will be: ‘stand firm’ . . . where there is no fighting going on and no close cannon fire or rifle fire can be heard, everyone will govern his conduct by the second great order and duty, namely ‘carry on’.” Churchill’s inspirational message is followed by detailed instructions on just how to stand firm and carry on. Print-run details show that over 14 million copies were printed: “The huge print run might leave one with the impression that the leaflet would be commonly found today. It was, however, only a leaflet anticipating an event that never came to pass. In the event very few copies have survived” (Cohen). There are two issues, with and without a red overprinted notice, the latter issued for the coastal communities which would need to be evacuated.
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25 CHURCHILL, Winston S. Beating the Invader. A message from the Prime Minister; [together with] If The Invader Comes. London: Issued by the Ministry of Information in co- operation with the War Office and the Ministry of Home Security, 1940 & 1941 churchill prepares the nation
First editions of Churchill’s rallying cries to the British people during the darkest period of the Second World War, two leaflets distributed to all households in 1940 and 1941 to prepare the citizens for invasion, and to set out their duties to their country if so. Beating the Invader was issued in May 1941. “If the invasion comes everyone – young or old, men and women – will be eager to play their part worthily . . . When the attack begins, it will be too late to go . . . for all of you then the order and the duty
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CHRISTMAS 2022
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