While I understand that area bombing was one of the few ways available to GB to get at Germany in the early years (due to the abysmal accuracy of Bomber Command), from late '43 or '44 accuracy went up and a more discriminate policy could have been implemented. Harris' fetish with bombing civilians may well have degraded the British war effort. Indeed getting Bomber Command to assist with the pre and post Normandy air campaign was like pulling teeth. Area bombing was almost a religion to him.
Indeed.
For me it is inexplicable, how the British queen could honor Harris with the unveiling of a monument in London as late as June 1st, 1992. Long after historians and research had had ample opportunity to and in fact did scrutinize Harris' motives and attitude. An appalling and embarrasing misstep IMHO that caused widespread disconcertment in Germany.
As so often, the actions of the common man seem to be better able to bridge ill feelings of the past: Probably Alan Smith, son of a bomber pilot that participated in the mission vs. Dresden, did more to heal old wounds by forging the new cross for the top of the cupola of the rebuilt Frauenkirche as a sign of friendship and reconciliation than donations provided by the British royal family, albeit the latter gesture was met with respect and recognition.
In the wider context, it is remarkable what the wargame of ASL was able to do in this context on a personal basis. During an ASL-tournament it suddenly struck me that people from most countries that had been bitter adversaries in WW2 sat peacefully across the boards together to playing the war, while - had they just happened to meet at the same distance a few decades earlier - would have fought in that very war and been bent on killing each other.
Paradoxically, a game dealing with the very war that caused so much hate, distrust and suffering now does its small contribution to help heal the wounds that may still remain from the past as do civilized discussions on the topic here. At least, that is how I feel about it.
So - peace to you, ASL-crowd.
Respectfully,
von Marwitz