On 14/07/1940
"War of The Unknown Warriors" speech was broadcasted around the world:
'... This is no war of chieftains or of princes, of dynasties or national ambition; it is a war of peoples and of causes. There are vast numbers, not only in this island but in every land, who will render faithful service in this war, but whose names will never be known, whose deeds will never be recorded. This is a War of the Unknown Warriors; but let all strive without failing in faith or in duty, and the dark curse of Hitler will be lifted from our age ...'
"...We await undismayed the impending assault. Perhaps it will come tonight. Perhaps it will come next week. Perhaps it will never come. We must show ourselves equally capable of meeting a sudden, violent shock, or what is perhaps a harder task, a prolonged vigil. But be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parley. We may show mercy. We shall ask none..."
"...Should the invader come to Britain, there will be no placid lying-down of the people in submission before him, as we have seen alas, in other countries. We shall defend every village, every town, and every city. The vast mass of London itself, fought street by street, could easily devour an entire hostile army. And we would rather see London laid in ruins and ashes, than that it should be tamely and abjectly enslaved...."
This year Jubilee Celebrations and Olympic events took over the entire UK but battelfields sites in France offer quite experience of these dramatic times.
Full text of the speech is available here
