<P> In this speech, Churchill had to describe a great military disaster, and warn of a possible invasion attempt by the Nazis, without casting doubt on eventual victory . He also had to prepare his domestic audience for France's falling out of the war without in any way releasing France to do so, and wished to reiterate a policy and an aim unchanged--despite the intervening events--from his speech of 13 May, in which he had declared the goal of "victory, however long and hard the road may be". </P> <P> Winston Churchill took over as Prime Minister on 10 May, 1940, eight months after the outbreak of World War II in Europe . He had done so as the head of a multiparty coalition government, which had replaced the previous government (led by Neville Chamberlain) as a result of dissatisfaction with the conduct of the war, demonstrated by the Norway debate on the Allied evacuation of Southern Norway . </P> <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>

We shall fight on the beaches original speech