The Russian prisoners
Sir: Ms Gainham's rambling letter (15 April) would be charming in its illogicality if it were not so morally debased. In joining the ranks of those whose attacks on Stalin are so vindictive that they exonerate Hitler and his supporters, she is spurred to some perverted judgments.
To the unprejudiced, the fact that fewer British PoWs than Ukrainians were induced to join the ranks of the Nazis might seem to prove the superior courage and morality of the British. To Ms Gainham, however, it proves that the Ukrainians hated their country more and were therefore justified in betraying it. There were many British Fascists who had supported Hitler but nevertheless joined the British forces to combat their nation's enemy.
Your other correspondents have, as witnesses when serving soldiers, testified that these Russian traitors were not idealists but brutal self-seekers. Ms Gainham is quick to argue that when she does not receive a letter from a Russian friend it must be that he is in prison — an argument that one does not normally apply to dilatory correspondents. What is sinister is the argument that the definition of Hitlerism as the great evil of mass-murder is to be dismissed as wartime propaganda. But Hitlerism was and remains a great evil not to be obscured.
Henry Adler 3 Roland Gardens, London SW7
Previous page
