Green-eyed Boys

Book excerpt: In the 3rd Battalion of the Parachute regiment (3 Para) the green-eyed boys are the soldiers who have submerged themselves entirely into the Regiment's cult of machismo. For them, after years of peace enlivened only by the cruel frustration of Northern Ireland, the Falklands War was an opportunity to pit themselves against a real enemy. Many of them consider the assault through the Argentinian position in Mount Longdon to have been the highest point in their lives - and they took every opportunity to enjoy it to the full. Ironically, in fulfilling their violent fantasies the green-eyed boys brought both glory and dishonour on the battalion.