Royal Marine commandos inadvertently invade Spain

[George Widman]

If one is patient, be assured The Scotsman will deliver. Beautifully.

http://www.thescotsman.co.uk/index.cfm?id=193232002
Tue 19 Feb 2002
Marines fight them on the Costa
Gethin Chamberlain

STORMING out of their landing craft and up the beach, the Royal Marine
commandos fanned out and took up defensive positions in a perfectly
executed military
operation. There was only one small problem - they had just
inadvertently invaded Spain.

At a time of diplomatic tension between the two countries over the
future of Gibraltar, the sudden appearance of 20 British soldiers
brandishing assault rifles and mortars
could have been a difficult moment.

The two puzzled Spanish policemen watching Sunday morning’s assault,
however, took the infringement of their national sovereignty in their
stride.

"Buenos dias, señores [Good morning, gentlemen]," they inquired. "Qué
hacen aqui?" [What are you doing here?].

For the elite British troops, who had been expecting to meet stiff
opposition from other British forces taking part in the seaborne landing
exercise, the sound of a Spanish
voice was enough to confirm their worst fears.

(More at the site)
George