American ingenuity at its finest:

In a 21st century twist to beating swords into ploughshares, U.S. Marine chemical warfare experts have been adapting their gear to provide a little luxury for war-weary troops camped out in Baghdad -- hot showers.

With fears of an attack by chemical or biological weapons subsiding, Marine specialists have turned pipes designed to wash down contaminated tanks into an outdoor steam room, giving soldiers their first shower in almost a month.

Jets of warm water spurt from overhead pipes in a polythene tent -- giving eight Marines at a time one minute to get wet, one minute to lather themselves with soap, and one minute to rinse.