The Archbishop of Canterbury has come in for some harsh criticism recently but I wish to congratulate him for his apology and condemnation of the firebombing of German cities like Dresden after the war was over.
An uncle of mine was one of those close to Churchill’s war effort. His Christian advisor was Archbishop Cosmo Lang who along with devout Spiritualist and RAF chief, Hugh Dowding begged Churchill not to keep bombing civilians.
Germany was in ruins and after dozens of offers of peace by Hitler, Churchill went ahead with 1,000 bomber raids on an already destroyed country, Arthur “Bomber” Harris is said to have been its architect but Churchill’s secretaries confirm it was Churchill himself who made the decision.
I nursed my father in law in his last months, he was haunted over the fact he was one of those bomber pilots, he would speak over and over that he was just obeying orders, the bombing of civilian schools, hospitals and the strafing of refugee columns was what they were ordered to do.
Before he died he cried over his part in the bombing raids. I would like to convey my thanks to the Archbishop for his courage honesty and truthfulness.
Thoroton Pocklington, King’s Lynn
