1. A House Divided
p. 2: You have sat . . . go!: Leo Amery’s speech at Norway Debate: Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 7 May 1940, vol. 360, cc.1140–51.
p. 3: heart-broken and shrivelled: R. R. James (ed.), Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1993), p. 245.
p. 4: Its heart is troubled . . . apprehensive: Arthur Greenwood: Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 7 May 1940, vol. 360, cc.1171–2.
p. 4: shocking story of ineptitude: Admiral Sir Roger Keyes: ibid., cc.1127–8.
pp. 4–5: It is not Norway . . . attack Norway: Clement Attlee: ibid., cc.1093–4.
p. 5: The P.M. is very depressed . . . ever since: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), 6 May 1940, p. 91.
p. 5: indicate whether . . . conduct of affairs: Herbert Morrison: Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 8 May 1940, vol. 360, cc.1265.
p. 6: all talking about . . . the leadership: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 93: Sir Samuel Hoare (Minister for Air), Sir John Simon (Chancellor), Sir Kingsley Wood (Lord Privy Seal).
p. 7: jumped up ‘ . . . in the Lobby’: Hugh Dalton, The Fateful Years: Memoirs 1931–1945 (Frederick Muller, London, 1937), p. 305.
p. 7: the worst strategic . . . seals of office: David Lloyd George: Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 8 May 1940, vol. 360, c.1283.
p. 8: I am so glad . . . eye opener: National Library of Wales, Lady Olwen Carey-Evans Papers 122/14a, MLG to Mrs PHG, 15 May 1940.
p. 8: considerable pain: Neville Chamberlain diary, 16 June 1940 (Neville Chamberlain Papers, University of Birmingham).
p. 9: I take complete . . . of the burden: Winston S. Churchill: Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 8 May 1940, vol. 360, cc.1251–1366.
p. 9: The right hon. . . . his colleagues: Lloyd George, HC Deb Series 5, 8 May 1940, vol. 360, c.1283.
pp. 10–11: We watched . . . best for England: James (ed.), Chips, pp. 246–7.
p. 11: you utterly . . . last night: Roy Jenkins, Churchill: A Biography (Macmillan, London, 2001).
p. 11: disgusting . . . Hitler’s next move: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 93.
p. 12: rumour and intrigue, plot and counter-plot: James (ed.), Chips, p. 248.
p. 12: made it clear . . . take over: Andrew Roberts, The Holy Fox: A Biography of Lord Halifax (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1991), p. 245, based on ‘private information’.
p. 13: he thought . . . in the Government: Lord Halifax, diary, 9 May 1940, Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A7/8/4, p. 113.
p. 13: if it were . . . House of Commons: Ibid.
p. 13: The conversation . . . to do it: Ibid., p. 114.
pp. 13–14: He [Halifax] told me . . . Prime Minister: R. A. Butler, The Art of the Possible: The Memoirs of Lord Butler, K.G., C.H. (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1971), p. 84.
p. 16: Naturally the only . . . to an end: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), p. 293.
p. 16: an attack . . . the question: Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 274.
p. 17: In March 1939 . . . at this juncture: D. R. Thorpe, Eden: The Life and Times of Anthony Eden, First Earl of Avon, 1897–1977 (Pimlico, London, 2004), p. 237.
p. 17: rehearsed to me . . . must be formed: The Rt Hon. The Earl of Avon, KG, PC, MC, The Eden Memoirs, vol. 2: The Reckoning (Cassell, London, 1965), p. 96.
p. 17: I will serve . . . the War: A. J. P. Taylor, Beaverbrook (Hamish Hamilton, London, 1972), p. 409.
pp. 17–18: that if asked . . . I seconded it: Avon, Reckoning, pp. 96–7.
p. 18: he would happily . . . either man: Lord Halifax, diary, p. 114.
p. 19: stomach ache continued . . . really mattered: Lord Halifax, diary, p. 115
p. 19: suitable expression . . . my view: Ibid.
p. 19: ‘Can you see’ . . . Armistice Day: Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. 1: The Gathering Storm (The Folio Society, London, 2000), pp. 522–3.
p. 20: Chief Whip . . . steady Winston: David Dilks (ed.), The Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan, O.M. (Cassell, London, 1971), 9 May 1940, p. 280; Roberts, Holy Fox.
p. 20: nothing in particular: Churchill, Gathering Storm, p. 522.
p. 20: hoped NC . . . of [the] party: Avon, Eden Memoirs, p. 97.
p. 21: I felt as if . . . not fail: Churchill, Gathering Storm, pp. 525–6.
2. The Social Wastrel
p. 25: fell in love with her at first sight: Winston S. Churchill, My Early Life (Eland, London, 2000), author’s preface.
p. 25: My mother . . . at a distance: Ibid., p. 13.
p. 26: My father died . . . his memory: Churchill, My Early Life, p. 70.
p. 27: After all . . . all lessons: Ibid., pp. 17–18.
p. 27: a most delightful man . . . into [his] bones: Ibid., p. 24.
pp. 28–9: 9 August 1893 . . . Randolph S.C.: Randolph S. Churchill (ed.), The Churchill Documents, vol. 1: Youth 1874–1896 (Heinemann, London, 1967), pp. 390–91.
p. 30: I am all . . . there again: Churchill, My Early Life, p. 47.
p. 30: exceeded in severity . . . military equitation: Ibid., p. 71
p. 30: She still knew . . . I had lived: Ibid., p. 80.
p. 31: the closing decade . . . live my life: Ibid., p. 83.
p. 32: When first . . . Treasure Island: Ibid., p. 85.
p. 32: keenest realization . . . our own: Ibid., p. 110.
p. 33: resolved to read . . . standard works: Ibid., p. 117.
p. 33: embarked on that . . . strong wind: Ibid., p. 118.
p. 34: know rest only . . . resist it: Winston S. Churchill, Savrola: A Tale of the Revolution in Laurania (George Newnes, London, 1908), p. 32.
p. 36: believed in . . . over Oldham: Roy Jenkins, Churchill: A Biography (Macmillan, London, 2001), p. 65.
p. 36: who was for . . . swore his fealty: Ibid., p. 71.
p. 37: I was all . . . retrenchment and reform: Churchill, My Early Life, p. 374.
pp. 37–8: put in an appearance . . . the Liberals: Violet Bonham-Carter, Winston Churchill: An Intimate Portrait (Harcourt, Brace & World, New York, 1965), p. 89.
pp. 42–3: I thought of the peril . . . next day: Winston S. Churchill, The World Crisis, 1911–1918 (Macmillan, London, 1931), p. 46.
p. 43: the Germans that . . . build more: Jenkins, Churchill, p. 220.
p. 44: foremost enemy: Ibid., p. 232.
p. 44: For many in Britain . . . unthinkable: Michael Shelden, Young Titan: The Making of Winston Churchill (Simon & Schuster, New York, 2013), p. 296.
