Just a FWIW from someone who lives quite close to where this all unraveled, .. and apologies before hand for being picky, but the Lt Col Beltrame was not really strictly “ex-forces”...I know the U.K. media uses policeman in referring to him but the Gendarmarie National is a military organisation tasked with civil law and order (unlike the Police Municipal, who are more like the U.K. police)...
Pickyness aside I do agree completely with the sentiments of the OPs post though..we were aware of all this unravelling yesterday via local news, couldn’t help but admire the bravery displayed when we heard he had swopped with the female hostage and were hoping.........maybe once and for all we can put an end to the various flag and reverse gear jokes....one can but hope.