Formerly an independent kingdom, Madagascar became a French colony in 1896. During World War II France and her colonies were ruled by the Vichy, the Fascist puppet government of Nazi Germany.
Following their conquest of South East Asia by early 1942, the Japanese had access to points west, allowing submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy to move freely through the Indian Ocean. Allied leaders thus believed that ports of Vichy controlled Madagascar might be used by Japan. Operation Ironclad, or Allied invasion of Madagascar, began in May of 1942, and climaxed with the amphibious landing at the seaport of Mahajanga on 10 September. Full Allied control of the Island was achieved by early November.
Madagascar regained its independence in 1960.
