17 famous broadcasts of the Soviet-German War in 1941, Churchill continued his intimidation and insults: Hitler is a monster of wickedness, insatiable in his lust for blood and plunder. Not content with having all Europe under his heel or else terrorized into various forms of abject submission, he must now carry his work of butchery and desolation among the vast multitudes of Russia and of Asia . . . So now this bloodthirsty guttersnipe must launch his mechanized armies upon new fields of slaughter, pillage and devastation . . . . We have but one aim and one single irrevocable purpose. We are resolved to destroy Hitler and every vestige of the Nazi regime. From this nothing will turn us. Nothing. We will never parley; we will never negotiate with Hitler or any of his gang. We shall fight him by land; we shall fight him by sea; we shall fight him in the air, until, with God’s help, we have rid the earth of his shadow and liberated its people from his yoke. Churchill made his voice heard to the people of the world and clearly expressed his willingness to fight to the finish. He would not allow Hitler to be characterized in any way other than the evil, vile man he was. “If Hitler invaded Hell,” he once remarked, “I would at least make a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.”32 To his Assistant Private Secretary, John Colville, Churchill would write, “I hate nobody except Hitler—and that is professional.”33 Despite their courageous rhetoric, both Henry and Churchill have been labeled “Machiavellian” as leaders. The vicious nature of Henry’s speech to the people of Harfleur or the execution of French soldiers at Agincourt are often cited as examples of his cruelty. Churchill’s critics point to his willingness to “drench Germany with poison gas, and if we do it, let us do it one hundred percent.”34 While sound arguments are made for Machiavellian tendencies in both, equally strong arguments are made for demonstrating overwhelming strength toward the enemy to bring an end to the conflict, prevent further bloodshed, and victory for the cause. As Eliot A. Cohen makes note to modern leaders: “ShakeTHE BARD AND THE BULLDOG
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy ODc4ODgx