NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY 62; MALAGASY REPUBLIC; MILITARY GEOGRAPHY

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t CONFIDENTIAL
62 /GS /MG
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I Rep Ma a as y
August 1973
NATIONAL. INTELLIGENCE SURVEY
CONFIDENTIAL
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NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE SURVEY PUBLICATIONS
The basic unit of the NIS is the General Survey, which is now
published in a bound -by- chapter format so that topics of greater per-
ishability can be updated on an individual basis. These chapters� Country
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raphy, Transportation and Telecommunications, Armed Forces, Science, and
Intelligence and Security, provide the primary NIS coverage. Some chapters,
particularly Science and Intelligence and Security, that are not pertinent to
all countries, are produced selectively. For small countries requiring only
minimal NIS treatment, the General Survey coverage may be bound into
one volume.
Supplementing the' General Survey is the NIS Basic Intelligence Fact-
book, a ready reference publication that semiannually Updates key sta-
tistical data fruit' in the Survey. An unclassified .edition of the factbook
omits some details on the econoiny, the defense forces, and the intelligence
and security organizations.
Although detailed sections 'on many topics were part of the NIS
Program, production -if these sections has been phased out. Those pre-
viously produced will continue to be available as long as the major
portion of the study is considered valid.
A quarterly listing of all active' NIS units is published in the Inventory
of Available NIS Publications, which is also bound into the concurrent
classified Factbook. The Inventory lists all NIS units by area name and
number and includes classification and date of issue; it thus facilitates the
ordering of NIS i' as well as their filing; cataloging, and utilization.
Initial `'dissemination, additional copies of NIS units, or separate
chapters of the General Surveys can be obtained directly or through
liaison channels from the Central Intelligence Agency.
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The General Survey is prepared for the NIS by the Central Intelligence
Agency and the Defense Intelligence Agency under the general direction
of the NIS Committee. It is coord edited, published, and dissemi-
nated by the Central Intelligence Agency.
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meaning of title 18, sections 793 and 794 of the US code, as amended. Its transmission or revelation
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CATIOPI SCHEDULE OF E. O. 11652 EXEMPTION CATEGORIES
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4
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Malagasy
Republic
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CONTENTS
This chapter suprrarvlrs the ,grographir rocrr-
age in thr Grnrral Survey dated August 1968.
A. Location and description 1
1. Topography 1
2. Climate 4
41
B. Military geographic regions 3
C. Strategic area 8
D. Internal routes 9
E. Approaches 9
1. Sea 9
2. Air 10
CONFIDEN riAl.
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FIGURES
Page
Page
Fig. 1
Rugged mountains photo)
1 `Fig. 8
Mahavavy river photo)
4
Fig. 2
Typical escarpments in the
Fig. 9
Tananarive photo)
5
I'
Andringitra (photo)
2
Fi 0
g�
Weather data r
(g r aph)
6
Fig 3'
Savanna plains (photo)
2
Fig. 11
Tananarive strategic area ('Wap)
8
w
Fig. 4
Savoka vegetation photo)
,2
Fig,
Internal routes table
10
Fig. 5
Broadleaf evergreen forest photo)
3
Fig. ,13
Amphibious landing areas table)
11
Fig. 6
Dense thorn scrub photo)
3
14
Military geographic factors
Fig. 7
Wetland ricetields (photo)
(map) f ollows
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Military Geography
A. Location and description (U /OU) t. TopographN
The Nlu{uk :n) Republic consists of the rugger{ \lost of the country consists (if hills :ond r(tgged
island of Nlada,;ascar and seven'( small islands lying nu,untains (Figure 1.1) ranging fruun 2,000 (u (0 00
Close to the coast (sec \'lilitary Geographic I- actors I'vet above sca level, although seuttere(! mountain
map at the end of the chapter). Nladagasc�ar is situated peaks have elevations from 5.000 to slightly more than
