Slim served in France, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia during the First World
War. He transferred to the Gurkha Rifles in 1920 and became a regular
officer. In 1940-41 he led British and Indian troops in Eritrea, Syria,
Iraq and Iran. He was sent to Burma early in 1942, maintaining morale
and discipline during the retreat from Rangoon to Imphal. Appointed
commander of the Fourteeth Army in December 1943, he led it throughout
the Burma campaign. After the war he served as Chief of the Imperial
General Staff (1948-52).
