All wars are nightmares

Throughout history, many wars have been caused and planned by various elite types who pass on the filth and horrors to those lower down the social scale.

The First World War was the first major war where technology allowed those back home to fully witness what is involved.

Until then, people read patriotic reports of valour and bravery. For a hundred years we have been able to witness war's realities. My 'O' level history mentioned just dates and causes. No mention of the wrecked bodies after the Waterloo....many still painfully alive.

Sadly the knowledge has not ended wars. A real symbol of a hatred of was Harry Patch, a WW1 soldier who died aged 111. He lost close friends and witnessed war's barbarity. He never spoke of it until he was nearly 100 years old. He appeared on a TV programme where veterans were taken to the battlefields. His voice was weak with age but strong in passion. He revealed his anger and hatred of war which he called 'legalised murder'.

I have not yet seen a Passchendaele programme which included German lads. The newly-formed Germany was a cause manufactured by the elite. It was passed on to ordinary lads who early in the War, to the horror of generals, on coming close to the British enemy, popped up out of their trench and organised a football match!

David Sharples

Tarbet Drive,

Breightmet