This track covers a lot of ground, using
the soundbytes at the beginning to convey the political and military
positions that were changing on a daily basis at the time. After
the declaration of war on Germany, on 3rd September, 1939, as
featured in Track 3 'The World Prepares', the British public entered
into a surreal period which became known as the 'Phoney
War'. While the war raged in eastern Europe, Britain and
France remained quiet, although in a state of war. Due to the
Nazi-Soviet pact, a nonaggression treaty (signed on the 23rd August,
1939) that divided eastern Europe into agreed-upon German and
Soviet spheres of influence, the focus of the conflict remained
in eastern Europe. Poland was divided and fell under German and
Soviet control, while Estonia and Latvia were controlled by the
Soviets.
Another interest that fell under the Soviets
was Finland. The Soviet Union attacked Finland, and the Allies
engaged the Germans in Norway. The Allies (British and French)
failure to stop the Germans from obtaining Norway would lead to
the downfall of the British government, and swing the conflict
to western Europe and the old battle fields of the past.
Winston Churchill (The First Admiral):
"The news that has come from Montevideo has been received with
thankfulness in our Island, and with unconcealed satisfaction
throughout the greater part of the world. The pocket battleship
The
Graf Spee, which has been for many weeks in the south
Atlantic, has met her doom."
On 20th January 1940,
the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill made a radio
broadcast from London. The broadcast informed the nation of the
'War Situation' after the first five months of the conflict. He
end the broadcast with : "The day will come when the joybells
will ring again throughout Europe, and when victorious nations,
masters not only of their foes but of themselves, will plan and
build in justice, in tradition, and in freedom a house of many
mansions where there will be room for all." (The
complete speech).
A radio announcer: "It was about dawn,
that the first reports came in saying that German troops have
crossed the frontier into Denmark. At the same time attacks were
being delivered from the sea at some of Norway's
biggest ports. The Oslo radio is still working."
Chamberlain (The British PM): "I sought
an audience with the king, tendered to him my resignation, which
his Majesty has been pleased to accept."
The Norwegian Campaign was an attempt to
stop Norway falling into German hands. But Hitler gained Norway
and in the House Of Commons, during the 'Norway debate' (7th/8th
of May 1940), determined the downfall of Chamberlain. Now the
focus of Hitler's war machine was the Western front, and on May
the 10th, 1940, the Netherlands were invaded.
A Radio announcer: "This is the BBC
home service. The German army invaded Belgium and Holland early
this morning by land and landing from parachutes. The armies of
the low countries are resisting. Their appeals for help have been
to the Allied governments and Allied
troops are moving to their support."
On the 13th May 1940,
Winston Churchill made his first speech as Prime Minister in the
House of Commoms and stated : "I have nothing to offer but
blood, toil, tears and sweat." (The
complete speech).
On 19th May 1940 Winston Churchill made
his first radio broadcast to the British people, as Prime Minister.
: "Having received his Majesty's commission. I have formed
an administration of men and women from every party and from nearly
every point of view. We have differed and quarrelled in the past,
but now one bond unites us all, to wage war until victory is won.
And never to surrender ourselves to servitude and shame. What
ever the cost maybe." (The
complete broadcast).
A radio announcer: "We have nothing
to hide. We're fighting our war in the open! Our propaganda is
true!"
The song looks at the reasons the war had
been allowed to reach this stage, as soldiers, or pawns, take
their positions for the conflict. How Hitler was "given an inch",
and "took a mile." The price of appeasement of Hitler's expansion
in central Europe, and his growing greed for more power across
Europe. The Allies had the chance to stop him when he was weak,
but decided not to act. The first verse sums up the view of apathy
taken by the politicians that caused the avoidable position of
two armies confronting each other in northern Europe... again.
We gave them an inch
and they took a mile.
We let it happen, just stood by and wore a complacent smile.
We did nothing and we let them take it all.
Now it's too late and I feel we're heading for a fall.
We're in their way now and the lines are drawn,
to the front line men, is the call.
Goodbye, good luck boys, or should I say, sacrificial pawns.
Soldiers or pawns?
To the generals you're all the same boys,
to them it was just a game.
Never mind son soldier on.
Soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on.
And men will die and countries will fall.
We've made a mistake now that could mean the end of it all,
no time to build a wall.
But Tommy's too young and he's not yet ready to die,
and Tommy's too young and he's just got to survive.
Got to try and stay alive.
Fear's the worst that he has to face,
I can see that by the look upon his face.
While we watch this concluding part of this saga that is tearing
us apart.
Soldiers and pawns to the Generals you're all the same boys,
to them it was just a game.
Lets soldier on.
Soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on.
Soldiers and pawns? To the Generals you're all the same boys.
To them it was just a game. Soldier on.
Soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on, soldier on Tom.
