IN MADAGASCAR

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1942, Page 3

IN MADAGASCAR

BRITISH TROOPS CLOSING ON CAPITAL HINDERED BY DEMOLITIONS & RAINS. IMPORTANT JUNCTION OCCUPIED. LONDON, September 21. The British forces in Madagascar are now closing in on the capital. They are advancing from the northwest, as well as from the east coast. The troops from the north-west are now within 50 miles of the. capital. They are still held up by Vichy demolition work and in addition tropical rains have added to their difficulties. The forces advancing from the east have occupied an important road and railway junction on the island’s main railway line. The East African Command, a Britisn official wireless message reports, has announced: “Our forces are closing in on Antananarivo. Eastward of the capital the important rail and road junction of Brickaville has been occupied, while from the north-west our troops are advancing southward of Ankazobe, which was captured on Saturday. On the north-west coast, despite heavy rain and French road demolitions, our southward movement continues. A column moving down the north-east coast entered Lahambava yesterday.”