Ethics of pilots fighting for the sides in WWII

[BadAim]

I'm quite impressed with this thread, and not a little surprised. The vast majority of posts here seem to be well considered, and I would be surprised had I not already had a rather high view of the flight sim community in general (save for the occasional twit).

Let me tell you a story that brings my own view on this subject into focus.

While in my school library (I was around 10 at the time) looking for some cool books on WWII with a friend, I made a comment about "those dirty Huns" (My WWII education at the time came largely from Hollywood....38 years ago). One of my teachers had managed to sneak up on us unnoticed and proceeded to read me the riot act about not painting people with a broad brush, and about having respect for these people who found themselves in often impossible situations, and of course the real knife to the heart, that he expected better of me! While I took to heart what he said, and "changed my ways" It was several years before I really understood the import of what he said.....he was a Jew! How could this be? He understood that people do what they have to to survive, and perhaps drag a little dignity along with them.....

I'm a man of strong moral convictions, and I hope that I'm willing to die for them, but there remains the question of if I really will when the time comes. I'll reserve judgment of those who have actually faced the test, until I do.....