Montgomery Announces Britain's Surrender | BBC 1945 (TNO)

This is the British Broadcasting Service,  making an emergency broadcast from Leeds. You will now hear a statement,  by Field Marshal Montgomery. It is with a profound sense of sorrow  and regret that I speak to you today. Our brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen have  been fighting with tremendous valor over the past few weeks to protect our homeland. Despite  the arrival of German troops on British soil, they have shown extraordinary  courage and self-sacrifice, embodying the indomitable  spiri

t of the British people. We have fought on the beaches. On the landing grounds. In the fields. On the streets. And in the hills. Yet, despite our best efforts, we must face the harsh reality that our nation  is now facing a difficult and uncertain future. There are rumors circulating  that London has fallen. Regrettably, I must confirm that to be true. Our forces have withdrawn from the city as of 2  A. M. last night to prevent its total destruction. Her Majesty the Queen and the Royal  Family h

ave been evacuated to Canada with the assistance of our allies and  the remaining ships of the Royal Navy. These are trying times for all those who call  the British Isles and our Commonwealth home. We have fought with honor and determination  for a cause that we believed in deeply, but we must now accept that we can no  longer continue this war on our own soil. We declared war on Germany for a world where  freedom and the rights of all people could be respected. However, the German people  have

demonstrated an unyielding resilience and determination, and we must face the reality  that our aspirations can no longer be achieved. As Englishmen, we must now reconsider our  relationship with Germany and Europe as a whole, which has united under the German banner.  Although it may be difficult to accept, we have done everything in our  power, and we have been defeated. The German High Command has extended a gesture of  friendship and reconciliation. Like the Scottish, Welsh, and Irish, we m

ust choose our  place wisely in this new world order. On behalf of the War Cabinet of the  Home Isles and the Parliament in the absence of our Prime Minister, I have  accepted an offer that will ensure the survival of our nation and a future  without further needless bloodshed. At 10 PM tonight, the British Army will cease  all hostilities against Germany and her allies. The defense of the East will be entrusted  to our Commonwealth members in the Pacific. There is much work to be done in the da

ys ahead.  An emergency cabinet has been established to address the post-war challenges, and a new  regime will be put in place. Just as we respect the self-determination of the Welsh,  Scottish, and Irish peoples across our land, our nation will now be known  as the Kingdom of England. The war is over. Soldiers, lay down your arms  and return to your loved ones. We must not shed another drop of blood on  our soil. Martial law will be enforced for one week across the country until temporary  con

trol is handed over to the German garrison. It is with a heavy heart and profound  sadness that I deliver this message to you.