A hard-hitting letter by Sir Winston Churchill explaining why France had to fend for itself in World War Two has emerged for sale for £4,000.

Paul Reynaud was the French Prime Minister. He pleaded for more air support when the German Blitzkrieg continued during the Battle of France, June 1940.

Churchill, who had just stepped in as Prime Minister following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain felt he couldn’t spare any more aircraft to fight the Luftwaffe in the impending Battle of Britain.

Already, the RAF had provided more than 20 squadrons with planes to defend France.  

The correspondence, which is being sold at Chiswick Auctions in West London by a private collector, states that further depleting Britain’s Fighter Squadrons would be’short-sighted and leave Britain unable to defend itself’.

He says that the enemy could strike Britain in a matter of hours and strike a blow that could irreparably damage the Allied cause.

Adolf Hitler’s forces then took Paris on June 14. British troops were able to rescue more than 300,000. Allies were rescued from Dunkirk by the German victory.

The retreat, codenamed Operation Dynamo and meant to end the war, was an embarrassing loss that could have been avoided. However, it remains the largest military evacuation ever recorded and was hailed by Churchill a’miracle in deliverance’.

The seller, who wishes not to be identified, also sells a draft of the PM’s heartfelt letter addressed to Neville Chamberlain, after he was forced from the Government by a cancer diagnosis.

Chamberlain had resigned from his post as PM in May 1940, but he was then Lord President of the Council in Churchill’s war cabinet. His illness became apparent in October. 

A hard-hitting letter by Sir Winston Churchill explaining why France had to fend for itself in World War Two has emerged for sale for £4,000

A hard-hitting letter by Sir Winston Churchill explaining why France had to fend for itself in World War Two has emerged for sale for £4,000

French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud (pictured above with Churchill in 1950) pleaded with his British counterpart to provide more air support as the German Blitzkrieg rolled on during the Battle of France in early June 1940

Paul Reynaud, French Prime Minister, was pictured above with Churchill in 1950. He pleaded for more air support from his British counterpart as the German Blitzkrieg continued during the Battle of France.

Since January 1940, squadrons of British pilots and planes were based in France to support the French air force. 

Churchill and War Cabinet accepted the request of the French government to purchase more planes (ten squadrons) on May 10, 1940.

Despite the fact that more planes were eventually sent, Churchill declined to request any further aircraft until June.    

Churchill wrote to Reynaud: “I have reviewed today with the War Cabinet, all the experts, the request which was made to me last night for additional fighter squadrons.

‘We all agree that it is more effective to draw the enemy onto this island by striking at their vitals, and thus to aid our common cause.

Churchill, who had only just taken over as Prime Minister after the resignation of Neville Chamberlain, felt he could not spare any more aircraft because they would be needed to fight the mighty Luftwaffe in the impending Battle of Britain. Above: The second page of the letter

Churchill, who had just taken over as Prime Minster after Neville Chamberlain’s resignation, felt he couldn’t spare any more aircraft, because they would be needed for the battle against the Luftwaffe in The Battle of Britain. Above: The second Page of the Letter 

The RAF had already provided more than 20 squadrons of planes to help defend France

Already, the RAF had provided more than 20 squadrons with planes to defend France 

A separate piece of paper has a handwritten note by Churchill which reads 'a state of supreme emergency'

A separate piece paper has a handwritten Churchill message on it that reads “a state of supreme emergencies”. 

“I have witnessed many of the great offensives during the last war from high-ranking positions, and I can’t believe that the German difficulties could be ended by them making a breach in the Front.

“All experience has shown that these difficulties increase with every kilometre of progress.

“It would have been a shortsighted policy to waste bit by bit and daily, the fighter squadrons.”

He added: ‘The enemy could switch his bomber force to these Islands within a few hours’ notice; and if he finds them insufficiently defended, he might be able strike a blow to our war industry which might irretrievably harm the Allied cause.

“We recently sent additional fighter squadrons over and above the numbers we had agreed to before the war. Our fighter strength in this country has now been reduced down to a minimum.”

