History of Sorts

On June 18, 1940, Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill both gave speeches that instilled hope in the darkest hour. Some of their speeches of defiance still ring true today.

The Appeal of 18 June—Charles de Gaulle (Translated)

The appeal is often seen as the origin of the French Resistance to the German occupation during World War II. De Gaulle addressed the French people from London after the fall of France

“The leaders who, for many years, have been at the head of the French armies have formed a government. This government, alleging the defeat of our armies, has made contact with the enemy in order to stop the fighting. It is true that we were, we are, overwhelmed by the mechanical, ground, and air forces of the enemy. Infinitely more than their number, it is the tanks, the airplanes, and the tactics of the Germans that are causing us to retreat. It was the tanks, the airplanes, and the tactics of the Germans that surprised our leaders to the point of bringing them to where they are today.

“But has the last word been said? Must hope to disappear? Is defeat final? No!

“Believe me, I who am speaking to you with full knowledge of the facts and who tell you that nothing is lost for France. The same means that overcame us can bring us victory one day. For France is not alone! She is not alone! She is not alone! She has a vast Empire behind her. She can align with the British Empire, which holds the sea and continues the fight. She can, like England, use the immense industry of the United States without limiting it.

“This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the mistakes, all the delays, and all the suffering do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by mechanical force in the future—we will be able to overcome it with a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it.

“I, General de Gaulle, currently in London, invite the officers and French soldiers who are located in British territory or who might end up here, with their weapons or without their weapons, and the engineers and specialized workers of the armament industries who are located in British territory or who might end up here to contact me.

“Whatever happens, the flame of the French resistance must not be extinguished and will not be extinguished. Tomorrow, as today, I will speak on the radio from London.”

This Was Their Finest Hour—Winston Churchill (end of the speech)

The speech was delivered to the Commons at 3:49 pm and lasted 36 minutes. Churchill – as was his habit – made revisions to his 23-page typescript right up to and during the speech.

“Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization.

Upon it depends our own British life and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us.

Hitler knows that he will have to break us on this Island or lose the war.
If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.

Let us, therefore, brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that— if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.”

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