'in the Indian Ocean about 215 nautical stiles across 10,000 feet. 'I he highlands are c�haractcrized by sharp
the Nlozanihictue Channel front thesoutheasterit coast crested ridges (Figure I)� trendinit roughly north
of Africa. 'I'll(- fourth largest island in the world' south nunu runs V- shaped valleys, and short escarp
\'ludugasc�ar loss ill area of ?i0,1)00 square stiles. If nu�nts (Figure Slopes are preduniin,uttly I(1' to
superiniposed on the eastern part of the United States,
Madagascar would extend from Buffalo, New fork. to
30''1 in the hills and :30 to more than 100( in the
'I'al)ahassee, I- Iorida, and from near Wlishington D.C., mountains. Most hill (-rest are 5110 to 1.000 feet above
to' Cincinnati, Ohio. luxinium distances are about :,djucent stre:uus or vallcv floors, but in some northern
1,000 miles' northeast southwest and )i5 stiles
and central areas of M:ulag:ucar they are I.II00 to
?.O011 feet. In the :,ountaiiis. ("rests ate mainly 000 to
east�west. The population vv;ts estinrttcd to be
7,141,000 in January 1973. 3.500 feet abo %e adjacent valley floors. Plains. loc�atc�cl
inainly in the west and soot(', are rol;'ing or nu,der,ntel\
'Distances are in statute miles unless nautical mites an' dissected with slopes of '3'(' to ilia i nterstrearn areas
specificalh stated. rise 150 to 500 f'e'et above adjacent vAlev flours. In the
FIGURE 1. The Massif He Tsaratanana, one of the most rugged areas on Madagascar, has sharp,
sinuous crests; steep, deeply dissected slopes; and an intricate pattern of winding V- shaped
valleys. The crests are as much as 3,000 feet above the narrow valley floors. Most ridges are
-ocky, but other parts of the mountains are covered by savanna or broadleaf evergreen forest. !C)
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FIGURE 2. Discontinuous escarprients are 'common
throughout Madagascar but are particularly numerous
in the highlands. Those shown here are in the Andringitra
and have typical rocky, vertical faces and bouldery
debris near the base of the slopes. In this area, the
Escarpments rise as much as 2,000 feet above adjacent
valleys. (U /OU)
plains, hillocks and short csc�arpnrents are common. In
places on the narrow plains along the eastern coast of
Madagascar. there are narrow beaCh ridges separated
by lagoons and ;harsh\ areas. S,nall areas of kai,t
plains are severely dissected northwest of the Ilaut
Platea,n de 1�: \njafy: another rough area is along the
southwestern coast, where nunnerous (lepressions are
enclosed by stationary sane) dunes.:\ narrow belt of
plains along and near the \\esters and southern :�oasts.
however, is flat to gei,tly rolling, with slopes less than
:3 i and broad intcrstre.on areas less than 150 feet
above inteiyening streams or broad \alley floors. In
the inte rior. scattered are of flat to rolling or
moderately dissected plains are enclosed by bills and
mountains. I�:Icvations are generally less than 1,200
feet above sea Ie\�el except in some interior basins
where they arc nearly 3,000 feet.
fhe plains and highlands are covered chiefl\ bv;
savanna (Figure 3), consisting of g,; ;ss and scattered
trees and shrubs; narrow bands of dense forest- .'parallel
the streams. :\long the eastern c�o:ast. spine areas of
savanna plain contain patches of dense secondary
wood� growth (savoku) conunonly 5 to 10 feet tall
figure -1). Broadleaf evergreen fo wsts (1' igure 5) occur
mainly on hills and mountains in the east and north.
Densc deciduous forests aed grassy openings cover
plains and low hills in the west and southwest: the
trees are generally leafle-, during \ogiist through
October. Some areas of plain in the south are covered
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FIGURE 3. Savanna vegetation of grass and scattered
deciduous trees and shrubs covers most of Madagascar.
In this plains area near Tulear, in the southern part of
the island, the grass is less than 3 feet high and 1s
highly susceptible to fires during the dry season, early
May through November. (U /OU)
V
b\ d,�nu. thorn scrub 14i ore tit Vvt;ct ;,tic,,, ill we1
arvaS consists of scattered ioar,h grass. nn inl\ alont;
the coasts: nlanirrovv alum; the west coast: and
\\elland rice. \\'oLind rice is gn,wn in nu n\ ri\er
\allc\s anal around lakes in the interior b;,sins: e\cepl
for the c\tcnsiye pl,ddies (Fil, around
'I'ananari\e, most ;,n� small.
