May I humbly say that Keith's last post is an excellent, well-balanced summary? All historical events have myriad viewpoints and interpretations. 'Complex' and 'multi-layered' is the right way to approach them. As a teacher, I was pleased to see the National Curriculum bring in more evidential and first-hand accounts from the period studied, and informed opinions encouraged, rather than swallowing whole the received standpoint issued by old textbooks. I have listened to both my father and my grandfather (who survived the trenches with minor wounds, non-removable shrapnel and loss of part of his hand) and their accounts of both Wars IMO were infinitely valuable. Both these brave men were completely against fraternising with the enemy, and neither viewed their respective War service with resentment or bitterness, only great pride. (I heartily wish I had questioned them more thoroughly during their lives, as of course their memories are now lost.)