This is an account of the Battle of Sidi Resegh written just after the action by Albert Charnaud to his father, in December 1941. He was a South African, son of Sidney Charnaud serving in the 5th South African Brigade and was one of the few survivors of a most bitter and terrifying engagement. The letter graphically illustrates what a major tank battle in the desert during the Second World War was like, and is included verbatim to give younger readers a description of what their older generations had to go through and really feel the full horror of war, with your mates being killed and wounded all round you, expecting your turn next, quick instantaneous decisions, and above all that good luck.