Sir, General Sir Richard Dannatt’s assertion that the population of Britain sent the Army to war, and should therefore show its appreciation, is not accurate (report, Sept 22 ). War was made by an executive that suspended parliamentary democracy and failed to carry the nation to war. It is hardly surprising that when they are marginalised and voiceless, people make their feelings known through apathy and indifference.

The dodgy dossier, the shameful debacle over David Kelly and the absence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have eroded public confidence in politicians. We are not Americans. We are now a people less interested in jingoism and militarism. If the sight of a British army uniform in Selly Oak, or the horror of having wounded Service people’s kith and kin descend into our Surrey backyard, is enough to upset British citizens, do we really think that politically correct councillors will entertain marches through their towns? Is this really the solution to raising morale in our Armed Forces; bands, marches and football tickets? Try accommodation, hospitals, pay, equipment and decent tour intervals.

The betrayal of British soldiers began at the top, with politicians who are not leaders, with people who have bankrupted the cultural capital of this country.

They are managers and fixers of problems, not leaders. To reengage us, politicians need to carry us with their vision, mission and values – and be seen to be embodying them.

I was a soldier and officer in the Army for 20 years. Now I am one of the masses. I feel for the soldiers, but I also know the betrayal of them does not lie down here.

MILOS STANKOVIC

Farnham, Surrey

Sir, General Dannatt demands too much when he calls for a “Roman Triumph” for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. As he should know, the casualties of either of these campaigns fall well below those suffered in Northern Ireland in 1972, yet none then called for such a spectacle.

Additionally the “rules of engagement” in 1972 were far more onerous than any in force today, and the sole reward was a Bar to the General Service Medal (GSM), rather than the rather vulgar American-style, specific campaign medal of today.

In fact one must wonder what is going on, particularly in Afghanistan. We are slaughtering hundreds, if not thousands, of young Muslim fanatics, whose incompetence and lack of equipment are matched only by their courage. These are not grizzled old Pathans of Kipling, experts in fieldcraft and sniping, but adolescent hotheads from anywhere but Afghanistan.

General Dannatt seems to be one of that school of generals that regards Dunkirk as a victory.

MARK CORBY

London SE24

Sir, The people of Britain are well capable of separating their views on the wars we are fighting, of which they may not approve, and the soldiers who fight them, who still have the support of the country.

The problem is the recent reorganisation of the Army, and the links between our soldiers and the areas from which they come. Local people don’t recognise the new regional titles in the same way that they did, when regiments and counties were synonymous.

We can’t put the clock back but we can put the conditions in place for our population to pay tribute to its soldiers. It will cost money - money that the Government seems unwilling to provide.

EDWARD GREEN

Lichfield, Staffs

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