Fighting Alone

France fell to Germany in June 1940.  From then until more than 18 months, Britain fought on alone against the growing power of Nazi Germany.  


It was not until Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in December 1941 that British citizens could hold out real hope.  But Churchill had set the tone with his famous "we will fight on the beaches" speech just as the British army of 300,000 was rescued from the beaches of Dunkirk.  In their darkest hour, with France conquered, Churchill urged his countrymen to hold on, resist the German juggernaut, until "in God's good time, the new world with all its power and might comes to the rescue and liberation of the old".


So Britain toughed it out, protected by its formidable fleet, and won the struggle for air supremacy in the Battle of Britain.  To be sure, lots of material help arrived from America.  And, when Hitler invaded Russia in June 1941, the threat of an invasion of Britain eased. 


Most Americans today have little appreciation for the lonely struggle by Britain, and the great service she did to withstand German attacks until US power could be brought to bear.


A friend, a 9 years old French girl in December 1941 tells this story.  Her father came up as usual from work to the blacked out apartment, and switched on the radio.  German authorities prohibited lights, and radios, to occupied French citizens.  But when he heard the news of Pearl Harbor, he startled his daughter by switching on the light, and said "Now we have a chance"