p. 44: The lamps . . . in our lifetime: Viscount Grey of Falloden, Twenty-Five Years 1892–1916, vol. II (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1925), p. 223.
p. 45: and undertake command . . . Antwerp: Winston S. Churchill to Herbert Asquith, 5 October 1914, cited in Martin Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, vol. III: The Challenge of War, 1914–1916 (Minerva, London, 1971), p. 163.
p. 46: evolving army-based plan: Timothy Travers, Gallipoli 1915 (Tempus, Stroud, 2001), p. 23.
p. 46: seething cauldron: Jenkins, Churchill, p. 260.
p. 48: I am finished! . . . Germans: Gilbert, Challenge of War, p. 457.
p. 48: thought he would die of grief: Ibid., p. 473.
p. 48: If you throw Winston . . . Government: Ibid., p. 459.
p. 49: the German shell-fire . . . constant hazard: Martin Gilbert, Churchill: A Life (Heinemann, London, 1991), p. 346.
pp. 49–50: To be great . . . requires explanation: Mary Soames (ed.), Winston and Clementine: The Personal Letters of the Churchills (Houghton Mifflin, Boston, p. 198), p. 198.
p. 50: belief that will . . . task envisaged: Jenkins, Churchill, p. 351.
p. 51: I’m forever blowing . . . mortal pain: Mary Soames, Clementine Churchill (Doubleday, London, 2002), p. 202.
pp. 51–2: did not indulge . . . with life: Ibid.
p. 52: His ‘life seat’ . . . in his hands: Jenkins, Churchill, p. 375.
p. 53: This fulfils . . . splendid Office: Gilbert, Churchill: A Life, p. 465.
p. 56: The Indian issue . . . three years: Jenkins, Churchill, p. 440.
p. 57: [a]ll these bands . . . the Fatherland: Winston S. Churchill, speech to House of Commons, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 23 November 1932, vol. 272, cc.73–92.
p. 57: Germany got off lightly . . . Great War: Ibid., 13 April 1933, vol. 276, cc.2786–800.
pp. 57–8: that she [Germany] . . . their birth: Ibid.
p. 58: Hitler himself claimed . . . communism: Martin Gilbert, The Roots of Appeasement (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1966), p. 143.
p. 61: My heart sank . . . vision of Death: Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. 1: The Gathering Storm (The Folio Society, London, 2000), p. 231.
p. 61: I predict that . . . stand alone: Winston S. Churchill, speech to House of Commons, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 22 February 1938, vol. 332, cc.235–48.
p. 62: Hitler angry that . . . the proposal: Gilbert, Roots of Appeasement, p. 175.
p. 62: tell Germany . . . war with her: Lord Halifax, referring to a conversation between himself, Churchill and Neville Chamberlain, CAB 23/95/5.
p. 62: symbolic of the desire . . . war again: Chamberlain returns from Munich with Anglo-German agreement, 30 September 1938, BBC National Programme 1938-09-30 (BBC Archive Recording, Feston Airport, Hounslow, West London).
pp. 63–4: I will . . . begin . . . olden time: Winston S. Churchill, speech to House of Commons, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 5 October 1938, vol. 339, cc.359–74.
3. A Leader Falls
p. 67: I think I shall . . . tomorrow: Randolph S. Churchill recollection, dictated at Stour, East Bergholt, 13 February 1963, cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 1: At the Admiralty: September 1939–May 1940 (Heinemann, London, 1993), p. 1266.
p. 67: Boxes with telegrams . . . Foreign Office: Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. I, The Gathering Storm (The Folio Society, London, 2000), p. 523.
pp. 67–8: spirit, so far from . . . morning ride: Samuel Hoare, Nine Troubled Years (Collins, London, 1954), pp. 431–2.
p. 68: could not get out . . . for security: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), 10 May 1940, p. 301.
p. 68: It is reported . . . invaded Holland: BBC Home Service, 7 a.m. bulletin, Friday, 10 May 1940.
p. 69: the German hordes . . . beating the enemy: Randolph S. Churchill, in Gilbert, At the Admiralty, pp. 1269–70.
p. 70: the whole plan . . . move quickly: CAB 65/7/9.
p. 70: withhold his resignation . . . was finished: Hoare, Nine Troubled Years, p. 432; Churchill, Gathering Storm, p. 523.
p. 70: Newspaper headlines, 10 May 1940: Daily Express, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph.
p. 73: on the contrary . . . confront it: Churchill, Gathering Storm, p. 523.
p. 73: Ironside informed . . . Albert Canal: CAB 65/7/10.
pp. 73–4: along the Meuse . . . airmen in trouble: Philip Warner, The Battle of France, 10 May–22 June 1940: Six Weeks Which Changed the World (Cassell, London, 1990), pp. 50–52.
p. 74: open towns in Belgium: CAB 69/1.
p. 74: in the event . . . speed into Belgium: Lionel Hastings, Baron Ismay, The Memoirs of General the Lord Ismay K.G., P.C., G.C.B., C.H., D.S.O. (Heinemann, London, 1960), p. 123.
p. 74: that if the accumulated . . . in Germany: CAB 83/3/12.
p. 75: psychological effect of . . . 24 hours: CAB 65/7/11.
pp. 75–6: The Labour Party . . . the nation: Ibid.
p. 76: in the light . . . that evening: Ibid.
p. 76: Although [he] . . . last-minute approaches: Andrew Roberts, The Holy Fox: A Biography of Lord Halifax (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1991), p. 280.
pp. 76–7: How grossly unfairly . . . to send for: Sir John Wheeler-Bennett, King George VI: His Life and Reign (Macmillan, London, 1958), p. 444.
p. 77: It is a terrible risk . . . the prospect: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), p. 96.
p. 78: During these tense . . . as possible: Mary Soames, Clementine Churchill (Cassell, London, 1979), ch. 19.
p. 78: the public had not . . . Palace gates: Churchill, Gathering Storm, p. 525.
pp. 78–9: His majesty received . . . certainly do so: Ibid.
p. 79: full of fire . . . Prime Minister: Wheeler-Bennett, King George VI, p. 444.
p. 79: God alone knows . . . do our best: Ex-Detective Inspector W. H. Thompson, I was Churchill’s Shadow (Christopher Johnson, London, 1951), p. 37.
p. 80: [T]his sudden coup . . . half-breed American: Colville, Fringes of Power, pp. 96–7.
p. 80: My dear Neville . . . Winston S. Churchill: Winston S. Churchill to Neville Chamberlain, 19 February, cited in Gilbert, At the Admiralty, p. 1285.
p. 81: It gives me so much . . . the master: Churchill to Lord Halifax, cited in Gilbert, At the Admiralty, p. 1285.
p. 82: had known both . . . Liberal Oppositions: Churchill, Gathering Storm, p. 526.
p. 82: Minister of Defence . . . scope and powers: Ibid.
pp. 83–4: Early this morning . . . and overthrown: Neville Chamberlain, resignation speech, 10 May 1940. BBC broadcast on the British Library’s Sound Server.
pp. 84–5: During these last . . . than dreams: Churchill, Gathering Storm, pp. 526–7.
