Chamberlain called German blitzkrieg a ‘minor setback'
Neville Chamberlain called the German blitzkrieg a 'minor setback', a letter has revealed.
The former prime minister accused his critics of being 'defeatist' in the 1940 correspondence, which has emerged for sale 85 years on.
It was in written response to an article by his friend Lord Beaverbrook, the newspaper magnate, which called for the British people to stay calm.
Just four days later, Chamberlain was ousted as prime minister in favour of Winston Churchill.
Chamberlain wrote: 'When so many are sounding the defeatist note over a minor setback, it is a relief to read such a courageous inspiriting summons to a saner view.'
Weeks later 330,000 Allied troops were evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk after being surrounded by the Germans.
The one page, two sided letter, signed 'Neville Chamberlain', has emerged for sale for £15,000 ($20,000) at RR Auction, of Boston, US. It is marked as 'Personal'.
An RR Auction spokesman said: 'This is a letter to influential British newspaper publisher Lord Beaverbrook thanking him for publishing a supportive article amidst the Norway crisis.
'Lord Beaverbrook's article could not stem the tide of opinion.'
The letter has been consigned by a private collector.
The Allies, then consisting of Britain, France and Poland, sent nearly 40,000 troops to Norway after Germany invaded in April 1940.
But the German forces, using swift amphibious assaults and paratroopers, seized key Norwegian cities and British attempts to counter at Narvik ended in defeat.
After the Norway debate in Parliament, Chamberlain's government survived a no confidence vote on a drastically reduced majority.
He attempted to form a coalition war government with Labour and Liberal involvement, but was told that they would only sign up under a different Conservative prime minister.
Winston Churchill was installed as the wartime prime minister and three days later gave his famous 'blood, toil, tears and sweat' speech.
The sale of the letter takes place on June 11.
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