Battle of Madagascar

May 5 – November 6, 1942 · Madagascar

Result Allied victory

British forces invaded Vichy French Madagascar to stop Japan from using its ports. They took Diego-Suarez in May, and the French surrendered the island in November.

On the map Contemporaries

Allies

Axis

United Kingdom

British Raj

Union of South Africa

Australia

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Vichy France

Japan

Robert Sturges military commander

Edward Neville Syfret military commander

Armand Annet military commander

Ishizaki Noboru military commander

Strength and losses

Strength: 10,000–15,000
Killed: 107
Wounded: 280
Tanks: 6
Tanks lost: c. 8
Aircraft: 81

Strength: 8,000
Killed: 152
Wounded: 500
Captured: 1,000
Tanks: 6
Aircraft: 35
Aircraft lost: c. 34
Ships: 4
Ships lost: c. 1

Units

29th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom) East Indies Fleet South African Air Force