14 MARCH 1981, Page 17

Mexican invasion

Sir: Richard West is surely wrong when he says that the US Marines have never occupied Mexico City, 'only the outskirts of the country' (7 March).

In 1847, an American army under MajorGeneral Winfield Scott, including some Marines, landed at Vera Cruz, defeated the Mexican forces that barred their way, stormed the heights of Chapultepec ('the halls of Montezuma') on 13 October 1847, and entered Mexico City the following day, remaining there until the end of hostilities.

Colin Brown 107, Cowley Hill, Herts.