THE sickening comments by the writer from Pocklington (Letters, February 20) deserve a reply.

Dresden was targeted when the war was reaching its peak; it was a strategic point for German armies assembling and transporting to the Russian front; and the raid put the roads and railways out of action.

The 200 factories severely damaged in Dresden were making wartime needs equipment by civilian workers, who would be among the casualties.

Many towns on all sides in wartime had factories servicing the war; factories were targets for either enemy.

Dresden was one of many German towns badly damaged during all out war, including Hamburg, (42,000 killed). None of the bombing was inconsiderate; it was carefully planned as support the Russian front and towards bring the war to an end.

Fighting forces did their jobs as ordered no questions asked.

While this was taking place V2 rockets bombs were landing indiscriminately in and around London which had 40,000 civilians killed during the Blitz.

As to ‘guaranteeing’ war medals, thinking about such things didn’t occur during the nine hour plus journey, returning with partially crippled aircraft.

J Beisly (survivor), Osprey Close, York.