https://www.backtonormandy.org/audio/C/12-winston-churchill/23-winston-churchill/413-1940-06-04-we-shall-never-surrender.html

Early in the morning the Germans enter Dunkirk and capture all the remaining French soldiers. The official figure for those evacuated is 338,226 of which 112,000 are French. Almost all heavy equipment has been lost and many of the troops are without rifles and basic kit. Against the original expectation that a maximum of perhaps 50,000 men might be taken off it has been something of a triumph, but at some cost.

The British and French navies have lost at least 80 merchant ships and warships as well as many small vessels. Nine destroyers have been sunk. From a force of 180 in September 1939 the Royal Navy now has only 74 destroyers not in dock for essential repairs. The Home Fleet has three capital ships and eight cruisers under repair also, although this is not because of Dunkirk. The credit for the unexpected success of the operation goes partially to the British land and naval commanders but the Germans must also be included. Despite the brilliance of their campaign, many of the most senior commanders have not fully realized the potential of their armor and have handled it hesitantly, granting vital time for Gort and his subordinates to re-dispose their force.

The RAF has also suffered heavily, with 80 pilots being killed in the operation. The German losses in the air have been a little heavier but German reserves are, of course, much larger.

Churchill delivers perhaps the most famous of his wartime speeches. His message is, "We shall never surrender." Already he is talking of the time when "...The New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and liberation of the Old." This message seems to suggest that France will be beaten, leaving Britain to fight alone. This is not perhaps the best way to encourage the French.

Churchill speech

“I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty’s Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.

The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

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.”