The German language would have no difficulty in creating a compound word for Adrian Chiles’s fear of mentioning the war: Kriegserwähnungsangst, perhaps (12 June). There is already a related helpful term in common use. Vergangenheitsbewältigung describes the need to deal with, or come to terms with, the past. It reflects a long period of heart-searching in Germany.
Raymond Williams
York
• Alex Hamilton says no nuclear-armed country has been invaded (Letters, 10 June). In the 1973 Yom Kippur war, Egypt and Syria attacked Israel. As its forces were being overwhelmed in Sinai and the Golan Heights, Golda Meir considered using atomic weapons. Learning of this, Richard Nixon ordered an emergency airlift of US supplies, enabling Israel to achieve victory with conventional weapons.
Dr John Doherty
Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire
