The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-05-06
British After Quick
 Fall Of Madagascar
Continued from Page D

and the adjoining Antsirane naval base today, dispatches said, and the Vichy forces were resisting them firmly in entrenched posi- tions in the outskirts.
 Every Vichy plane which could take the air went up to challenge the British planes, believed to be based on aircraft carriers, which joined in the navy combined bonl- bardment this morning, 1t was said.
 (Berlin reported that two British planes had ben shot down; appar- ently the same two which Axis sources claimed for the Vichy guns yesterday)
 There were reports that British forces had driven their way into Diego Suarez and that fighting was proceeding in the streets of the town.
 Chief of Government Pierre Laval's cabinet, after morning meeting, sent message of en- couragement, to the Madagascar forces ''who despite great numerical inferiority are putting up fierce re- sistance against the Anglo-Saxons." !"
 The cabinet accepted a proposal by Marshall Henri Philippe Petain to limit promotions in the Legion of Honor to "heroic acts and other outstanding services"
 Strong forces of French and na- tive Malagasie (Madagascar) troops are resisting a British drive on the nearby Antsirane naval base, on Diego Suarez bay, the advices said'
 Take Possession
 British comnandoS, parachutists and regulars had taken possession of the entire Arnbre peninsula tip from Courier Bay on the west coast, where they landed yesterday, to Diego Suarez on the east.
 Governor Leon Annet witnessed the government today:
 French -Malagasie resistance has lost none of its strength"
 He had promised to resist to the last.
 Britain moved more ships into Courier Bay during the night. and the British now had a force of at least l2 ships, including cruisers, destroyers and four transports, 1t was asserted.
 In addition they had one or more aircraft carriers out at sea, beyond the range of coastal guns.
 Planes from the carriers flew con- tinuously this morning over the nar- row front at the tip of the penin- sula on the northern end of Mada- gascar.
 Though the continuance of re- sistance was emphasized, dispatches said that Vichy forces numbered less than 1000 men in the entire island of whom only some were in the peninsula, against an estimated 25,- 900 British troops, including rein. forcements landed during the night.
 Against the British up-to-the- minute equipment, including special commando attacking arms and light aTmored units, the French had only . few obsolete tanks and planes for which they had insufficient fueb 1t was said here.
 Britain moved more ships into Courier Bay during the night, and the British now had a force of at least I2 ships, including cruisers, de- stroyers and four transports, 1t was asserted.
 Tn addition they had one or more GtTcFast GAFTieFs cut at see, bee yOnd the range of coast guns,
 Planes Are Flying
 Planes from the carriers flew continuously this morning over the narrow front at the tip of the pens nsulR on the northern end Of Mada- gascRF.
 Though the continuance Of re- sistaDee was emphasized, dispatches sald the Vichy forces numbered less han 1000 men in theh entire island, af whom only sane were in the peSslDgula aeaigsat an estimated 26,s poo 6ST..lllsh sf00pE, including felEls l0reAmRnts landed during the night,
 Chief 0f government Pierre Laval nMlled the cabinet Into session thls aS R special council of under chief Of state, MaFs | Ihal HenFi philippe PetaiH, to eons Sider the MaGAgaSeaF situation,
 Premier Antonio Dc 0llYaiFa Bales l HaF, Portuguese minister, Galar0 AgRtR, for news Of British operations l In view Of th0eiF possible effect on | Portuguese East Afrlea, only go l miles 70 the vest Of MadagaseaF | aeT0sg the Mezamblqlie channel
 U, ~, Wnsehas Closely
 Washington, May 6 - (upl -l The United States today Is watehs | lng closely the French African ports of Dakar, 0Tan agld BlzeFEe feE any | slgns 0f ap impending pEosA9ls coup.
 The United states ls ln 6 posls ilon Q obtain information quickly | of Bncb Q move cT 0fly AKis move to | mako use og the French fleet. Pres ld0nt Roosevelt ma6e it eleaF as | hi4 pTGHg eonfeFonce yesterday tnat l American intelligence is fully end quickly aware cf ell movememts Of