WHILE I have not heard any of the comments of Archbishop Welby regarding United States bombing policy (Letters, February 20) , I would like to make some observations regarding the bombing of Dresden and the suggestion that the raid itself was not heroic.

Most of us would like to believe that the pen is mightier than the sword and are probably dismayed that the lessons of war are never learned and are perpetrated in some form or another, decade after decade.

However, if the pen were mightier then the sword, then all this country would have needed in 1939 was the crumpled agreement Chamberlain had in his hand, following his last attempt to avoid conflict.

It has taken 70 years for this country to recognise the sacrifice of the men and women of Bomber Command. This is mainly due to the guilt felt at the top, including Churchill, at the massive loss of civilian lives, mainly in Germany.

War is not heroic, but for R Westmorland to compare the recent barbaric murders by terrorists in the Middle East and the crews of Bomber Command is outrageous. The suggestion that personnel involved in the bombing of Dresden were “conscienceless killers” is scandalous.

The bombing of Dresden was another tragedy of war. All the men, women and children who were part of the war were heroes fighting to preserve freedom. The terrorists who behead and burn are hell-bent on destroying such values.

W J Drummond, Ings View, Tollerton, York.