Churchill on the Battle of France
In May 1940, Winston Churchill speaks on national radio for the first time as prime minister and calls for a struggle to the last breath against Nazi conquest and oppression.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Churchill on the Battle of France
Churchill on the Battle of FranceAudio Clip (7:38)
Audio Clip (7:38)
In May 1940, Winston Churchill speaks on national radio for the first time as prime minister and calls for a struggle to the last breath against Nazi conquest and oppression.
-
Winston Churchill Rallies British Citizens
Winston Churchill Rallies British CitizensAudio Clip (1:37)
Audio Clip (1:37)
In one of his greatest speeches, delivered first before the House of Commons on June 18, 1940, and then broadcast to the nation, Winston Churchill inspires his countrymen to soldier on after the fall of France, assuring them that if Great Britain upholds its duty to fight, "men will still say, 'This was their finest hour.' "
-
James Byrnes on the Postwar Treaty Talks in Paris
James Byrnes on the Postwar Treaty Talks in ParisAudio Clip (0:18)
Audio Clip (0:18)
Upon his return from the post-World War II Paris Peace Conference of 1946, Secretary of State James Byrnes discusses the few gains and many disappointments of the meeting.
-
Stanley Baldwin on the Impending World War
Stanley Baldwin on the Impending World WarAudio Clip (1:50)
Audio Clip (1:50)
Former British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin visited New York four months prior to the outbreak of World War II to discuss the international situation. He describes the British Empire's diminishing influence as a world power.
-
Anthony Eden on the Battle of Britain
Anthony Eden on the Battle of BritainAudio Clip (1:55)
Audio Clip (1:55)
On July 29, 1940, just weeks into the Battle of Britain, British Secretary of State Robert Anthony Eden calls upon the resolve and fortitude of the people to defend against the attacks on the British mainland that will be a turning point in the war.
-
Adolf Hitler on the Sudetenland Crisis
Adolf Hitler on the Sudetenland CrisisAudio Clip (3:04)
Audio Clip (3:04)
In 1938, Adolf Hitler began to support the demands of Germans living in the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia who were seeking closer ties with Germany. The Nazi leader delivers a speech revealing Germany's desire to unite the two countries.
-
Von Ribbentrop Addresses the German People
Von Ribbentrop Addresses the German PeopleAudio Clip (3:07)
Audio Clip (3:07)
On April 27, 1940, just two weeks before Nazi leader Adolf Hitler ordered an attack on the West, Nazi Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop addresses the German people about what he calls the "aggression" of England and France.
-
Chamberlain Secures Peace in Our Time
Chamberlain Secures Peace in Our TimeAudio Clip (1:08)
Audio Clip (1:08)
Seeking to avoid war in Europe, leaders from Britain, France and Italy signed the Munich Pact on September 29, 1938, agreeing to Hitler's demands and ceding Czechoslovakia to Germany. Upon his return to England the following day, the architect of the appeasement policy, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, declares "peace in our time."
-
Churchill Calls for Britain to Meet Nazi Threat
Churchill Calls for Britain to Meet Nazi ThreatAudio Clip (4:53)
Audio Clip (4:53)
In a speech delivered on November 16, 1934, Winston Churchill questions his country's policy of appeasing Hitler and raises concerns over the rising power of Nazi Germany.
-
Mussolini Declares War
Mussolini Declares WarAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
On June 10, 1940, in a rousing speech to his country, Italian dictator Benito Mussolini declares war on France and England.
Related Videos (10)
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Moscow Conference
Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Moscow ConferenceVideo Clip (1:15)
Video Clip (1:15)
Watch the speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt at the Moscow Conference during World War II.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt Warns of Difficult War
Franklin D. Roosevelt Warns of Difficult WarVideo Clip (0:57)
Video Clip (0:57)
Watch as Franklin D. Roosevelt declares war on Japan in the wake of Pearl Harbor and warns the American public to steel themselves for the difficulties that lie ahead.
-
USS Texas Under Attack
USS Texas Under AttackVideo Clip (2:27)
Video Clip (2:27)
What is it like to be onboard an American military ship under attack? Find out firsthand from a serviceman who was on the USS Texas when it was hit by enemy fire in the English Channel in June 1944. From Hero Ships.
-
D-Day Documented by Newsreel Cameras
D-Day Documented by Newsreel CamerasVideo Clip (8:56)
Video Clip (8:56)
Footage of the historic D-Day invasion from the United News. The best known D-Day is June 6, 1944 the day on which the Invasion of Normandy began. This video clip is courtesy of The History Channel.
-
Cities of the Underworld 3: Hitler's Last Secret: Nazi Factory
Cities of the Underworld 3: Hitler's Last Secret: Nazi FactoryVideo Clip (2:33)
Video Clip (2:33)
Don Wildman scurries through the abandoned tunnels that once served as a subterranean weapons factory.
-
Bombing Hamburg
Bombing HamburgVideo Clip (1:35)
Video Clip (1:35)
During World War II, especially in 1943, Hamburg was severely damaged by aerial bombardment, and some 55,000 persons were killed.
-
Hitler Launches the Battle of Britain
Hitler Launches the Battle of BritainVideo Clip (2:11)
Video Clip (2:11)
Britain's Royal Air Force staves off destruction at the hands of the German Luftwaffe.
-
ODESSA
ODESSAVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
Hitler's elite paramilitary unite, the SS, is hunted after the end of World War II. What is ODESSA and did it help the SS escape the hands of Nazi hunters?
-
Adolf Hitler's Parkinson's
Adolf Hitler's Parkinson'sVideo Clip (2:55)
Video Clip (2:55)
As the allies closed in on Germany in early 1945, Adolf Hitler was reduced to a physical wreck. Among other symptoms, he suffered from tremors that made him seem weak and frail. Was it Parkinsons Disease?
-
Foo Fighters
Foo FightersVideo Clip (3:25)
Video Clip (3:25)
Did Nazi Germany use alien technology to disrupt allied bombers during WWII?
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
World War II Political Leaders
World War II Political Leaders(9 Photos)
9 Photos
View photos of World War II political leaders.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
American Flag: Deconstructed
(2:07)
-
Coroner's Report: Cleopatra
(2:34)
-
The Best and Worst Gadgets
(2:19)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
Battle of Britain DVD
Surprising new facts are uncovered in this fresh reconsideration of the first major battle to be fought entirely in the air.
$19.99
Buy Now -
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now…
-
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now… Own this best-selling series today!
$14.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
