Description

1942 (Nov 19) Plain envelope used internally and redirected to Majunga with original destination completely obliterated together with Majunga lightly inked through bearing Country Life Surcharged 50 on 65c tied Nossi-Be /Madagascar cds & with Plain provisional French style reclosing label tied violet oval BRITISH MILITARY ADMINISTRATION /PASSED BY CENSOR 111 /MADAGASCAR (CCSG BH1/111) & on reverse partial Diego Suarez (24 Nov) transit & Majunga (16 Dec) arrival cds….Initially from June 1940 Madagascar sided with Vichy France. The British after a Japanese attack on Ceylon in April ’42 feared Vichy providing a base for the Japanese & cutting off Allied supply routes around the Cape launched operation “Ironclad” leading to the setting up on 16 Sep ’42 a B.M.A. The Vichy French capitulated on 6 Nov ’42 & mail from the early part of the B.M.A. is rare