Under political pressure, the Canadian War Museum, so much admired since the opening of its sober and majestic new building two years ago, will bowdlerize its exhibit on the Second World War, according to Paul Gessell in the National Post.
Alleged spokesmen for veterans have waged war against the museum for its account of the bombing campaign against Germany.
The controversial text read, "The value and morality of the strategic bomber offensive against Germany remains bitterly contested. Bomber Command's aim was to crush civilian morale and force Germany to surrender by destroying its cities and industrial installations. Although Bomber Command and American attacks left 600,000 Germans dead and more than five million homeless, the raids resulted in only small reductions of German war production until late in the war."
No one has disputed the truth of this statement, but some old men who think they own the war found it unflattering to aircrew. In June, Gessell reports, a Senate committee too much beholden to those men did not quarrel with the accuracy of the statement, but still declared it should nevertheless be changed to suit the taste of the critics.
Joe Geurts, director of the war museum, resigned right after the Senate report was released. At the time there was no explanation. It looks like Guerts fell on his sword rather than collaborate in gutting the integrity of a great Canadian museum. Heroes in the civil service -- good to see even amid the ruins. Courage among those to whom he reported?... scarcer.
Update: Val Ross of the Globe & Mail is on the story. Looks like the surrender started when Frederik Eaton took over as Chair of the museum's board. Kudos to Margaret MacMillan for taking a stand. Will other academic historians, particularly military historians, join in?
