the Best war speech ever?

Xindar · June 2, 2009

For me its from Mass Effect - Salarian speech

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and from the movie 300 (click on youtube window)

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And for you guys?

:404:

Edited July 29, 2009 by Xindar

dunedain · August 30, 2007

icebreakr · June 30, 2001

Morpheus' speech to Zion :)

Edited July 29, 2009 by IceBreakr

Mindwalker · October 14, 2007

I would have to go with the first 1 minute and 40 seconds of this.

And this, of course.

Praelium · July 3, 2008

Killzone intro:

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David Schofield · July 11, 2009

(Are you people serious?)

General Patton's Blood and Guts war speech summed up war into a small speech, then the Allies kicked the Nazis hind ends up to their shoulders.

What sucks is Patton died because of a car accident, now that just sucks.

Steakslim · February 23, 2009

Captain Wesreidau's speech in 1943 in Russia.

Sure he was a nazi, but damn if that speech wasn't magnificent.

jakerod · July 29, 2002

I hated that one from 300. The Black Gates one was my favorite one posted here so far. Overall though I don't know that many.

Is there anyway you can post what Captain Wesreidau said? I'm curious to know what he said and I can't seem to find it on any site that doesn't have neo-nazi ties. And those places are not a smart place for me to be going.

kevbaz · May 30, 2002

There can be only one...

4 June 1940

"I have, myself, full confidence that if all do their duty, if nothing is neglected, and if the best arrangements are made, as they are being made, we shall prove ourselves once again able to defend our Island home, to ride out the storm of war, and to outlive the menace of tyranny, if necessary for years, if necessary alone.

At any rate, that is what we are going to try to do. That is the resolve of His Majesty's Government-every man of them. That is the will of Parliament and the nation.

The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength.

Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail.

We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France,

we shall fight on the seas and oceans,

we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be,

we shall fight on the beaches,

we shall fight on the landing grounds,

we shall fight in the fields and in the streets,

we shall fight in the hills;

we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.

Winston Chruchill"

Placebo · July 23, 2001

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SaBrE_UK · March 13, 2007

+1 for Placebo's post!

SWAT_BigBear · October 16, 2006

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ck-claw · October 29, 2005

+2 For KEVBAZ & Placebo! :war: :respekt:

Blackhawk · April 16, 2008

Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen,
You will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world.

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped, and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely.

But this is the year 1944. Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41.

The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeat in open battle man to man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground.

Our home fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men.

The tide has turned.

The free men of the world are marching together to victory. I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty, and skill in battle.

We will accept nothing less than full victory.

Good luck, and let us all beseech the blessings of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.

I really love this speech, hearing this (or reading it) on a ship towards France could have been quite very motivating.

Placebo · July 23, 2001

There was an Iraq? one by a British commander that was really impressive, about respecting the enemy and such, can't remember the guy's name, he was considered a hero then got into some trouble a couple of years later?

da12thMonkey · May 14, 2003

Aye, Churchill's speeches were fantastic.

Elizabeth I's address to her troops against the Spanish Armada also goes down as one of the best in our history:

My loving people, we have been persuaded by some, that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit ourselves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you, I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear; I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good will of my subjects. And therefore I am come amongst you at this time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my God, and for my kingdom, and for my people, my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonor should grow by me, I myself will take up arms; I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, by your forwardness, that you have deserved rewards and crowns; and we do assure you, on the word of a prince, they shall be duly paid you. In the mean my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble and worthy subject; not doubting by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and by your valor in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over the enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.

So far as fiction goes, I don't think anyone has written anything more rousing to an Englishman's national pride than Shakespeare's work in Henry V:

Act 3, scene 1

Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.

In peace there's nothing so becomes a man

As modest stillness and humility:

But when the blast of war blows in our ears,

Then imitate the action of the tiger;

Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,

Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;

Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;

Let pry through the portage of the head

Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it

As fearfully as doth a galled rock

O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,

Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.

Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,

Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit

To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.

Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!

Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,

Have in these parts from morn till even fought

And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:

Dishonour not your mothers; now attest

That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.

Be copy now to men of grosser blood,

And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,

Whose limbs were made in England, show us here

The mettle of your pasture; let us swear

That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;

For there is none of you so mean and base,

That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.

I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,

Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:

Follow your spirit, and upon this charge

Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'

Act 4, scene 3

What's he that wishes so?
My cousin Westmoreland? No, my fair cousin:

If we are mark'd to die, we are enow

To do our country loss; and if to live,

The fewer men, the greater share of honour.

God's will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.

By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,

Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;

It yearns me not if men my garments wear;

Such outward things dwell not in my desires:

But if it be a sin to covet honour,

I am the most offending soul alive.

No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England:

God's peace! I would not lose so great an honour

As one man more, methinks, would share from me

For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!

Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,

That he which hath no stomach to this fight,

Let him depart; his passport shall be made

And crowns for convoy put into his purse:

We would not die in that man's company

That fears his fellowship to die with us.

This day is called the feast of Crispian:

He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,

Will stand a tip-toe when the day is named,

And rouse him at the name of Crispian.

He that shall live this day, and see old age,

Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,

And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian:'

Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.

And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'

Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,

But he'll remember with advantages

What feats he did that day: then shall our names.

Familiar in his mouth as household words

Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,

Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,

Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.

This story shall the good man teach his son;

And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,

From this day to the ending of the world,

But we in it shall be remember'd;

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;

For he to-day that sheds his blood with me

Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,

This day shall gentle his condition:

And gentlemen in England now a-bed

Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,

And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks

That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.

The latter part of that one is probably one of Shakespeare's the best remembered quotes: "We happy few, we band of brothers..."

Placebo, are you thinking of Col. Tim Collins' (at the time Lt. Col. Tim Collins) speech on the eve of Op Telic?

We go to liberate, not to conquer.
We will not fly our flags in their country

We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own.

Show respect for them.

There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly.

Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send.

As for the others, I expect you to rock their world.

Wipe them out if that is what they choose.

But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.

Iraq is steeped in history.

It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham.

Tread lightly there.

You will see things that no man could pay to see

-- and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis.

You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing.

Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country.

Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.

If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day.

Allow them dignity in death.

Bury them properly and mark their graves.

It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive.

But there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign.

We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back.

There will be no time for sorrow.

The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction.

There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam.

He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done.

As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.

It is a big step to take another human life.

It is not to be done lightly.

I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts.

I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them.

If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.

The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.

If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer.

You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest -- for your deeds will follow you down through history.

We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.

Edited July 30, 2009 by da12thMonkey

TangoRomeo · June 7, 2009

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That one moved me deeply, really. Edited July 30, 2009 by TangoRomeo

MehMan · November 2, 2006

Placebo, are you thinking of Col. Tim Collins' (at the time Lt. Col. Tim Collins) speech on the eve of Op Telic?

Heh, just in the middle of reading Beattie's book while crossrefrencing it with Sean Langans documentary, the whole expirence of reading and to see it unravel is just mind boggling, how far media has come and it all just feels a bit...strange.

But in any case, I found his speech, well, like Beattie said, it didn't exactly seem battle motivation. However, the toughts are deep.

Edited July 30, 2009 by MehMan

Placebo · July 23, 2001

Placebo, are you thinking of Col. Tim Collins' (at the time Lt. Col. Tim Collins) speech on the eve of Op Telic?

Yeah that's the one, found it very profound and moving myself, rare to see such respect for the enemy in these modern times.

raedor · September 30, 2002

I don't like war speeches, but if you're talking about war speeches and "the best one ever", you should take Pericles' Funeral Oration of 431/0 into account...

(Thuc 2.35-46: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/ptext?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0200&layout=&loc=2.35)

kevbaz · May 30, 2002

Yeah that's the one, found it very profound and moving myself, rare to see such respect for the enemy in these modern times.

"We go to liberate not to conquer. We will not fly our flags in their country. We are entering Iraq to free a people and the only flag which will be flown in that ancient land is their own. Show respect for them.

"There are some who are alive at this moment who will not be alive shortly. Those who do not wish to go on that journey, we will not send. As for the others I expect you to rock their world. Wipe them out if that is what they choose. But if you are ferocious in battle remember to be magnanimous in victory.