4. The Holy Fox
p. 87: I don’t understand . . . ‘noblesse oblige’: R. R. James (ed.), Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1993), p. 249.
p. 88: a paragon amongst women: Andrew Roberts, The Holy Fox: A Biography of Lord Halifax (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1991), p. 12.
pp. 88–9: I have no desire . . . a gentleman: Ben Pimlott (ed.), The Second World War Diary of Hugh Dalton (Jonathan Cape, London, 1985), 14 November 1940, p. 101.
p. 89: aloof, serious, devout, . . . ‘Holy Fox’: Andrew Muldoon, Empire, Politics and the Creation of the 1935 India Act: Last Act of the Raj (Routledge, London, 2016), p. 44. Also cited in Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 6.
p. 90: to affect your judgement: Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 51.
p. 90: catalogue of errors and disasters: Ibid., p. 53.
p. 90: carried himself . . . wasn’t one: Ibid., p. 63.
p. 91: that our policy . . . of acceptance: CAB 23/83, 10 March 1936.
p. 92: improve our contacts . . . criticism of Germany: CAB 23/87/3, 13 January 1937.
p. 93: confine himself . . . and Czechoslovakia: The Rt Hon. The Earl of Avon KG, PC, MC, The Eden Memoirs, vol. 1: Facing the Dictators (Cassell, London, 1965), p. 509.
p. 93: possible alterations . . . and Czechoslovakia: Ibid., p. 515. Also cited in Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A4 410 3 3.
p. 94: both personally and . . . feel the same!: Halifax to Baldwin, 15 November 1937, Baldwin Papers, 173/61.
p. 94: there was much . . . fully informed: Halifax Papers, A4 410 3 3.
p. 95: struck me as . . . everything he said: Ibid.
p. 95: His personality . . . at Chatsworth: Ibid.
p. 95: The Germans had . . . their country: CAB 23/90/43, 24 November 1937.
p. 96: the British people . . . to merge: Alan Bullock (ed.), The Ribbentrop Memoirs (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1954), p. 84.
p. 96: a man of uncertain . . . opinions: Martin Gilbert, The Roots of Appeasement (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1966), p. 182.
p. 97: in the possibility . . . been swept: Ibid.
pp. 97–8: [Halifax] made the . . . catastrophic: Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 66.
pp. 98–9: I spent an hour . . . for himself: Ambassador Joseph Kennedy to Cordell Hull, US Secretary of State, FRUS, 1938, 1:722, 12 October 1938.
p. 99: The happenings in . . . very difficult: CAB 27/624/32, 14 November 1938.
p. 99: ultimate end . . . be uncertain: CAB 23/96/59 (38), 15 December 1938.
p. 100: for some time: Keir Papers, cited in Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 191.
pp. 100–101: On our way home . . . being raped: The Earl of Halifax, Fulness of Days (Collins, London, 1957), p. 215.
p. 101: that there was a rational . . . solutions: Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 157.
5. The Great ‘Dictator’
p. 105: you and Edward . . . directing the war: Winston S. Churchill to Neville Chamberlain, 11 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/11, and Chamberlain’s reply. Cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 2: Never Surrender: May 1940–December 1940 (William Heinemann, London, 1993).
pp. 105–6: long interview . . . Winston considerably: Kevin Jefferys, War and Reform: British Politics during the Second World War (Manchester University Press, Manchester, 1994), p. 42.
p. 107: the Labour People . . . House of Commons: Lord Halifax, diary, 11 May 1940, Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A7/8/4, p. 119.
p. 107: About one o’clock . . . were announced: R. R. James (ed.), Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1993), 11 May 1940, p. 251.
pp. 107–8: always [being] particularly . . . indiscretions: Ruth Ive, The Woman Who Censored Churchill (History Press, Stroud, 2008), p 56.
p. 108: [w]e want all . . . pull us through: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), 11 May 1940, p. 303.
p. 108: Attlee and Greenwood . . . on intellect: Lord Halifax, diary, 11 May 1940, p. 119.
p. 108: [i]t is the personalities . . . much else: Neville Chamberlain to Winston S. Churchill, 11 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/11, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 109: The Queen spoke . . . administrative methods: Lord Halifax, diary, 11 May 1940, pp. 119–20.
p. 109: War Cabinet announced . . . Awful: Charles Stuart (ed.), The Reith Diaries (Collins, London, 1975), 11 May 1940, p. 250.
p. 110: By the time . . . possible delay: Winston S. Churchill to Sir John Reith, Churchill Papers, 2/398, 12 May 1940, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 110: this night-life is no good to me: Lord Halifax, diary, 11 May 1940, p. 120.
p. 110: The meeting Winston . . . subject: Ibid., p. 121.
p. 111: certain air of ‘malaise’ . . . is depressing: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), 14 May 1940, p. 103.
pp. 111–12: stomach queasy . . . line of the Dyle: Sir John Sinclair: recollection, 12 May 1940, Davy Papers, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 112: two-thirds full . . . cloakroom below: Sonia Purnell, First Lady: The Life and Wars of Clementine Churchill (Aurum Press, London, 2015), p. 149.
p. 112: ‘Don’t come in!’ . . . wanted to say: Chips Gemmell, TV interview, in Martin Gilbert, The Complete Churchill, part 4: Never Despair (A & E Home Video, 1992).
pp. 112–13: porpoise-like quality . . . lukewarm seawater: Roy Jenkins, Churchill: A Biography (Macmillan, London, 2001), p. 712.
p. 113: robed like a Roman . . . his bedroom: Mary Soames, Clementine Churchill (Cassell, London, 1979), p. 293.
p. 113: [f]ollowing his ablutions . . . ‘don’t look!’: Purnell, First Lady, p. 149.
p. 113: I am coming out . . . watch it!: Elizabeth Gilliatt, TV interview, in Gilbert, Never Despair.
p. 113: just like a rather nice pig: Colville, Fringes of Power, 16 June 1940.
p. 114: A book on Churchill . . . hugely amusing: Joseph Goebbels, diary, cited in Michael Paterson, Winston Churchill: Personal Accounts of the Great Leader at War (David & Charles, 2005), 3 May 1941, p. 26.
p. 115: raffish worlds: David Cannadine, Aspects of Aristocracy: Grandeur and Decline in Modern Britain (New Haven, Conn./London, Yale University Press, 1994), p. 147.
p. 115: I found complete chaos . . . I doubt: Lord Hankey to Sir Samuel Hoare, 12 May 1940, Beaverbrook Papers, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 116: two or three days . . . ‘ . . . a long time’: Lionel Hastings, Baron Ismay, The Memoirs of General the Lord Ismay K.G., P.C., G.C.B., C.H., D.S.O. (Heinemann, London, 1960), p. 116.
6. Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat
p. 120: Absurdly dramatic . . . regular ovation: R. R. James (ed.), Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1993), 13 May 1940, p. 252.
pp. 121–3: I beg to move . . . united strength: Winston S. Churchill, speech to the House of Commons, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 13 May 1940, vol. 360, cc. 1501–3.
p. 124: was not well received: James (ed.), Chips, p. 252.
p. 124: I congratulate the country . . . all time: David Lloyd George, Hansard, Conduct of the War, HC Deb Series 5, 8 May 1940, vol. 360, cc.1510–12.
p. 124: mop[ped] his eyes: Harold Nicolson, Diaries and Letters 1930–1964, ed. Stanley Olson (Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1980), p. 183.
p. 124: only references . . . raised enthusiasm: James (ed.), Chips, p. 252.
p. 124: [v]ery short . . . but to the point: Nicolson, Diaries and Letters, p. 183.
p. 124: brilliant little speech: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), p. 102.
p. 124: The new PM spoke . . . dramatically: James (ed.), Chips, p. 252.
pp. 125–6: I entered the presence . . . this afternoon: The Rt Hon. Malcolm MacDonald, Titans and Others (Collins, London, 1982), pp. 94–5.
p. 126: the composition . . . or to hurry: John Colville, in Action This Day: Working With Churchill, ed. Sir John Wheeler-Bennett (Macmillan, London, 1968), p. 69.
p. 126: Rhetorical power . . . by practice: Winston S. Churchill, ‘The Scaffolding of Rhetoric’, Churchill Papers, CHAR 8/13.
p. 126: sudor et sanguis: Livy, The fifth, sixth and seventh Books of Livy’s History of Rome. A literal translation from the text of Madvig, with historical introduction, summary to each book and . . . notes, by a First-classman (J. Thornton, Oxford, 1879), pp. 157, 283.
p. 127: That ’tis in vain . . . or blood: John Donne, An Anatomy of the World. A facsimile of the first edition, 1611. With a postscript by Geoffrey Keynes (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1951).
p. 127: Year after year . . . why? for rent!: Lord Byron, Age of Bronze, IV: ‘Satiric – The Landed Interest’ (London, 1823).
p. 127: Tears, sweat, blood . . . glorified now: Robert Browning, ‘Ixion’, in Jocoseria (1883).
p. 127: I offer neither pay . . . and death: ‘Offro fame, sete, marce forzate, battaglie e morte’, speech by Giuseppe Garibaldi, St Peter’s Square, Rome, 2 July 1849.
p. 127: Because of the blood . . . to triumph: Theodore Roosevelt, American Ideals, and Other Essays, Social and Political (G. P. Putnam’s Sons, New York, 1897), p. 260.
p. 127: only a question . . . blood and tears: Winston S. Churchill, London to Ladysmith via Pretoria (Longmans, Green, London, 1900), p. 96.
pp. 127–8: It will all seem . . . war comes: Winston S. Churchill, Saturday Evening Post, vol. 173, Issue 1, p. 29.
p. 128: [r]ecord the toils . . . endless plain: Winston S. Churchill, ‘The Eastern Front’, in The World Crisis, 1911–1918 (Macmillan, London, 1931), p. 17.
p. 128: follies in blood and toil: Winston S. Churchill, Marlborough: His Life and Times (Harrap, London, 1933), vol. 1, p. 217.
p. 128: new structures . . . being united: Winston S. Churchill, ‘Hope in Spain, 23 February 1939’, in Winston S. Churchill, Step by Step: Political Writings, 1936–1939 (Butterworth, London, 1939).
p. 128: the orator is . . . himself believe: Churchill, ‘Scaffolding of Rhetoric’.
p. 129: the repetition . . . sense of optimism: Richard Toye, The Roar of the Lion: The Untold Story of Churchill’s World War II Speeches (OUP, Oxford, 2013), p. 42.
p. 131: a series of vivid . . . be assailed: Churchill, ‘Scaffolding of Rhetoric’.
p. 131: [Mr. Fox] defies me . . . much energy: Winston S. Churchill, A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, vol 3: The Age of Revolution (Cassell, London, 1957), p. 296.
p. 132: the unreflecting . . . understandings: Churchill, ‘Scaffolding of Rhetoric’.
pp. 132–3: the art of working . . . delicate touch: Plutarch, Life of Pericles, citing Plato, Phaedrus, 271c, cited in Algis Valiunas, Churchill’s Military Histories: A Rhetorical Study (Oxford, Rowman & Littlefield, 2002).
p. 133: loudly cheered: Daily Telegraph, 14 May 1940, Evening Standard, 13 May 1940.
p. 133: he felt an air attack . . . the situation: CAB 65/7/15 and CAB 65/13/7, 13 May 1940. 285
7. The Worsening Situation
pp. 137–8: one lived with the battle . . . be done: Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. II: Their Finest Hour (Cassell, London, 1949), p. 11.
p. 139: we should not regard . . . in or not: CAB 65/7/16, 14 May 1940.
pp. 139–40: Germany intends to . . . not fail us: CAB 65/7/17, 14 May 1940.
p. 140: amphibious tanks . . . intentions of the French: Ibid.
p. 140: merchant vessels . . . being laid: Ibid.
p. 140: highest Fascist standing . . . go to war: Ibid.
p. 140: the most prudent course . . . that light: Ibid.
pp. 140–41: curious ugly dolphin . . . pills and powders: John Colville, Action This Day: Working With Churchill, ed. Sir John Wheeler-Bennett (Macmillan, London, 1968), p. 49; John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), p. 103.
p. 141: motley gathering appeared . . . Mr Kennedy: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 104.
p. 141: very excited mood: Churchill: telephone conversation with Paul Reynaud, Premier Papers, 3/188/1, cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 2, Never Surrender: May 1940–December 1940 (William Heinemann, London, 1993).
p. 142: the road to Paris . . . giving up: Ibid.
p. 142: He [Reynaud] must not . . . after 9 a.m.: Ibid.
p. 142: the situation was . . . now plugged: CAB 65/7/18, 15 May 1940.
p. 143: announcing the surrender . . . loss of life: Ibid.
p. 143: it should be made . . . particular area: Ibid.
p. 143: the situation had . . . the Netherlands: Ibid.
p. 144: The war is coming . . . economic means: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), 15 May 1940, p. 310.
p. 144: might be of some . . . Signor Mussolini: CAB 65/7/18.
p. 144: particulars of the . . . the situation: Ibid.
p. 145: a good deal shaken . . . was off him: Lord Halifax, diary, 11 May 1940, Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A7/8/4, p. 127.
pp. 145–6: Although I have . . . armed forces: Churchill to President Roosevelt, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 146: latest types of aircraft . . . all the same: Ibid.
p. 146: the visit of a United States . . . wishes and respect: Ibid.
p. 147: being built in and for the United States: Martin Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, vol. 6: Finest Hour, 1939–1941 (Heinemann, London, 1983), p. 344.
p. 147: we [America] could . . . Botwood [Newfoundland]: Ibid.
