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Salutes for our second world war heroes Salutes for our second world war heroes
(about 2 months later)
While I agree with Dr Jane Darke about honouring those who fell in the second world war (Letters, 6 September), it is high time for national recognition of the part Poland played in the allied victory. It was the fourth largest allied armed force and played vital roles in most of the main theatres of war – North Africa, Monte Casino, Arnhem and many more, plus had a crucial role in cracking the Enigma code. While I agree with Dr Jane Darke about honouring those who fell in the second world war (Letters, 6 September), it is high time for national recognition of the part Poland played in the allied victory. It was the fourth largest allied armed force and played vital roles in most of the main theatres of war – North Africa, Monte Casino, Arnhem and many more, plus had a crucial role in cracking the Enigma code. 
In 1940, before the US and USSR entered the war on the allied side, Poland played a vital role in the Battle of Britain. There were times when one out of five or six pilots was Polish. The entirely Polish 303 squadron scored the highest number of “kills” in the battle. After the war, Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, wrote that without the Polish contribution “I hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same”. It really was down to the wire.In 1940, before the US and USSR entered the war on the allied side, Poland played a vital role in the Battle of Britain. There were times when one out of five or six pilots was Polish. The entirely Polish 303 squadron scored the highest number of “kills” in the battle. After the war, Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding, head of Fighter Command, wrote that without the Polish contribution “I hesitate to say that the outcome of the battle would have been the same”. It really was down to the wire.
Poland lost more people pro rata than any other nation including USSR. How did we acknowledge this? The Polish land forces were excluded from the victory parade on 8 June 1946 for fear of upsetting Stalin. It is time to acknowledge with gratitude what we owe to the Poles.Joseph CockerLeominsterPoland lost more people pro rata than any other nation including USSR. How did we acknowledge this? The Polish land forces were excluded from the victory parade on 8 June 1946 for fear of upsetting Stalin. It is time to acknowledge with gratitude what we owe to the Poles.Joseph CockerLeominster
• Soon the brave men and women who endured the trials of a world war will all be gone. That is why every year I take a group of children to Arnhem in Holland to hear, first hand, the stories of a bitter battle told by those who fought it.  • Soon the brave men and women who endured the trials of a world war will all be gone. That is why every year I take a group of children to Arnhem in Holland to hear, first hand, the stories of a bitter battle told by those who fought it.  
Last year, at a ceremony in the main cemetery, we witnessed a young soldier fainting while on duty. The first to his side was no medic or first aider. It was an elderly figure, wearing beret and medals, who had leapt from his chair and run all of 40 metres to help – it was 92-year-old Arnhem veteran Johnny Peters. We stood witnessing an extraordinary act of selflessness and camaraderie, instinctive and undimmed after all these years.Last year, at a ceremony in the main cemetery, we witnessed a young soldier fainting while on duty. The first to his side was no medic or first aider. It was an elderly figure, wearing beret and medals, who had leapt from his chair and run all of 40 metres to help – it was 92-year-old Arnhem veteran Johnny Peters. We stood witnessing an extraordinary act of selflessness and camaraderie, instinctive and undimmed after all these years.
This month is the 70th anniversary of the battle at Arnhem. The last survivors will make one final pilgrimage. Peters will not be present. He passed away last month. But the qualities of that extraordinary generation, embodied in men like Peters, will live on. Their legacy will endure. It is a lesson not found in any school curriculum.Titus Mills Headmaster, Walhampton school, Lymington This month is the 70th anniversary of the battle at Arnhem. The last survivors will make one final pilgrimage. Peters will not be present. He passed away last month. But the qualities of that extraordinary generation, embodied in men like Peters, will live on. Their legacy will endure. It is a lesson not found in any school curriculum.Titus Mills Headmaster, Walhampton school, Lymington