<P> Coincidentally, the German Wehrmacht offensive in the Low Countries and France had begun on 10 May with the invasion of the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg . Churchill had spoken to the House of Commons as Prime Minister for the first time on 13 May, to announce the formation of the new administration: </P> <P> I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this Government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat ." </P> <P> In that speech he had said nothing about the military situation in France and the Low Countries . </P> <P> Expecting that the German offensive would develop along much the same lines as it did in 1914, the lines of communication of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) did not run through the "short crossing" Channel ports--Boulogne, Calais, Dunkirk, etc.--but rather through Dieppe and Le Havre . On 13 May, the Wehrmacht's attack through the Ardennes had reached the Meuse River at Sedan and then crossed it, breaking through the defences of the French Army . By 20 May, Wehrmacht armoured divisions had reached the coast of the English Channel, splitting the BEF and the French First Army from the main French forces . </P>

Churchill famous speech fight them on the beaches