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Winston Churchill at Croydon Airport, 1939
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Winston Churchill at Croydon Airport, 1939
Churchill leaves his plane at Croydon Airport after flying back from an inspection of the Maginot Line on August 23rd, 1939 - just over a week before the Second World War broke out. Date: 1939
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Media ID 14236118
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
23rd Airport Churchill Cigar Croydon Inspection Maginot Winston
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the iconic figure of Sir Winston Churchill as he steps off his plane at Croydon Airport on August 23, 1939. The date was just over a week before the outbreak of World War II, and Churchill was returning from an inspection of the Maginot Line, the fortified defensive structure built by France along its eastern border with Germany. Churchill, then the First Lord of the Admiralty, was deeply concerned about the growing threat of Nazi aggression and had traveled to France to assess the readiness of the Allied forces. The Maginot Line, named after French Minister of War André Maginot, was intended to provide a strong defensive barrier against German invasion. However, its effectiveness was soon to be put to the test. In this image, Churchill, dressed in a heavy overcoat and hat, is seen smoking a cigar as he descends the steps of the plane. The expression on his face is serious, reflecting the gravity of the situation. The photograph captures a moment of history, as the world teetered on the brink of war. The 1930s was a decade marked by political instability and rising tensions between major world powers. This photograph is a reminder of the pivotal role that Churchill played in shaping the course of history during this turbulent period. It is a powerful image that continues to resonate with audiences today, as we reflect on the past and consider the challenges that lie ahead.
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