Chapter 3 Preamble one

I wrote about World War I in Crisis of the World, The Eastern Front, and After the War; I must consider the volumes of Memoirs of the Second World War to be continuations .If this book is completed in its entirety, it will, together with the above books, become another record of the Thirty Years' War. As in the previous books, I have tried to emulate, as far as possible, the method of Defoe's Memoirs of a Knight, in which the author describes and discusses major military and political event.I am perhaps the only person in high office in government who has experienced two of the greatest catastrophes in recorded history.In the First World War, however, I held a responsible, but still secondary, post, and in the Second War against Germany I was head of His Majesty's Government for more than five years.This book is therefore written by me from a different standpoint and with a greater authority than any previous books could have had.

Almost all my official work is done by my dictation to the secretary.During my tenure as Prime Minister I issued memorandums, orders, private cables and abridgements amounting to almost a million words.At that time, many important matters had to be dealt with every day, and they were based on the information available at that time. Therefore, these documents written day by day at that time naturally had many shortcomings.But taken together, this is a true account of those momentous events seen at the time by a man who was primarily responsible for the wars and policies of the British Empire and Commonwealth.I do not know whether there is, or ever was, such a day-by-day account of the war and the work of the government.I do not call it history, since the writing of history belongs to posterity, but I confidently declare that it is a contribution to history that will benefit posterity.

The actions and propositions of these thirty years contain and express my life's efforts, and I hope people will judge me accordingly.I abide by one of my principles: for any measure in war or policy, unless I have publicly or formally expressed my opinion or issued a warning beforehand, I will never criticize afterwards.In fact, in hindsight, I have softened many of the harsh words in the debate at the time.It pains me to record the differences with which so many men I love and respect have made me sad, but it would be wrong not to put the lessons of the past before the future.The conduct of honest and good men is recorded in this book, and I hope that no one will belittle them for it, without asking himself, examining his performance of public office, and drawing upon the lessons of the past as a model for his own future conduct.

Don't think that I want everyone to agree with everything I say, much less that I only write to pander to the public.I present an argument based on the views I hold.I have done my best to verify the material with the utmost care, but many historical facts are constantly being published, as a result of disclosures of captured enemy documents or other new discoveries, which may provide new insights into the conclusions I have drawn. thing.Until the whole case is known, the reliable records and written opinions of the time should be taken as a basis.That's why it's important to do so.

President Roosevelt told me one day that he was asking the public what to call this war.Immediately I say: unnecessary war.Never was a war easier to stop than this one.The last war caused great damage to the world, and the remaining things have been destroyed in this war.Now, after the greatest efforts and sacrifices of hundreds of millions and the triumph of a just cause, we still have no peace or security, and now we are in dangers greater than those we have finally overcome In , this can be said to be the climax of human tragedy.Past experience guide for the future. It is my earnest hope that a new generation will be able to right some of the wrongs of the past, and thus, in accordance with the needs and honours, of man, take control of the dire visions of the future unfolding.

Winston Spencer Churchill Chartwell House, Westham, Kent March 1948