Britain's Darkest Hour

May, 1940, is considered Britain's darkest hour.  I will tell you what happened May, but first a little background.  From 1933-1939 Britain had a policy of appeasement toward dictators and aggressors, specifically Hitler.  Neville Chamberlain began the policy, sometimes called the locust years.  The period from 1933-1939 were Churchill's years of wilderness.  He was out of politics, but maintained popularity due to his heroics when he was a young man.  At this time, Britain was completely unprepared for war, and were disorganized when Norway was invaded in April, 1940. 

Nazis easily conquered Norway.  Finally, the British parliament recognized the incompetence of Chamberlain.  He was still able to survive a vote of no confidence, but many in parliament did not want him as prime minister anymore, and he resigned.  On May 10, 1940, it was necessary to appoint a new prime minister.  It was between Halifax and Churchill.  Churchill had been out of government from 1929-1939.  Halifax was offered the position, but didn't want it, so, at age 65, Churchill became the new prime minister.

The Blitzkrieg began as Churchill took power and the Allies weren't ready.  (Germany invaded France and the low countries.)  On May 26, the battle of Dunkirk took place, the worst day in British history.  On May 27-28, a conflict took place between Halifax and Churchill.  Prior to this they had been working together since Churchill's appoint as prime minister.  On this day Churchill made a speech to the outer cabinet.  Britain would fight to end, and never surrender.  I thought this was just a bit of history, the run up to Churchill's appointment, that might interest you.