McGrath of Harlow, Guest Ireland in a previous post above referred to your predeliction for selective quotes. Your posting above is a classical example of it. To use Boberts favourite phrase "That dog won't hunt" as anyone following this exchange has been given the complete text.

But if you want to quote selectively you could have done a much better job than than your total distortion above:

For example:

"Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, 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, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."

You could have distorted to become:

"...many old and famous States may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, 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, and even if, which I believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old."

Kevin, the man clearly states that he does not believe the hypothesis he goes on to describe, but he does say what would happen in that unlikely event. There is a tremendous difference there and what you contend. I drew your attention to the dates of the various speeches. In the paragraph of the speech you have selectively quoted from - Just exactly what is implied by the reference to fighting in France? What was he going on about when he spoke of fighting with growing strength and confidence? If that describes someone contemplating a fighting retreat, I'd love to hear how that person would describe an all out offensive.