“So long as it’s not further reduced, we don’t shrink – in fact, we welcome as diversion – the attack that we expect.

Churchill has re-written and crossed out sections of the three-page draft letter.

The secretary then typed out the final version and sent it to Mr Reynaud.

Valentina Borghi, Chiswick Auctions specialist, stated that Chiswick Auctions would have the drafts of Chichill typed out, and then he would go through them in pen, making corrections.

“He would then ask for his secretary to create an amended version according to his instructions.

‘Churchill was forced to make tough decisions during World War Two, and this was one of them. He told the French Prime Minister that they couldn’t spare any more aircraft because they needed to defend Britain.

“Churchill is a very popular figure among collectors, and we expect a lot interest in this letter. It could go for much more than its estimate.

Paris fell to Nazi Germany in June 1940. France was then occupied until the Allies arrived in Normandy, June 6, 1944.

During the Battle of Britain, 1,542 Allied aircrew were killed. It lasted from July 1940 to October 1940.

Churchill stated that their wartime contributions were a tribute to the ‘never been so much owed by so few to so many’.

Adolf Hitler had no choice but to cancel Operation Sea Lion’s plans for invasion of Britain. 

The same seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, is also selling a hand-edited draft of the PM's heartfelt letter to his predecessor Neville Chamberlain after he was forced to leave the Government following a cancer diagnosis. Above: The pair pictured together in 1939

The same seller, who wishes anonymity, is also selling a hand-edited draft from the PM’s sincere letter to Neville Chamberlain. This was after Chamberlain was forced to quit the Government due to a cancer diagnosis. Above: The pair as they were pictured in 1939

Another Churchill letter being sold for up to £3,000 by the same seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, reveals the PM's heartfelt letter to Neville Chamberlain after he was forced to leave the Government following a cancer diagnosis

Another Churchill letter being sold for up to £3,000 by the same seller, who wishes to remain anonymous, reveals the PM’s heartfelt letter to Neville Chamberlain after he was forced to leave the Government following a cancer diagnosis

A second page in the sale shows a note written in pencil by General Archibald Percival Wavell to his military colleague General Henry Maitland Wilson

A second page of the sale shows a note written by General Archibald Percival Wavell in pencil to his military colleague, General Henry Maitland Wilson.

Chamberlain received Churchill’s letter shortly after his resignation on October 9, 1940.

The politician, who was 71 when he died from cancer, stepped down just one month later.

Churchill addressed him as “My dear Neville” and wrote: “I have for some years past feared that you would have to give up the struggle you have made in spite of physical stress under the difficult conditions of the times.

“I, along with all your colleagues, have admired and admired your unshakeable nerve and persevering will.

‘The help that you have given to me since your departure as my chief has gotten us through what may prove to be the turning-point of the war. You did all that you could for peace; and you did all that you could for victory.

“If you tell me now that you must fall off the line, I cannot resist you claim.

“The loss in your services makes it necessary that we reform our ranks and fill the void as best as possible.

The next edited paragraph says: “We have been as associated, like our fathers before us, in all the ups and downs that politics has brought about, but I look back at this sternyear of comradeship and feel the deepest respect, and regard for you.”

Churchill’s handwritten alteration to the original ‘highest’ text, which was originally written by him, is the word “deepest”. His original’regard” had stated ‘personal gratefulness’.

This passage also mentions how Chamberlain and Churchill followed their fathers into politics. 

Specialist Ms Borghi added: ‘It is a nice lot because even though they had their differences and couldn’t agree on war strategy, from a human point of view they respected each other.

“The letter reflects that. It also shows how he used work. Normally, a secretary would type the letters and then at the end of the day add some modifications. It shows his work methods.

“I think it is very touching and moving, it shows respect to his predecessor.

Churchill’s father, Lord Randolph Churchill saw his promising political career ended when he died at 45. He had risen to the position of Chancellor of Exchequer. 

Chamberlain’s dad, Joseph, was a Liberal and served as Secretary for the Colonies at the height of the British Empire.  

