Chapter Thirty-Five: Madagascar 4

  Off the east coast of Madagascar, South Vietnamese naval aircraft sank three French destroyers.

  The First and Second Independent Infantry Brigades of France were transported by sea to the port of Marouan Settra, then proceeded overland to the port of Diego-Suarez, constantly skirmishing with guerrilla fighters along the way, advancing no more than 12 miles a day.

  The French realized that the defenses of Diego-Suarez were strong, so they diverted a French infantry division from their reserve to Diego-Suarez. While en route, they received word that the Japanese carrier planes were coming to attack.

  The second batch of the South Vietnam Federal Navy fleet arrived, including the 2nd Aircraft Carrier Squadron and the 5th Amphibious Assault Squadron, followed by transport ships carrying aircraft, mainly P-51 fighter jets converted into attack planes.

  The Nan Hua carrier-based aircraft first launched a night raid on the French military airport in Grand Comore, destroying more than 100 aircraft of various types and 2.5 million gallons of aviation gasoline stored here.

  Then raided the port of Majunga, destroying more than 100 aircraft parked at the airport and 800,000 gallons of aviation fuel, and sinking six escort vessels, ten minesweepers, and fifty transport ships in the harbor. The port facilities were also severely damaged.

  During this time, 50 French aircraft were sent out to bomb the fleet but without result.

  The French transport fleet did not dare to go north and took back that French infantry division.

  The main force of the French fleet sailed from various ports on July 18 and assembled in the waters east of Madagascar Island on July 23, heading north to meet the South China Sea Fleet.

  On July 21, a company of helicopters from the NVA landed at the airport on Nuoc-Nam Island, quickly occupying it and capturing over 200 aircraft of various types, but more than 100 were in need of repair. The NVA immediately airlifted in more light infantry by helicopter to consolidate the defense of the airport and repel a counterattack by an armored company and a battalion of infantry from the French army.

  Subsequently, troops of the 2nd Marine Brigade of Nanyang launched a landing operation. The Nanyang Army quickly defeated the defending French infantry regiment, captured the port on the island, and captured dozens of transport ships, escort vessels, minesweepers, and an American escort carrier undergoing emergency repairs - USS Gilbert Islands.

  The NVA quickly advanced on the island, then surrounded the administrative center. After a day and night of fierce fighting, they annihilated the French garrison command and large numbers of artillery and logistics troops, capturing over 100 heavy guns, more than 1,000 vehicles, and seizing large quantities of supplies stockpiled by the French army.

  Thereafter, a South China Sea naval transport ship quickly deployed an attack aircraft squadron to the airport, initially establishing effective strike preparations for the surrounding area.

  To make up for the lack of land-based airpower, the French military quickly dispatched 100 aircraft from East Africa to the airbase on Grande Comore Island, only to have them seized by paratroopers of the National Army who had been airlifted in, occupying the airport and capturing all the planes.

  At the same time, the second landing team of Nanyo Gun appeared, and the indigenous troops on the island of Great Comoro only held out for one day before being forced to surrender due to internal rebellion.

  A squadron of South Vietnamese attack aircraft quickly moved into Great Comoro Island.

  At this time, the remaining French fleet had arrived near Toulon harbor. Seeing this situation, the voices calling for withdrawal rose up, but Admiral Jean-Garce refused to accept the option of retreating without a fight on an important battlefield for the honor of France.

  Moreover, once withdrawn, the large number of French troops on the island of Madagascar would inevitably have their rear cut off and be unable to escape annihilation.

  Admiral Lángara decided to go all-in, bomb and destroy the port of Diego-Suárez and retake it.

  With twelve cruisers and destroyers, the force should be more than a match for anything the Italians can send against them, and in addition there are 200 aircraft of the French Air Force in East Africa available to provide air cover.

  Admiral de Grasse led the French fleet at full speed ahead.

  Suddenly, the reconnaissance plane reported that a large number of South Vietnamese naval vessels were found 150 kilometers north, and Admiral Jean-Garr ordered an air raid, with as many ships sunk as possible.

  Dozens of planes took off from the French land-based air force to launch an air raid, which was intercepted by the South China Sea carrier-based heavy fighter jets. Although they also dropped bombs and torpedoes, they did not achieve any significant results, but instead lost more than 20 planes.

  The French Air Force continued to bomb, finally hitting the Shenyang destroyer with two 500 kg bombs and the Changde escort ship with one 500 kg bomb. The two ships had to enter the port of Diego-Suarez for emergency repairs.

  As a result, France's land-based air forces lost half of their aircraft and their ability to provide air cover was severely reduced.

  In this way, the Southern Chinese army finally grasped air supremacy over the battlefield at sea.

  On July 29, the two fleets made contact about 80 nautical miles northwest of Mahajanga.

  On the same day, the French aviation troops stationed in Mahajanga dispatched 100 aircraft to launch an air raid on the South China Sea Fleet. The French military severely damaged the Qinhuangdao, a carrier of the Second Fleet of the South China Sea Fleet, causing it to lose its ability to take off and land aircraft, but also lost more than 50 aircraft itself.

  This was a decent swan song for what remained of French air power in the region.

  At 10:30, the scouting aircraft reported that the South Vietnamese naval fleet appeared ahead. Admiral Gaspard de la Grandière stood on the bridge of the cruiser Le Triomphant and witnessed the magnificent appearance of the South Vietnamese naval fleet.

  Ten French warships sped south towards the Chinese naval fleet at full speed.

