[ATAG_Dutch]

I haven't had a drink as yet, but would like to ask Beowulf a question which is seriously off-topic.

I used to attend the IPMS Scale Modelling Nationals in Telford every year. People from all over the world come to this event.

One year, a German chap was giving a talk on the Bf109, having written a book on the subject, and we met up with him and his friends in the bar at lunchtime.

Before the first pint of beer had even been drank, the German chaps were apologising to us for their country's actions during the second world war. All of us were around the same age, born in the 60s and so had no direct involvement in the conflict. As Brits, we found this a little embarrassing and were telling the German chaps that there was no need to apologise to those present for what happened in a bygone age.

So I wondered, is this something German people are advised to do when attending any event connected with militaria? Or is it that those specific individuals felt there was a need to do so?