world of the damage he has inflicted, of the
vast numbers of our Air Force he has shot down, so he says, with so little loss to himself; if
after tales of the panic-stricken British crushed in their holes cursing the plutocratic
Parliament which has led them to such a plight - if after all this his whole air onslaught were
forced after a while tamely to peter out, the Fuhrer's reputation for veracity of statement
might be seriously impugned. We may be sure, therefore, that he will continue as long as he
has the strength to do so, and as long as any preoccupations he may have in respect of the
Russian Air Force allow him to do so.

On the other hand, the conditions and course of the fighting have so far been favourable to
us. I told the House two months ago that, whereas in France our fighter aircraft were wont
to inflict a loss of two or three to one upon the Germans, and in the fighting at Dunkirk,
which was a kind of no-man's-land, a loss of about three or four to one, we expected that in
an attack on this Island we should achieve a larger ratio. This has certainly come true. It
must also be remembered that all the enemy machines and pilots which are shot down over
our Island, or over the seas which surround it, are either destroyed or captured; whereas a
considerable proportion of our machines, and also of our pilots, are saved, and soon again in
many cases come into action. A vast and admirable system of salvage, directed by the
Ministry of Aircraft Production, ensures the speediest return to the fighting line of damaged
machines, and the most provident and speedy use of all the spare parts and material. At the
same time the splendid - nay, astounding - increase in the output and repair of British
aircraft and engines which Lord Beaverbrook has achieved by a genius of organization and
drive, which looks like magic, has given us overflowing reserves of every type of aircraft, and
an ever-mounting stream of production both in quantity and quality.

The enemy is, of course, far more numerous than we are. But our new production already,
as I am advised, largely exceeds his, and the American production is only just beginning to
flow in. It is a fact, as I see from my daily returns, that our bomber and fighter strength now,
after all this fighting, are larger than they have ever been. We believe that we shall be able
to continue the air struggle indefinitely and as long as the enemy pleases, and the longer it
continues the more rapid will be our approach, first towards that parity, and then into that
superiority, in the air upon which in a large measure the decision of the war depends. The
gratitude of every home in our Island, in our Empire, and indeed throughout the world,
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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

except in the abodes of the guilty, goes out to the British airmen who, undaunted by odds,
unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, are turning the tide of the World
War by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so
much owed by so many to so few.

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

‘Do Your Worst; We'll Do Our Best’ Churchill’s speech, 14th July 1941
(abridged version)
During her long ordeal London was upheld by the sympathy and admiration of the other
great cities of our Island and let us not forget here loyal Belfast, in Northern Ireland and
when after the enemy wearied of his attack upon the capital and turned to other parts of
the country, many of us in our hearts felt anxiety lest the weight of attack concentrated on
those smaller organisms should prove more effective than when directed on London, which
is so vast and strong that she is like a prehistoric monster into whose armoured hide
showers of arrows can be shot in vain. But a frightful measure of cruelty of the enemy's
assault; and I say here that, while we are entitled to speak particularly of London, we
honour them for their constancy in a comradeship of suffering, of endurance, and of
triumph. That comradeship in this hideous, unprecedented, novel pressure has united us all,
and it has proved to the world the quality of our Island life…

… We have to ask ourselves this question: Will the bombing attacks of last autumn and
winter come back again? We have proceeded on the assumption that they will. Some
months ago I requested the Home Secretary and Minister of Home Security and his principal
colleagues, the Minister of Health and others, to make every preparation for the autumn
and winter war as if we should have to go through the same ordeal as last year, only rather
worse. I am sure that everything is being done in accordance with those directions. The
shelters are being strengthened, improved, lighted and warmed. All arrangements for fire-
control and fire-watching are being improved- perpetually.

Many new arrangements are being contrived as a result of the hard experience through
which we have passed and the many mistakes which no doubt we have made for success is
the result of making many mistakes and learning from experience. If the lull is to end, if the
storm is to renew itself, London will be ready, London will not flinch, London can take it
again…

We ask no favours of the enemy. We seek from them no compunction. On the contrary, if
tonight the people of London were asked to cast their vote whether a convention should be
entered into to stop the bombing of all cities, the overwhelming majority would cry, "No, we
will mete out to the Germans the measure, and more than the measure, that they have
meted out to us." The people of London with one voice would say to Hitler: "You have
committed every crime under the sun. Where you have been the least resisted there you
have been the most brutal. It was you who began the indiscriminate bombing. We
remember Warsaw in the very first few days of the war. We remember Rotterdam. We have
been newly reminded of your habits by the hideous massacre of Belgrade. We know too
well the bestial assault you are making upon the Russian people, to whom our hearts go out
in their valiant struggle. We will have no truce or parley with you, or the grisly gang who

