We Shall Fight on the Beaches

Churchill begins this famous speech by listing the losses of soldiers and supplies in recent battles. Managing to keep the port of Dunkirk open for a meaningful evacuation is cause for praise, but Churchill reminds the listeners that a favorable outcome in one battle does not mean the tide of the war is turning in their favor. Rather, the British and French armies are facing a scarcity of weapons, ammunition, and army transports, slowing the expansion of their forces. Churchill compares recent losses to those of March 21, 1918—evoking memories of the catastrophic losses the Germans inflicted on France and Britain in World War I’s German Spring Offensive—to sustain a sense of urgency among British people and industries. While fewer lives were lost in the recent battle, the impact on supplies and weapons was similar. Churchill must prevent the nation from becoming complacent, and he praises the unprecedented levels of munitions production currently being achieved by a unified populace.

Churchill gives credit where it’s due and praises the unflagging efforts of both military and merchants in the retrieval of the armed forces from what seemed like a horrific battle scene. Rescuing more than 300,000 people and bringing them to Britain is an accomplishment that should be noted, but the nation must continue to strengthen its military forces.