The Marines are finest in world

Royal Marine Commandos have for generations been among the most feared and respected fighting forces in the world.

Their indomitable spirit and supreme self-confidence was perfectly summed up by the CO of 45 Commando, Andrew Whitehead, during the Falklands conflict. He said after capturing Two Sisters in a notably dashing action in the South Atlantic: "With 50 Royals, I could have held this place until I died of old age."

No doubt similar messages of determination will ring out through the mountain passes of Afghanistan during the Green Berets' latest campaign.

The Royal Marines are one of the oldest units of the Armed Forces. "The Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment of Foot", as they were originally called, were founded in 1664 by Charles II.

A 1,200-strong unit of soldiers to serve on ships, for landing boarding parties, their motto : Per Mare Per Terram - By Sea, By Land - was to become known across virtually every major theatre of war

For the next 250 years, Marines provided the Royal Navy's infantry: its landing force for amphibious operations; marksmen afloat in fleet action; occasional suppressors of mutiny among the sailors, and gun turret crews in the post-Dreadnought age.

They fought side-by-side with Anzac troops during the Gallipoli landings in 1915, suffering heavy losses. In 1918, light infantry companies of the 4th Battalion Royal Marines stormed a German naval base, crippling the enemy's sea force. They were awarded two VCs.

The "commando" style of soldiering was introduced to the corps in 1942 --two years later Marines took part in the largest amphibious landing operation ever, on the Normandy beaches.

The corps can count almost every major British military action in the past two centuries in its battle honours. Since the Second World war it has seen action in areas including Suez, the Middle East, Northern Ireland-Cyprus, Borneo, Iraq and Kosovo. The Marines found their new vocation with the formation of commandos in the Second World War: units trained to the highest pitch of fitness and fighting skills, who played a critical part in many of the special operations of the period.

Marines found themselves manning kayaks and exploring beaches by night, and after the war taking over the Special Boat Squadron, the seagoing counterpart of the SAS.

Fitness continues to be paramount. Today's recruits must pass an intensive 16-week course. Successful candidates - fewer than half - win the right to wear the green beret. The course ends with a 30 - mile "yomp" with full 35lb pack and rifle, to be completed in seven hours.

The elite troops heading for battle in Afghanistan today are the best-equipped fighting men in the history of modern warfare.

A formidable array of weapons, some of which have been rushed into service for the mission, includes the latest lightweight machine guns, £50,000 binoculars that can "see" though walls and pick out a man two miles away in the dark, lightweight shoulder-launched rocket systems and more powerful grenades.

Each Marine carries an SA-80 rifle with telescopic sights, carrying 240 rounds of ammunition. Each company has 51mm and 81mm mortars, light anti-tank weapons and general purpose machine guns. Snipers carry a rifle accurate to 1,000 yards.

They wear light brown desert camouflage trousers and smocks over cold weather gear. They are also issued with thermal long johns. Their kit is carried in a standard-issue Bergen rucksack, weighing up to 80lbs, which includes sleeping bag, shovel and high-calorie arctic rations - 5,500 calories a day, compared with the normal 3,500.

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Comment: Marines are uniquely suited