ADVANCE ON CAPITAL

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 305, 23 September 1942, Page 6

ADVANCE ON CAPITAL

British Forces In Madagascar

IMPEDED BY HEAVY RAIN

.(British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, September 21

In Madagascar, the British forces are closing in bn the capital, Antananarivo, according to an announcement by the East African Command. To the east of the capital, the important rail and road junction of Brickaville has been occupied. Brickaville is on the east coast, 50 miles south of Tamatave, where British troops landed on Friday.

From the north-west our troops are advancing south of Ankazobe, which was captured on Saturday, .and are about 50 miles from the capital. . Oil the north-west coast, in spite of heavv rain and French road demolitions, our southward movement continues. In this area our advanced elements were last reported moving toward Antsohiby, 300 miles north-west of the capital. The column moving down the north-east coast entered Lahambava, about 220 nines north of Tamatave, yesterday. It is stated in- authoritative quarters in London that resistance generally has been very, slight, though at Brickavilie the.. Vichy French blew up a bridge over the railway which runs To the capital. According to the Madagascar radio, the British column advancing from Majunga is 37 miles from Antananrivo, and another column from Tamatave is progressing more slowly, and is 90 miles from the capital.