Jack Fairweather, outside Basra, witnesses the taking of a strategic dam, from preparation to final assault.
"The fruit biscuits are enemy positions and the water bottle is the barge on the dam," said Maj Matthew Botsford, of A Squadron Queens Dragoon Guards.
Before him a composite map made up of sandcastles and ration kit had been built outside the command tent in preparation for the reconnaissance unit's biggest mission since the campaign began.
As British forces moved into Basra, the squadron had been tasked with the capture of a strategic dam a few miles outside Basra.
A nervous Iraqi informant had told them had been rigged by militia forces to explode the following night.
"Be very careful British, we want you to stay around," the Iraqi had said.
"We have every intention of remaining safe but this is a cavalry regiment," said Maj Botsford. "And though we endeavour to lose no lives, we endeavour to keep safe with panache."
A couple of hours later the squadron had dismounted from the vehicles and had begun a slow and painstaking trot towards the enemy positions arrayed along the far side the dam.
"We've decided to ditch the vehicles so its time to fix the bayonets," the major said.
The plan was to shoot a Light Anti-Tank Weapon (LAW) at the barge sitting at the head of the dam, before charging along in single file towards enemy positions, now only a few hundred metres away on the far bank.
"Spark-up," shouted Sgt Ian Wilcox of 3rd Troop, beside the earthen rampart that provided cover from one side of the dam. "No, not the LAW you idiot. I meant cigarettes. They might be the last ones we have."
"It's odd," said trooper Ryan Lewis (18), during the brief respite afforded by the cigarette, "Considering this is my first time doing this sort of thing I don't feel too nervous."
"Right, we've hit 'H' hour," said Maj Botsford. "Are you ready men? Then fire away."
The charge began under covering fire from sniper positions and four scimitar tanks as the barge was reached and secured.
"Oh look that LAW's just bounced off the side," said trooper Dean Bradley.
"Brad, can you see that little hole in the side of the vessel, that's where a ray of 10,000 C copper has just shot through, melting everything inside."
"Oh," said trooper Bradley, and hurried on.
As the far side of the bank was reached, it soon became clear that the only shots being fired were our own.
The major pointed at a row of houses to the right where people were milling outside and gave the order to clear them.
"They're just a bunch of civvies come out to find out what all the fuss is about," came back the response.
The sweating troops turned expectantly towards him.
"I think we have just taken hold of the dam and that the enemy scampered this morning," said Maj Botsford.
"Don't be disappointed men. We're all alive and that's the most important thing," he added.
It was left to Maj Dave Allen, an American soldier attached to the unit, to philosophise: "Sung Su said in The Art of War: better to leave your enemy an escape route."