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Speeches: House of Commons: speech notes and other material., 23 May 1940 - 04 Jul 1940

 File
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/140A-B

Scope and Contents

Statement by WSC (23 May) on fighting in France. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard. Published: Complete Speeches VI p 6223.Hansard copy of statement by WSC (28 May) on the fall of Belgium. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6223-4.Notes for WSC's speech (4 June) entitled "Wars are not won by evacuations" on the fall of Belgium, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk [France] and the successes of the RAF. Speech includes the phrase "We shall fight on the beaches . . . We shall never surrender". Also includes relevant extract from Hansard and cutting from the Daily Express reporting WSC's speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6225-31.Notes for WSC's speech (18 June) entitled "Their Finest Hour" on fighting invasion by Germany and forecasting the Battle of Britain and the determination of the RAF. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard and cutting from the Daily Telegraph reporting WSC's speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI pp 6231-8.Notes for WSC's speech (20 June, secret session) on Britain's vulnerability to air attack, preserving public morale, the battle in France, the attitude of the United States, and the possible German invasion of Ireland [Eire].Notes for WSC's speech (25 June) entitled "The fall of France" on the capitulation of France, the surrender of the French fleet to Germany and his visit to see [Paul] Reynaud [Prime Minister of France]. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard and cutting from the Times reporting WSC's speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6239-41.Notes for WSC's speech (4 July) on the British destruction of the French fleet at Oran [Algeria] and maintaining morale in the British government, fighting services, and civil service. Source material includes copy of communication presented to the French Admiral at Oran [Marcel Gensoul]. Also includes relevant extract from Hansard and press cuttings reporting the speech. Published: Complete Speeches VI, pp 6241-7.Also includes manuscript note by ?Anthony Bevir [Private Secretary to WSC] reporting statements by Quintin Hogg [later Lord Hailsham of Marylebone] and Leslie Hore-Belisha on the dangers of the invasion of Britain and Ireland.For further material for some of the above speeches see CHAR 9/172 and CHAR 9/173.

Dates

  • Creation: 23 May 1940 - 04 Jul 1940

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Extent

2 file(s) (2 bound files (203 folios))

Language of Materials

English

External Documents

Related Materials

Churchill Archives Centre also holds a collection of "Other Deposited Collections related to Winston Churchill" which includes a recording of Churchill delivering "Their Finest Hour" at WCHL 3/1 and WCHL 12/21. Access copies are needed to consult audio-visual material - please contact Churchill Archives Centre to confirm availability.

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

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