To Palindromic: "Au contraire, mofraire"? What exactly does "mofraire" mean? It sounds like a euphemism for a male who has an unnatural relationship with his mother.

Or did you mean "mon frère"?

To Palindromic: I don't know if I'd call it "romanticizing," but I can understand why World War II vets would fondly and respectfully remember the machines that helped to preserve freedom and thwart the global-domination dreams of Hitler, Mussolini and Tojo. Or why any combat veteran would feel a bond with the weapon or piece of equipment that may have saved his life on more than one occasion.

BTW, I was born nearly 10 years after the end of the war. The big one, I mean.