MHM 148 Letters – September

This article is from Military History Matters issue 148

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Enemies of the revolution

In ‘Switching sides’ (MHM 147, August/September 2025), Nigel Jones partially attributes Benedict Arnold’s defection to his ‘lifelong greed for gold’, and highlights his engagement in smuggling as evidence of his greed. I would suggest circumventing the stifling economic restrictions imposed by the British government demonstrates Arnold’s initial patriotism and support for the American cause. Even though Arnold’s need for money was certainly the decisive factor in his defection, the actions of a dysfunctional Congress also played their part and merit examination.

The author highlights Arnold’s resentment at younger officers promoted over his head, but Arnold was not alone in this respect. Congress appointed and promoted generals in the Continental Army. Decisions were often made for political reasons, rather than being based on an officer’s ability. Indeed, George Washington was appalled when he learned that Arnold, one of his most able commanders, had not been promoted. Many disappointed officers resigned or deserted when they were passed over. Furthermore, Congress was reluctant to reimburse Arnold’s expenses at the beginning of the war. With no ability to enforce taxes, Congress was limited in its ability to raise funds from the individual states, which often pursued their own interests at the expense of the nation.

Arnold has earned his place in US history as a notorious traitor, but his defection was a timely reminder that Britain was not the only enemy of the Revolution. Pursuit of individual interest at the expense of the Republic was also an enemy, and ultimately reforms were made to Congress and the Continental Army to mitigate this threat.

Simon Davidson, London

Precision Raids

Jonathan Glancey’s excellent article on ‘Bombing Venice’ (MHM 147, August/September 2025) shows up the best of the magazine. In a vividly written account of a little known incident, the March 1945 bombing of the port of Venice, Glancey describes how the docks were effectively destroyed but not a single bomb hit the historic city itself. Of course, this was not the only precision raid of the war: for example, there was also the bombing of the Amiens Prison walls in February 1944 (pictured). It raises the question of whether a precision raid could have been carried out against the Auschwitz gas chambers to stop or delay the mass killing of Jews and others. Now, there’s a subject for MHM!

Terry Downs, Devon

Dachau’s prisoners

Taylor Downing’s review of the new film about Leni Riefenstahl (MHM 147, August/September 2025) was spot on, but it is not correct to say the Dachau concentration camp was just for political dissidents, not Jewish prisoners. Certainly, this was its primary purpose when it opened in March 1933, when the first prisoners were mostly Social Democrats and Communists, but the net later widened considerably. After the takeover of Austria and the ‘Night of Broken Glass’ in 1938, thousands of Jewish prisoners were incarcerated at Dachau. Members of other groups, including Roma and Sinti, Jehovah’s Witnesses, homosexuals, and so-called ‘asocial’ and ‘workshy’ people, were also held at the camp. Polish and Soviet prisoners of war joined them, along with smaller numbers from other European countries.

Earlier this summer I visited the camp, which is easily accessible from Munich, and was impressed by the well-presented exhibition in the former workshops. The fate of the different groups is meticulously documented. To walk around the yard where interminable roll calls were held, and see the crematorium, is a chilling experience. Anyone interested in the history of the Third Reich would do well to visit, or if this is not possible to view the website of the Memorial: KZ-Gedenkstätte Dachau (http://www.kz-gedenkstaette-dachau.de).

John Bell, Brighton