Their Finest Hour Part 44

Chapter 9.

1 September 17, 1940; received at 11.55 September 17, 1940; received at 11.55 A.M. A.M.

2 Received by the Admiralty at 7.56 Received by the Admiralty at 7.56 A.M A.M. on September 18, 1940.

3 See Appendix D for my correspondence with Mr. Menzies. See Appendix D for my correspondence with Mr. Menzies.

Chapter 11.

1 From October 17 to 19 (inclusive), thirty-three ships, twenty-two of them British, were sunk by U-boats in the northwestern approaches. These figures include twenty ships out of one convoy. From October 17 to 19 (inclusive), thirty-three ships, twenty-two of them British, were sunk by U-boats in the northwestern approaches. These figures include twenty ships out of one convoy.

2 Mr. Yencken was killed in an air accident in 1944. Mr. Yencken was killed in an air accident in 1944.

3 Quoted by Lord Templewood in his memoirs, Quoted by Lord Templewood in his memoirs, Amba.s.sador on Special Mission. Amba.s.sador on Special Mission.

4 Ciano, Ciano, L'Europa verso la Catastrofe L'Europa verso la Catastrofe, page 604.

5 Du Moulin de la Barthete. Du Moulin de la Barthete. Le Temps des Illusions, Le Temps des Illusions, pages 43-44. pages 43-44.

Chapter 12.

1 Hitler and Mussolini, Hitler and Mussolini, Letters and Doc.u.ments, Letters and Doc.u.ments, page 61. page 61.

2Commander-in-Chief Air Forces, Middle East.

3Author's italics.

Chapter 13.

1Stettinius, Lend-Lease. Lend-Lease.

2Ibid., page 60. page 60.

3Actually they were nearer 45,000 tons.

4See Appendix B.

Chapter 14.

1 See See n.a.z.i-Soviet Relations, n.a.z.i-Soviet Relations, p. 218 ff. p. 218 ff.

2 Signed between Germany, Italy and j.a.pan on September 27, 1940. Signed between Germany, Italy and j.a.pan on September 27, 1940.

3 It is worth noting that though in Berlin the main emphasis of Hitler and Ribbentrop was on snaring British territory, in the draft agreement the British Empire is not mentioned by name, while the colonial possessions of France, Holland, and Belgium are obviously included in the areas to be shared under the secret protocol. Both at Berlin and in the negotiations in Moscow, the British Empire, though offering the most conspicuous and valuable booty, was not the only intended victim of Hitler. He was seeking an even wider redistribution of the colonial possessions in Africa and Asia of all the countries with which he was or had been at war. It is worth noting that though in Berlin the main emphasis of Hitler and Ribbentrop was on snaring British territory, in the draft agreement the British Empire is not mentioned by name, while the colonial possessions of France, Holland, and Belgium are obviously included in the areas to be shared under the secret protocol. Both at Berlin and in the negotiations in Moscow, the British Empire, though offering the most conspicuous and valuable booty, was not the only intended victim of Hitler. He was seeking an even wider redistribution of the colonial possessions in Africa and Asia of all the countries with which he was or had been at war.

4 Author's italics throughout the text of this doc.u.ment. Author's italics throughout the text of this doc.u.ment.

5 n.a.z.i-Soviet Relations, n.a.z.i-Soviet Relations, p. 260 p. 260 ff. ff.

Chapter 15.

1I have only heard since the war that these initials which I used so often were an Admiralty term signifying "Winston's specials."

2E-boat: the German equivalent of British "light coastal craft."

3Sir John Reith. He became Lord Reith and Minister of Works and Buildings on October 3. 1940.

4The modern equivalent of "Q" ships, which had been effectively used in the 191418 war to lure the U-boats to their destruction. They were less successful in the changed conditions of this war.

Chapter 16.

lRifle Brigade and King's Royal Rifles.

2"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall he opened unto you."

3"Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of Light, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning!"

4Ciano's Diary, 1989--18, edited by Malcolm Muggeridge, pp. 315-17. 1989--18, edited by Malcolm Muggeridge, pp. 315-17.

5Ciano's Diary, p. 321. p. 321.

