Winston Churchill
‘We shall never surrender.’

Original vintage poster
50 x 34 cm

‘We shall not flag or fail, we shall go on to the end. 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.’

Winston Churchill’s ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ speech, delivered to the House of Commons on June 4, 1940, is one of the most famous speeches of World War II. It was given in the wake of the Dunkirk evacuation (Operation Dynamo), where over 300,000 British and Allied troops were successfully rescued from France as German forces advanced. In this speech, Churchill had to describe a great military disaster, and warn of a possible invasion attempt by Nazi Germany, without casting doubt on eventual victory. The simple repetition and rhythm are unforgettable and helped to cement Churchill’s reputation as an exceptional wartime leader.