Ned:
Mark: as a counterbalance, I do remember an interview with a French admiral at the time of the Trafalgar 200th anniversary in 2005 who spoke in the most glowing and admiring terms about Nelson, and said how honoured he felt to be aboard Victory and included in the commemoration. The French also sent a very impressive aircraft carrier, I think the 'Charles de Gaulle'. Whatever the political antagonisms, I think sailors, and soldiers too, even on opposing sides, find they have much in common with each other - they, after all, are 'at the sharp end' and have to do the politicians' bidding and bear the brunt of the costs involved, and only they know what that really means.