Re: MEDITERRANEAN!!!!!
- Subject: Re: MEDITERRANEAN!!!!!
- From: C* D*
- Date: Mon, 14 May 2001 05:22:38 -0600
> Also wanted to make a comment for Charles....I sympathize
> with his
> hindsight in not seeing the beauty of foreign lands (or
> even out own
> back yards) when we are youthful and more prone to risky
> or even
> destructive acts. How to package this wisdom in some
> form for the
> young? Better yet, for the military of all nations?
+++++-----------------
I appreciate the comments made and the tolerance shown
on this list. I had only one thing to add.
I don't think it is probably possible to package wisdom
for the young or the military, desirable as this may be.
While I was generally not concerned about the "ages" when I
was 22, I was brought up with a respect for it. The above
letter prompted me to wonder what I would have done if I had
been ordered to bomb the Leaning Tower of Pisa or the
Museums of Florence (Yes, I know, Firenze). I like to
believe I would have refused. Cologne was knocked flat but
the Cathedral was left relatively untouched. This cannot
have been accidental, it had to be planned. They intended to
not harm it.
I was on a mission to bomb Rome when it was an "Open
City". The "enemy" continued to use the rail lines which
they should not have. We tried very hard to keep our bombs
on the marshalling yards and believe we were largely
successful. Reports said all but one hit the Tiburtina rail
yard, one bomb was said to hit an adjoining building. I have
no regrets for anything I did in 94 missons. I crashed twice
and lived for which I am grateful. I was one of the lucky
ones.
I think respect for the "ages" starts way back in your
home, when you are very young! --Chas--
