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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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SAS
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(Special Air Service) Commando unit formed in North Africa in 1941 by a Scots Guards officer, David Stirling (1915–90), with a special brief to operate behind enemy lines. In peace time their skills were turned to undercover and counter-terrorist activities. Their efficiency greatly impressed the British public in 1980, when an SAS team was seen on television storming the Iranian embassy in London. Six gunmen, demanding the release of Arab prisoners in Iran, had held the staff hostage for six days and killed two of them; neither the SAS nor the hostages suffered casualties during the rescue, but five of the terrorists were killed. More controversial was the SAS shooting of three IRA terrorists in 1988 in Gibraltar (the subject of *Death on the Rock). Since 1942 the SAS badge has carried the motto 'Who Dares Wins'.
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