Saturday, June 6, 2009

"Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat"

"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."

Churchill's speech after Dunkirks' evacuation, May 26 1940.


"Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Forces:

You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned. The free men of the world are marching together to victory.

I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking."

Dwight D. Eisenhower's, D-Day's Preinvasion Speech to Soldiers

4 years between the two speeches... Years of blood, toil, tears and sweet, as Churchill said at the House of the Commons... That lead to a path of glory and victory...

Because today, ladies and gentlemen, is the 65th Anniversary of the D-Day, The Normandie Invasion... A day to remember, again, because, according to Churchill: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few".


So, thank you very much!

1 comment:

Nuria Vidal said...

If we could take lessons from what happened in the past we should be able to make a better world and you'd certainly contribute a few lines to make this possible. I think I've learned more History with you than with this very boring teacher I had when I studied in my secondary school. So, cheers, my friend, and do your best in your exam.