英语专业高级英语第一册14课

Hitler was hoping that if he attacked Russia, he would win in Britain and the U.S. the support of those who were enemies of Communism.
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Go all out: To make one’s utmost effort The United States would do the same



This changed conviction into certainty: conviction: a very firm and sincere belief In the past it was my belief that Hitler would soon attack the Soviet Union; but now it was no longer a belief, it had become a fact.
Historical Background


The Second World War started on September 1, 1939 with Hitler’s invasion of Poland. At first, neither Britain nor France did anything serious to stop Nazi Germany’s aggression since their ultimate goal was to preserve their own peace even at the expense of the interests of other countries, which is known as the Appeasement Policy. As a result, Germany became bolder in its aggression.



Presently: Before long, shortly, soon Surprise: Attack suddenly and without warning Grounded: Stationed When the Germans attacked, they took the Russians by surprise and destroyed a high percentage of Soviet airplanes before they could take off.


Enlist: Win the support of Sympathy: A feeling of approval or of agreement with an idea, etc. Right Wing: The more conservative section of a political party

and seemed to be driving forward: and seemed to be advancing rapidly, and their attack was fierce.



I suppose they will be rounded up in hordes: Round up: Collect together Horde: A large moving crowd or throng I think the Red armymen will be surrounded and captured in surprisingly large numbers.



The Nazi regime is…: Devoid of: Completely without Theme: A unifying subject or idea Appetite: Very strong desire
Winston Spencer Churchill

Two of his most famous works, which were published after his first premiership and brought his international fame to new heights, were his six-volume memoir The Second World War and A History of the EnglishSpeaking Peoples.
Winston Spencer Churchill

He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 “for his mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values”.
Historical Background

Then on June 20, two days before the invasion, Churchill worked on a speech to be broadcast to the world when the invading forces rolled into Russia.


We all felt the same on the issue: On the issue of Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union, we had the same attitude. account: A descriptive report of interest: Quality of holding one’s attention
Historical Background

In March 1939, Britain under Chamberlain and France under Daladier started talks with the Soviet Union on possible cooperation against Fascist Germany for more than three months. But the talks were broken off due to the complete lack of sincerity of Britain and France, who wanted to contain and even destroy the only Communist country by German force.


I had not the slightest…: lie: exist, be found We know where our problems lie, and we have begun to solve some of them.


Nor indeed what to say: No had I indeed the slightest doubt as to what I ought to say. There only remained the task of…: The only task left was to write down what I was going to say.

If Hitler invaded Hell…: I would say a word in favour of anyone who is attacked by Hitler, no matter how bad, how wicked or evil he had been in the past.
Historical Background


As his war conduct grew unpopular, Chamberlain was replaced as Prime Minister on May 10, 1940 by Winston Churchill, who had advocated an alliance with the Soviet Union to fight Hitler’s Germany. On June 6, 1941, British intelligence already learnt that Germany was to attack the Soviet Union, since before the fall of Poland, they had got hold of a German coding machine and had been able to decipher all German coded messages. They passed to the Soviet Union a warning, which was unheeded.
The speech was carefully composed, full of grave themes and weighty argument. Churchill polished the text on June 22 in his Elizabethan Manor at Chequers.
Speech on Hitler’s Invasion of the U.S.S.R.
Winston S. Churchill
Winston Spencer Churchill



British politician, best known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the 20th century, he served as Prime Minister twice (1940–45 and 1951–55). A noted statesman and orator, Churchill was also an officer in the British Army, a historian, a writer, and an artist. He is the only British prime minister to have received the Nobel Prize in Literature and was the first person to be made an Honorary Citizen of the United States.
Winston Spencer Churchill


As the british leader during the Second World War, Churchill braced the British people with vitality, boldness and confidence and led Britain from near defeat to victory. As a prolific writer of history, politics and biographies, he wrote a novel, two biographies, three volumes of memoirs, and several histories in addition to his many newspaper articles.