The Second World War was a period that witnessed some brave stories as well as some gruesome tales. Here are some interesting quotes about the same by some prominent personalities of that period.
Death Toll
WWII, which lasted almost 6 years, had several casualties. 50 million lost their lives, among which 15 million alone were soldiers, 20 million were Russian civilians, while six million were Jews. The remaining casualties included over 4 million Polish people.
The Second World War (1939 to 1945) was a time that involved participation from some major powers, thus, making it the most extensive war that raged in history. It is said to be the continuation of the unsettled disputes of the First World War. The following quotes would give you a glimpse of the ideas and thoughts of some of the leaders and key figures during that time.
Famous World War II Quotes
“History knows no greater display of courage than that shown by the people of the Soviet Union.”
― Henry L. Stimson
“Germany must either be a world power or there will be no Germany.”
― Adolf Hitler
“This is a fight between a free world and a slave world.”
― Henry A. Wallace
“The American forces have suffered terrible losses. The losses are far more than what Eisenhower has admitted, and worse is ahead. Tunis is only a foretaste of what is waiting for us in Europe.”
― Roane Waring
“The assertion that it is the intention of the German Reich to coerce the Austrian State is absurd.”
― Adolf Hitler
“I never worry about action, only inaction.”
― Winston Churchill
“We are determined that before the sun sets on this terrible struggle, our flag will be recognized throughout the world as a symbol of freedom on the one hand, of overwhelming power on the other.”
― George Marshall
“It is the function of the Navy to carry the war to the enemy so that it will not be fought on U.S. Soil.”
― Admiral Chester W. Nimitz
“No compromise is possible and the victory of the democracies can only be complete with the utter defeat of the war machines of Germany and Japan.”
― George Marshall
“We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender.”
― Winston Churchill
“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.”
― General Dwight D. Eisenhower
“We are not retreating – we are advancing in another direction.”
― General Douglas MacArthur
“Success is how high you bounce when you hit the bottom.”
― General George S. Patton, Jr.
“I fear all we have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve.”
― Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, upon learning of the success of the attack on Pearl Harbor
“I should like to pay the highest tribute for the most gallant fight put up against impossible odds.”
― Admiral Tovey
“The Russian convoys are and always have been an unsound operation of this war.”
― Rear Admiral L.H.K Hamilton
“In the burning and devastated cities, we daily experienced the direct impact of war. It spurred us to do our utmost…the bombing and the hardships that resulted from them (did not) weaken the morale of the populace.”
― Albert Speer
“I have returned many times to honour the valiant men who died…every man who set foot on Omaha Beach was a hero.”
― Lieutenant General Omar Bradley
“There is one front and one battle where everyone in the United States-every man, woman, and child-is in action, and will be privileged to remain in action throughout this war. That front is right here at home, in our daily lives, and in our daily tasks.”
― President Franklin D. Roosevelt
“War alone can carry to the maximum tension all human energies and imprint with the seal of nobility those people who have the courage to confront it; Every other test is a mere substitute.”
― Benito Mussolini
“Force is the only language they understand, like bullies.”
― President Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with the state’s.”
― Benito Mussolini
“In War: Resolution. In Defeat: Defiance. In Victory: Magnanimity. In Peace: Good Will.”
― Winston Churchill
“Old soldiers never die, they just fade away.”
― General Douglas McArthur
“I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones.”
― Albert Einstein
“It is evil things we shall be fighting against, brute force, bad faith, injustice, oppression and persecution.”
― Neville Chamberlain
An irony is that the advent of the Second World War led to a decrease in the overall unemployment rate, which further accelerated recovery from the Great Depression. Hence, this second global war has seen a few positive effects, some heroic feats, and also some very ghastly tragedies. The quotes provided above are a very clear representation of this fact. However, as Albert Einstein had very rightly said, “As long as there are sovereign nations possessing great power, war is inevitable.”