A second page of the sale shows a note written by General Archibald Percival Wavell in pencil to his military colleague, General Henry Maitland Wilson. 

The November 9th sale of both Churchill letters will take place  

Evacuation of Dunkirk: How 338,000 Allied soldiers were saved in a miracle of deliverance after the German Blitzkreig, which saw Nazi forces sweep into France.

The evacuation of Dunkirk was one the most important operations of the Second World War. It was also one of the key factors in allowing the Allies to fight on.

It was the largest military evacuation ever recorded. It took place between May 27th and June 4th 1940, after Nazi Blitzkreig (‘Lightning War’) saw German forces sweep across Europe. 

 The evacuation, known as Operation Dynamo, saw an estimated 338,000 Allied troops rescued from northern France. But 11,000 Britons were killed during the operation – and another 40,000 were captured and imprisoned.

Described as a ‘miracle of deliverance’ by wartime prime minister Winston Churchill, it is seen as one of several events in 1940 that determined the eventual outcome of the war.  

The Second World War began after Germany invaded Poland in 1939, but for a number of months there was little further action on land. 

But in early 1940, Germany invaded Denmark and Norway and then launched an offensive against Belgium and France in western Europe.

Hitler’s troops advanced rapidly, taking Paris – which they never achieved in the First World War – and moved towards the Channel.

It was the largest military evacuation in history, taking place between May 27 and June 4, 1940.Operation Dynamo was the name of the evacuation that saw 338,000 Allied troops rescued in northern France. 11,000 Britons died in the operation. Another 40,000 were captured, and imprisoned. 

They reached the coast at the end of May 1940 and pinned down the Allied forces, which included several hundred thousand troops from the British Expeditionary Force. The military leaders soon realized that they could not stay on mainland Europe.

Bertram Ramsay was the retired vice-admiral and was recalled to military service in 1939. Ramsay and his team gathered Operation Dynamo from a deep cliffside room at Dover. It was a daring rescue mission of the Royal Navy to get troops to safety and return to Britain. 

The call went out on May 14, 1940. The BBC announced that the Admiralty had issued an order asking all owners of self-propelled pleasure boats between 30ft to 100ft in length to inform the Admiralty within 14 Days if they haven’t been requested or offered.

All kinds of boats were requisitioned: from those for hire on Thames to pleasure yachts – and manned naval personnel. However, in some cases boats were handed over to Dunkirk themselves. 

They set sail from Dover, the nearest point, to make the fastest crossing. Operation Dynamo was launched on May 29th. 

They were met with chaos when they arrived at Dunkirk. The bombardment had reduced much of Dunkirk to rubble and left soldiers hiding in sand dunes. The German forces were closing in.

They were followed by Hurricane and RAF Spitfire fighters, which headed inland to attack German fighter aircrafts. This would protect the men on the shores.

The little ships were directed to different areas as they arrived. Many of the little ships arrived without radios. The only communication methods were shouting at the beaches and using semaphore. 

Because of the tight space, soldiers could only carry their rifles on decks. It was impossible to transport large amounts of equipment, including heavy guns, tanks, and aircraft.

Although the small ships were intended to transport soldiers to larger ships, some of them ended up ferrying people back to England. The evacuation took several days.

Prime Minister Churchill had predicted that only 20,000 to 35,000 men could be saved, but more than 300,000.

It was impossible for us to estimate the exact number, but 338,000 is an acceptable estimate. However it is believed that over the week, up to 400,000 British-French and Belgian troops were saved – men who would later return to Europe to fight in the war and help win it.

However, there were heavy losses as well, with roughly 90,000 people killed, wounded, or taken prisoner. Many ships were also destroyed by enemy action, ran aground, or simply fell apart. Despite this, the evacuation was deemed a success and a huge boost to morale.

Churchill made a famous speech before the House of Commons and praised the “miracle of Dunkirk”. He also stated that Britain would continue to fight: “We shall fight at the beaches, we will fight at the landing grounds. We shall fight in streets and fields. We shall fight in hills.” We will not surrender!