The French penchant for bureaucracy faced ridicule as British paratroopers, commemorating the 80th anniversary of D-Day, were met by clipboard-carrying officials demanding passport checks upon landing in Normandy.
In footage capturing the surreal scene, troops were seen forming a queue in a farmer’s field, presenting their passports and documents to waiting customs officers immediately after touching down.
Politicians and the public quickly took to social media to highlight the absurdity of British soldiers being subjected to such checks on the anniversary of the liberation of France from the Nazis.
Former cabinet minister David Jones humorously remarked that France owes its current border control to the arrival of British troops 80 years ago, quipping, “They risked their lives to make France safe for bureaucracy.”
Meanwhile, many Brits contrasted the reception their forebears received during World War II with the bureaucratic hurdle faced by today’s soldiers, with one questioning, “Where were they in 1944?
The irony was not lost on social media users, with one joking that British troops should have timed their jump for when French officials were on lunch break, while another sarcastically exclaimed, “Vive la bureaucracy.
The incident occurred as some 250 British paratroopers, along with Belgian and US counterparts, participated in a jump to recreate the historic events of 1944. However, only the British troops were required to undergo passport checks, as US soldiers had already landed in France and Belgium is part of the European Union.
Despite the bureaucratic hiccup, the commemorative jump proceeded as planned, with paratroopers landing in fields near Sannerville, designated as drop zone K on D-Day in 1944. The Royal British Legion Band of Wales played Vera Lynn’s “We’ll Meet Again” as the jump began, evoking poignant memories of the historic invasion.
French spectators cheered and thanked the British troops as they landed, underscoring the enduring gratitude felt towards those who fought for the country’s liberation.
As the commemoration continued, Lance Corporal Addy Carter, a medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps, became the first female paratrooper to jump into Normandy, describing the experience as “honestly amazing” and emphasizing the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by those who fought on D-Day.
Lieutenant Max Phillips, following in the footsteps of his great-great uncle who fought in Normandy, reflected on the solemnity of the occasion, emphasizing the humility felt in understanding the hardships endured by those who participated in the historic operation.
Despite the bureaucratic hurdle faced by British paratroopers, the commemoration served as a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by Allied forces on D-Day and the enduring legacy of their bravery and determination.
