Madasgascar 1943

[Tom Slavin]

Recently found out a distant uncle was killed in Madascar in May 1943,

Unfortunately unable to ascertain regimental number to assist in the search.

Looking for information on James Smith. 2RRF

No details on War Graves.

Cheers

[welchboy]

A little back ground information which may well help your research. The landing operation was code named Operation Iron Clad which was the initial landing executed by Force 121, the land operation was code named Stream Line Jane. The 2nd Bn RWF., were part of the 29th Infantry Brigade ( Independent) and carried out an amphibious landing near Diego-Suarez.

[roy dadge]

The landings in Madagascar by the 29th Brigade took place between May and September 1942. With the French surrendering the island by November 1942. The first check to be made is the 1943 date correct?

If he had been wounded in 1942 and later died of his wounds a year later, it is unlikely due to the seriousness of the injuries that he would of stayed in Madagascar. He would of been moved to Oribi hospital in South Africa.

If the 1943 date is correct it might be an idea to check the garrison troops on the island after the 29th Brigade left. It may also be worth checking African Commonwealth troops, South African and Rhodesian for the 2RRF battalion designation.

Roy

[welchboy]

Ground forces[edit]

29th Infantry Brigade (independent) arrived via amphibious landing near Diego-Suarez on 5 May 1942. 2nd South Lancashire Regiment 2nd East Lancashire Regiment 1st Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers 455th Light Battery (Royal Artillery) MG company 'B' Special Service Squadron with 6 Valentine' C' Special Service Squadron with 6 Tetrarch tanks Commandos arrived via amphibious landing near Diego-Suarez on 5 May 1942 No. 5 Commando British 17th Infantry Brigade Group (of 5th Division) landed near Diego-Suarez as second wave on 5 May 1942. 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers 2nd Northamptonshire Regiment 6th Seaforth Highlanders 9th Field Regiment (Royal Artillery) . British 13th Infantry Brigade (of 5th Division) landed near Diego-Suarez as third wave on 6 May 1942. Departed 19 May 1942 for India 2nd Cameronians 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers 2nd Wiltshire Regiment East African Brigade Group arrived 22 June to replace 13 and 17 Brigades South African 7th Motorised BrigadeRhodesian 27th Infantry Brigade arrived 8 August 1942; departed 29 June 19442nd Northern Rhodesia Regiment 3rd Northern Rhodesia Regiment 4th Northern Rhodesia Regiment 55th (Tanganyika) Light Battery 57th (East African) Field Battery^[46]The above is the Order of Battle ( Ground Forces Only )