""Our battle, or rather our retreat...lasted a whole month. The confusion was unbelievable throughout - at least around us...we lumbered on with our desert warfare equipment - gas masks included." from 'To the Kwai - and Back' by Ronald Searle" image: A side view of a British soldier in full tropical kit and tin hat. He carries a rifle in his right hand, where a tattoo can be seen on his forearm. He looks into the background towards two other soldiers. There is a tree in the foreground, and thick woodland beyond.