Operation Ironclad
In June 1942, the British [[Battle of Madagascar|attacked the strategically important]] colony of [[French Madagascar]], hoping to prevent its falling into Japanese hands and especially the use of [[Diego-Suarez]]'s harbour as a base for the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]. Once again the Allied landings faced resistance from Vichy forces, led by [[Governor-General]] [[Armand Léon Annet]]. On 5 November 1942, Annet, at last, surrendered. As in Syria, only a minority of the captured Vichy soldiers chose to join the Free French. After the battle, Free French general [[Paul Legentilhomme]] was appointed High Commissioner for [[Madagascar]].