#37 – General Sir Frank Messervy, commanding the 7th Armoured Division in North Africa, was bagged by the Afrika Korps during their advance at Gazala. Just before the Germans arrived, he threw on a private’s greatcoat. A German officer saw Messervy and yelle

d, “Aren’t you a bit old to be a private?” The quick-witted Messervy yelled back, “Yes, it’s a bloody disgrace they called me up at my age.” He took advantage of the battle’s confusion that evening to escape and return to British lines.