STEADY PROGRESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 September 1942, Page 3

STEADY PROGRESS

MADE BV BRITISH TROOPS IN MADAGASCAR OPPOSITION OVERCOME AT RIVER CROSSING. HALF-WAY TO CAPITAL. LONDON, September 13. British troops continue to advance in Madagascar. Forces moving down the island from the north have occupied a port on the west coast. There was little resistance and there were no casualties on either side. The central column advancing inland from Majunga was held up for a time at a river bridge half-way to Antananarivo, the capital. The British troops began to cross the river early yesterday morning and the advance to the capital was continued. In the far south, another column is making successful progress. Another message says it is authoritatively stated that the Madagascar operations are proceeding most satisfactorily. The first landing took the French in some places completely by surprise. A Vichy communique claims that French forces on the Betsiboka River are still resisting the British advance, inflicting heavy losses, and that the British will have to overcome 200 barriers before reaching Antananarivo.

ALLIED AIM AVOIDANCE OF CASUALTIES IF POSSIBLE. RESPONSIBILITY OF FRENCH OFFICIALS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 9.45 a.m.) RUGBY, September. 13. It is officially stated in Nairobi that “in the landing at Majunga, in Madagascar, there was no enemy artillery fire of any sort. Our guns did not open fire because not a single French gun was fired at our forces. This was most gratifying, as one of our main objects was. to cause as few casualties as possible, although our fifteen-inch and six-inch naval guns were ready to bring their broadsides to bear upon any opposing forces. The French casualties at Majunga happily were very light. . “These operations were a strategic and military necessity to the United Nations bearing in mind our need to free, the Mozambique Channel of enemy raiders. The primary consideration of our troops therefore is to cause no French casualties unless action is forced. The entire Responsibility for the casualties that have occurred lies with the Governor-General and other Senior French officials, who chose and still choose, to sacrifice French lives in deference to Vichy and the Axis.” NO SERIOUS CHECK SUSPENSION BRIDGE CUT BY FRENCH. ON ROUTE TO CAPITAL. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, 10.35 a.m.) RUGBY, September 13. A continued advance on Antananarivo is recorded in a communique from the General Officer commanding-in-chief in East Africa, which states: "Our various columns have continued to make further progress into the interior of the island. In the north our troops are moving southward along the west coast' and yesterday occupied Ambanja, after overcoming some slight resistance north of the town. No casualties on either side are so far reported. “On the arrival of our central column at a long suspension bridge over the River Betaiboka, on the Antanana-. rivo Road, it was found that the middle span had been lowered into the water by the cutting of the cables. Troops, covering the bridge, offered resistance and suffered some casualties, before being overcome by our troops. Forty-seven prisoners were also taken. Our casualties were four wounded. Our troops began to cross the liver early yesterday morning and the advance on the capital continues. “Operations in the south, along tne road to Ambositra, are also continuing successfully.” -