Soldiers of
the western front!
Dunkirk
has fallen!
40,000
English and French have been taken prisoner as the final remnant of once great
armies.
Immense
material has been taken as booty.
The
greatest battle in world history has thereby ended.
Soldiers!
My trust in you was a boundless one. You have not disappointed me. The boldest
plan in military history was achieved through your unequaled valor, through
your energy in the bearing of great hardships, maximum exertions and efforts.
In
a few weeks, you have, in heavy fighting, often against thoroughly brave
opponents, forced two states to capitulation, annihilated France’s best
divisions, beaten, captured or chased from the continent the British
Expeditionary Corps. All formations of the Wehrmacht on land and in the sky
outdid themselves reciprocally in the noblest competition of action for our
folk and the Greater German Reich. Brave men of the navy participated in these
deeds.
Soldiers!
Many of you have sealed their loyalty with their lives, others are wounded. The
hearts of our folk are with them and with you in deep gratitude.
England’s
and France’s plutocratic rulers, who have con-spired to prevent by all means
the blossoming of a new, better world, wish the continuation of this war. Their
wish should be fulfilled!
Soldiers!
As of this present day, the western front assembles again. Countless new
divisions join you, which for the first time will see and strike the opponent.
The struggle for our folk’s freedom, for existence or non-existence for now and
for all future, will hence be continued until the annihilation of those hostile
rulers in London and Paris, who even now still believe they can see in war the
better means for the realization of their folk-hostile plans. Their historical
instruction will be our victory!
All
of Germany, however, is again with you in spirit.
Führer
headquarters, June 5, 1940
Adolf
Hitler
No comments:
Post a Comment