APPARENTLY I have been labouring under misapprehensions regarding the situation in Iraq.

Now I see, of course it's the British and American forces who are destroying the electricity and water supplies, not to mention blowing up the oil pipelines (Iraq's only source of income) and trying to kill members of the interim government which, incidentally includes the Iraqi Communist Party, operating in the open after decades underground. Thanks for putting me straight on that, Mr Smith.

Regarding your advice on going to Iraq, I was in the forces in the Middle East in 1943, aged 18, possibly before Mr Smith was born. Nevertheless, I would go back if I could but I would be fighting Britain's enemies not supporting them like Mr Smith and his motley crew.

And no, we didn't have post traumatic stress in those days, it hadn't been invented.

JOHN UTTING

Westwood Road