  At a distance of 5 kilometers, the South Vietnamese naval aircraft launched an attack on the French fleet. There was no artillery fire and no suspense; the battle ended in two hours.

  The command of the sea in the western Indian Ocean thus fell completely into the hands of the Southern Han.

  Reuters reports

  The government of Madagascar and the northern opposition - the Transitional Authority of Northern Madagascar - as well as representatives from various sectors will hold a national coordination meeting in the capital from 12 to 14 to seek ways to resolve the current crisis.

  On the same day, Madagascar's Defense Minister, General Raleva, who had been in office for only a month, announced his resignation accompanied by about 150 officers without giving any reason in his letter of resignation.

  Agence France-Presse analysis says that the resignation of General Ryamizard Ryacudu may have been forced by military pressure, a military honour council had previously accused General Ryamizard Ryacudu of ordering troops to crack down on opposition activities and demanded his resignation.

  There have been growing protests within Madagascar's military against the government's deployment of soldiers to quell opposition demonstrations.

  On December 8, a mutiny broke out in a military camp on the outskirts of Antananarivo, with the mutineers claiming to be protesting against government repression of opposition activities.

  Madagascar President Ravalomanana said in a televised speech on the 10th that he took responsibility for all his mistakes.

  "This political crisis must stop and I am ready to listen, one person will always make mistakes," he said.

  Ravalomanana said an upcoming national reconciliation conference would seek solutions to the current crisis.

  "I know some people are angry with me, I understand them, and I promise to take action to find a solution," he said.

  French Foreign Ministry spokesman Frederic Sansano said that opposition leader Andry Rajoelina had left the French ambassador's residence in Madagascar.

  The UN special envoy for the Madagascar crisis, Tiebilé Drame, said on 9th that the UN has provided diplomatic protection to Andry Rajoelina.

  Reuters quoted a diplomat who wished to remain anonymous as saying that Ravalomanana may have gone to the US embassy in Madagascar.

  After the Battle of Madagascar ended, the French government ordered a ceasefire and signed an armistice agreement with the Southern Huabian Federation.

  The Armistice Agreement stipulates:

  1. France withdraws from all of Madagascar and the surrounding islands.

  2. The northern half of Madagascar's territory was established as the Autonomous Region of Northern Madagascar.

  3. The southern part of Madagascar is governed by the current government of Madagascar, with its seat in Antananarivo.

  On May 16, 1963, two ten-thousand-ton cargo ships left Réunion Island, fully loaded with people and goods heading south.

  According to plan, the Nanhai Federation Antarctic Scientific Expedition Station will be built on the original French island of Kerguelen Island.

  The short-term goal of the survey station is to build a summer station that can accommodate 100-150 people for summer scientific expeditions, and then gradually upgrade and expand it into a year-round station that meets the needs of wintering scientists in 3-5 years.

  The chief designer of the Yangtze River Station, Dr. Zhang Yiming from the School of Architecture and Design at Zhejiang University, told a reporter for Nan Hua Science and Technology that the main building area of this design is 30,000 square meters.

  Zhang Yiming introduced that the entire building is divided into living quarters, activity areas and security zones according to their functions, including dormitories, medical rooms, scientific observation, satellite communication, kitchens, bathrooms, toilets, sewage treatment, power generation rooms, boiler houses, oxygen generator rooms and warehouses.

  The overall design principle is that, due to the island's harsh climate, space should be utilized to the maximum extent possible, meeting various needs while also leaving sufficient activity space for personnel stationed there.

  "The landscape around is extremely monotonous, with thousands of kilometers of scenery being just a vast expanse, giving people a sense of isolation from the world." Zhang Yiming said, "There, the biggest challenge is the psychological pressure on humans. Scientific researchers at the research station have to stay for at least 2 months. Therefore, in house design, we need to compensate for the impact of the environment on human psychology as much as possible."

  For this reason, the indoor design and furniture selection of the examination room often adopt warm and bright colors.

  At the same time, in the golden land of Changjiang Station, Zhang Yiming also luxuriously designed five multi-functional activity rooms with an area of nearly 60 square meters, one of which was used as a bathroom.

  These areas that can serve as both conference rooms and dining halls are, in his view, most importantly meant to provide a sufficiently large space for communication among the personnel stationed there.

  "Sufficient communication can significantly alleviate people's sense of loneliness." Zhang Yi believes that this large activity room will become the most frequent place for team members, "meetings, meals, and chats are all possible".

  While ensuring public space, designers also left basic private space for each stationed personnel.

  At Zhongjiang Station, there are 60 dormitories, each with an area of less than 15 square meters, but only two people live in each room, which can basically guarantee that team members will not disturb each other.

  Zhang Yiming said that this dormitory is a bit like the small compartment on the train, also with upper and lower bunks, but the bed is wider and longer. There is a special space in the room for luggage, and there is a foldable worktable. "At least when I live in it, I will feel comfortable."

  But this is not an ordinary train compartment, there is an oxygen supply terminal at each bed head, through which the expedition team members can supplement oxygen and alleviate the discomfort caused by hypoxia.

  Not only that, due to the extremely low temperature in this area and the constant strong winds all year round, team members can easily get tired when engaging in outdoor activities.

  For this, apart from showering, Zhang Yiming also equipped the bathroom with five bathtubs according to a sports expert's suggestion. "It can relieve fatigue and help people quickly recover their normal body temperature, it should be very useful."