Never was so much owed by so many to so few
Never was so much owed by so many to so few (German never yet have so many to so few had so much owed ) is the title of a speech that Winston Churchill , former Prime Minister of Great Britain , on August 20, 1940 before the House of Commons held in the UK Parliament. The title can be traced back to a quote from the speech: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few" (German) Never in the history of human conflicts have so many so few owed so much. He thereby emphasizes the courage of the pilots of the Royal Air Force (RAF) who defended the British population against the German Air Force in the so-called Battle of Britain .
context
In August 1940, Great Britain found itself in the most delicate phase of the Battle of Britain . France was already occupied by Nazi Germany, now the German air force was planning an invasion of the island. The most dangerous phase of this battle began shortly after this speech, on August 24, 1940, and would last until September 6. During these two weeks, the RAF airfields in the south of England were successfully attacked.
With the speech, Churchill wanted to encourage his compatriots, despite the Allied losses , to continue to believe in a victory against Hitler- Germany. He was proved right, the British defenses recovered quickly and could cause considerable damage to the German bombers. September 15th is considered the day of the defeat of the German Air Force and is celebrated in Great Britain as Battle of Britain Day .
content
Churchill's speech, despite the famous quotation that emphasizes the courage of the RAF pilots, is a speech about the general status of World War II at that time, not just the German air raids on England. He emphasized the low casualties among British soldiers and civilians in contrast to the First World War (which he still referred to as the "Great War" at the time). Hopefully, he assured that the British nation, armed with sufficient equipment, would withstand German attacks better than France and serve as a bulwark against Hitler's further invasions. Few believed the country would survive, but it is now stronger than ever. The ground troops, the navy and especially the air forces are prepared for everything that comes. Even if the German Air Force was outnumbered, the British bombers and fighter jets could withstand. The British people owe more to the RAF fighter pilots and bombers than ever before in human conflict. At the end of the speech, Churchill emphasized the good relations between Great Britain and the USA and possible cooperation in the future.
effect
The expression "The Few" used by Churchill in this speech for the pilots of the RAF became a frequently used name and was also printed on posters. Historians consider the interpretation made by many newspapers that Churchill meant the RAF fighter pilots by "The Few" is wrong. Although he emphasized their courage, but then immediately went into the importance of the bombers and the entire Royal Air Force.
Web links
- Speech on the Winston Churchill Society website
- Audio recording of an excerpt from the speech (original sound)
Individual evidence
- ^ Chartwell Trust, published by permission Curtis Brown, London: The Few. In: International Churchill Society. Retrieved July 18, 2019 .
- ↑ IWM Staff: 9 Important Dates in the Battle of Britain. In: Imperial War Museum. January 8, 2018, accessed July 18, 2019 .
- ^ Chartwell Trust, published by permission Curtis Brown, London: The Few. In: International Churchill Society. Retrieved July 18, 2019 .
- ↑ Brett Holman: On 'The Few'. In: Airminded. August 31, 2011, accessed July 18, 2019 .