HEROIC MARINES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 111, 15 May 1942, Page 5

HEROIC MARINES

GALLANT ACTION AT MADAGASCAR INITIATIVE AND DARING Rugby, May 13. Behind the capture of Antsirane, in Madagascar, lies a story of gallantry and initiative on the part of a small detachment of Royal Marines, which, however, cannot yet be told fully. The Admiralty and the War Office, in a joint communique issued last Thursday, spoke of a valuable diversion created by Royal Marines who landed in the north. The collapse of resistance at Antsirane was, in fact, brought about by this diversion. One destroyer, with 50 marines on board, dashed in at night through a channel barely two miles wide which doubtless had been sown with mines and was formidably fringed with batteries. To steam into this unfamiliar and perilous area at night, to rush a destroyer alongside a jetty, and land ‘marines shows, in the opinion of naval commentators in London the greatest possible initiative and daring". The little party no doubt took the defenders in the rear, and the effect of the swift operation was to turn the resistance into acceptance of the ininevitable. —8.0.W. PART FOR FREE FRENCH ADMINISTRATION IN MADAGASCAR Rugby, May 13. It is stated officially in London that it is the intention of His Majesty s Government that the Free French National Committee should play iis due part in the administration of Madagascar. As has already been announced, it is the intention of His Majesty's Government to restore Madagascar at the end of hostilities to the full sovereignty of France. Since the Free French National Committee is cooperating with the United Nations as being representative of fighting France, this step is regarded here as desirable and natural during this intermedia! e period.—8.0.W.