Madagascar

The Vichy-held island of Madagascar

The previous page was: "Lofoten Vaagso"

The Vichy-held island of Madagascar was the High Command's first target.

After the Japanese occupation of Malaya and Burma; it was imperative that the British get a foot hold in the Region.

The orders for the assault contained significant words: "Withdrawal is totally out of the question; the operation must succeed at all costs."

Royal Naval ships were carrying an Infantry Brigade in readiness for the assault. On 5th May 1942, a naval bombardment and bombing from naval aircraft ended for the first landings in the north of the island.

The objectives were to capture the harbour of Diego Suarez and the adjacent port of Antsirane. Thirty six hours after the operation had begun by the land forces.

They came across a strong point at a bottle neck; the line of French resistance had the bottle neck well and truly covered.

Lofoten Vaagso

Price RM was summond to Admiral Syfret's cabin

General Sturges asked the Naval Commander-in-Chief for assistance.

Royal Marine Captain Martin Price was summoned to Admiral Syfret's cabin.

The General explained his situation saying he needed a diversion.

There were too many weapons trained on his troops, he needed some of the enemy and their weapons pointing the other way.

It would be helpful if he could attack them without enemy reinforcements being in a position to carry out a counter-attack.

A fifty-strong ships marine landing party

Within thirty-five minutes Captain Price had a fifty-strong Ships Royal Marines landing party made up from the off-duty-watch of guns crews.

They boarded the Anthony a destroyer and set sail for their destination at full speed.

The harbour of Diego Suarez was one-hundred and twenty miles away and they needed to be attacking at midnight.

Their plan was to sail straight into the port and cause havoc or as much trouble as they could.

There had been no time to plan anything; everything would have to be on speculation of whatever they could do under the circumstances.

Nobody aboard knew the odds against him

The entrance to the harbour was a break in the cliffs. No more than half a mile wide, and the rise behind the harbour prevented it from being silhouetted against the sky.

The Lieutenant-Commander had not seen this part of the coast before. He had to land the Royal Marines on time, nobody aboard knew the odds against him except himself.

Nevertheless he found the gap and sailed through it, the calmer waters told the Marines they were inside the harbour.

The shore batteries had all opened up on them, the gun crews returning as much fire power as they could.

The marines could see little but could hear much.

It sounded as if the batteries were firing within a few feet of them. The Anthony had to run the gauntlet of shore batteries for eight miles.

Bombing attacks of the Fleet Air Arm

The dockyard was still blazing from the bombing attacks of the Fleet Air Arm.

The Anthony could not see the jetty at first and started to sail past it. The Lieutenant-Commander put the power into reverse; steering the Anthony's stern until it touched the jetty. The Marines who were on either side of the ship ran and jumped ashore.

The Marines separated into two parties to avoid heavy casualties. Their progress was slow making use of any cover or shadows.

Captain Price's party fought their way forward until they came across an imposing gateway with the French Tricolour flying above.

The sentries opened fire on the Marines, who retaliated with hand-grenades, conserving their amunition until they had a genuine target; the sentries soon surrended.

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The atmosphere of the battle was strange

"The atmosphere of the battle was strange," wrote Captain Price. "It was as though we had won a hard game of ruggby; and neither side appeared to have any ill feelings."

The Marines were returned to their ship all expecting some time off to have a rest. They were told to get dressed in their Blues to form a guard of honour for the dignitaries to sign a treaty.

Earlier while they marched along the jetty to board the Anthony; a soldier was heard saying; "Good lads, good old marines, good lads those marines." It was the phrase Kipling rated so highly: the praise of a fellow professional.

Rear-Admiral Syfret, in an Order of the Day, described the task entrusted to the Royal Marines as one "requiring supreme self-discipline; courage and unselfish devotion to duty." And he declared that they had performed it with complete success.

And General Sturges, in a private letter to the Adjutant-General Royal Marines, mentioning that he thought the chances when they left the ship were "four to one against," said: "Gosh, we were proud of the marines!"

Captain Price received the D.S.O. Lieutenant Powell the D.S.C. one sergeant and two marines the D.S.M. Great credit for the success of the operation must go to Lieutenant-Commander Hodges RN, who was also awarded the D.S.O.

"The Anthony carried out her duty with a stout heart and splendid efficiency." Declared Admiral Syfret, and he added: "The work of Anthony and the landing parties was worthy of the best traditions of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines."

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