pp. 148–9: Now that I have . . . given by us: Churchill to Benito Mussolini, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 149: I reply to the . . . event whatsoever: Benito Mussolini to Churchill, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 150: there was no doubt . . . to launch: CAB 65/7/19, 16 May 1940.
p. 151: From the moment . . . the flames: Lionel Hastings, Baron Ismay, The Memoirs of General the Lord Ismay K.G., P.C., G.C.B., C.H., D.S.O. (Heinemann, London, 1960), p. 127.
p. 151: again emphasise . . . (i.e. six more) tomorrow: Churchill to the War Cabinet, Churchill Papers, 4/149, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 152: [Churchill was] delighted . . . received it: Ismay, Memoirs, pp. 128–9.
p. 153: had been faced . . . considerable degree: CAB 65/7/21, 17 May 1940.
p. 153: the life of the country . . . only 150 left: CAB 99/3, 16 May 1940.
pp. 153–4: we had bombarded . . . ground action: Ibid.
p. 154: of course giving every . . . take time: CAB 65/7/21, 17 May 1940.
p. 154: supreme emergency . . . the following day: CAB 65/13/11, 18 May 1940.
p. 154: You ought to have cried . . . with lies!: Colville, Fringes of Power, 19 May 1940, p. 108.
p. 154: a gruelling week . . . ( . . . eaten by foxes): John Colville, Man of Valour: The Life of Field-Marshal the Viscount Gort, VC, GCB, DSO, MVO, MC (Collins, London, 1972), p. 204.
p. 155: would be closely . . . our own Army: CAB 65/13/12, 19 May 1940.
pp. 155–6: After forty years . . . a small room: William Manchester, The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill, Defender of the Realm, 1940–1965 (Michael Joseph, London, 1983), Kindle edn, Loc. 1549.
pp. 156–60: I speak to you . . . ‘ . . . even so let it be’: Churchill, broadcast to the nation, 19 May 1940, Churchill Archives Centre, CHAR 9/176A-B.
p. 161: You have never . . . thank God for you: Anthony Eden to Churchill, Churchill Papers, 2/394, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 161: The PM gave a . . . everybody here: Captain Berkley, diary, Berkley Papers, 20 May 1940, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 161: I listened to your . . . lies on you: Earl Baldwin of Bewdley to Churchill, Churchill Papers, 20/1, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
8. Fear, Doubts and Pressures from Within
p. 165: It is always . . . enormous front: Lionel Hastings, Baron Ismay, The Memoirs of General the Lord Ismay K.G., P.C., G.C.B., C.H., D.S.O. (Heinemann, London, 1960), p. 129.
p. 166: already reached . . . continue the war: CAB 66/7/262, 18 May 1940.
p. 166: may give up the struggle: CAB 66/7/263, 18 May 1940.
p. 166: a telegram for those bloody Yankees: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), 19 May 1940, p. 109.
p. 166: soothing words: Ibid.
pp. 166–7: In no conceivable . . . German will: Churchill to President Roosevelt, 20 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 2: Never Surrender: May 1940–December 1940 (William Heinemann, London, 1993).
p. 167: in a state of indecision: CAB 65/7/27, 21 May 1940.
p. 167: lost his temper . . . completely beaten: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), 20 May 1940, p. 321.
p. 167: hundreds of thousands . . . French towns: CAB 65/7/27, 21 May 1940.
p. 168: In all the history . . . such mismanagement: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 110.
p. 168: not seen Winston so depressed: Ibid.
p. 168: in spite of his . . . his plan of war: Martin Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, vol. 6: Finest Hour, 1939–1941 (Heinemann, London, 1983), p. 57.
pp. 168–9: there were at Calais . . . the town: Supreme War Council minutes, CAB 99/3, 22 May 1940.
p. 169: there could be no . . . certain disaster: Ibid.
p. 169: not entirely satisfactory: Ibid.
p. 169: on a note of restrained optimism: Ismay, Memoirs, p. 130.
p. 169: almost in buoyant . . . by Weygand: Macleod and Kelly (eds.), Ironside Diaries, p. 328.
p. 169: lost a chance . . . and ammunition: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 111.
pp. 169–70: really worried . . . to that extent: Ibid.
p. 170: observed that . . . time to mount: CAB 65/13/15, 22 May 1940.
p. 170: were not prepared . . . doing so: Ibid.
p. 170: seemed to me . . . means to mount it: The Rt Hon. The Earl of Avon KG, PC, MC, The Eden Memoirs, vol. 2: The Reckoning (Cassell, London, 1965), p. 108.
p. 170: very much larger . . . become so critical: CAB 65/7/3, 23 May 1940.
p. 171: the whole success . . . of doing so: Ibid.
p. 171: seething mass . . . completely demoralised: Ibid.
p. 171: in danger of falling . . . Channel Ports: Ibid.
pp. 171–2: Signor Mussolini . . . declare war: Ibid.
p. 172: renews and reiterates . . . ‘Yes, Sir’: Mr Gurney Braithwaite to Churchill, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 23 May 1940, vol. 361, c330W.
p. 173: the Germans were . . . yet begun: Gilbert, Finest Hour, pp. 384–5.
p. 173: there was no reason . . . way to elation: John Colville, Man of Valour: The Life of Field-Marshal the Viscount Gort, VC, GCB, DSO, MVO, MC (Collins, London, 1972), p. 213.
p. 173: [T]he reason for . . . ‘ . . . if they did’: Jock Colville in conversation with Martin Gilbert, 21 January 1981: Gilbert, Finest Hour, p. 385.
pp. 173–4: been giving further . . . General Weygand’s plan: CAB 65/7/31, 23 May 1940.
p. 174: The Prime Minister . . . probably be immense: King George VI, diary, 23 May 1940, cited in John Wheeler-Bennett, King George VI: His Life and Reign (Macmillan, London, 1958), p. 456.
pp. 174–5: War is usually . . . received no directive: Telegram from Churchill to General Weygand, 24 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 175: no (repeat no) . . . serious attack: Ibid.
p. 175: We have not here . . . at earliest?: Ibid.
p. 175: time is vital as supplies are short: Telegram from Churchill to Reynaud, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 176: President Roosevelt . . . opposite sides: CAB 65/7/32, 24 May 1940.
p. 176: that a reply . . . on these lines: Ibid.
p. 177: The only effect of . . . on its front: Churchill to General Ismay, Churchill Papers, 4/150, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 177: German tanks . . . town and the sea: CAB 69/1–24 May 1940.
p. 178: Reinforcements urgent . . . not overwhelmed: ‘Narrative of operations conducted from Dover May 21–26, 1940: Calais’ (the Calais war diary), in NA/PRO ADM 199/795, cited in Hugh Sebag-Montefiore, Dunkirk (Viking, London, 2006), p. 228.
p. 178: You must comply . . . and fight on: Calais war diary, NA/PRO WO 106/1693 and 1750, cited in Sebag-Montefiore, Dunkirk, p. 3.
