Toaw Scenario: Operation Ironclad

Madagascar,
May 05, 1942,

UK army of 33 units opposed to Vichy army of 16 units
for a battle of complexity 0.35 at Battalion(II) level
on a 2.5 Km/Hex map
for 7 turns of Half Day each.

by Chris Jackson submited on 23-11-2002

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Briefing
OPERATION IRONCLAD British vs. Vichy French Date: May 5 -8, 1942 Location: North Madagascar Map Scale: 2.5 km/hex Time Scale: 1/2 day turns Unit Scale: Battalion Length: 7 turns SCENARIO BRIEFING: In 1941 the Vichy French quietly surrendered French Indochina to Japan, and in March 1942, after the raid on Ceylon, Churchill feared they may do the same with Madagascar. Determined to prevent this island from falling into the hands of the Japanese to use as a submarine base and endanger Britain's Egypt-to-India convoys, "Force 121" commanded by Major-General Robert Sturges was raised, comprised mostly of the veteran 29th Independent Brigade under Brigadier F.W. Festing, also including the 17th Brigade Group from 5th Infantry Division. Their mission, codenamed "Ironclad", was to invade Madagascar's enormous anchorage (including a 26,000-ton dry dock, a radio station and a submarine base) at Diego Suarez. The only way in was through a strait guarded by 8 obsolete naval batteries of 75 and 90mm guns, so it was decided to land at the two bays opposite from the harbour. The British swept the area of mines, bombed the anchorage (sinking a sloop and a sub, although some of the crewmen swam ashore and joined in the defense of Antsirane), and landed the men with no resistance on the beaches. Closing in on their target over rough bushland terrain, the British met stiff defense on the 6th at at a trench line in front of Antsirane. After some British marines landed in the port and surrounded the defenders, the Vichy forces of French, Malagasy and Senagalese surrendered on the 7th (this scenario allows an extra 1/2 day). However, Vichy governor-general Armand Annet, lodged in the capitol of Tananarive, refused to surrender Madagascar. But with Vichy administators in Diego-Suarez meekly co-operating, the British were content to stay put for the moment and enjoy the local sweet rum. But soon a new development would prompt a second, full-scale invasion in September. Charles de Gaulle was irritated to learn of Ironclad only via a Churchill radio address on May 10th, as he had been pushing for the Free French to do the invasion, and British plans were kept secret from him. Ironclad is also notable for being the first Allied use of combined land, air, and sea units in a large-scale invasion. - Chris Jackson jackson@nornet.on.ca

Briefing

OPERATION IRONCLAD

British vs. Vichy French
Date: May 5 -8, 1942
Location: North Madagascar
Map Scale: 2.5 km/hex
Time Scale: 1/2 day turns
Unit Scale: Battalion
Length: 7 turns

SCENARIO BRIEFING:

In 1941 the Vichy French quietly surrendered French Indochina to Japan, and in March 1942, after the raid on Ceylon, Churchill feared they may do the same with Madagascar. Determined to prevent this island from falling into the hands of the Japanese to use as a submarine base and endanger Britain's Egypt-to-India convoys, "Force 121" commanded by Major-General Robert Sturges was raised, comprised mostly of the veteran 29th Independent Brigade under Brigadier F.W. Festing, also including the 17th Brigade Group from 5th Infantry Division. Their mission, codenamed "Ironclad", was to invade Madagascar's enormous anchorage (including a 26,000-ton dry dock, a radio station and a submarine base) at Diego Suarez. The only way in was through a strait guarded by 8 obsolete naval batteries of 75 and 90mm guns, so it was decided to land at the two bays opposite from the harbour.
The British swept the area of mines, bombed the anchorage (sinking a sloop and a sub, although some of the crewmen swam ashore and joined in the defense of Antsirane), and landed the men with no resistance on the beaches. Closing in on their target over rough bushland terrain, the British met stiff defense on the 6th at at a trench line in front of Antsirane. After some British marines landed in the port and surrounded the defenders, the Vichy forces of French, Malagasy and Senagalese surrendered on the 7th (this scenario allows an extra 1/2 day). However, Vichy governor-general Armand Annet, lodged in the capitol of Tananarive, refused to surrender Madagascar. But with Vichy administators in Diego-Suarez meekly co-operating, the British were content to stay put for the moment and enjoy the local sweet rum. But soon a new development would prompt a second, full-scale invasion in September.
Charles de Gaulle was irritated to learn of Ironclad only via a Churchill radio address on May 10th, as he had been pushing for the Free French to do the invasion, and British plans were kept secret from him. Ironclad is also notable for being the first Allied use of combined land, air, and sea units in a large-scale invasion.

- Chris Jackson
jackson@nornet.on.ca