In most pl;,ccs. streams flu\ in narro,\ \alleys
hetvreen hii4h. str banks in the hills and inoonlains
and nu�ancler ill broad \;,Ile\, betv\cvn lo\\, gentl\
sloping hanks in the plains. Seyerul of ih( large rivers
arc ov'cr 500 fact wide Fiore i ;aid arc o\er i teat
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FIGURE 4. Patches of dense regenerative woody growth
(savoka) are common in the savanna along the eastern
coast. The area shown here is near Tamatave. (C)

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FIGURE 5. Dense broadleaf evergreen forest covers the
HUURE 6. The dense thorn scrub that covers the plains
hills and mountains in eastern Mada ascar. This view
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east of Fianarantsoo is typical forests;
and lower slopes of the hills I, the, southern part of
Madagascar consists mostly of twisted or gnarled trees
of such canopies
are multistoried and dense, and the trees have straight
trunks and range from about 15 feet
10 to 20 feet high and less than 8 inches in trunk
diameter. The trees are leafless August through October.
high in the lower
story to more than 100 feet high in the upper story.
Undergrowth
Thickets of shrubs are interspersed among the trees.
The vegetation is highly susceptible to fires during
consists of shrubs, herbs, and w(ic
vines. (U /OU)
the
dry season. (U /OU)
b% old laterite block walls 5 to 10 fey t high. %lost rural
deep; during high watvr, early December through
settlements arc� connected by nuvneroccls trail. tracks.
Mai', nearly all watercourses arc� over 33 1 2 feet deel>
and: a spar network of unsurfac�ed roads ill
and are swift. At tinlc�sduring lo%% -r. June through
%cry boor condition; principai cities. ho%%vsvr.
November. some of the larg;� rivers and most of the
are
linked by a few roads %%ith crushed- stone,
small streams are shallow or nearly dry. In the south,
,gravel. and
bihnnim treated surfaces in fair to good condition.
:ile streams are generally dry or shallow much of the
Most roads have few bridges, and the Arvains
time.
are
%%hic�h
The features
c�rossecl by fords, sotrle of are c�oiistnic�tecl of
principal culture �urban areas and
rural settic�inents �are located mainly in the central
hart of X and along the eastern coast. The
few large urban centers contain ono� or more old,
densely built up sections as well as newer. sparsely
built -up sections. \lost buildings, both old and
are one to two stories of brick with clay -tile roofs. The
oldest harts of towns consist ncostly of single -story
structures constructed of nlucl or wood. with thatch or
scrap metal roofs, and tit(- newer sections of Ill(� larger
u'
towns contain many masonry structures (Figure 9).
T
Streets in inost �.ns, particularly in the older
sections, are narrow and winding; those in the newer
sections are bituminous- anel stone�- surfae�eel and two
lanes or more wide. Blind setticniec :ts, generally rnorc
than 10 miles apart. are mostly haphazard groups of
FIGURE 7. Wetland rice is grown in irregular shaped
mud or wood huts with thatch roofs. Some rural
Paddies and is commonly planted in November and
settlements, however, consist of several or i -story
harvested in late April or early May. Most fields are
dwellings constructed of laterite blocks. %yith stce I
thatch or rectal roofs,
fallow the remainder of the year. When mature, the
crop is 1 to 3 feet high. The paddies shown here are in
and some are partly surroneded
a hill basin south of Tananarive. (C)
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FIGURE 8. The Mahavavy river, among fhe largest in the country, is more than 500 feet wide and 3.5
feet deep for most of its course. In this stretch, the river flows through a rolling plain covered by
dense deciduous forests. (C)
concrete, and by a few low� apacity ferries. In the (tills
and mountains, sharp curves and steep grades art-
common. Single -track 3'3 "s" -gage railroads in fair
condition connect Tananarive with 'I'aitnatawe and
Antsirabe, ivioramanga wd knibatosoratra, and
another line connects Fianarantsoa and N
Airfields, mostly less than 6,000 feet long and
unsurfaced, are scattered taroughout the country.
However, surfaced airfields over 6,000 feet long .ire
near'fananarive, Majunga, Taniatave, Diego Suarez.
and on Nosy Be (island).
