An item reported that the French navy during the defence of Diego Suarez, Madagascar [now called Antsiranana] again lost a submarine.(1)
Note
1. Diego Suarez, Madagascar nowadays called Antsiranana was a French naval base and attacked by Australian, British and Dutch warships during Operation Ironclad starting on 5 May 1942 to prevent that Madagascar could be used by Japanese forces. Madagascar was then controlled by Vichy France. The Japanese navy lost 2 midget submarines although the British battleship Ramillies was heavily damaged and an oil tanker destroyed. The French submarine Bévéziers (Q179), laid down on 4 April 1932 launched on 14 October 1935, commissioned on 4 June 1937 was sunk on 5 May 1942 and salvaged by the Allies in 1943. The second submarine which was lost was her sister ship Le Héros (Q170) launched on 14 October 1932 and sunk on 7 May 1942. Both submarines were of the Redoutable-class.
Note
1. Diego Suarez, Madagascar nowadays called Antsiranana was a French naval base and attacked by Australian, British and Dutch warships during Operation Ironclad starting on 5 May 1942 to prevent that Madagascar could be used by Japanese forces. Madagascar was then controlled by Vichy France. The Japanese navy lost 2 midget submarines although the British battleship Ramillies was heavily damaged and an oil tanker destroyed. The French submarine Bévéziers (Q179), laid down on 4 April 1932 launched on 14 October 1935, commissioned on 4 June 1937 was sunk on 5 May 1942 and salvaged by the Allies in 1943. The second submarine which was lost was her sister ship Le Héros (Q170) launched on 14 October 1932 and sunk on 7 May 1942. Both submarines were of the Redoutable-class.
