D-Day veteran, 103, in stark warning on Putin: ‘Humanity has not learnt lessons of 1939’
Another war in Europe has been waged in similar circumstances to Adolf Hitler, but the greatest tragedy today is that we have not heeded the warnings of the past, says John Duke.
In 1933, when Hitler led the rise of Nazism, you could see that ultimately his intention was to build a German empire that would include all of Europe, including Great Britain.
D-Day, the greatest invasion in history, was necessary to stop the German take over of Europe.
After fighting in the Army through the battle of Normandy and seeing action in Belgium, Holland and Germany itself, you could see first-hand the death and destruction caused by aggression from one state to others in its lust for power.
This had to be stopped at all costs.
Now, 80 years on, at the age of 103 and as a veteran who was lucky to come through it unscathed, I can only look back and think of the 22,442 brave comrades who gave their lives for us to enjoy the freedoms that we have to this day. We should always honour them and the sacrifice they made for us.
The greatest tragedy today is that humanity has not learnt the lessons of time. There is now another war in Europe which has been waged in similar circumstances to 1939.
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The Second World War came at a terrible cost in military and civilian lives and we hoped that when the war ended, we would never be involved in such conflicts again.
But we have had many actions involving British personnel since and some still ongoing where we have pledged help for those in need.
War experiences are shocking and unbelievable but should not be forgotten.
The younger generation must be told that war consists of killing people in an unnatural way. It’s horrible, ghastly and a nightmare to be involved in.
I sincerely hope that my grandchildren and great grandchildren will never be involved in any wartime engagements.
The Second World War was a necessary evil which I am proud to have played a part in.
I can only hope that future generations will benefit from a more peaceful international existence.
However, the country should always be prepared, and indeed be able, to defend itself and our allies from unprovoked aggression.
