Madagascar 1942 (Operation Ironclad and the Fight against Vichy France)

A highly illustrated look at Operation Ironclad and Britain's attempt to curtail any Japanese threat to the Indian Ocean.

The British invasion of Madagascar was brought on by a much exaggerated fear of Japanese power. France had governed the immense island in the Indian Ocean since 1897, but in 1940, it had become a colony of pro-German Vichy France. For a majority of the war, it was considered of little strategic importance, despite the natural harbour of Diego Suarez. Japan's entry into the war changed all that. Suddenly, Madagascar was now a potential target for the Japanese and Winston Churchill insisted something must be done.

Operation Ironclad began on 5 May 1942 with landings near Diego Suarez. Despite heavy Vichy resistance, the port was captured after three days of fighting. The initial invasion complete, the next three phases were relatively low-key to capture the rest of the island. On 6 November, an armistice was signed, bringing this campaign to an end. However, by then, the Japanese threat had largely receded. The island was handed over to the Free French, who governed until the end of the war.

Expert naval historian Angus Konstam brings this largely forgotten, but key moment of the war to life. With stunning artwork, detailed maps and period images, this title delves into the first large-scale Allied operation of the war and sheds light on this often dramatic campaign for control of the Indian Ocean.