Defense of the Islands

Britain’s cabinet considered desperate stratagems as Germany’s grip tightened on continental Europe in late spring 1940. One hinged on tying France and Great Britain indissolubly, which idea Winston Churchill presented to Premier Paul Reynaud. This possibility died as French officialdom decided to seek armistice terms. British contingency plans meanwhile entailed transferring the Royal Family to Canada and waging guerrilla resistance should German armies capture the Isles. British gold and foreign exchange and security reserves, meantime, were shipped to Canada for safety. Churchill’s cabinet debated whether to explore terms with Hitler. Despite doubt and divisions, London rejected capitulation. Churchill insisted that the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force could prevent any cross-Channel assault by the Wehrmacht. As events might warrant, the United States too could be counted upon, Churchill averred. In 1939-1941, well before Congress declared war on the Axis powers, thousands of American volunteers served in British and Canadian land, sea, and air forces. One was poet-pilot John Magee. Virginia Hall served with great distinction in Britain’s clandestine Special Operations Executive.