Kenneth Glad
The comments come at a time of heightened international attention on security issues. They add to ongoing discussions about how nations respond to emerging threats.
A former British bomber pilot who flew missions during World War 2 has publicly backed recent U.S. airstrikes on Iran, arguing that history shows the dangers of hesitation in the face of hostile regimes.
His remarks, shared in an interview reported by the Daily Express, reflect a lifetime shaped by conflict and its consequences.
Lessons carried forward
Colin Bell, one of the last surviving RAF Pathfinder pilots, said his wartime experience informs how he views today’s geopolitical tensions.
“Despots attack anybody that they think are weak or decadent,” he said, referring to the period before World War II when European powers pursued appeasement.
He also expressed support for Washington’s actions, stating: “As far as Iran’s concerned, I think Trump is doing the right thing. You can’t possibly let a mad regime, like the Iranians, develop and possess an atomic bomb.”
Bell’s comments come amid ongoing international disagreement over the strikes, with some governments warning of escalation while others frame the move as a deterrent.
Experience in combat
During the war, Bell flew with a specialist RAF unit responsible for marking targets ahead of bombing raids.
According to the Daily Express, this role placed crews deep inside heavily defended airspace.
He completed dozens of operations in the Mosquito aircraft, which relied on speed rather than heavy weaponry for protection.
Losses were still significant, though he noted that some other bomber crews faced even harsher survival odds.
That contrast, he suggested, reinforced a broader belief that risk is unavoidable in conflict, but delaying action can carry its own consequences.
Close to catastrophe
One mission left a lasting impression. Bell described how his aircraft was illuminated by enemy searchlights and hit by anti-aircraft fire, briefly losing engine power before recovering.
“My navigator said ‘What do we do now?’” he recalled. “I said ‘Well, we wait, don’t we?’”
The aircraft managed to escape, and his colleague later admitted, “‘no, I wasn’t frightened. I was bloody terrified.’”
Bell later discovered fragments of shrapnel had lodged near his seat, underlining how narrowly the crew avoided death.
While acknowledging civilian casualties are an inevitable tragedy in war, Bell stood by his view.
“I am sorry for any civilians that get killed… but, this is something that had to be done – and full marks to Donald Trump for doing it,” he said.
His remarks represent a personal perspective shaped by wartime service, as debate continues globally over how best to respond to Iran and prevent further escalation.
Source: Daily Express
