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Churchill made this comment on 20 August 1940 in a speech during the Battle of Britain - that is, the battle in the air over southern Britain in July-October, 1940. It was a very difficult time for Britain: in June 1940 France had collapsed and installed a pro-Nazi government.

In the summer (and autumn) of 1940 the outcome of World War 2 in Europe depended on whether or not the Nazis would succeed in destroying the Royal Air Force (RAF). Many people had noted that the number of actual combattants involved in this particular battle was very small, and there were remarks to the effect that the fighting in the skies was rather like some ancient battle between champions. It was quite different from land battles between huge armies. However, the outcome was of the utmost importance. This is what the famous quote is about.

Joncey

the simple answer : he meant that the whole population (so many) owed so much to so few (the pilots) who saved England from Hitler.

Anthony Eden paraphrased this in North Africa when the British were defeating the Italians before Rommels arrival : Never in the field of human conflict was so much surrendered by so many to so few....

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12y ago
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14y ago

The Battle of Britain : The 'Few' were the RAF pilots (& the ground crew) that kept the Luftwaffe at bay in the summer of 1940. The reality was that Germany was prevented fom invading Britain because of the English Channel: But it's a very good example of Churchills' ablility to focus popular opinion. The original Master of the Soundbite !

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14y ago

He was describing the part played by the fighter pilots of the Royal Air Force (The Few) in the Battle of Britain where the Lufftwaffe (the German Air Force) of superior numbers were defeated over Southern Britain and therefore thwarted the planned invasion.

The many were the people of Britain who owed their continued freedom to that action.

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7y ago

He was referring to the fighter pilots during the Battle of Britain, which was Hitler's prelude to his planned invasion of the UK. If the Luftwaffe had been able to destroy the Royal Air Force, Britain would probably have been invaded by Nazi Germany. Churchill was very aware of this and was eternally grateful (as was the whole population) to the 'Few' pilots who thwarted Hitler's plan.

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13y ago

i think it was about the battle of Britain

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Q: What did churchill mean when he said never in the field of human conflict was so much owned by so many to so few?
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Related questions

What did Winston Churchill mean when he said never in the field of human conflict?

Never before in warfare.


Who said Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few?

Winston Churchill.


Are there some quotes for the battle of Britain?

''never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many yo so few'' - prime minister churchill.


What is Churchill's quote to explain the RAF's importance in the battle of Britain?

Never, in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many to so few.


What is the rest of this famous quote never in the field of human conflict was so much?

Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few,


Where did Winston Churchill say never in the field?

It was said in relation to the role of the RAF fighting against Germany in the Battle of Britain - in World War II... "Never, in the field of human conflict, has so much been owed by so many, to so few."


Who said never had so many owed.to so few?

Winston Churchill, about RAF Fighter Command after the Battle of Britain "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few"


2 quotes from England during the battle of Britain?

Never in the field of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few. (Winston Churchill) This is not the end, it is not even the beginning of the end, but it might be the end of the beginning. (Winston Churchill)


Who said 'Never in the field of human conflict have so many owed so much to so few'?

Winston Churchill said it about the RAF pilots who won the Battle of Britain. Although it is generally associated with Churchill, he didn't actually coin the phrase It had been used before by someone else.He simply adapted it.


What was Winston churchills famous battle of Britain quote?

There were many famous quotes by Winston Churchill - he was an incredibly good orator.


Who won after the Britain Battle ended?

It was the ultimate battle for air superiority and was an emphatic victory for the RAF and allied crews against a much larger force. A turning point in WW2 immortalised by Winston Churchill with the words, "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few."


What are some famous quotes about not forgetting heroes?

One very famous quote about not forgetting heroes is the Churchill quote 'Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few'. Another famous quote is 'The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example' by Disraeli.