THE claim by Mr Martin (Letters, June 13) concerning World War Two, that conscription was introduced because "many of our men didn't want to fight" casts a cruel slur on the dedication and bravery of thousands of men and women who fought and died during that conflict, not to mention the civilians who worked round the clock, as well as taking part in Civil Defence duties.

The public answered the call without hesitation. To set the record straight, compulsory military service for all men in Britain aged 18 to 41 was introduced on September 2, 1939, one day before war was declared - a vital contingency.

In the event many volunteered for service before reaching 18. Obviously there is no substance whatsoever in the claim.

While not seeking to diminish the tremendous contribution of our American allies towards the ultimate outcome, by the same token neither should the efforts of our own forces be belittled.

It should be remembered that Britain and Empire forces, having lost their Belgian and French allies, who surrendered in May and June 1940, stood alone until the end of 1941, making significant gains, not least victory in the Battle of Britain.

T R Game,

Wheeldale Drive, Hopgrove, York.

...IT is true that America helped us greatly but that aid was not free. Until the Atlantic Charter was signed by Churchill and Roosevelt in April 1941 aid was on a cash-and-carry basis. This was very costly. After the signing of the Charter, goods and armaments were subject to 'lease lend' - again they were not free.

Roosevelt agreed to set up training schools for pilots in the US as well as making available a limited number of training places in American navy and army flying schools. The training at the British Flying Training Schools was undertaken by civilian companies and obviously had to be paid for.

Some Americans did come to the UK, most in the RAF where they later formed the Eagle Squadron. When America entered the war most, but not all, transferred to their own air forces.

Quite what relevance this has to the introduction of conscription, which happened before the war, I cannot see. The statement that "so many of our men didn't want to fight" is insulting.

L Mackenzie,

Elmpark View, York.

...I DO agree with Charles Whiting that Hollywood scriptwriters are notorious for re-writing history (June 6). However, I cannot agree that Saving Private Ryan is historically inaccurate.

The D-Day invasion beaches were divided into two sectors. At the western end the US 1st Army was tasked to assault Uta and Omaha beaches, while the British 2nd Army had responsibility for Gold, Juno and Sword beaches to the east.

The bitterest fighting was on Omaha beach. Its capture was vital to the invasion. The bravery and sacrifice of those young Americans in securing Omaha by the evening of June 6 should not be forgotten. The film is set in this western sector, where the Allied forces were (apart from 6th Para) American.

Nowhere does the film suggest the British and Commonwealth troops of the 2nd Army were sitting on their butts drinking tea, while US soldiers were being shot to pieces on Omaha beach.

L J Maloney,

Milfield Avenue,

York.

Updated: 10:40 Tuesday, June 26, 2001