IN response to D Pye (BEN Letters, November 6), I cannot let his ramblings go unchallenged.

The US sent some aid in 1941 -- but, Mr Pye, the war started in 1939 -- when Britain stood alone. The Battle of Britain was fought and won by the Spitfire and the Hurricane, and a lot of very brave and young men, both from the UK and Commonwealth countries, freed French and Polish -- I don't remember any American planes being involved at all.

Yes, the US did send aid in 1941 -- but, as I previously stated, the strife began in 1939. After all, as I recall, "that was over there" and "nothing to do with us". This was the comment made by politicians in the US -- read up on Joseph Kennedy, Mr Pye.

The attack on Pearl Harbour forced the US into the war, but then, in 1941, as on September 11, America joined the real world.

I strongly object to the arrogant assumption that, but for the US, we might be living under a different regime. I hate to shatter his illusion, but, Mr Pye, a host of countries were involved in the strife, the US was only one of them.

I am sorry to say that I think he has been seeing too many war films, in which the US won them all single-handedly, but they were only films, Mr Pye.

To bring these sad and terrible events down to the mention of money is, to say the least, tacky, but understandable. The almighty dollar being akin to God as it were. Even on that, Mr Pye, I think you will find that quite a lot of money was repaid.

To bring us up to date -- September 11 was a tragic occurrence in which a lot of people, from a lot of countries, were killed. It is true that not all in the UK are in favour of this war. I think you will find that not all in the US are either. We know all about bombing, both here and in the rest of Europe, we had it on a nightly basis for years.

Now, as to us being "thankful" that the US are around -- a matter of opinion, Mr Pye. Many British servicemen were killed in the Gulf War by the US, "by mistake", of course, as was the bombing at two Red Cross buildings in Afghanistan (same mistake?).

Finally, Mr Pye, I saw no mention of Vietnam, but best we forget that, eh?

O Wood

Seaton Road

Smithills, Bolton