“Follow me!” Kennedy was first ashore as the boats slid onto the sand, with the Rangers following him, green-clad men leading a scarlet army under the bright sun.
The Rangers fanned out onto the beach and ran into the scrubland behind, ready for a Spanish defence, waiting for the staccato c***k of musketry. There was none. The British invaders had the beach to themselves as the Rangers formed a defensive perimeter. Behind the Rangers, more landing craft slid onto the sand and additional units filed onto the land, with officers and sergeants ordering the ranks.
“Keep in formation, men! Light Infantry, to the front! Grenadiers, form in the centre!”
The sun reflected from burnished equipment as young men who had never been away from their rural parishes stared around them in wonder.
“Form
