MADAGASCAR

Grey River Argus, 7 May 1942, Page 5

MADAGASCAR

FRENCH RESIST British Landing Operations > [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l LONDON, May 5. It is understood in London that a battery in Madagascar has been captured, and that a landing is proceeding. The British naval force oft Madagascar is under the command of Rear-Admiral E. N. Syfret, C.B. The British military force consists of regular troops and a small contingent of special service troops. It is under Major-General R. G. Sturges, C. 8., of the Royal Marines. Rear-Admiral Syfret is the Supreme Commander.”

Major-General Sturges fought at Gallipoli with the' Naval Division, and .in the M'onarch at the Battle of Jutland.

The French troops in Madagascar are under the command of General Guillemet, who has so far organised some resistance. He adheres to the Government of Marshal Petain at Vichy. It is stated in London that the peace-time garrison of Madagascar numbered 1,500 Europeans and 3,700 natives.

iAI joint Admiralty-War Office communique states: “It is hoped that the French authorities will accept the United Nations’ offer to help in the defence of the island against Axis aggression. Operations are proceeding. Our casualties so far have been light/ It is understood that the Governor-General of Madagascar has declared his intention to resist.” The Vichy News Agency reports that the British are developing a double attack against Diego Suarez, the Madagascar naval base, consisting of a frontal thrust from the sea. by 3 warships, and squadrons of planes, and an overland assault from Courier Bay. British commandos entrusted with the latter operation are obviously aiming to cut off the port’s communications. There have been French casualties. It is not known whether the landings suecccded. Marshal Petain and Admiral Darlan sent messages to the Command-er-in-C’hief of Madagascar, urging the troops to resist attack and defend the honour of the French flag. Berlin radio announced that the British attack at Diego Suarez was carried out by two cruisers, four destroyers, and two transports, and probably one aircraft-carrier. Parachutists and light armoured units also participated. A French submarine and tender are reported to have been sunk when resisting the British. The invading force appeared off Diego Suarez with strong air formations yesterday. The British delivered a seven-hour ultimatum to the Governor-General, who rejected it, declaring the defence of the island would be carried out to 'the end. The first attack occurred last evening. . i . ... There is still no indication whether the British force met opposition from land forces, or the warships, which are reported ’to include the cruisers Montcalm and Marseillaise. The German radio announced that three French warships are at Madagascar. , , , Waves of parachutists preceded the landing of the troops, 12 miles southward of Diego Suarez. . The Press Association’s Air correspondent. says: The paratroops may be from 'the Middle East, where the men, drawn from the Eighth and Ninth Armies, were given special training. Britain now has enough trained paratroops to spare large numbers for overseas. The Vichy radio says M. Laval told a Press conference that a mes«age from Madagascar reported British control of 'the isthmus linking Courier Bay and Diego Suarez. The British forces totalled 20,001), and the defenders about 7,000. Madagascar, which is the lourtn largest island in the world, lies on Portuguese East Africa, and its coast is about 950 miles from Durban. It is nearly 1,000 miles long and 3bl) miles wide. It has been a French colony for nearly 50 years. The vital importance' of the ‘island lies in potential threat to Allied supply lines, as all shipping round the Cape must pass it within easy raiding dis ta The naval base at Diego Suarez is well fortified. There are four basins for naval craft. The harbour is landlocked and could give ample protection to a large fleet Sutoarines could use it as a refuelling baseDiego S'uarez is not connected by rail 'with the rest of Madagascar, and the capital, Antananarivo is situated in the centre of the island. The population is 3,800,000. Free French quarters in London welcomed the news of' the occupation of Madagascar. “We are in complete agreement with the move, ’ said one official.

Other French Islands

WILL BRITISH OCCUPY THEM? LONDON, May 5. Vichy dispatches suggest that Laval is worried over the fate of the Comoro Archipelago and Reunion Island. The Vichy News Agency says there is no news as to the fate oi the islands. The “Standard’s” military correspondent says: Now that the British are in Madagascar, the Japanese are unlikely 4° stay away, but the immediate danger is the' Japanese method of occupying stepping stones. r ithese are the Seychelles, Amirantes, Mauritius, and Reunion Islands. The main Japanese objective would be (Port Louis in Mauritius, which has the best harbour in the Indian Ocean, and has deep water accommodation for at least nine large ships. An airborne invasion of Madagascar, with help or Vichyite sympathisers and fifth columnists, would then be a very great danger. We must not repeat the mistake of Singapore. Diego Suarez is a strong naval base, but 'the Japanese would attack the back door by sea and air. We must send in tanks and fighting planes to defeat that. A Cape Town message says the refugees from Madagascar report the Allied troops would find thousands of Free French supporters, and nearly the whole population would welcome the brilliant stroke. Laval s return to power shocked even the Madagascar Government circles. It is pointed out in London that, it the Japanese had .been able to seize Madagascar they would have been able to threaten the Allied supply lines to the Middle East, Russia, China, Australia, and New Zealand. The British intention is to hold tne island in trusit till the end of the war, and then to hand it back to Franco. Military circles in New .Delhi warmly welcome the British initiative in Madagascar, which is regarded as a definite contribution to the defence of India’.

“The Times” diplomatic correspondent expresses the opinion that the British action in Madagascar may be regarded as the first iruits of the visit of Mr. Hopkins and General Marshall to London, in April.