Spinning Dunkirk

Page 5 of 9

• 1. Bad news
• 2. The people and the media
• 3. Government and the media
• 4. Shaping disaster
• 5. Men of valour
• 6. Day of National Prayer
• 7. 'Miracle' at Dunkirk
• 8. A very British story
• 9. Find out more
• Print entire article

Men of valour

In an anticipatory move, the Royal Navy had already begun moving destroyers and transports to the south east on the 15 May, though Churchill did not formally discuss the prospect of an evacuation in cabinet until Sunday 19 May. That evening he made his first radio broadcast to the British people since he had become prime minister. While he asserted that Britain and France would continue to fight together, he skilfully introduced the possibility that Britain might find itself fighting alone.

In this new situation:

' ... there will come the battle for our islands, for all that Britain is and all that Britain means. In that supreme emergency we shall not hesitate to take every step - even the most drastic - to call forth from our people the last ounce and inch of effort of which they are capable.'

In effect, Churchill had announced a policy of war to the death, something which he made explicit in his conclusion.

'Today is Trinity Sunday. Centuries ago words were written to be a call and a spur to the faithful servants of Truth and Justice: "Arm yourselves and be ye men of valour, and be in readiness for the conflict: for it is better for us to perish in battle than to look upon the outrage of our nation and our alters. As the Will of God is in Heaven, even so let Him do." '

Churchill's broadcast was heard by more than half the British population, and the following day was widely and favourably discussed in the press. It provided the context for the events of the next week. On Monday 20 May the German thrust reached the Channel coast, and on the following day British papers openly discussed the danger this posed to the rear of the BEF, still in western Belgium.

On 23 May Churchill announced in the House of Commons that heavy fighting was taking place in the Channel Ports, a speech which was widely reported on Thursday 24 May. In the meantime a series of defence measures had been promulgated, all with widespread approval from the press - Eden's formation of a 250,000 Volunteer Defence Force, the arrest of pacifists and fifth columnists, and the passage of the Defence of the Realm Act, which effectively suspended the constitution and provided for mass mobilisation.

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Published: 2004-02-06