Jim and Dave,
But it still does not detract one iota from the war being a bloody catastrophe.

I agree.
I am sure Teribus agrees.
I have never read of any historian who does not agree.
Hastings actually called his book "Catastrophe."

Jim, you say you do not reject the findings of the historians, but you do.
All but one conclude that Britain was right to resist the invading aggressor.
All agree that the British people accepted that.
All agree that the British Army was generally well led.
You still reject all that, but it has been the consensus for years.
You think you know better, but how could you?