6Prime Minister to General Ismay, for C.O.S. Committee. 1.XII.40. 1.XII.40.

General de Gaulle told me that he had in mind an attempt to recover Jibouti hereinafter to be called "Marie" in all papers and telegrams connected with the operation. He would send three French battalions from Equatorial Africa to Egypt, where General Le Gentilhomme would meet them. These battalions would be for the defence of Egypt, or possibly ostensibly as a symbolic contribution to the defence of Greece. There would be no secret about this. On the contrary, prominence would be given to their arrival. However, when the moment was opportune, these battalions would go to Jibouti, being carried and escorted thither by the British Navy. No further a.s.sistance would be asked from the British. General de Gaulle believes, and certainly the attached paper favours the idea, that Le Gentilhomme could make himself master of the place, bring over the garrison and rally it, and immediately engage the Italians. This would be a very agreeable development, and is much the best thing de Gaulle could do at the present time. It should be studied attentively, and in conjunction with him. The importance of secrecy, and of never mentioning the name of the place, should be inculcated on all, remembering Dakar. I suppose it would take at least two months for the French battalions to arrive in Egypt.

Kindly let me have a full report.

7Sheffield had been very heavily bombed.

Appendix A 1 Mr. Josiah Wedgwood, M.P. Mr. Josiah Wedgwood, M.P.

2 On the Royal Marine Operation, see Volume I. On the Royal Marine Operation, see Volume I.

3 Labour for defence works. My former Minute, dated 25.VI.40, is recorded in Book I, Chapter VIII, page 170. Labour for defence works. My former Minute, dated 25.VI.40, is recorded in Book I, Chapter VIII, page 170.

4 This was the photo-electric fuze, and, although not very successful, was the forerunner of the later proximity fuze. This was the photo-electric fuze, and, although not very successful, was the forerunner of the later proximity fuze.

5 This refers to the Government sponsored scheme for the evacuation of children to Canada and the U.S.A. The scheme was abandoned after the sinking of the "City of Benares" by a U-boat on September 17, 1940. This refers to the Government sponsored scheme for the evacuation of children to Canada and the U.S.A. The scheme was abandoned after the sinking of the "City of Benares" by a U-boat on September 17, 1940.

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7 The The Hermione was Hermione was a small Greek steamer which was intercepted by our cruisers in the Aegean on July 28, 1940, while carrying a military cargo for Italy. Our ships were attacked by aircraft when making the interception. The a small Greek steamer which was intercepted by our cruisers in the Aegean on July 28, 1940, while carrying a military cargo for Italy. Our ships were attacked by aircraft when making the interception. The Hermione Hermione was therefore sunk, and her crew left in boats near the land. was therefore sunk, and her crew left in boats near the land.

8 The letters stand for "Parachute and Cable." The P.A.C. rocket was one form of the U.P. weapon. A description is given in a Minute dated January 13, 1940. See Volume I, Book II, Appendix, Part II. The letters stand for "Parachute and Cable." The P.A.C. rocket was one form of the U.P. weapon. A description is given in a Minute dated January 13, 1940. See Volume I, Book II, Appendix, Part II.

9 See note under my Minute of 7.IX.40, Book II, Chapter VII, and also my Minutes of 15.IX.40 and 26.XII.40, below. See note under my Minute of 7.IX.40, Book II, Chapter VII, and also my Minutes of 15.IX.40 and 26.XII.40, below.

10 A radar set for anti-aircraft-gun control. A radar set for anti-aircraft-gun control.

11 United States Amba.s.sador to Britain. United States Amba.s.sador to Britain.

12 On the naval aspect of our policy towards the Vichy Government. On the naval aspect of our policy towards the Vichy Government.

13 A French merchant ship. A French merchant ship.

14 General Hobart, at this time a corporal in the Home Guard, was accordingly appointed to command an armoured division, and in that capacity rendered distinguished service to the very end of the war. I had a pleasant talk with him on the day we first crossed the Rhine in 1945. His work was then highly esteemed by General Montgomery, General Hobart, at this time a corporal in the Home Guard, was accordingly appointed to command an armoured division, and in that capacity rendered distinguished service to the very end of the war. I had a pleasant talk with him on the day we first crossed the Rhine in 1945. His work was then highly esteemed by General Montgomery, 15 It was decided to provide the increased amount. It was decided to provide the increased amount.

