REGARDING a pro-war letter about the old chestnut about America joining the Second World War after two years of our involvement.

Only a few days before, I watched the TV Dad's Army episode where they "welcomed" a platoon of American soldiers to "Walmington on Sea". This culminated in infighting as feelings ran high when the "late" involvement was mentioned. Old chestnuts like "We were in the First World War in 1914 not 1917, when you just finished it off! Coming in, in 1941, is an improvement on last time!" I would imagine that those things would have been actually said!

Still, we can't have afforded to look gift horses in the mouth, as I will agree, according to facts and films, that old warships from the First World War were given to us by the Americans.

Still it's a fact, quoting from "World at War" that President Rooseveldt pledged that "No American will be involved in further European conflicts". Furthermore, America isolated itself by its neutrality and no weapons were being made. Pearl Harbour could have been spared if the codes hadn't been bungled. Upon watching "Horror in the East" even Japanese children were chanting "Death to Americans and the British!" Yes, us again!

How often have we got involved helping countries from oppressive regions who would be either unwilling or unable to help us?

How I agree with Mrs G Hardy about brainwashing. The Japanese were exactly the same and yet their Emperor, who authorised such ideas, was allowed to live in luxury to the ripe old age of 88, while still being revered by the Japanese and having the divine privilege of being off the hook!

B Howarth

Alexandra Drive

Westhoughton, Bolton