How did a British tank, originally designed to fight Nazis, end up in Israeli use to battle Soviet tanks manned by Syrians? The answer explains why the Centurion is one of history’s great tanks.

The helmet was used at the Battle of the Somme from September 1916 until the end of that year, before falling out of favour. It was so flimsy that shell splinters could penetrate its leather body.

Driver Rathore, the fourth crew member, climbed out under fire and pulled the wounded out of the disabled tank. He was hit by machine-gun fire while attempting to save his comrades.