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History Daily

Winston Churchill’s Famous “Some Chicken” Speech

History Daily

History Daily

History

4.42.5K Ratings

🗓️ 30 December 2024

⏱️ 20 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

December 30, 1941. In a rousing speech to the Canadian Parliament, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill celebrates his success in holding off Nazi Germany in the Battle of Britain and the Blitz. This episode originally aired in 2022.


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Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:04.1

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0:06.0

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0:10.5

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0:30.7

It's J 11th, 1940, in the Chateau de Mugay, a mansion 100 miles south of Paris,

0:35.1

one month after German troops invaded France in the beginning of World War II.

0:39.8

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill sits the head of a conference table.

0:46.5

He takes a sip from a cup of tea and silently stares down the British and French officers seated around him.

0:52.3

But the moment of quiet is interrupted by the sound of fighter planes flying overhead.

0:57.8

Churchill puts down his cup of tea and addresses the war counsel before him.

1:03.2

He doesn't mince words, saying that if the French army does not muster a defense of their country,

1:06.0

France will fall into the clutches of the Nazis.

1:10.2

Churchill clamps a cigar between his teeth and lights up.

1:18.2

As he blows smoke across the table, he demands to know how the French generals plan to launch a successful counterattack.

1:22.4

Or a few awkward moments, the general squirm looking uncomfortable.

1:29.6

Until General Maxim Vagon clears his throat, Vaghan says there's no way France can stop the Nazis,

1:35.9

and they should ask for a ceasefire. Many generals in the room nod and make known their approval of surrender, but Churchill is livid. He slams his hands down on the table, shocking the room

1:42.5

into silence again. He bellows that France must not

1:45.6

surrender, and in response, another French general at the table insists that they have no choice.

1:52.0

Hearing this, Churchill rises from his seat and raises his voice even further, loudly announcing

1:57.5

that Britain will never surrender. In response, General Vagan rises as well.

2:04.0

He looks Churchill in the eyes, and with a sneer says that his plan to fight on is a fantasy.

...

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