thedrifter
11-21-05, 06:07 AM
MARINES IN BEACH BLUNDER
Nov 17 2005
Brit troops storm wrong hotel
By Tomparry
BRITISH commandos sparked panic among holidaymakers when they stormed a hotel by mistake.
The Royal Marines went the wrong way during an amphibious landing exercise in Senegal, west Africa, and ended up in a beachfront complex.
Guests - many of them elderly French tourists - suddenly found themselves surrounded by nearly 100 soldiers from the elite 40 Commando battalion.
The Marines quickly realised their mistake and retreated to the real rendezvous point, which was another hotel further down the beach.
It happened near the Senegalese capital Dakar during a month-long multinational military operation called Exercise Green Osprey.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "On Monday night, troops from 40 Commando conducted a beach landing exercise.
"A reconnaissance point to act as a control centre for an evacuation plan had been agreed.
"It appears they were on the right beach but got the wrong hotel. It was a genuine mistake.
"As soon as they realised their error, they apologised."
The practice landings have been taking place in the tropical Fatick region, south of Dakar.
Before the exercise, Senegalese Major Felix Prosper Basse said: "The British will be able to demonstrate their potential to operate in the region and also show their capability for providing stability in west Africa.'
A British contingent of 800 men, as well as American, French, Dutch and Italian troops, have been training local soldiers to help keep peace in the region.
MS Westminster sailed to Senegal last month to provide support for Marines from 40 and 45 Commando during exercises.
British inshore attack craft spearheaded the practice amphibious landings.
It's not the first time the Marines have got it wrong. In 2002, 20 commandos accidentally invaded Spain in a mock amphibious attack.
They thought they were coming ashore on Gibraltar
Ellie
Nov 17 2005
Brit troops storm wrong hotel
By Tomparry
BRITISH commandos sparked panic among holidaymakers when they stormed a hotel by mistake.
The Royal Marines went the wrong way during an amphibious landing exercise in Senegal, west Africa, and ended up in a beachfront complex.
Guests - many of them elderly French tourists - suddenly found themselves surrounded by nearly 100 soldiers from the elite 40 Commando battalion.
The Marines quickly realised their mistake and retreated to the real rendezvous point, which was another hotel further down the beach.
It happened near the Senegalese capital Dakar during a month-long multinational military operation called Exercise Green Osprey.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "On Monday night, troops from 40 Commando conducted a beach landing exercise.
"A reconnaissance point to act as a control centre for an evacuation plan had been agreed.
"It appears they were on the right beach but got the wrong hotel. It was a genuine mistake.
"As soon as they realised their error, they apologised."
The practice landings have been taking place in the tropical Fatick region, south of Dakar.
Before the exercise, Senegalese Major Felix Prosper Basse said: "The British will be able to demonstrate their potential to operate in the region and also show their capability for providing stability in west Africa.'
A British contingent of 800 men, as well as American, French, Dutch and Italian troops, have been training local soldiers to help keep peace in the region.
MS Westminster sailed to Senegal last month to provide support for Marines from 40 and 45 Commando during exercises.
British inshore attack craft spearheaded the practice amphibious landings.
It's not the first time the Marines have got it wrong. In 2002, 20 commandos accidentally invaded Spain in a mock amphibious attack.
They thought they were coming ashore on Gibraltar
Ellie