Sixty years ago, along with 50,000 troops, I was in Cyprus for our airborne and land invasion of Egypt on 5 November. Furthermore, we were told we were protecting “our” Suez canal for the world. Hence we all went willingly and, as young men do, with some macho. Maturity brings reflection and I now appreciate that I was part of a war crime, an unprovoked planned attack. I wonder will today’s servicemen and women have the similar reasons to regret their unquestioning patriotism as active service will have taught them that war brutalises in a week?

Source: The Guardian November 01, 2016 18:49 UTC