p. 178: all regular troops, and I need not say more: Ibid., NA/PRO WO 106/1697.
p. 178: Pray find out . . . fight to the end: Churchill to Anthony Eden and General Ironside, 25 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 4/150, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
pp. 178–9: To Brigadier Nicholson . . . British name: Calais war diary, NA/PRO WO 106/1750, 25 May 1940, cited in Sebag-Montefiore, Dunkirk, p. 230.
p. 180: [an] Italian diplomat . . . with a rebuff: CAB 65/7/33, 25 May 1940.
p. 180: very likely nothing . . . their own policy: Ibid.
p. 180: If it was to honour . . . event whatsoever: Benito Mussolini to Churchill, 18 May 1940, cited in Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. II, Their Finest Hour (Cassell, London, 1949), pp. 107–8.
pp. 180–81: to an approach . . . of weakness: CAB 65/7/33.
p. 181: it was very . . . bargaining position: Ibid.
p. 181: the public don’t grasp the situation at all: David Dilks (ed.), The Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan O.M., 1938–1945 (Cassell, London, 1971), 23 May 1940, p. 288.
p. 181: STAY IN PARIS . . . ALLIED FORCES: Manchester Guardian, 25 May 1940.
p. 181: ALLIES POUNDING . . . STRONGLY DEFENDED: News of the World, 26 May 1940.
p. 182: FRANCE SACKS . . . ‘ . . . THE ENEMY’: Sunday Express, 26 May 1940.
p. 182: NAZIS CLAIM ALLIED . . . ENEMY LOSSES: People, 26 May 1940.
p. 182: NAVY GOES INTO ACTION . . . SHELLS ENEMY: Daily Mail, 27 May 1940.
p. 182: ‘ENORMOUS’ GERMAN . . . HELD TO-DAY: Evening Standard, 27 May 1940.
p. 182: FIGHTING IN THE . . . ARMOURED DIVISIONS: Daily Express, 27 May 1940.
p. 183: the march to the sea: Churchill, Their Finest Hour, p. 66.
p. 183: be prepared . . . Expeditionary Force: CAB 63/13/20, 26 May 1940.
p. 183: we had to face . . . our own Empire: Ibid.
p. 184: Mussolini’s principal . . . peace in Europe: Ibid.
p. 184: we should naturally . . . were assured: Ibid.
p. 184: [P]eace and security . . . rights and power: Ibid.
pp. 184–5: a powerful lever . . . separate peace: Ibid.
p. 185: the Germans would . . . with England: Ibid.
p. 185: our ability to carry . . . out of gear: Ibid.
p. 186: while he would obey . . . in the Mediterranean: CAB 65/13/21, 26 May 1940.
p. 186: we were not prepared . . . in the war: Ibid.
p. 187: stick things out . . . entirely different: Ibid.
p. 187: the last thing that . . . have to consider: Ibid.
p. 188: too rambling and . . . and temperamental: Dilks (ed.), Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan, 23 May 1940, p. 288.
p. 188: it was incredible . . . jump at it: Neville Chamberlain, diary, 26 May 1940, cited in David Reynolds, ‘Churchill and the British “Decision” to Fight on in 1940: Right Policy, Wrong Reasons’, in Richard Langhorne (ed.), Diplomacy and Intelligence during the Second World War (Cambridge and New York, CUP, 2003), p. 152.
pp. 188–9: In the discussion . . . cession of territory: CAB 65/13/23, 27 May 1940.
p. 189: there was no limit . . . had her way: CAB 63/13/21, 26 May 1940.
p. 190: at the same time . . . serious fighting: Ibid.
p. 190: perhaps rather more . . . harm in trying: Ibid.
p. 191: take a line independent . . . point of view: Ibid.
p. 191: thought it was best . . . of the Force: Ibid.
p. 192: no such option . . . must part company: Ibid.
p. 192: At the same time . . . Signor Mussolini: Ibid.
p. 193: if Paris was likely . . . serve any purpose?: Ibid.
p. 193: found that we could . . . not accept them: Ibid.
p. 194: He has a hundred . . . downright dangerous: Cited in Nassir Ghaemi, A First-Rate Madness: Uncovering the Links between Leadership and Mental Illness, Penguin Books, London, 2011, p. 61.
p. 195: The Prime Minister . . . French coast: CAB 65/7/26, 20 May 1940.
p. 196: hurling himself about . . . never give in: Captain Berkley, diary, Berkley Papers, 26 May 1940, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 196: Operation Dynamo is to commence: Signal sent from the Admiralty, cited in L. F. Ellis, The War in France and Flanders, 1939–1940 (London, HMSO, 1953), p. 182; Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 196: fight it out until the bitter end: Ismay, Memoirs, p. 131.
p. 197: one of the most painful of the war: The Rt Hon. The Earl of Avon, KG, PC, MC, The Eden Memoirs, vol. 2: The Reckoning (Cassell, London, 1965), p. 109.
p. 197: unusually silent during . . . evident distaste: Ismay, Memoirs, p. 131.
p. 197: I feel physically sick: Ibid.
9. Cabinet Crisis and Leadership
p. 201: a bad situation . . . approaching Dunkirk: Vice-Admiral Somerville to Churchill, 7.15 a.m., 27 May 1940, Premier Papers, 3/175, cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 2: Never Surrender: May 1940–December 1940 (William Heinemann, London, 1993).
p. 201: the King of the Belgians . . . with Germany: CAB 65/7/36, 27 May 1940.
p. 201: transferred themselves . . . the struggle: Ibid.
p. 201: considered that the . . . Hitler’s protection: Ibid.
p. 202: impress on him . . . present choice: Churchill to Roger Keyes, 27 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 202: ‘[W]e are asking . . . themselves for us: Churchill to Lord Gort, 27 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/14, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 202: we should cede . . . our war debt: CAB 65/7/36, 27 May 1940.
p. 202: an offer of this kind . . . our security: Ibid.
p. 202: The United States . . . own defence: Ibid.
pp. 202–3: issue a general . . . of defeat: CAB 65/13/22, 27 May 1940.
p. 203: what are the . . . next meeting: Churchill to Ismay, 27 May 1940, Churchill Papers, 20/13, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 203: Cadogan: The Hon. Sir Alexander Cadogan, Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
p. 203: Sinclair: The Right Hon. Sir Archibald Sinclair, Bt, MP, Secretary of State for Air.
p. 203: Bridges: The Cabinet Secretary, Sir Edward Bridges.
p. 204: If Signor Mussolini . . . these wishes: CAB 66/7/50, 26 May 1940, ‘Suggested Approach to Signor Mussolini’.
p. 204: President Roosevelt . . . the Memorandum: CAB 65/13/23, 27 May 1940.
p. 204: nothing would come . . . failing ally: Ibid.
pp. 204–5: would encourage the . . . terms for us: Ibid.
p. 205: If it got out that . . . those approaches: Ibid.
