Episodes
Episode 234-Close But No Vichy Cigar
1/16/2024
The Allied troops close in on Madagascar’s capital, but Gov. Gen. Annet is far from giving up. Indeed, as he sets up attack points, he is also readying to run further south. The sheer size of the island will come to his rescue. Unless, of course, the Allies can think of a way to trap […]
Duration:00:20:32
Episode 233-Closing In
1/8/2024
Sending out African troops to either coast of Madagascar, this will free up the 29th brigade group of Brig. Festing to land much closer to the capital and march on Gov. Gen. Annet. The Vichy leader would surrender or the decision would be made for him.
Duration:00:19:06
Episode 232-In War, the Price is Always High
12/12/2023
Now that the Allies are going after the entirety of Madagascar, Gov. Gen. Annet is waging his own war of attrition and scorched earth. Still, the British led forces must fight their way to the capital, no matter the cost.
Duration:00:20:59
Episode 231- Battle Comes In Many Forms
12/5/2023
The battle for the rest of Madagascar is on. At first things go well for the British led forces. But Governor General Annet has been told, do not give up. Destroy all before you, if the island can not be saved.
Duration:00:18:35
Episode 230-All or Northing
11/20/2023
As Gov. Gen. Annet will not surrender his Vichy forces to Gen. Platt, an operation is put together to take what the French will not give. But Annet has spies everywhere, but so does London.
Duration:00:23:47
Episode 229-One Threat at A Time, Please
11/5/2023
The British would prefer to settle things with Vichy before taking on this new Japanese threat, but sadly, neither one wants to oblige London.
Duration:00:20:07
Episode 228-The Japanese Are Coming!
10/25/2023
While London and Vichy go round and round about control of the island, a new player takes the stage.
Duration:00:22:28
Episode 227-French Whac-A-Mole
10/9/2023
The British have taken Antsirane, but the fight is far from over. Vichy sends in their planes and submarines.
Duration:00:26:17
Episode 226-Be Careful What You Wish For
9/21/2023
The Joffre Line is broken and Antsirane is attacked. Yet the Orangea Peninsula still holds out. But Adm. Syfret and Gen. Sturges have different ideas on how to proceed.
Duration:00:22:23
Episode 225-Once More Unto the Breach
9/1/2023
Day one of the invasion has not gone well. And the French forces are gathering and the Japanese have been asked for help by Vichy. Gen. Sturges has to act fast or soon, he and his will be surrounded.
Duration:00:19:21
Episode 224-Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
8/22/2023
The French line south of Antsirane is holding out. But Brig. Festing will stop at nothing to shatter it.
Duration:00:23:27
Episode 223-Never Assume Anything
8/9/2023
With enough men and equipment unloaded, the British led forces begin their attack on the defenses just south of Antsirane. Though they will have to first deal with some well dug in Senegalese Light Infantry.
Duration:00:24:07
Episode 222-Come and Make Me
8/2/2023
The British led forces come ashore in Northern Madagascar. But if they think that Vichy will give up without a fight, they have a surprise awaiting them. And one of the longest holdouts are the french troops within Windsor Castle.
Duration:00:16:00
Episode 221-A Most Unpleasant Morning
7/15/2023
The invasion force is ready to come ashore, but they will have to deal with imperfect intelligence, the determination of the Vichy and lastly, the possible appearance of a Japanese fleet.
Duration:00:19:50
Episode 220-Spies, Plans and a Party
6/27/2023
The British catch a lucky break before the invasion. They have a man on the inside. He does an amazing job of providing intel, but the troops under Vichy control will fight keenly regardless. So a diversion is needed, a party, a naval bombardment and dummy paratroopers.
Duration:00:21:23
Episode 219-To Fight Or Not To Fight, That Is the Question
6/16/2023
As the fleet gets closer to Madagascar, international events are about to make Operation Ironclad that much harder. Many want to call it off, but standing in their way, is Winston Churchill.
Duration:00:23:20
Episode 218-A Zero Sum Game
6/3/2023
Operation Ironclad is a go. Men and ships are gathered, secrets are kept. Despite de Gaulle trying to wreck everything because he has no idea what’s coming. Meanwhile, the US steps in to lend a hand or a small fleet.
Duration:00:21:15
Episode 217-My Plan is Better Than Your Plan
5/22/2023
Madagascar in on London’s radar, until it isn’t. But Hitler and Himmler also have a plan for the island. Namely, to ship all of Europe’s jews there, to let them die out.
Duration:00:18:45
Episode 216-War: A Zero Sum Game
5/12/2023
The first two years of the war have not been kind to the British Empire. They are stretched thin, which becomes worse as a new threat has begun to loom large, now that the French are out of the war.
Duration:00:19:47
Episode 215-Bletchley Park Comes Into Its Own
4/19/2023
The final episode of Operation Primrose. Bletchley Park is able to contribute to the war effort in a way that many only hoped for years ago.
Duration:00:16:42