Perspectives

Historical perspective

When looking at the relevance of Winston Churchill’s “We Shall Fight on the Beaches” speech today, you should consider looking at the events that followed, and at how the issues mentioned in the speech evolved.

Operation Dynamo, the rescue of British and French troops surrounded by German forces at Dunkirk, France, through a joint effort of the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force, and over 800 civilian ships, ended on 4th of June, 1940. Meanwhile, from 1st of June, the defence of the region near Dunkirk became the task of French troops. Also, on 4th of June, almost 40,000 French soldiers were taken prisoner by Germany, in what is considered the fall of Dunkirk.

Soon after Churchill’s speech, on 10th of June, Italy entered the war on the side of Germany and invaded France. On 22nd of June, 1940, France surrendered to Nazi Germany, confirming Britain’s fears that France would soon be attacked and defeated. Northern France would remain under German occupation for four years, while Southern France was governed by ...