a clear and precise explanation - thank you. I am sure you are right in this case, that the expression is used to indicate what we would call a 'snafu' today.
Interestingly, though, I discovered that the French army has had official brothels into the twentieth century. At the end of a long and very alcoholic dinner in Paris in company with a couple of retired generals just a couple of weeks ago, one of them told me the story of the establishment of an official brothel service to cater for Moroccan troops in order to prevent some of the excesses that had taken place beforehand. As I said - late in the evening, by which time my interpretation of regionally accented French was failing me, but I do need to follow it up - it would make a wonderful vignette sometime, if I could ever find a magazine to publish it!
This frank and practical attitude of the French towards things we Anglo-Saxons tend to sweep under the carpet wherever possible is one of the things that attracts me so much to the nation. The only time I ever flew Air France first class they managed to lose my luggage and so gave me a very chic and stylish overnight kit that included a nightshirt, toothbrush and toothpaste, various toiletries ... and three condoms! Presumably, those in economoy only got one!
Bon fin de l'année
Tim