You make a very interesting distinction pintohoo between our involvement in the 14-18 war and how that is now appreciated by the subject country and our recent involvement in ME war which for many may have not been appreciated..
I guess 14-18 war was an invasion of France (and others) by Germany which saved France from German annexation and the enemy was clearly defined as an outsider.
Our involvement in ME wars are a mostly interference in what are basically civil wars( Afghanistan & Syria) or external interference in a country's internal affairs (Iraq) and the best than one can hope for is half local support/apprciation unlike France with respect to WW1 which was/is virtually 100%
I spent 7 weeks in central France a few years ago and the reception of the local French country people was absolutely amazing. They took us under their wings, wined & dined us and involved us in neighbourly and community events, sagged us about our Australian French and we made many lasting friendships We were even invited to the local town hall and given a tour of the region in a Cirrus plane!
At one point in the flight I asked my neighbour (pilot) what was the big lever for overhead and he said...."No, No, dont touch...that's the parachute for the whole plane!" That certainly gave us a sense of security!
That night we had wild boar on a spit with lashing of red wine and amazing salads. and we all danced rock 'n roll till late.
