Fleming does not let his fear overpower him, but instead channels that fear into the battle. It is impossible for someone to be a hero and a coward. Slowly, Fleming develops into a soldier.
Exhausted, hungry, thirsty, and now wounded, Henry decides to return to his regiment regardless of his shame.
He probably believed that if he gave Henry the flag, that something bad would happen which is why Henry wanted the flag, to show that he is not a coward anymore.
However, the contract also stipulated that he was not to receive royalties from the books sold in Great Britain, where they were released by Heinemann in early as part of its Pioneer Series.
He does not understand what warfare can do to a man, nor how it can affect him. Jim eventually dies of his injury, defiantly resisting aid from his friend, and an enraged and helpless Henry runs from the wounded soldiers.
This is war from a new point of view.