While I do like Cunningham's cable, I always liked his quote from the evactuation of Crete more. The German forces attacked on the 20th, and over the course of 7 days, things went from bad to worse for the British, leading to the decision to evacuate by ship to Egypt. As the evacuation had no air cover, German dive bombers took a heavy toll, and the Army generals said that Cunningham should withdraw to protect his ships. Cunningham replied that, while it indeed took 3 years for the Navy to build a new ship, it would take them three HUNDRED years to build a new tradition. Evacuation would continue.

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Stoke Mandeville, Esq & The Victorian Ballsmiths
"Nobody Want Verdigris-Covered Balls!"