Formed in September 1941 from the Western Desert Force British 8th Army (comprising British Commonwealth Free French & Polish troops) went on to wage a lengthy hard-fought campaign against Axis forces across the deserts of North Africa. The Desert War was unlike any other fought by the British Army involving highly mobile operations covering vast distances. The hot unforgiving climate in which the troops lived & fought was almost as troublesome as the enemy. During its two-year period of service in North Africa 8th Army underwent major changes in organization equipment & training to accustom it to desert warfare.