""Well then GregF you ask a couple Germans say born just after the Second World War, one from West Berlin and the other from East Berlin, which was the better - living under US protection or under the Soviets. I know what the answer to that will be, and I guess you do too.""

That's a good example of the arrogance of our self appointed world police force.

I had, until recently, a German aunt, who came over to the UK in 1948, and I am here to tell you that what the US military did in West Germany wasn't protection, it was occupation, and they didn't like it one bit more than the East Germans liked the Russian occupation.

Also, don't try to tell me I should be grateful to the USA for their eventual participation in the war in Europe. One thing everybody in this country knows is that the US would have sat back and watched, had the Japs not bombed Pearl Harbour, and forced their entry into the war, and you know what? We would have won, with or without them.

So if it's gratitude you are after, you're out of luck. Why don't you try the South Koreans, or the South Vietnamese? Better yet the Iraqis or the Afghans. They may be feeling grateful, those that are still alive and unwounded.

Don T.