SIR – I am afraid Mr Myers (Letters, December 31) holds a very naive view of 20th century history because throughout it men in uniform always shot to kill when so ordered by their superior officers who in turn were instructed by politicians of the day, eg, Winston Churchill, who I understand instigated the Paramilitary Auxiliary Police Force for Ireland, known as the ‘Black & Tans’.
In Germany the Schutz Staffel or ‘Protection Squad’ was originally Adolf Hitler’s personal bodyguard who were implicated in the murder of numerous political opponents known as the ‘Night of the Long Knives’.
In World War Two not only Germans but men from all over Europe joined the Waffen SS. Mr Myers might be surprised to learn that lots of these ex-SS men settled in West Yorkshire post World War Two working in the mills or down the mines before many resumed their original trades, some becoming very successful businessmen.
Today this country is at war with extremists and terrorists who would stop at nothing, so need a very firm hand taking to them.
D S Boyes, Upper Rodley Lane, Leeds
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