Royal Marines practice raiding exercises on the beach as the tourists’ football game continues

Stunned tourists watched as members of 47 Commando (Raiding Group) Royal Marines carried out landing practice on a beach in Cornwall, while for others nothing was going to interrupt their game of football.

Using modern landing craft in scenes reminiscent of the events of D-Day, marines were seen practicing raiding drills at Tregantle Fort in Torpoint.

The training exercise was based on a contemporary combat scenario and comes just weeks before the unit lands on Normandy’s Gold Beach to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Members of the Raiding Group are Royal Navy experts in amphibious warfare, providing landing craft, amphibious assault and maritime training capabilities.

The news comes as plans for 181 British paratroopers to jump into Normandy as part of the 80th anniversary of D-Day go ahead, with two A400M Atlas transport aircraft now being made available.

It had earlier been feared plans could be scaled back due to a lack of available RAF transport aircraft, but Defense Secretary James Cartlidge told the Commons that two A400s would take part.