I wish to respond to the June 15, 2004 letter, Leave Oberlander Alone, which defended Helmut Oberlander of Waterloo. Sixty years ago, frightened, but courageous soldiers, some mere teenagers, from Allied nations stormed the beaches of Normandy in an attempt to end Nazi aggression and tyranny. These freedom-loving people of honour realized that worse fates than death awaited if decent people did nothing in the presence of the evil that was consuming much of Europe.

To absolve Helmut Oberlander because he was only 17 at the onset of his association with Nazi criminals is to do a momentous disservice to the soldiers and partisans who willingly and daily faced death, many sacrificing their lives to defeat Hitler and his minions.

There are worse things in this life than facing a bullet through the brain.

Chris Chypyha
Wroxeter