An Pluiméir Ceolmhar - Thanks a million, too, for your attempt to objectivity. It makes me crazy, that 12 years of history have made Germany's face black all over the world, especially when your family was prosecuted for not being Nazis.
Considering Irish independence one shouldn't forget the role of "Comrade Mauser" in the fights (before 1933).
Glad to hear that you volunteered. So did I, in a sort. I was exempt from compulsory service but insisted on doing my duty.
Now back to Clausewitz: Most people only know this little sentence you asked for; the theories behind it they aren't interested in. You are doing well to read them, because in my opinion they still are and will be valid because of their deep insight into human nature - but let us still be glad that thoughts like those expressed in the "Ode to Joy" where our discussion started also belong to human nature and may give some hope.

Wilfried