THIS is apropos of Mark Mazoiver's article on WWII (Sept 5). There have been some jubilations in some quarters about the so-called victory in World War II just as there have been remorse and regrets in some regions about initiating the war.

About Adolf Hitler and World War II there is an interesting book by Franz von Popen, who also served as vice chancellor with Hitler for sometime.

He was German ambassador in Turkey during World War II. He was tried at Nuremburg and acquitted. His biography makes interesting revelations about Popen's efforts to end the war and Hitler's objectives to start the war.

It is said that Hitler wanted to acquire more territory for expanding German population, negate the effects of Treaty of Versailles and avenge the defeat of WW I. He hated Jews as much as he hated communists.

Another interesting book about German army is by Robert J.O. Neil. The book discloses as to how Hitler succeeded in having a pledge of personal loyalty from German high command after the death of the German president, Field Marshal Hindenburg, and raised the strength of German forces from 10 infantry divisions in 1933 to 102, artillery brigades from 24 to 482 and panzer divisions from nil to 34 in 1939.

Was it not enough to alarm those who for centuries believed in the principle of 'Balance of Power' in Europe. Despite successful early campaigns, many people in Germany itself wished the war to come to an end. Rudolf Hess, deputy to Hitler in Nazi Party, landed in Scotland on May 10, 1941.

He could not meet anybody worth a name in England. The peace proposals brought by him never saw the light of the day.

The US entry into World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbour in 1941 changed the scenario. There were German reverses in North Africa and Russia but the war continued.

The greatest rebuff was the Casablanca conference in 1943 between Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin. The demand was unconditional surrender of Germany by Roosevelt, despite some reservations by Winston Churchill.

Many years ago I read a book printed in 1940 which had biographic sketches of Hitler, Churchill, De Villera, Mussolini and Roosevelt. The saying of President Roosevelt remains engrained in my mind.

Commenting on World War I, he said “I have seen a regiment of a thousand men going to the war front and only a few returning. I know the vicissitudes and miseries of women and children when their dear ones died. I hate war.”

What brought this change in the thinking of the man whose influence and decision to bring an end to the war in 1943 could matter as both Great Britain and the USSR were dependant on the US military hardware and their financial aid.

Was it some vendetta against the German people? Was it the fear that the sudden end of the war will lead to extensive demobilisation, unemployment and economic depression?

Was it the pressure of European refugees in the US who influenced the thinking of President Roosevelt?

After May 20, 1944 when attempts were made by German officers to kill Hitler — and the Allied High command knew it — was it necessary to still insist on unconditional surrender?

I have often thought that there was no need for Normandy invasion of June 6, 1994. The fall of Germany was imminent. Hitler had to go. Had reasonable terms been offered to Germany, peace could be achieved earlier.

Unnecessary destruction was allowed to continue as on the night of Jan 14, 1945 about 800 British bombers and 400 US bombers were employed to attack targets in Germany.

Once, a German friend told me that when military targets were not available, civilians were pounded. One can imagine the amount of destruction caused.

President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945, about three months before the first atomic test conducted at New Mexico. His death did not change the policy in the Pacific. Like Europe, in Japan also there was a question of unconditional surrender.

The Americans have often insisted that to save their casualties Hiroshima was necessary. If Hiroshima was necessary, then bombing Nagasaki was not required at all.

In fact, World War II was unnecessarily prolonged and despite a sense of jubilation in some quarters, many questions about the conduct of war and its unnecessary continuation remain unanswered till date.

KHALID HASSAN MAHMOOD
Karachi