Dear Editor,

I enjoyed the column about Iceland during the war years. I must disagree about some of the author’s views, though. Iceland was very important and played a strategic role in the war effort.

All the war materials to keep Britain from collapsing  came to Iceland. Iceland was next on the Nazi’s list. If Iceland fell they would have controlled the whole Atlantic. The U-Boats (submarines) would have stopped all shipping traffic to Iceland and Great Britain. The war in Europe would have been over.

The American soldiers sent to Iceland were to replace the British. They were needed in North Africa. As far as relationships with the local women this happened in England, Australia and New Zealand. This was just a fact of life and circumstance. You must remember most of these soldiers were 18 to 21 years old. They were taken from their homes and loved ones. I know people resented this but what was the alternative? I am sure the citizens of Denmark and Norway would have given anything to get their freedom back.

Thank you.

Bob Ciambra, Rock Hill, New York