The definition of 'freedom' is debatable.
Since you have a military background, I understand why you deem war as an essential component in the achievement of freedom. All 20th century wars were fought on that basis.
I consider that, since we are now ruled from Brussels, that the 'freedom objective' failed miserably.
PS There is no bigger insult to an Australian than to describe him as a colonist, or even a 'penal colonist'
The Faulklands has enormous oil reserves in its territorial waters.