What I see as the kernel of the debate is whether politics about 1900 by British and French governments can be seen as justified by present-day standards, and communicated honestly. Only if so, the formulation "Most knew what they fought for" would make sense, otherwise "Most believed in the official reasons" is adequate - we agreed on the latter.

Afghanistan after 1979 makes a good model. Those western soldiers - this time including Germans - who believed they were fighting for girls' right of schooling were not downright wrong, but missed the half of the story of which their governments should be ashamed.

I bet Keith will have the last word in this thread. I hope my point is clear enough to unbiased readers.