'What manner of men are those who wear the maroon beret? They are, firstly, all volunteers and are then toughened by physical training. As a result they have that infectious optimism and that offensive eagerness which comes from physical well-being. They have dropped from the air and by doing so have conquered fear. Their duty lies in the van of battle, they are proud or their honour and have never failed in any task. They have the highest standards in things, whether it be in battle, or smartness in execution of all peace-time duties. They have shown themselves to be as tenacious and determined in defence as they are courageous in attack. They are, in fact, men apart. "Every man an emperor" '

Field Marshal Montgomery