MR. CHURCHILL, IN HIS STIRRING BROADCAST TO BRITAIN AND THE WORLD ON JULY 14, 1940:—

"All goes to show that the war will be long and hard. No one can tell where it will spread. One thing is certain—the peoples of Europe will not be ruled for long by the Nazi Gestapo, nor will the world yield itself to Hitler's gospel of hatred and domination … 

"Here in this strong city of refuge, which enshrines the title deeds of human progress and is of deep consequence to Christian civilization; here, girt about by the seas and oceans where the Navy reigns, shielded from above by the staunchness and devotion of our airmen, we await undismayed the impending assault … 

"But be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parley. We may show mercy—we shall ask none."
ENGLAND PREPARES FOR INVASION

Undaunted by Nazi threats of annihilation, Britain prepared to defend herself against attack by sea or air. Barbed wire entanglements were erected at strategic points, as shown  where Big Ben is silhouetted behind its unaccustomed defense. Signposts were removed from all roads  and the streets of London  were barricaded and strongly guarded.

July 14, 1940 speech

World War II controversy[edit]

In March 1942, Ayres was identified as a 4E conscientious objector and sent to a CO camp. As expected, the announcement that a Hollywood actor objected to the war was a major source of public outcry and debate.[5] Within a month it was determined that he had initially requested to be A-O-1, so that he could serve as a non-combat medic. However, the military's policy that servicemen cannot request, or be guaranteed, where they will serve, forced him to request a 4E status. The U.S. military confirmed that they would place him as a medic and in April 1942, his status was changed.

He served as a First Aid instructor in the military before requesting a drop in rank in order to serve as a medic and chaplain's assistant in the Pacific. He was one of 16 medics who arrived during the invasion of Leyte to set up evacuation hospitals under fire, and there he provided care to soldiers and civilians in the Philippines and New Guinea. He donated all the money he had earned as a serviceman to the American Red Cross.[6] Serving for three and a half years in the Medical Corps, he won three battle stars. After the war, he resumed his career and made scores of movies, but never reached the peak of his early Hollywood stardom.[7]


Lewis Ayres the leading man in ALLS QUIET IN THE 

Home Guards returning from camouflage training, Autumn 1940.  Either that, or they have fallen victim to the (proverbial) Home Guard defective map reading, and marched into a slurry pit.  The Missus will not be pleased when they get home ... Best regards, JR.