First World War was not believed to be pointless by the ‘poor folk’ at the time

Itisjustnotpossible,withinthe constraints of a letter, to point out all the ridiculous inaccuracies, logical flaws, prejudices and clichés contained in Kenny Macaskill’s latest Perspective article (5 July).

The Somme is in Picardy, not Flanders. The “full atrocity” of the war was clear before July 1916. Attritional slaughter was happening at Verdun, where Germany was trying to “bleed France white”. The main purpose on the Somme was not simply to gain “12 miles of ground” (no mean feat against a German defensive network miles deep), but to help our allies. In the event, 35 German divisions were diverted to the Somme.

Then there are the clichés. “Lions led by donkeys” is ironic given the complaint that we do not criticise or analyse. As the whole article is a rehash of critical themes from Oh, What a Lovely War and Blackadder Goes Forth, it is self-contradictory. Criticism of the war is ingrained in our society.

Dismissing the whole war as “pointless” was not what the “poor folk” thought at the time: check the majority of contemporary sources. Ironically, this populist view derives from the thoughts of elites: literary, such as Sassoon and Owen, and political, such as Lloyd George.

The Treaty of Brest-litovsk, which Germany imposed on Russia in 1917, surpassing Versailles in punitive vindictiveness, demonstrates what could have happened had the allies not fought. Nothing is cited to suggest that the military is not controlled by politicians. Any student of history can quote examples of politicians directing the military. The Somme and Loos (1915) are two. The military does not start or define wars. Politicians do.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but not their own facts. When a former government minister and senior figure in this country’s ruling party formulates a half-baked opinion on a subject about which he clearly knows little, then publishes it nationally to influence opinion, that is not merely foolish. It is dangerous and needs to be corrected.

RANALD LINDSAY Montague Street, Dumfries