I found the article concerning Mr Coulson's War experiences extremely interesting. An Uncle of mine, that I never knew, was shot dead in Stalag 4B around the 21st July 1944. He was a regular with Royal Sussex Regiment and was captured by the Germans in North Africa in Jan 1942. He was handed over to the Italians and was a POW in Italy until they capitulated. He was handed back to the Germans and marched into Germany and Stalag 4B. As far as I can make out he was part of a Concert Party and may have been known as Joe Brown a well known comedian of those days. He was Actually Cpl Robert McDonald Brown (Bob). I was born just before he he was killed (picking strawberries between trip wire and fence)Stalag 4B aged just 28yrs. He is buried in Berlin. As well as feeling immense pride in men like my Uncle who gave their lives for a free world, but also the many more that came home after their willingness to give their own lives

Like millons of other I watched television during Armistice week and felt empathy with families and service people. And go along with the statement 'we should not forget' ( even that can be debatable after the three remaining men from WW1 die.)

Nevertheless, Martin Gilbert has made a valid point and is entitled to his opinion.
Some years back while in Germany around November 11th I saw limbless men offering plastic badges,equivalent to our poppy.
I gave some coins and thought why do ex servicemen have to 'beg' when governments should provide adequate pensions and help to all.

Not all germans supported the nazi party and many of those also lost families.

BM