You know it makes sense

Michelle Conrad

I think in this case a minor change to "Nigsy" would probably be best for exactly the points you cited and would still remain true to the original. My animals have nicknames in addition to their proper names; "Nigsy" is an appropriate nickname and won't be nearly as offensive to most people.

James Currin

Having seen the film just this month, I can report that "Nigger's" demise did not prefigure the death of his Master [Richard Todd], who, unless I had a senior moment, survives the mission. The most dramatic moment in the film is when the code word for a dam having broken comes over the phone to the operations room. That code word is "Nigger". Clearly the film cannot be shown over here without the excision of the offensive term. This only raises the more important question of why it should be remade at all, especially by the unimpressive team of David Frost and Steven Fry. The only flaw in the film is the hokey "eureka" moment in the London music hall when the two spotlights converge on the stage.

EyeSee

I think if he just says "come here boy" that should do.

James Delingpole

Oh cripes! I am SO sorry dear Speccie readers for getting the detail about the dog not dying wrong. It's been a while since I saw the film. Can you forgive me? I mean, the rest of the piece is more or less on the right lines, isn't it? Thanks James Currin for correcting the inaccuracy.

Pete Richardson

How about Ligger (freeloader ,hanger on)

David Baron

As a 'second world war enthusiast' of retired group captain persuasion, 'Nigger' must remain. I agree most strongly with James Currin - transmission of the codeword 'Nigger' to notify Harris and Wallis back at Grantham of the Moehne Dam's breach is a dramatic moment and, like it or not, part of history. Can we not just for once desist from the absurd practice of re-writing the past?

Sidney Chambers

Any change in history is wrong and perpetuates a lie, what ever it is. The word is derived fro the French Négre which just means black and that's correct isn't it, or is it only correct in English?

James Delingpole

Oh dear, now David Baron's post has persuaded me that I'm completely wrong. I wouldn't have been very good in world war II would I with a lily livered attitude like that. Are you a WWII era flier, David? If so I must introduce you to my dear friend David Hearsey.

Archibald Bomwitz

Why not call the dog "Obama"? Obama is currently so popular that PC viewers would love it.

David Baron

No I'm not, James, though I'd like to have been! Post-war service only, flying Hunter, Phantom, Jaguar and similar types - now making do as an avid Spectator reader!

Anthony Lynch

Pace David Aaronovitch, surely 'offence' is a matter of choice? One can, after all, choose not to take offence.

Mark

In the Dambusters film from the fifties ,Nigger does die in the film before they go on the raid, I believe that his grave has a small memorial at the Dambuster's airfield.

Guy Gibson's future death later in the war is not mentioned in the film as far as I recall.

The most moving bit for me is when Todd as Guy Gibson says to Redgrave's Barnes Wallis "I have a few letters to write" and in the end shot a single RAF airman gives Gibson a really crisp salute, representing the thanks of a nation.

Mark

http://www.rafnews.co.uk/readstory.asp?storyID=151

The link above to a picture of Nigger and RAF crew and picture of his grave at RAF Scampton

Craig McArthur

Re my suggestion concerning changing the name nigger to kaffir,if you read Max Hastings, book 'Warriors'you'll realise what an egotistical shit Guy Gibson was,albeit a very brave one. It seeme to me Nigger was his only true friend.

Stuart Grønmark

My father was a B-25 Mitchell pilot during WW2. When he returned to Norway in June 1945 to become the station chief at Bardufoss he inherited an ex-SS Guard-dog called "Bimbo". Would the PC "Sisterhood" have an objection to this name?

Hezron

I'm with EyeSee. Doesn't matter what the dog's name is if he is just called "boy".

Disorganised1

You know the name Hitler has become offensive nowadays - John Gaunt got sacked for calling someone a 'bin nazi' ~ And referring to Damien McBride as Brown's Goebels was also deemed offensive.

Probably best not to mention the war at all - it'll only upset people.

David Chorley

The dog should be called Ninja (like my black labrador) Ninjas wear black clothes and are macho male types...

Misty Bottom

Mr Delingpole, is there some way I can vote for you?

ian skidmore

CONGRATULATIONS ON A VERY PROFESSIONAL PIECE ON PUSHING YOU BOOK.WAS THE FEE YET ANOTHER FRY UP.HE GETS EVERYWHERE

John Thomas

" ... Nigger’s name now gives ‘huge and unnecessary offence to millions of fellow citizens’" - yes, most of them white, middle class and Guardian-reading. Many black people (eg. rappers) seem to be quite happy with it, as long as it's spelt "Niggah".