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In 1942, Britain invaded the French colony of Madagascar. The French, still bitter at what they considered to be a betrayal in 1940, feared the British were trying to expand their empire. France's fears were unfounded, however. The British were motivated by a fear that Japanese ships or submarines might use the naval base at Diego Suarez. It was controversial in Britain as well as in France. The forces used in Madagascar were originally intended for use in the far east.
Madagascar saw the first use of tanks in an amphibious operation, and the first use of a tank landing ship (LST). The lessons learned at Madagascar were put to good use two years later in the much better-known invasion of Normandy. It was the only time that Tetrarch tanks were used in their originally-intended light tank role, rather than as airborne tanks. The agents of the Special Operations Executive also played an important part, cutting telephone cables and even attempting to bribe a French naval officer into surrendering. The British hoped that the French would only put up a token resistance, but the Vichy forces forced them into a months-long campaign to secure the island.
Madagascar saw the first use of tanks in an amphibious operation, and the first use of a tank landing ship (LST). The lessons learned at Madagascar were put to good use two years later in the much better-known invasion of Normandy. It was the only time that Tetrarch tanks were used in their originally-intended light tank role, rather than as airborne tanks. The agents of the Special Operations Executive also played an important part, cutting telephone cables and even attempting to bribe a French naval officer into surrendering. The British hoped that the French would only put up a token resistance, but the Vichy forces forced them into a months-long campaign to secure the island.