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This is rushed so it has some gaps.

RSH – Lord Haw Haw – The Fall of France

(begin transcription)

It’s been an extremely eventful week. It will indeed go down in history as a decisive point in the world developments. All events have become subordinate in these days to the complete collapse of France. On Monday afternoon, I was several hundred miles away from Berlin in certain military headquarters. I had been learning certain facts from a group of officers who (undecipherable) was an old soldier who knew England well. It was a delightful afternoon bathed in sunshine. And we were taking a rest after some rather arduous exercise. Then we were suddenly surprised by the entry into the room of another officer, who informed us that (undecipherable) that is to say an announcement of special significance was to be expected over the radio in a short time. The senior officer present tuned in. I looked out on the beautiful countryside and the rich green and luxurious trees. The air was pure and invigorating and I felt as if I had a month holiday at the seaside. We went on in discussing our business, and then the music; it was I think the Overture to Rienzi, suddenly stopped. And we heard an announcement of far reaching importance was going to be made in a few minutes. We wondered what it could be. In our own minds, of course, the thought of France capitulation was insistent, but it seemed a little early. We knew that it would come soon, but to hope that the breakdown of French resistance would be announced in a few minutes seemed a little premature. Perhaps, some new and decisive victory had been won. Perhaps, (undecipherable) floated through the room, so it had to do with France after all. Again the motif sounded and again. We looked to the receiving set intently, as people will, quite unnecessary, but naturally. Then the message came: Marshall Petain has stated in a broadcast to the French people that France would lay down arms as the struggle could be no longer sustained. He had asked the head of the German state, to make known the conditions of an armistice. The Führer was to consult the Duchy of the answer which was to made to this request. Then the sacred German hymn Deutschland Uber Alles began. We all stood up reverently, and silently thank our God for this great victory. And the release it must bring to millions. There were several veterans present wearing the orders and decorations which they had won on the field of battle. They mastered their emotions like the strong men they were. And then, the famous Horst Wessel, the great National Socialist March cried out. I thought of all it had meant during the last painful years of German resurrection and the Nationalist Socialist fighters that had fallen so that Germany might once again be great. On the Führer own miraculous effort; on the meetings, the organization, the house to house work, the imprisonment, the ordeal, which had all contributed to the stating of a new and glorious (indecipherable). And above all I wish to the old campaigners who are being carried silently home, when their work was done, might be living to hear these words of history. The music stopped, we looked at each other for a moment in silence, yet, it was an experience never to be forgotten. I had intended to stay longer, but it was now necessary to finish the task at once. A rapid phone call to Berlin, a few hours of steady work, and I was rushing through the night back to the capital of great Deutschland. The people of Berlin took news with calm gratitude. They were happy and proud. But there was no exultation. Rather, there was a clear consciousness of a work to be completed. The general attitude was, yes, we are indeed thankful for this great victory, we want to celebrate, but there will come a time, for the celebration of our lives in the near future, when the war land over England is laid low and our gallant peace is safe forever. Great taste of enthusiasm is witnessed in Munich when the Führer and the Duchy met to discuss the answer of Marshall Petain. Munich, the birthplace of the Nationalist Socialist movement, the city, where the Führer had once set out with several men to unify and restore a nation of 80 million. The city, (undecipherable) unknown at that time. The city, in which Mr. Chamberlain had brought peace to England in September 1938. A peace which he undermined systematically. By substituting hostility for all his pledges of concord and amity. In those days, Munich had a special significance for England, the millions of Londoners who lined the streets and cheered Chamberlain on his return, then saw it as the city of peace. And so it would seem by its own citizens on this historic occasion. Had Chamberlain and his colleagues only been true to the spirit, of the welcome that the British people gave to the new rule which came on that famous Friday afternoon in the early English autumn, men would be living today who bones are now rotting. But it was not to be.

Meanwhile, there is no cessation of hostilities. Had the French desired one, they could have had it by unconditional surrender. That was the measure of Marshall Petain. Our armies left Paris far behind. With irresistible strength, they’ve swept down south, one victory after another was announced Leon, Dijon, Cherbourg, and Brest was captured. The historic city of Strasburg became German once again. Success followed successes just as rapidly at times the whole thing seemed almost incomprehensible. One never new what fresh loss was to be handed by the achievement of our troops. On Thursday I was driving outside of Berlin with a friend when we heard the famous Macintyre March (?) on the radio of our car. This march is always associated with the personal strengths of appearance of the Führer. We wonder what it would be taken on this occasion. After a while we heard the news that Badenweiler and (can’t locate this other city) had been captured. It was the place associated with the Führer personal march. On the next day the Führer went with the chiefs of the German forces and the foreign minister of the Reich into the forest of Compiègne and also into these woods the representatives of the French Republic. At approximately 3:30 on the afternoon of June the 21st, the discussions concerning the armistice began. It is here that in November 1918, the terms of disgrace and all the evil that instilled from them was imposed on Germany. It was here that Marshall Foch, curtly and sardonically asked the German delegates what they expected from him. It was in the very same railway carriage that would dictate oppression and conquest was made known to the Germans in flat violation of all the promises where by President Wilson, had persuaded the unbeaten German forces to lay down their arms. On this occasion however, the delegates of the defeated nation were welcomed by a military guard of honor, they were reportedly greeted by the Führer, who as a head of a state might well have awaited their salutations. They had taken particular care that no dishonorable association should attach to this meeting with a vanquished but valiant foe. The French representatives were allowed facilities which were abruptly denied to the Germans in 1918. They found they were enabled to communicate by telephone with their government. And it is clear they were not rushed in their deliberations. Fortunately for them they had to deal with a chivalrous soldier and statesmen to great for any pettiness of mind or conduct. It was made plain to them the object of the negotiation was to procure permanent peace between France and Germany. To (undecipherable) the armor of which Germany had suffered in the past. And to give Germany security in the war which the British government insists on perusing to the bitter end. And bitter it will be for England. Even in the (undecipherable) we awaited the results of these discussions in the forest of Compiègne the question “what next” was already in millions of minds. To the curious, a sufficient indication should be given by the fact that Germany in settling with France, is taking all necessary precautions to ensure that a complete settlement with England shall be possible in the very near future. We waited for the news and then last night we learned that the German-French Armistice has been signed at 6:50 p.m.

For the English people, the complete collapse of French resistance, after mere six weeks of fighting ought to be a saluted warning. The French forces were better trained, better equipped and more numerous than the British. And the defeat of France within six weeks after the entry of German troops into Belgium and Holland is the most eloquent testimony of what Germany can do in modern warfare. It needs no stressing. The bare fact is so gigantic as almost to pass comprehension. Churchill, (undecipherable), is interested solely in the old world of Jewish international finance. But he can’t say that, and he won’t. He wants to save nothing but his own skin. In the face of certain defeat, he is exposing Britain to invasion and the horrors of war. The old campaign of lies about German weakness continues in India, unabated. The people seem like dumb driven animals, unable to speak with a voice of their own. Patriotic Englishmen are in prison because they dare to see and recommend the wisdom of peace. And so, even as peace dawns over the French people, twilight spreads over England. And in the night of our sorrow, the men who have ruined and betrayed us will slip away, and leave the people to their fate.

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