Defeat into victory: The Indian Army's greatest lesson in Burma

A carved walnut wood box with the crest of 55th 'Coke's Rifles' Frontier Force, from the estate of Major General Roger Ekin. In 1942 he was commander of the 46th Indian Infantry Brigade, pursued by the Imperial Japanese Army, and part of a desperate, brave, thousand mile retreat across Burma to India.

Of all the famous generals of the Second World War, there was arguably none greater than Field Marshal William Slim who led the Indian Army in Burma. When he took command in 1942 it was in desperate retreat. Two years later the Indian Army went back and beat the Imperial Japanese Army to oblivion. How? It's a lesson in rebuilding morale and leadership, learning new tactics, focusing on fitness and health, using the jungle intelligently, and relentless training. And perhaps the greatest lesson of all: There are no shortcuts to victory.