THANKS to Douglas Mills for his poignant reminder of some of the deprivations endured by the people of this country in the early years of WW2.

In those years, the USA played a vital role in supplying us with desperately needed provisions. It was not, however, a voluntary move on their part that brought them into direct conflict with Germany. It was Hitler who declared war on the USA; an error which, as Mr Mills implies, cost him the war.

Nor should we forget the terrible price of 20 million dead paid by our other major ally, the USSR, for their involvement.

FA FORD

Elphinstone Road, Highcliffe