Kipling probably said it best . . .

A little ditty from Rudyard Kipling:

When you're wounded and left on Afghanistan's plains,
And the women come out to cut up your remains,
Just roll on your rifle
And blow you brains
And go to your God like a soldier.

Kipling was reflecting on Britain's experience in invading and trying to occupy Afghanistan.

For a fictionalized (though historically accurate) account of the British invasion and "occupation" of Afghanistan in 1839, Spottie recommends The Mulberry Empire by Philip Hensher.

It is a cautionary tale.