Winston Churchill’s speech ‘we shall fight them on the beaches’ is one of the defining speeches during the second world war. It uses the technique of repetition to very good effect.
We also have a transcript of Winston Churchill’s Blood Sweat and Tears speech
4 June 1940
“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, 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.
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.
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.”
We also have a transcript of Winston Churchill’s Blood Sweat and Tears speech
Urban myth: Interesting to note that Churchill never said “We shall fight them on the beaches”. If you look at the text above it says “we shall fight on the beaches”.
9 May 2010
Filed under Speeches , famous speeches
Comments on: Winston Churchill Speech – We shall fight them on the beaches
They don’t make em like old Winnie any longer.
Posted by kenny komodo — 3 September 2011 @ 4:57 am
The world today, and its weak and highly corruptible so-called leaders, could only marvel at such INTEGRITY. They are bankrupt when it comes to doing GOOD! And if necessary,MUST be forced to do the right thing.
Posted by Gasoleen — 16 September 2011 @ 8:11 pm
If Churchill could se what Britain has become he would be turning in his grave.
Posted by Haz — 29 November 2011 @ 5:51 pm
this speach is so touching it made me feel sogreatful that our contery is soo strong. god bless the UK
Posted by sarah-lou — 6 December 2011 @ 8:59 pm
Just proves that whoever we are and what race we come from we should fight for OUR country and protect it like we protect our family and home!
Posted by Amy — 22 December 2011 @ 3:14 pm
This is always misquoted. Even the heading on this page gets it wrong despite the correct part being below on the same page.
Posted by Churchill's Biggest Fan — 27 January 2012 @ 12:45 pm
I’m writing a family history book about my ancestors, and even though they were Norweigian, Winston’s speech is so inspiring I’m going to include it in my 1940′s decade.
Posted by Patricia Ehlers — 7 February 2012 @ 9:23 pm
Really inspiring.A nation needs legendary leader like Winston churchill to inpire n lead the people.
Posted by Rajit Kemprai — 9 February 2012 @ 8:50 am
This speech is very good it shows how the British would never give up no matter what was going to happen. It also shows how they were already planning D-day on June 6th, 1944
Posted by Chris Kennedy — 23 February 2012 @ 2:19 pm
At the start of the millenium the BBC polled the British Public who they thought was the greatest Britain ever and Winston won it. Although I thought (and think) Oliver Cromwell is the greatest Briton the overall credibility of the survey is diminished by Diana Princess of Wales coming 3rd
Posted by G W P — 13 March 2012 @ 11:05 pm
This speech is good. I look up to Churchill. He never gave up in the Battle of Brittan. Even when the RAF was at it’s breaking point. He fought on till he could win control of the air.
Posted by Not telling — 22 April 2012 @ 5:37 pm
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