Saving Madagascar E AFR (id:#57456)

Critical Hit (Rout Pak III ID: RP3-4)   [next]   [previous]

Near Antsirane, Madagascar 1942-05-05 (2 others)

Overview:

In order to prevent a Japanese incursion into Madagascar such as in Indochina, Britain launched Operation Ironclad to seize the northern ports of Diego-Suarez and Antsirane. The British gathered the 13000 men of the 29th Independent Brigade and the 17th Brigade Group to oppose the 8000 mostly native conscripts and tough Senegalese troops known to be holding positions in Madagascar. The Vichy commanders felt that the islands, shoals and mines would prevent any invasions near the two ports, but were proven wrong by skillful navigation and mine-clearing by the Royal Navy. The landings by the British ground troops were unopposed and Diego Suarez fell easily to a British Commando Squadron. Meanwhile, the 29th Brigade sorted itself out and took the road to Antsirane. Three miles short of the port, they ran into the town’s final defense line...

Defender: Vichy French (Antsirane's Garrison)  

Errata (source)