The author writes:

My father was a pilot in 50 bombing missions for the U.S. Eighth Air Force during World War II. When I was a boy I asked him if he had killed anyone during the war. He replied, “I hope I didn’t kill anyone.” In regard to his participation in the Normandy invasion, he said: “You cannot imagine how big of an operation that was. People on the ground were being killed!” My father repeatedly stated he hated war and that “War is hell.” He also expressed his opinion that the Germans had fought extraordinarily hard during the war.

I have always wondered how wars have continuously existed throughout history when virtually everyone agrees with my father that “War is hell.” In regard to the origin of World War II, a fascinating discussion occurred during the Nuremberg trials between American psychologist Dr. Gustave Gilbert and former German Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering. On the evening of April 18, 1946, in Goering’s jail cell, Dr. Gilbert expressed his belief that the common people are not very thankful for leaders who bring them war and destruction. Goering responded:

“Why, of course, the people don’t want war. Why would some poor slob on a farm want to risk his life in a war when the best that he can get out of it is to come back in one piece? Naturally, the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia nor in England nor in America, nor for that matter in Germany. That is understood. But, after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine the policy and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship or a Parliament or a Communist dictatorship.”

Dr. Gilbert told Goering that there is one difference. Gilbert said:

“In a democracy the people have some say in the matter through their elected representatives, and in the United States only Congress can declare war.”

Goering responded:

“Oh, that is all well and good, but, voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same way in any country.”