It is true that Bomber Command aircrew were treated most unfairly by the British government at the end of the war. They were denied recognition even by way of a campaign medal. The bombing offensive against Germany was deemed best forgotten.

Mr Finch is right in saying the aircrew did what they were directed to do. By February 1942, the British abandoned any scruple about attacking civilians. A new directive issued to the Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command, Sir Arthur Harris stated: "it has been decided that the primary object of your operations should now be focused on the morale of the enemy civil population and in particular the industrial workers".

Harris carried out his orders with enthusiasm. It has been calculated that about two million German civilians died through the effect of air attack. It may be said it is right in thinking Britain lost the high moral ground over its devastating attacks on German cities and, consequently, upon the defenceless and the innocent.

Of the 74,797 RAF deaths from 1939-1945, 66 per cent came from Bomber Command. With a loss rate averaging over five per cent each raid, the chances of an aircrew member completing the designated tour of 30 operations were about one in four, the chances of finishing a second tour of 20 operations was about two in five.

The average age of Bomber Command aircrew was between 23 and 24 years. Some were as young as 19.

"They" might wish to make the ex-aircrew of Bomber Command "pariahs", as Mr Finch puts it. Most of us would think, however, that they were among the bravest of the brave.

John McCarthy,

Kiama