TULEAR SURRENDERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 30 September 1942, Page 4

TULEAR SURRENDERS

PORT IN MADAGASCAR COLLAPSE Ol RESIST LNCI IN NORTH MR CHURCHILL GIVES DETAILS i a.n i l! !!-<•• . H The surrender of Tulear, the remaining port in southern Madagaftear, was announced in the House of Commons by Mr Churchill, who said: "The success of the initial landings in Madagascar and the fact that they were accomplished with only the lightest casualties on bolh sides was due in great measure to the efficiency of the lto\al Navy and the speed with which it ferried troops to the beaches at th r right time. “After the Brit:, h troop.-, had -eeorid Port Majunga motorised units of the King’s African Rifles disembarked foi the advance to the capital 300 miles southward. Their first objective was a 1600 leet long suspension bridge over the Belsiboka river. The French had cut the suspension cables, but although the centre span had collapsed infantry crossed and secured the bridgehead against slight opposition. The advance on the capita! was resumed almost immediately after. “M. Annet. the Governor-General, on 16th September, broadcast an appeal for an armistice. One of our planes went to Antananarivo and brought his plenipotentiaries to Majunpa. where General Platt received them The French were unable to accept oui terms. The delegates left on 18th September. Earlier in the morning our seaborne forces appeared off Tamatave and called on the town to surrender, j The commander refused and fired on our envoys, but after a brief bombard. ■ ment the town surrendered. Our troops I landed w ithout incident and pursued ! the retiring French into Brickaville. OPPOSITION OVERCOME I "The first serious opposition was I when our columns from Majunga were j 40 miles from Antananarivo, but this j was overcome after two sharp engage j ments. On entering the capital on 23rd i September our forces were received j with strong demonstrations of goodwill j and even enthusiasm. "Operation against the remaining Vichy Flench south of the capital arc proceeding. Resistance in the northern part of the island ha* collapsed and all is now quiet in this area. To-day I am advised that Tulear surrendered without any bombardment." Mr Churchill, when asked if the small number of casualties was due to the slight resistar.ee offered, replied that he thought the resistance was mainly symbolic.— B O W.