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"Give us the tools", 9 Feb 1941

 Unknown
Reference Code: GBR/0014/CHAR 9/150A/52-75

Scope and Contents

Notes for WSC's broadcast (BBC) on the war situation including: the repulsion of the threat of German invasion, the Blitz and the bombing of Britain; the strength of British spirit; the Italian attack on Greece; successes in Libya and Egypt, including victory at Sidi Barrani under General Sir Archibald Wavell [Commander in Chief Middle East] and General [Henry] Wilson; successes of the British Mediterranean Fleet against the Italian navy under Admiral [Sir Andrew] Cunningham [Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean]; aid from the United States; the threat posed by [Adolf] Hitler, [Benito] Mussolini and [Pierre] Laval; air attacks on the Illustrious; the need for munitions from the United States and the importance of the Royal Navy and the Air Force securing transport routes. In the speech WSC relays a Longfellow quote sent to him by Roosevelt "Sail on, O Ship of State! Sail on, O Union, strong and great! Humanity with all its fears, With all the hopes of future years, Is Hanging breathless on thy fate!". Also includes the phrase "Give us the tools and we will finish the job". Carbon typescript speaking notes laid out in "psalm" style to aid delivery. Annotated with changes, some in shorthand, in pencil by ?a secretary and labelled "corrected".

Dates

  • Creation: 9 Feb 1941

Conditions Governing Access

Open

Conditions Governing Use

Copyright: not known

Extent

24 folio(s)

Language of Materials

English

External Documents

Bibliography

Complete Speeches VI, pp 6343-50.

Subject

Repository Details

Part of the Churchill Archives Centre Repository

Contact:
Churchill Archives Centre
Churchill College
Cambridge Cambridgeshire CB3 0DS United Kingdom
+44 (0)1223 336087