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

work your wicked will. You do your worst and we will do our best." Perhaps it may be our
turn soon; perhaps it may be our turn now…

… We have now intensified for a month past our systematic, scientific, methodical bombing
on a large scale of the German cities, seaports, industries, and other military objectives. We
believe it to be in our power to keep this process going, on a steadily rising tide, month after
month, year after year, until the Nazi regime is either extirpated by us or, better still, torn to
pieces by the German people themselves…

… It is for this reason that I must ask you to be prepared for vehement counter-action by the
enemy. Our methods of dealing with the German night raiders have steadily improved. They
no longer relish their trips, to our shores. It is not true to say they did not come this last
moon because they were all engaged in Russia. They have a bombing force in the West
quite capable of making very heavy attacks. I do not know why they did not come, but, as I
mentioned in Hyde Park, it is certainly not because they have begun to love us more. It may
be because they are saving- up, but even if that be so, the very fact that they have to save
up should give us confidence by revealing the truth of our steady advance from an almost
unarmed position to a position at least of equality, and soon of superiority to them in the
air.

But all engaged in our civil defence forces, whether in London or throughout the country,
must prepare themselves for further heavy assaults. Your organization, your vigilance, your
devotion to duty, your zeal for the cause must be raised to the highest intensity.

We do not expect to hit without being hit back, and we intend with every week that passes
to hit harder. Prepare yourselves, then, my friends and comrades in the Battle of London,
for this renewal of your exertions. We shall never turn from our purpose, however sombre
the road, however grievous the cost, because we know that out of this time of trial and
tribulation will be born a new freedom and glory for all mankind.

Listen to an audio version

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCvluXLfib0&app=desktop

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Event cards

Dunkirk evacuation
codename: Dynamo
Dunkirk, France
May/June 1940

Brief summary of events

Following the Battle of France, the allied forces, having been forced back and surrounded by German
forces, reached the French coastal town of Dunkirk to await evacuation. The beaches were shallow so
only small ships could reach them, on top of which the Luftwaffe (German air force) was attempting to
bomb the evacuation. Under heavy fire, over 335,000 allied personnel were successfully evacuated back
to Britain.

The Battle of Britain

Southern coast of Britain and the English Channel: air based
July-September 1940

Brief summary of events

The German air force attempted to overpower the Royal Air Force (RAF) in a battle of the air. Their aim
was to destroy the RAF’s ability to defend Britain so that Germany could then invade. The RAF stood its
ground and although many British cities were bombed during the eight months of the Blitz, the
Luftwaffe failed to take control of the skies.

The Blitz
Various British cities including London, Coventry and Plymouth
Sept 1940 - May 1941

Brief summary of events

The Luftwaffe or German air force carried out a bombing campaign against Britain, attacking various
cities. 43,000 civilians were killed over a period of eight months.

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Sample maps: Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo)

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Sample maps - The Battle of Britain

The Battle of Britain

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Sample maps - cities targeted in the Blitz

British cities targeted during the Blitz included:

London, Portsmouth, Southampton, Plymouth, Exeter, Bristol, Bath, Cardiff,

Birmingham, Coventry, Nottingham, Norwich, Ipswich, Sheffield, Manchester,
Liverpool, Hull, Middlesbrough, Sunderland, Newcastle and also Glasgow,
Scotland and Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Explore this interactive map showing cities bombed during the Blitz
http://www.targetmap.com/viewer.aspx?reportId=35847
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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Inside Cabinet War Rooms

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

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 UKS2 Topic: World War 2 in Europe and the Battle of Britain
Block B: Churchill and Key Moments of the War Session 2

Modern ‘powerful’ quotes (select as deemed appropriate)

On the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, 31st August 1997

Tony Blair (Prime Minister)
She was the people’s princess and that’s how she will stay, how she will remain in our hearts
and in our memories forever.

Twin Tower attack on the 11th September 2001, USA

George W Bush (President)
Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch
the foundation of America.

America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and
opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.

None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we go forward to defend freedom and all that is
good and just in our world.

Hurricane Katrina 15th September 2005, USA

George W Bush (President)
I am speaking to you from the city of New Orleans -- nearly empty, still partly under water,
and waiting for life and hope to return.

There is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again.

Here in New Orleans, the streetcars will once again rumble down St. Charles and the
passionate soul of a great city will return.

Cyclone Pam, 15th March, 2015 Vanuatu

Baldwin Lonsdale (President)
Vanuatu is a paradise in the world … If you want to see paradise on earth you have to come
and see Vanuatu … We will build again the new paradise.

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