1940: Churchill addresses Commons on Dunkirk
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Ed Murrow files a news report on Winston Churchill's statement made in the House of Commons earlier that day. As prime minister, Churchill sums up the Dunkirk operation, warning of the threat to Britain posed by Germany. He releases some startling facts and figures: 335,000 Allied troops rescued but more than 30,000 killed, wounded or missing.
Reporter Ed Murrow would have witnessed Winston Churchill give, what may be considered, one of the greatest speeches in history, that included the infamous words "we shall fight on the beaches...we shall never surrender". At the time, recordings of speeches made in the House of Commons were not permitted and many of Churchill's speeches were re-recorded at a later date for commercial release.
Originally broadcast 4 June 1940.