Helmut Kohl

So, Chancellor Helmut Kohl’s aide apparently feels that France and its World War II allies should stop celebrating their victory over Germany because it occurred 50 years ago (March 18). He says, “How long will they be celebrating this? A hundred years? Two hundred? Or is this the end?”

Well, my friend, the United States has been celebrating its victory over England for over 200 years (did you ever hear of the 4th of July holiday?) and there don’t seem to be any big problems between these two countries. Could it be that you have a guilty conscience? Granted, the American Revolution and World War II are not comparable, but if we want to keep reminding the world (and especially the young children) that there should never be another maniac like Hitler, who are you to keep us from this task?

GERSTEN SCHACHNE

Northridge

Perhaps The Times overlooked one of the great events of World War II (“WWII Remembrances”). I refer to the June 4, 1944, capture of Rome by Gen. Mark W. Clark’s Fifth Army. Two months earlier, on April 11, an offensive was begun from the battle line about 30 miles north of Naples where the Allied forces had been bogged down all winter. The heaviest artillery barrage in all military history up to that time was laid down, starting at 11 p.m.

In southern England, hundreds of thousands of British, Canadian and American forces awaited the signal from Gen. Dwight Eisenhower to launch the invasion of northern France. A few hours before the “go” decision was made, news spread throughout southern England, giving great encouragement to the waiting invasion forces, “Rome is ours!”

WESTON I. VAN BUREN

Los Angeles