pp. 205–6: He was increasingly . . . Nazi tyranny: Ibid.
p. 207: while he agreed . . . complete refusal: Ibid.
p. 207: it was generally . . . course to take: Ibid.
p. 207: it does drive one . . . and reason: Lord Halifax, diary, 27 May 1940, Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A7/8/3/, p. 142.
p. 208: profound differences of points of view: CAB 65/13/23, 27 May 1940.
p. 208: He could not . . . to disaster: Ibid.
pp. 208–9: On the present . . . avoidable disaster: Ibid.
p. 209: he would be . . . Cabinet Ministers: CAB 65/13/21, 26 May 1940.
p. 209: WC [Churchill] said . . . be content: Neville Chamberlain, diary, 26 May 1940, Neville Chamberlain Papers (University of Birmingham), 2/24A.
p. 210: Wars fought for ideas . . . much the better: Andrew Roberts, The Holy Fox: A Biography of Lord Halifax (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1991), p. 289.
p. 211: If Herr Hitler was . . . was one thing: CAB 65/13/23, 27 May 1940.
p. 211: It was quite . . . such offer: Ibid.
p. 212: The Foreign Secretary . . . discuss them?: Ibid.
p. 212: I thought Winston . . . would separate: Lord Halifax, diary, 27 May 1940, p. 142.
p. 214: surprised and mellowed: Ibid.
p. 214: that he would not . . . consider them: CAB 65/13/23, 27 May 1940.
p. 214: in good temper . . . on our own: Ibid.
p. 214: I can’t work with Winston any longer: David Dilks (ed.), The Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan O.M., 1938–1945 (Cassell, London, 1971), p. 291.
p. 214: Nonsense: his rodomontades . . . stress of that: Ibid.
p. 215: the hyperbole which . . . been avoidable: Roberts, Holy Fox, p. 298.
p. 215: full of apologies and affection: Lord Halifax, diary, 27 May 1940, p. 142.
p. 215: hoped he really . . . hasty decisions: Dilks (ed.), Dia-ries of Sir Alexander Cadogan, p. 291.
p. 215: The Cabinet are . . . and independence: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), 19 May 1940, p. 109.
p. 216: even more desperate . . . on the way: CAB 69/1, 27 May 1940.
p. 216: were now paying . . . was now faced: Ibid.
p. 216: telegraphed to his . . . 27th–28th May: Telephone conversation between Major-General Sir Edward Spears and Churchill, 27 May 1940, Cabinet Papers, 65/7, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 216: The Defence Committee . . . Belgian armistice: CAB 69/1, 27 May 1940.
pp. 216–17: importance of ensuring . . . through to Dunkirk: Ibid.
pp. 217–18: a statement should be issued . . . to do so: CAB 65/7/38, 27 May 1940.
p. 218: at midnight . . . went up to bed: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 109.
p. 218: a very black day: Lord Halifax, diary, 28 May 1940, p. 143.
p. 218: Belgian Government . . . cracked at once: CAB 65/7/39, 28 May 1940.
p. 219: All Belgian troops . . . will be overcome: Ibid.
p. 219: Considerable numbers . . . would be serious: Ibid.
p. 220: for a frank . . . short statement: Ibid.
pp. 220–21: The situation of the . . . our enemies: Churchill, Hansard, HC Deb Series 5, 28 May 1940, vol. 361, cc.421–2.
p. 221: [W]e have not yet . . . this country: Mr Lees-Smith, in ibid.
p. 221: the dignified statement . . . whole nation: Sir Percy Harris, in ibid.
p. 221: an atmosphere . . . impending doom: Roberts, The Holy Fox, p. 300.
p. 221: wholly negative reply: CAB 65/13/24, 28 May 1940.
p. 221: we should give a . . . mediation by Italy: Ibid.
pp. 221–2: clear that the French . . . this position: Ibid.
p. 222: that we should say . . . make to Italy: Ibid.
p. 222: the French were trying . . . this country: Ibid.
p. 223: wider aspect . . . consider such terms: Ibid.
p. 223: we must not ignore . . . months’ time: Ibid.
p. 223: Signor Mussolini . . . to us now: Ibid.
pp. 223–4: so wrong . . . offered to us: Ibid.
p. 224: [T]he nations which . . . as ultimate capitulation: Ibid.
p. 224: it was necessary . . . of the people: Ibid.
pp. 224–5: although grievous . . . present time: Ibid.
p. 225: one of the most . . . scenes of the war: Martin Gilbert, Winston S. Churchill, vol. 6: Finest Hour, 1939–1941 (Heinemann, London, 1983), p. 419.
pp. 227–9: In the afternoon . . . upon the ground: Ben Pimlott (ed.), The Second World War Diary of Hugh Dalton (Jonathan Cape, London, 1985), pp. 27–8.
p. 230: There occurred . . . all the people: Winston S. Churchill, The Second World War, vol. II, Their Finest Hour (Cassell, London, 1949), p. 88.
pp. 230–31: They had not expressed . . . so emphatically: CAB 65/13/24, 28 May 1940.
p. 231: Another Cabinet at 4 . . . last approach: Lord Halifax, diary, 28 May 1940, p. 144.
pp. 231–2: There was a white . . . end to end: Churchill, Their Finest Hour, p. 88.
10. ‘Fight on the beaches’
p. 233: the LUFTWAFFE . . . TWENTY-FIVE VESSELS: Douglas C. Dildy, Dunkirk 1940: Operation Dynamo (Osprey, Oxford, 2010), p. 9.
p. 235: magical . . . being sent to Rome: General Sir Edward Spears, Assignment to Catastrophe, 2 vols. (William Heinemann, London, 1954), vol. 1, p. 255.
pp. 235–6: In these dark days . . . and our Cause: Churchill to Cabinet ministers and senior officials, 29 May 1940, Premier Papers, 4/68/9, cited in Martin Gilbert, The Churchill War Papers, vol. 2: Never Surrender: May 1940 –December 1940 (William Heinemann, London, 1993).
p. 236: Italy’s entry into . . . and his alone: CAB 65/7/41, 29 May 1940.
p. 236: unpleasant: David Dilks (ed.), The Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan O.M., 1938–1945 (Cassell, London, 1971), p. 292.
pp. 236–7: definite guidance . . . the last resort: CAB 65/13/25, 29 May 1940.
p. 237: to continue the struggle . . . the Germans: Ibid.
p. 237: [He] was not altogether . . . from massacre: Ibid.
p. 237: [i]n a desperate situation . . . to Lord Gort: Ibid.
p. 238: A Commander . . . resistance and capitulation: Ibid.
pp. 238–9: Lord Gort might well . . . suggested by [Attlee]: Ibid.
p. 239: [a] horrible discussion . . . theatricality: Dilks (ed.), The Diaries of Sir Alexander Cadogan, p. 292.