16 See Book II, Chapter IX. See Book II, Chapter IX.

17 The Air Ministry began making proposals for greater protecton of Chequers by sending Bofors guns. The Air Ministry began making proposals for greater protecton of Chequers by sending Bofors guns.

18 Figures of aircraft strength proposed to he used by Lord Beaverbrook in a broadcast. Figures of aircraft strength proposed to he used by Lord Beaverbrook in a broadcast.

19 See Book II, Chapter IV, page 388. See Book II, Chapter IV, page 388.

20 Plan D: Plan D: Provision of all possible naval and military aid in the European field to the exclusion of any other interest. This would involve the adoption of a strictly defensive plan in the Pacific and abandonment of any attempt seriously to reinforce the Far East, with accepted consequences. On the other hand, by full-scale concentration in the European area, the defeat of Germany was ensured with certainty, and if subsequently it was in the American interest to deal with j.a.pan, requisite steps would be possible. Provision of all possible naval and military aid in the European field to the exclusion of any other interest. This would involve the adoption of a strictly defensive plan in the Pacific and abandonment of any attempt seriously to reinforce the Far East, with accepted consequences. On the other hand, by full-scale concentration in the European area, the defeat of Germany was ensured with certainty, and if subsequently it was in the American interest to deal with j.a.pan, requisite steps would be possible.

21 Capture of Pantellaria. Capture of Pantellaria.

22 Operations against Dodecanese. Operations against Dodecanese.

23 Table from Lord Beaverbrook giving comparison of actual output of aircraft, with programme. Table from Lord Beaverbrook giving comparison of actual output of aircraft, with programme.

24 Paragraph in Lord Beaverbrook's Minute of 14.12.40 to the effect that it is sometimes said that the output of the Ministry of Aircraft Production would have been equalled by the Air Ministry if there had not been any change in May, 1940. Paragraph in Lord Beaverbrook's Minute of 14.12.40 to the effect that it is sometimes said that the output of the Ministry of Aircraft Production would have been equalled by the Air Ministry if there had not been any change in May, 1940.

25 See also my Minute of I5.IX.40. See also my Minute of I5.IX.40.

26 The figures were rea.s.suring. The figures were rea.s.suring.

27 Occupation of Jibuti. Occupation of Jibuti.

Appendix B 1 See Book II, Chapter XIII, pages 560640. See Book II, Chapter XIII, pages 560640.

Appendix C 1See Book II, Chapter I, Appendix D 1 Book II, Chapter IX Book II, Chapter IX

About the Author.

One of the most significant leaders of the twentieth century, Winston Churchill was born in 1874. He served as a war correspondent during the Boer War and after his capture and release became a national hero in England. He parlayed his celebrity into a political career, getting elected to the Conservative Party just ten months after his return. Churchill joined the Liberal Party in 1904. After serving as Home Secretary under David Lloyd George, he became Lord of the Admiralty, but a military setback suffered in World War I forced him to resign. Churchill's political career suffered many ups and downs during the 1920's and 30's owing, in part, to his support of King Edward VIII during his abdication. But when Hitler invaded Poland in 1939, Churchill was reappointed Lord of the Admiralty.

In 1940, Churchill succeeded Chamberlain as Prime Minister and remained in office until 1945. During that time, he successfully guided the nation through World War II, inspiring and mobilizing the British people and forging crucial ties with American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Despite his success in the war, Churchill's government was voted out in 1945, owing in part to the nation's lack of confidence in his domestic policies. He remained in Parliament and was reelected in 1951, ultimately resigning in 1955 at the age of 80.

After retirement from public life, Churchill spent his time writing, publishing The History of the English Speaking People. That work, along with his six-volume history of World War II and The World Crisis, his history of World War I, earned Churchill the n.o.bel Prize for Literature in 1953. In 1963 Churchill was made an honorary U.S. citizen. Winston Churchill died in 1965 at the age of 90.

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