British paratroopers who parachuted into Normandy for D-Day commemorations were met by French customs to have their passports checked.
On Wednesday hundreds of British, Canadian, US and Belgian paratroopers parachuted onto a drop zone recreating what took place in 1944 80 years ago.
Videos have emerged showing the paratroopers carrying their kit bags up a field to a wooden table with two laptops and custom officials to have their passports checked.
The paratroopers parachuted out of an Airbus A400M at 1pm and landed on the designated drop zone K close to Sannerville.
The British Army sent 250 paratroopers from 16 Air Assault Brigade.
British Paras jumping into Normandy are greeted by French customs 🤣
Plus ca change.#dday80 pic.twitter.com/TWl6qYu2tP
— Jerome Starkey (@jeromestarkey) June 5, 2024
Brigadier Mark Berry, the commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, told The Sun, “It is something we haven’t experienced before.
“But given the Royal welcome we have had from every other feature, it seems like a very small price to pay for coming to France.”
Brig Berry added: “The soldiers 80 years ago were jumping at night with considerably less sophisticated equipment, into enemy held territory.
“Today I know that I won’t meet an enemy force that 80 years ago was presenting an existential threat to our nation.
“It is crucial, that as the last of these individuals who actually served in D-Day are beginning to move on from this earth, to remember what they achieved here.”
Jonathan Monti, a French immigration official told The Sun, “We are doing immigration control and we are not supposed to do it in a field.
“But for this special event, for the 80th anniversary, we are welcoming the UK soldiers.”