pp. 239–40: essential that the . . . possible, arise: Churchill to Anthony Eden, General Ismay and General Dill, 29 May 1940, Premier Papers, 3/175, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 240: Your reports most . . . whatever they do: Churchill to General Spears, 29 May 1940, FO Papers, 800/312, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender, p. 000.
p. 240: If you are cut . . . in your hands: Churchill to Lord Gort, 29 May 1940, Premier Papers, 3/175, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender, p. 000.
p. 240: in great form: Colonel Roderick Macleod, DSO, MC, and Denis Kelly (eds.), The Ironside Diaries: 1937–1940 (Constable, London, 1962), p. 344.
p. 240: Winston’s ceaseless industry is impressive: John Colville, The Fringes of Power: Downing Street Diaries 1939–1955 (Hodder and Stoughton, London, 1985), p. 115.
p. 240: French troops to share . . . new BEF: Churchill to Reyanud , 29 May 1940, Premier Papers, 3/175, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
pp. 240–41: this is only . . . troops in France: Ibid.
p. 241: in all comradeship . . . frankly to me: Ibid.
p. 241: God bless you . . . with you myself: Captain Pim, recollection, 29 May 1940, Pim Papers, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 241: still soaking wet . . . our salvation: John Spencer-Churchill, Crowded Canvas (Odhams Press, London, 1961), pp. 162–3.
p. 241: fog was now . . . with the evacuation: CAB 65/7/43, 30 May 1940.
p. 242: General Weygand . . . all the difference: CAB 65/13/26, 30 May 1940.
p. 242: as we must . . . the present moment: Ibid.
p. 242: always preferred to see . . . at first hand: Lionel Hastings, Baron Ismay, The Memoirs of General the Lord Ismay K.G., P.C., G.C.B., C.H., D.S.O. (Heinemann, London, 1960), p. 136.
p. 242: [t]he British Army . . . could continue: CAB 69/1, 30 May 1940.
p. 242: irreparable harm: Ibid.
p. 243: straggling masses . . . they were able: Ex-Detective Inspector W. H. Thompson, I was Churchill’s Shadow (Christopher Johnson, London, 1951), p. 41.
p. 243: [h]e was brave . . . enter his mind: Ismay, Memoirs, p. 133.
pp. 243–4: up to noon on that day . . . to the British: CAB 99/3, 31 May 1940.
pp. 244–5: Dunkirk could not . . . from the North: Ibid.
pp. 245–6: He could not believe . . . a few days: Ibid.
p. 246: he entirely agreed . . . their history: Ibid.
p. 246: at a psychological . . . supreme value: Sir Ronald Campbell to Lord Halifax, 31 May 1940, Foreign Office Papers, 800/212, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
pp. 246–7: He handled the French . . . to bondage: Ibid.
p. 247: disorderly . . . it is irritating: Lord Halifax, diary, 30 May 1940, Halifax Papers (Borthwick Institute, York), A7/8/4, p. 146.
p. 247: typically intended . . . in the audience: definition of peroration, Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2017).
p. 248: The King says . . . France as well!: Ben Pimlott (ed.), The Second World War Diary of Hugh Dalton (Jonathan Cape, London, 1985), 31 May 1940, p. 31.
p. 248: Operation Dynamo . . . and expectation: Ismay, Memoirs, p. 135.
p. 248: Dunkirk was worth . . . United States: Lord Halifax, diary, 30 May 1940, p. 147.
p. 248: events were moving . . . United States: CAB 65/7/46, 1 June 1940.
p. 248: about sending the . . . to beat them: Colville, Fringes of Power, p. 115.
p. 248: I believe we shall . . . can be permitted: Churchill to Desmond Morton, Premier Papers, 7/2, cited in Gilbert, Never Surrender.
p. 249: emphasised the importance . . . naval losses: CAB 79/4, 1 June 1940.
p. 250: There are few grounds . . . the forces: Harold Nicolson, Diaries and Letters 1930–1964, ed. Stanley Olson (Penguin Books, Harmondsworth, 1984), 1 June 1940, p. 186.
p. 250: What will Europe . . . has overrun: Pimlott (ed.), Second World War Diary of Hugh Dalton, 3 June 1940, p. 34.
p. 250: Everything is conspiring . . . island people: R. R. James (ed.), Chips: The Diaries of Sir Henry Channon (Weidenfeld & Nicolson, London, 1993), 2 June 1940, p. 255.
pp. 250–51: Through all those terrible . . . Britain depended: Sir John Martin, Downing Street: The War Years (Bloomsbury, London, 1991), p. 5.
p. 251: a little rough on the French High Command: Anthony Eden to Churchill, 3 June 1940, Churchill Papers, CHAR 9/172/104.
p. 251: Even though the . . . more darkly: Churchill, speech notes for 4 June 1940, Churchill Papers, CHAR 9/172/23.
p. 252: express sympathy! . . . and missing: Ibid., CHAR 9/172/16.
p. 252: tremendous care . . . psalm form: Interview with Sir John Martin in 1973, BBC Archives, ‘Remembering Winston Churchill’, http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/churchill/11021.shtml.
p. 253: [a] miracle of deliverance . . . by evacuations: Churchill, Hansard, War Situation, HC Deb Series 4, 4 June 1940, vol. 361, cc.787–98.
p. 253: Could there have . . . thousand airmen: Ibid.
pp. 253–4: There had never . . . noble knight: Ibid.
p. 254: Continental tyrants: Ibid.
pp. 254–5: I have, myself . . . liberation of the old: Ibid.
p. 255: The speech was . . . were in tears: James (ed.), Chips, 2 June 1940, p. 255.
p. 255: who had the lion . . . give the roar: Churchill, speech to Westminster Hall, 30 November 1954, for his eightieth birthday, Churchill Papers, CHAR 5/56B/235.
p. 255: fight them on . . . behind Paris: Georges Clemenceau, speech in Paris, November 1918, cited in Donald McCormick, The Mask of Merlin: A Critical Study of David Lloyd George (Macdonald, London, 1963), p. 143.
p. 256: the orator is . . . the multitude: Winston S. Churchill ‘The Scaffolding of Rhetoric’, Churchill Papers, CHAR 8/13/1–13.
p. 256: vividly and directly . . . highly coloured: Winston S. Churchill, Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Great Speeches, ed. David Cannadine (Penguin Books, London/New York, 2007), Introduction, p. xxii.
pp. 256–7: Of all the talents . . . the direction: Churchill ‘Scaffolding of Rhetoric’.
Epilogue: If the Truth be Told
pp. 260–61: It will be found . . . write that history: Churchill, Hansard, Commons Sitting, HC Deb, 23 January 1948, vol. 446, cc.556–62.
p. 262: There is more . . . these hands: See e.g. Nigel Jones, ‘Churchill and Hitler: At Arms, at Easels’, History Today, vol. 64, Issue 5, May 2014.
p. 262: at once simple . . . deception or intrigue: Winston S. Churchill, Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat: The Great Speeches, ed. David Cannadine (Penguin Books, London/New York, 2007), Introduction, p. xxii.