We shall fight on the beaches

The We shall fight on the beaches speech was a famous speech made by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the British Parliament on 4 June, 1940. It was given shortly after he took over (on 10 May) as Prime Minister of Britain, in the first year of World War II.

Related Topics:
Winston Churchill - House of Commons - British - Parliament - 4 June - 1940 - 10 May - Prime Minister of Britain - World War II

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It was the second of three famous speeches which he gave during the period of the Battle of France. This speech (and the two others, the "Blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech of 13 May, and the "This was their finest hour" speech of 18 June) were a great inspiration to the embattled United Kingdom as it entered what was probably the most dangerous phase of the entire war.

Related Topics:
Battle of France - Blood, toil, tears, and sweat - 13 May - This was their finest hour - 18 June - United Kingdom

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It was given in the wake of the withdrawal of the British Expeditionary Force from France at Dunkirk, after it was cut off by the massive German breakthrough at Sedan, France, and as France reeled, shortly to be overcome. In it he tried to temper the national euphoria engendered by this seemingly miraculous delivery (almost the entire army was rescued, a feat thought most improbable beforehand), and send a message to the rest of the world that there would be no negotiated settlement

Related Topics:
British Expeditionary Force - France - Dunkirk - German - Sedan, France

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The phrase "we shall fight them on the beaches" arose as a common misquotation from this speech.

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