“We shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender…”
- Speech in the House of Commons (4 June 1940)
All characteristics of a great leader mentioned above would be meaningless unless put into action. Churchill didn’t stop working until the break of dawn. He will put a sticker on orders - “Action This Day”.
After the collapse of France, Churchill was concerned that the French would pass over their battle ships to the Germans. As a result, he initiated the attack on the Battle of Oran, six ships were destroyed and more than a thousand French naval servicemen died. This was a symbol as to how serious Churchill was to carry on, no surrender.