Dear Editor,
With respect to Mr. Rakesh Rampertab’s letter, titled, `Important that the past be described accurately,’ (SN February 9th, 2025) may I offer the following?
(1) Recently, the liberation of the Auschwitz Camp, in Poland, was observed/celebrated. When I first heard of the event, on the radio, there was no mention of who were the liberators. The liberators were troops of the Soviet Union.
(2) Of every three German combatants killed, two were killed by Soviet troops.
(3) Of every 4 allied combatants killed, three were Soviet troops.
Now, may I ask, “Who won World War II?”
Six million Jews died as a result of the Holocaust; at least twenty million Soviet citizens died, of which, 8 9 million were combatants.
Several European countries, including Poland, within the past 2-3 years, have been engaged in the removal and/or destruction of monuments dedicated to the Soviets for being liberated by Soviet troops. Is this an attempt at the obliteration of history?
While there was/is much focus on the Holocaust, the United Kingdom exported grains from India, while at least 3 million of Bengalis died from starvation, in 1943.
When Churchill was informed of the Bengal Famine, his response was, “I hate Indians. They are a beastly people with a beastly religion. The famine was their own fault for breeding like rabbits.”
Another comment made by Churchill, when informed that Indians were dying, was, “Has Gandhi died yet?”
The Bengal famine was only one of several “Holocausts,” of Indians, in India, during the British occupation.
During the Second World War, the largest volunteer Army was the Indian army. In addition, India made several enormous contributions, in funds and supplies, during both world wars.
Sincerely,
Zamir
