Once the looting didn’t start until the enemy was defeated. But in North Africa no-one hung around waiting for the retreat. With half of Egypt waiting open-armed for anything going, people simply stole whatever was nailed down and flogged it on the Cairo black market. The British -the Italians – Rommel’s Afrika Corps – they all used each other’s captured vehicles, uniforms and stores.  This is how the Desert Ratbags – a concert party stranded behind the Italian lines – operate. With their very special skills,  from pilfering to stage performing, they not only survive, but see a little action for themselves.