The Darkest Hour

For other uses of the words "darkest hour" see Darkest hour (disambiguation)

The Darkest Hour is a phrase coined by British prime minister Winston Churchill to describe the period of World War II between the fall of France in 1940 and the Nazi invasion of Russia in 1941, when the British Commonwealth stood alone. It is particularly used for the time when the UK was under threat of invasion after Dunkirk, before victory in the Battle of Britain. The darkest moment is usually considered to have been 10 May 1941, when over 1,500 civilians died in London alone.

Although the British Commonwealth was alone fighting the Germans during the period, it was not the only major force fighting the Axis. China had been engaging the Japanese since 1937, after the Japanese launched an all-out invasion.

Appearance

Their Finest Hour - Speech by Winston Churchill; June 18, 1940; House of Commons¹

War of the Unknown Warriors - Speech by Winston Churchill; July 14, 1940; BBC Broadcast, London²

Reference

• ¹ Their Finest Hour at The Churchill Centre website

• ² War of the Unknown Warriors at The Churchill Centre website

Donate to Wikimedia