"Iraq is steeped in history. It is the site of the Garden of Eden, of the Great Flood and the birthplace of Abraham. Tread lightly there. You will see things that no man could pay to see and you will have to go a long way to find a more decent, generous and upright people than the Iraqis. You will be embarrassed by their hospitality even though they have nothing. Don't treat them as refugees for they are in their own country. Their children will be poor, in years to come they will know that the light of liberation in their lives was brought by you.

"If there are casualties of war then remember that when they woke up and got dressed in the morning they did not plan to die this day. Allow them dignity in death. Bury them properly and mark their graves.

"It is my foremost intention to bring every single one of you out alive but there may be people among us who will not see the end of this campaign. We will put them in their sleeping bags and send them back. There will be no time for sorrow.

"The enemy should be in no doubt that we are his nemesis and that we are bringing about his rightful destruction. There are many regional commanders who have stains on their souls and they are stoking the fires of hell for Saddam. He and his forces will be destroyed by this coalition for what they have done. As they die they will know their deeds have brought them to this place. Show them no pity.

"It is a big step to take another human life. It is not to be done lightly. I know of men who have taken life needlessly in other conflicts, I can assure you they live with the mark of Cain upon them. If someone surrenders to you then remember they have that right in international law and ensure that one day they go home to their family.

"The ones who wish to fight, well, we aim to please.

"If you harm the regiment or its history by over-enthusiasm in killing or in cowardice, know it is your family who will suffer. You will be shunned unless your conduct is of the highest for your deeds will follow you down through history. We will bring shame on neither our uniform or our nation.

"[Regarding the use by Saddam of chemical or biological weapons] It is not a question of if, it's a question of when. We know he has already devolved the decision to lower commanders, and that means he has already taken the decision himself. If we survive the first strike we will survive the attack.

"As for ourselves, let's bring everyone home and leave Iraq a better place for us having been there.

"Our business now is north." Speech given by Lieutenant Colonel Tim Collins, 20 March 2003, Kuwait, near the Iraqi border.

:) thats the one, i agree its very good

opteryx · January 18, 2007

WLrrBs8JBQo

"and balls of lightning from his arse"

JdB · August 10, 2002

Captain Wesreidau's speech in 1943 in Russia.
Sure he was a nazi, but damn if that speech wasn't magnificent.

This one?

"Something of this kind is happening on the other side. As a people, we are fortunate in being somewhat less indolent than they. If someone tells us to examine ourselves we at least have the courage to do it. Our condition is not absolutely perfect, but at least we agree to take a look at other things, and take chances.We are now embarked on a risky enterprise, with no assurance of safety. We are advancing an idea of unity which is neither rich nor easily digestable, but the vast majority of the German people accept it and adhere to it, forging and forming it in an admirable collective effort.This is where we are now risking everthing. We are trying, taking due account of the attiudes of society, to change the face of the world, hoping to revive the ancient virtues buried under the layers of filth bequeathed to us by our forbears. We can expect no reward for this effort. We are loathed everywhere: if we should lose tomorrow those of us still alive after so much suffering will be judged without justice. We shall be accused of an infinity of murder, as if everywhere, at all times, men at war did not behave in the same way. Those who have an interest in putting an end to our ideals will ridicule everything we believe in. We shall be spared nothing. Even the tombs of our heroes shall be destroyed, only preserving - as a gesture of respect toward the dead - a few which contain heroes of doubtful heroism, who were never fully commited to our cause. With our deaths, all the prodigies of heroism which our daily circumstances require of us, and in memory of our comrades, dead and alive, and our communion of spirits, our fears and our hopes, will vanish and our history will never be told. Future generations will speak only of an idiotic, unqualified sacrifice. Whether you wanted it or not you are now part of this undertaking, and nothing which follows can equal the efforts you made, if you sleep tommorrow under the quieter skies of the opposite camp. In that case, you will never be forgiven for having survived. You will be either rejected or presvered like a rare animal which has escaped a rare cataclysm. With other men, you will be as cats are to dogs and you will never have any real friends.
Do you wish such an end for yourselves?"

ACF · November 30, 2003

To save all that tiresome reading:

And not unrelated, the original Band of Brothers:

sic-disaster · February 11, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f21NuKxZ6Ac

Now let all those who love me, follow me!

(I really love how the French army starts to roar when she rallies them hehe. The battles in this movie are brutal too, i love them)

the Best war speech ever?

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