Invaders in hasty retreat

Invaders in hasty retreat

Embarrassed British defence chiefs apologised yesterday after a
detachment
of Royal Marines on a training exercise accidentally invaded Spain.

Twenty commandos in full combat gear attacked in two landing craft at La
Linea in southern Spain, believing the beach was on Gibraltar, a British
colony.

The landing had ben entrusted to what one source described as "the worst
possible person - a young officer with a map."

The commandos were halted by two Spanish policemen who informed them
they
were 200 metres off course - and on Spanish soil - just as the squad
fanned
out and adopted firing positions.

- Leo Schlink

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