21st Independent Parachute Company were an elite unit, basically the 'Pathfinders' for the 1st British Airborne Division - so really, they were an 'elite of the elite'.

They were quite literally 'first in', landing in advance of the main force in order to secure the correct drop zones with clear marking, setting up radio beacons, etc. Once out of the aircraft, they were totally alone many miles behind enemy lines and had to be completely self-reliant : 'Independent'.

The Company was made up of men from many other units and interestingly, at Arnhem included a number of German Jews who had escaped the Nazi regime.

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"Stand by to pull me out of the seat if I get hit" - Guy Gibson