Conflicting emotions over D-day celebrations

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/10/conflicting-emotions-d-day-celebrations

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D-day was a decisive moment but the 70th anniversary celebrations (Report, 7 June) are in stark contrast to earlier observances that I recall from postwar summers spent with my French grandmother. So many more civilians died than allied troops as a result of indiscriminate bombing that locals claimed the safest place on the Normandy coast that day was the beach. The traditional image of grateful French women showering soldiers with flowers needs to be tempered by the reality of a summer of chaotic violence, brutality, looting and rape. Nobody wanted to hear this after the war – especially De Gaulle – but before D-day fades into history we might reflect that, for many, Libération was "a bitter road to freedom".Dr John CameronSt Andrews

• Why not just campaign against violence in war (Angelina Jolie lauded over war zone anti-rape campaign, 10 June)?Roger GreatorexLondon