France Archives - The Valiant Man

‘Alexander the Great remarked that the peoples of Asia were slaves because they had not learned to pronounce the word “No.” Let that not be the epitaph of the English speaking peoples or of parliamentary democracy, or of France, or of the many surviving liberal states of Europe… The preponderant world forces are upon our side; they have but to be combined to be obeyed. We must arm, Britain must arm, America must arm, we shall no doubt arm… People say, many people, we ought not to allow ourselves to be drawn into a theoretical antagonism between Nazidom and democracy. But the antagonism is here, now. If only we realise what is afoot and make up our minds in good time. Is this a call to war? Does anyone pretend that preparations for resistance against aggression amounts to the unleashing of war? I declare it to be the sole guarantee of peace, the finest and surest prospect of peace.’

‘Although the fate of Poland stares everyone in the face there are thoughtless dilettanti or purblind wordlings who sometimes ask us “what is it that Britain and France are fighting for?” To this I make the answer – if we let off fighting, you would soon find out… Few there are tonight who, looking back on these last seven months, would doubt that the British and French peoples were right to draw the sword of justice and of retribution. Fewer still there are who would wish to sheathe it till sombre righteous work is done.’

‘All the world that is still free marvels at the composure and fortitude with which the citizens of London are facing and surmounting the great ordeal to which they are subjected, the end of which or the severity of which cannot yet be foreseen. It is a message of good cheer to our fighting forces on the seas, in the air, and in our waiting armies in all their posts and stations, that we send them from this capital city. They know that they have behind them a people who will not flinch or weary of the struggle – hard and protracted though it will be; but that we shall rather draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival, and of a victory won not only for our own time, but for the long and better days that are to come.’

‘My heart bled for London and Londoners… The courage, the unconquerable grit and stamina of the Londonders showed itself from the very outset…. If the storm is to be renewed London will be ready, London will not flinch, London can take it again.’