FRENCH COLONIES

Grey River Argus, 25 May 1942, Page 5

FRENCH COLONIES

NAVAL LOSSES AT MADAGASCAR. LONDON, May 22. Vichy reports that another French submarine was lost in the Madagascar operations. Most of the were saved by a British ship. lhe French, therefore, lost four vessels — two submarines, an auxiliary cruise-" and a sloop. Interviewed at Nairobi, while returning to Pretoria, General Smuts said that the Madagascar action removed all likelihood .of a Japanese frontal attack on South Africa

Madagascar BRITISH DIG IN. (Req. 9.20). \ LONDON, May 23. A report from Diego Saurez, in Madagascar, states that Rear-Admir-al Syfret attended a ceremony at which the tricolour was hoisted over Marie, .'which is the seat of the local Government symbolising the return of French officials to civil control m accordance with the British guarantee. Diego Saurez is returning to normal. British engineers, jailors, and soldiers are strengthening the battered defences.

French families wishing to leave are being now repatriated. A memorial ■ service has been held for the French killed. During the invasion- of German members of the crew of the ship, “Wartenfels,” failed to dynamite the ship when the British arrived, but Italians managed to scuttle two of their merchantmen.

The British forces are digging in and consolidating positions in the northern part of Madagascar. There is no sign of an v French forces.