The Churchill Series – Feb. 26, 2007

(One of a series of weekday posts on the life of Winston S. Churchill.)

During “the miracle of Dunkirk” in late May and early June, 1940 more than 300, 000 British soldiers escaped to England. But almost all of them were forced to leave behind their weapons .

With France now out of the war and British and Commonwealth land forces largely unarmed, Churchill issued the following minute:

July 7, 1940.

Prime Minister to Secretary of State for War,

I have asked the Admiralty to make very special arrangements for bringing in your rifle convoys [from America]. They are sending four destroyers far out to meet them, and all should arrive during the 9th.

You can ascertain the hour from the Admiralty.

I was so glad to hear that you were making all preparations for the unloading, reception, and distribution of these rifles. At least one hundred thousand ought to reach the troops that very might, or in the small hours of the following morning.

Special trains should be used to distribute them and the ammunition according to a plan worked out beforehand exactly, and directed from the landing-port by some high officer thoroughly acquainted with it. It would seem likely that you would emphasise early distribution to the coastal districts, so that all the Home Guard in the danger areas should be the first served.

Perhaps you would be good enough to let me know beforehand what you decide.

Anthony Eden was then SoS for War.

Churchill didn’t leave much to Eden’s discretion, did he?

Notice Churchill’s last sentence telling Eden to let him know what he decides.

Eden, an experienced Cabinet officer (he’d served as Foreign Secretary under Chamberlain but resigned in protest) and a Churchill ally in opposing appeasement, knew what that sentence really meant: “Let me know, Anthony, that everything will be done just as I’ve directed.”

The minute is an excellent example of Churchill’s attention to detail and the scope and power of his leadership during the first months of his premiership.
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The minute is found on pg 271 of Churchill’s Their Finest Hour.