Marines invade Spain by mistake

[Smoketoomuch]

Maybe not the right forum but too good not to share here <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

. .<a href="http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_523983.html" target="_blank">http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_523983.html</a>. .British marines 'invade' Spain by mistake

Defence chiefs have apologised after a detachment of British commandos accidentally "invaded" Spain.

The 20 Royal Marines, based near Arbroath, roared up a beach in their amphibious landing craft and leapt ashore brandishing assault rifles and mortars.

Bemused Spanish fishermen in the town of La Linea de la Concepcion watched as 45 Commando began deploying tactically in the sand.

In the end, two local policemen took it upon themselves to point out to the marines that Gibraltar - the intended target of their seaborne landing exercise - was actually a little further on down the coast.

There was apparently a brief flurry of apologies from the red-faced commandos before the men jumped back into their craft and motored further south.

The gaffe comes at a time of delicate negotiations over the future of Gibraltar, which was taken by Britain in 1704. Nine years later The Rock was ceded to Britain for ever under the Treaty of Utrecht.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said the "regrettable" incident happened during an exercise by Royal Marines travelling on HMS Ocean, the Royal Navy's helicopter and commando carrier.

"In the course of the exercise, a landing craft meant to land in Gibraltar, but made it a few yards down the beach, on the Spanish side," he said.

"There is much embarrassment, the error is regretted and lessons have been learned. They were informed of their error by local policemen and spent only about five minutes on the beach."

He added: "We were not trying to take Spain and have no plans to do so." :) :)

[Big Tudor]

Is Gib really that hard to miss these days. I would have thought the absence of a very large mound of rock would have been a bit of a giveaway. Unless the intention was to invade Spain after all. <img src="wink.gif" border="0"> :)

[LXGB]

It's not the first time it's happened either. The US Marines did a few years ago as well. Except they hit the beaches about 20 miles up the coast.. .Perfect timing though, what with the current political climate and all <img src="smile.gif" border="0"> .

[Gainesy]

I suppose the Spanish Navy was busy at the local bowling alley?

[Scud-U-Like]

No Gainsey, we're supposed to do the bowling while THEY f**k-up!

[ 18 February 2002: Message edited by: Scud-U-Like ]</p>

[The Claw]

Someone told the Marines that they get a discount if they learn to fly in Jerez? :) :)

[Gen. Bombdabastards]

Hope they got thier bottle & 200

[exrotarybooty]

This was no mistake. The Royal Marines captured Gibraltar in 1704 and it is the main Battle Honour on their Corps Crest. They have now captured Spain without a shot being fired and no casualties. I can only tell you this once as I promised not to repeat it! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[Jointery Boy]

They would have got away with it if it wasnt for you pesky kids...

Oh, and take it from one that knows...there is no truth to the rumour that UBL was sighted running a sun tan franchise under the name of Dave Smith 600m inland. (He was closed for lunch at the time and down the local betting shop having a 2/1 on, that the Yanks are going to provide Hollywood with the sequel for Black Hawk Down)

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Ole'

Haven't the booties heard of GPS etc?

They'll do anything for cheap booze..

[Daifly]

Oh how I laughed...!

Did you see the pictures on the TV this evening? It had the OIC waving to the local Plod from the landing craft as it was backing out into open water.

Altogether now "WHOOPS, SORRY!"

[Ivor Biggun]

I seem to recall that the British commanders in all their wisdom landed some Aussie troops a few miles up the beach in WWI. It was called Gallipoli I think?!?

[Fox_4]

Disgusted to hear CNN talking about this incident this morning saying that the UK werent an effective fighting force any more!

If so why do we keep backing you lot up then!!

Still a funny thing to hear about though. Maybe with some CAS they could have taken Spain.

:) <img src="cool.gif" border="0"> :)

[DuckDogers]

Given the debacle over the New Lunny Labour decision with regards to the future of Gibraltar's sovereignty perhaps our colleagues in the Marines thought they'd better remind El Presidente that his Foreign Policy is somewhat of a joke. Not surprising with the muppet of a foreign secretary we've got at present.

Bring back the good old days where we sailed in Ark Royal off-loaded a load of Marines and could put REAL air power ashore off a carrier.

