Paul, you do have a point, and there are certainly some in any army for whom sympathy is neither due, nor possible.

I would, however, be a hypocrite if I didn't say that I regard the ordinary German, Japanese, or Iraqi soldiers as being victims of the politicians, rather than villains. They were misled by their leaders, trained to obey without question, and brainwashed to believe the enemy subhuman. In those circumstances, there were still many who did not commit war crimes, and truly believed they fought in a good cause.

Even in the case of the SS, there were undoubtedly a few who avoided direct involvement in war crimes, tho' implicated by association.

The real criminals are those who, by virtue of their power and authority, created the circumstances in which atrocities could be committed. For them I have no wish, other than an eternity burning in hell.

For the pawns in the game, who were sons, fathers, or husbands, with families who mourn their loss, I think the time has come to temper ill feeling and wish them peace and rest.

Don T.