“Holocaust”

Press, 17 July 1979, Page 18

“Holocaust”

Sir, — John Brown’s statement (July 16) “that the message of ‘Holocaust' must never be allowed to end” is, sadly, only too true. But I cannot quite agree that the “final solution” and the mentality behind it partly rose out of ignorance. Germany produced some of the world’s finest scientists and no “ignorant” nation could have developed such techological skill as to enable it to fight a modern war for so long against so many. Nor can “ignorance” be blamed for the fearsome threat of nuclear war. — Yours, etc., V. F. WILKINSON. July 16, 1979.

Sir, — The actual number of Jewish casualties during the Nazi onslaught will never be known, but it is relieving to follow some reasonably reliable sources which suggest that the generally accepted figure of six million is greatly exaggerated. In pre-war Europe there lived 6.5 million Jews (Chambers Encyclopaedia). Two and half million (approx.) of these living in territories facing German occupation. emigrated to various countries, including more than 1 million to the Soviet Union alone. Philip Friedan’s “Their Brother Ktepers” (1957, pl 3) stated that after the war one million were accounted for of those who eluded their foes or survived the “Nazi hell.” According to “Baseler Nachrichten” (June 13, 1946), the total of Jewish casualties was about 1.5 million. Since this great tragedy, destiny has shown the Jewish people a friendlier sight. We should hope that Israel will do its share and become a welcome neighbour to the big Arab family. — Yours, etc., JULIUS ARLOV. July 14, 1979.