QUICK SUCCESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 May 1942, Page 3

QUICK SUCCESS

«£. BRITISH OPERATIONS IN MADAGASCAR COST? - CAPTURE OF DIEGO SUAREZ BASE. VICHY FORCES SURRENDER. LONDON, May 7. After a battle lasting for three days, the Madagascar naval base of Diego Suarez is now in British hands. The British naval force was clue to enter the harbour this afternoon. Vichy has officially announced the surrender of its forces. A message from the Governor-Gen-eral states that in other parts of Madagascar the French will fight on. Mr Churchill, in a statement, said Britain’s quick success in capturing the naval base was due to plans worked out during the past three months. He grieved at the shedding of blood between the two countries, but said that the carefully-laid plans had resulted in bloodshed being kept to a minimum. WELL CARRIED OUT MR CHURCHILL’S SURVEY OF OPERATIONS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.55 a.m.) RUGBY, May 7. Mr Churchill announced, in the House of Commons that the French naval and military, commanders at Diego Suarez had surrendered and the town had been occupied. Early this morning a further attack was made on shore batteries, which command the entrance to the harbour, but these had now surrendered and a protocol was being drawn up between the commanders on either side. Mr Churchill said that in order to prevent bloodshed as far as possible, very strong forces of all arms were employed in the Madagascar operations, for which preparations had extended over the last three months. After successful landings, our troops on Tuesday evening were in contact with the French forces in and before Diego Suarez and before the promontory of Antisirane and the promontory _of Ornagia. The first assault on Antisirane, at dawn yesterday, was repulsed, with losses possibly exceeding 1000 men, but General Sturges attacked again during the night, and captured the promontory. Mine-sweepers of a powerful covering fleet, under Admiral Syfert, had already begun their work and it is expected that the fleet will enter the harbour of Diego Suarez at about 3.30 p.m. today. Mr Churchill continued: “These operations were not without risks of various kinds, but were carried out with great dash and vigour. The French also fought with great gallantry and discipline and we grieve that bloodshed occurred between the troops of two countries whose peoples at heart are united. I trust that the French nation will in time regard this episode as a recognisable step in the liberation of their country, including Alsace-Lor-raine from the German yoke.”