[Flatus Veteranus]

Do the Marines have GPS? Indeed, have the fisheads heard of it yet or was it "not invented here" and therefore useless? We have had three frigates pranged in recent years due to nav cock-ups: one in the Gulf, one in the Straits of McGellan, and one (at the head of a NATo flotilla)in what was described by a local pilot as "the best buoyed and lit channel in Norway". Any competent yachtsman could do better.

[Hot 'n' High]

I can just picture the scene. After waving to the Spanish Feds as they backed away from the beach the OIC was seen to turn towards the Booty I/C 'getting the boys to the right place' and yell the immortal words "Snodgrass, I thought you said you could read a f*****g map!" :)

As for the CNN comment (not seen it myself) - well, at least they managed to get the boats back off the beach!!!!!!! I seem to recall the Yanks (bless 'em) often can get in somewhere fine. It's just getting back out again sometimes proves a tad problematic. Remember Iran? Now the Israeli Entebbe raid a few years back - that was STYLE. <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

H 'n' H swiftly retires to underground Bunker prior to USMC/USN/USAF heading over to get him. Now you see why I am vague with my location!!! <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

[WE Branch Fanatic]

Now.....I can't remeber who I am reply to but...

When HMS GRAFTON (I haven't figure out how to do italics in here) ran aground in the Fjord she had been in "formation one", where all ships move independently although in formation. Then a Norwegian merchantman slewed across her path, out of nowhere...

So she had to turn suddenly, and ran aground..

[LXGB]

In the Booties defence, they were only about a hundred metres north of the intended beach. Unfortunately that was about a hundred metres inside of Spain. Still, sends a nice message to the Gibraltarians that we still care about them, they're loving it.

[Smoketoomuch]

LXGB, your navigation is as bad as that of the Marines. They were several hundred miles SOUTH of the intended beach. France my dear chap, France!

Harry, England and St George! :)

[ 19 February 2002: Message edited by: Smoketoomuch ]</p>

[LXGB]

Mr S,. .I beg to differ. I was referring to the original post topic, i.e. the most recent incursion.

Cheers,

LXGB.

. .PS - Although upon reflection, not a bad idea! <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: LXGB ]</p>

[Mad Pax]

*sits back to observe apoplectic overstretch as Princess Tony orders the unrestricted bombing of, umm, (looks at map) ahh yes...Birmingham...*. .'s got a bull ring, ain't it???

Ok, I'll go away again... <img src="rolleyes.gif" border="0">

[spectre150]

Priceless, absolutely priceless. Its at times like like that I just LOVE working with Royal. Now, someone remind me, what does it say on teh RM cap badge ........................

[Smoketoomuch]

LX - I think we were at crossed purposes, hopefully cleared up now. Strictly between the two of us I can share some inside info.. .I understand that Downing St has been most perturbed to discover that our brave leaders adventures in Afghanistan, and more recently Africa, have failed to bring out the expected cheering crowds upon his return. With this in mind they decided that the next target should be the old enemy - France , "Bound to bring in the votes" they thought. To this end a unit of Britain's ugliest fighting men [Marines] was despatched from Britain's ugliest town [Portsmouth] on Her Majesty's ugliest ship [Ocean] for France's southern flank - 'This'll scare 'em' they thought, "Our kit might be crap but we sure can out-ugly them". After an arduous 3 day voyage, during which they carefully studied the route, 'Turn left at the bottom of Spain, then up a bit' and local customs. Unfortunately at the first sight of a pair of topless sunbathers someone shouted 'This must be the place lads' and they all piled ashore only to be met by 2 girls from Newcastle and the local 'Policia' - both said the Marines could do anything they wanted for the customary offering, [200 B&H] but the offer was graciously declined and the Marines are currently making 5 knots up Spains Eastern coast in search of locals on bikes selling onions. Watch this space. :)

Damn spilling!

[ 20 February 2002: Message edited by: Smoketoomuch ]</p>

[LXGB]

Ahhh,. .Sounds like a cunning plan Smokes. I await developments with (garlic?) baited breath. :)

Stay Frosty,

LXGB.