Dame Vera Lynn.

I think what they said on the programme was that those who lost their home took over houses like the one you describe PRINTMISS fairly unofficially. It just came as a bit of a shock that people seemed to be left to their own devices - but I guess it was just overwhelming to try and cope in any structured way. They did mention the caves south of London that people went to live in, which I'd heard of before.

Chislehurst caves. Well worth a visit.

Yes Baden. They were Chislehurst Caves. We also used to take ourselves there when the intense bombing was on, although it was quite a ride on the bus, and I never really understood why we put ourselves to all that trouble (packing up bedding, clothes, etc) when we could have been killed on the bus taking us there. Wehave a perfectly good Anderson in the garden. There was I believe some official requisitioning of properties, but of course there was also 'black market' in everything. Some of the first pre-fabs were built on the bomb site left by the bomb that caused us to move. that is all factories now, when the housing is still so badly needed.

I realise this will be a very unpopular opinion but, speaking personally, I feel there is far too much "war nostalgia" on the television.

Practically every week there seems to be an item on the television regarding the first or second world wars.

I am not being disrespectful to those who fought or suffered in the wars but I feel that the casual militarisation which saturates our media does them no justice.

I can quite understand why people who survived the war feel an attachment to Vera Lynn and I can see why it is appropriate to project her picture on the white cliffs of Dover. However, I believe I heard it reported that spitfire jets would also be doing a fly past. It must seem exciting and great fun to children and young people when memories of war are presented in this way. I would have thought that after all the tragic deaths and destroyed families we should be playing down the excitement of war and reflecting on its terrible consequences.

Just read Badenkates thread
My mention of the Holocaust in the Vera Lynn thread, was in my opinion, very much of the subject in hand. It was part and parcel of the horrible events that took place. I certainly did not wish to upset others, but reading the thread that was, to my mind, making light of a terrible time in history, needed a harsh comment. Had things gone the 'other' way, I wonder if we would be able to be deliciously light hearted. I'm sorry if I appear to be a lone miseryitus- I m really not, quite the opposite in fact, but belonging to the Royal British Legion lve seen footage of some things, that make me weep for people who gave their lives with unimaginable bravery.

A dear elderly friend in the village where l live, told me of her son, ,18/19 years old..
Who flew his plane, with others, to draw off flack, so that our bombers could fly in to destroy the dams - he and many others lost their lives.

That's it - rant over.
But I learned a curious fact a while back, did anyone know that since ww2, there has only been One day when the whole world has been at peace....