"We are about to lose this war. Our country is about to perish. If we still cannot halt the German military's advance at Washington, then our country will truly be finished. The Germans will no longer allow the United States of America to continue existing. When that time comes, we will all become slaves of a conquered nation, oppressed by the Germans. We can only muster our courage, take up our weapons, fight with all our strength, and hold back the Germans in this final battle. Only then might we be able to preserve our country. For our country, and likewise for freedom, let us fight the Germans to the death!" President Roosevelt's voice traveled across the airwaves to every corner of the United States.
In US military camps, officers and soldiers gathered around radios, listening to President Roosevelt's speech.
After suffering defeat after defeat at the front, many US soldiers no longer had the courage or confidence to keep fighting. In their eyes, the Germans had become synonymous with invincibility. But after hearing President Roosevelt's speech, these US officers and soldiers once more summoned their courage and resolved to fight to the bitter end. After all, they were soldiers of the US Army. Their duty was to defend their country.
"For freedom, fight the Germans to the last drop of blood!" a US officer said.
"For freedom! God bless us!" a Black soldier shouted.
"For freedom, defeat the Germans!" even more US soldiers answered.
At the final moment, President Roosevelt had successfully stirred the US military's morale.
Of course, this had only temporarily kindled the troops' fighting spirit. Once the situation turned against them again, their morale would likely collapse at once—perhaps even worse than before. By then, large numbers of US soldiers might voluntarily surrender to the German