2. Climate
Madagascar has a tropical monsoon cliniatr,
characterized in most regions by a long wet period,
usually during November through March, and an
equally long dry period, usually M:tw through
September (Figure 10). April and October are most
often transitional months. The major exception is the
central cast coast, which is wet all year. The main
climatic controls are the tropical latitudes, the easterly
trade winds, the surrounding ocean, and the rugged
terrain of the interior.
Seasonal variations in temperature are small, but
areal variations are pronounced. princip because
of large differences in elevation. On the coastal plains,
mean daily temperatures fluctuate between afternoon
maximums mostly in the 80's �F.) or low 90's and
'For diacritics on place names sec the list of names on the apron
of the Military Geographic Factors snap an(I the map itself.
4
early morning ntininiunis mostly in tie 60's or low
70's. Mean daiiv Inaxi III aills and ntinivtunis in the
highlands are about 10 to 20 Fahrenh; -it degrees
cooler. Relative htnnidity is high all year on tilt� east
coast, with afternoon values seldom lower than 70",:
this, :long with the high temperatures. creates
oppressive conditions. Ellst�whem, similarly oppressive
1011ditions occur during the wet period, hot it is much
more cont fort it ble during the dry season, when
afternoon humidities drop to percentages ranging in
the 10's and 50's at most places.
Bainfall varies considerably across the island. The
greatest amount fall on the east coast. where rain is
heavy most of the year; annual ac�cuntulations average
more than 100 inches ill some sections. Annual rainfall
decreases both westward and southward. average
amounts are smallest in� the southwest sections, where
.sonic places receive less than I5 inches per year.
Except on the east coast most of. the annual
precipitation occurs during the wet period, when
monthly amounts range between 5 and 20 inches,
falling mainly as showers. Dry-period precipitati( it is
light and infrequent, and monthly �anuiunts arc
generally less than one inch. -lean cloudiness follows
mach the saute pattern as precipitation, hoth areally
and seasonally. In general, ciotid cover is great ou the
cast coast all year and elsewhere is greater during the
wet period than during the dry period. vlaximum
thunderstorni activity occurs during the wet period,
when frequencies range mostly bet\�eert 10 and 20
thunderstorm clays per month, and during the
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Ir;unsiIiomt) lit( lit Iis of :kpriI autl Och +ber. %%hen the%
oc�, tr on 5 to III da%%. �11hnnderstornts are infretluenl
during the dr% period.
Visihilih usuall% is gmmd Al %ear, the greatest
restriction� occur dttrirtk the periods mf hea%% sit(
and thundvrsho%%ers. Light, prinmril% easterly trade
%%ind% prevail on the east coast. %%bile calms and
%;triable %%ind% dominate the highland, and leeward
inland sections. Land and sea breezes dominate the
%%cst coast. The strongest winds usuall% acc�ontpany
the four or fice tropical c%c�lones of intensities
which affect the island eac�lt %ear. c hieflc in Dec�endwr
tl4rouglr March. 'I'll(- east coast is roost sttsc�eptible to
shtrins: here, winds nn occasion approach or exc�ecd
100 knots, and the thick. %%idvspread cloudiness
releases torrential rainfall.
B. Military geographic region (C)
Madi;tgax�ar is a single militar% geographic region, it
highland wgion (Figum 1 1 %chd�re the combination of
envirotunental conditions ba%v a relativek
nniforn effect on ntilitan opernttions. I'redontinanl
features affecting rnilitar% operations arc sleep slopes,
dense forest and thorn scrub. scAtercd wet areas, it
scarc�it% of %%Aer supplies in the smith, periods of
adverse %%rather. and it sparse transportation netw(A.
1 1 wre are ratan% unusual disease prttblents: although
there arc no poisonous snakes on the islands, poisonous
sc�nrpions and spiders arc prevalent, and crocodiles arc
conrnon in Al inland %%ester bodies.
Icrrain cnnclitinns arc gcnerally unf;nvorable for
von-entional gw and forces. Gross- country ntovenient
of tracked and wheeled vehicles %cuuldl he precluded
by steep slopes in the dissected plains, hills, and
mountains. I,% closely spaced trees in the densely
forested plains, b\ soft ground all or nnuc�h of the time
in the wo areas, and by numerous depressions in the
plains along the southwest %�mast. 'I'hc lagoons and
ntarslt% areas between the beach ridges ;long the
eastern coast \%'ould confine movement to ridge crests.
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FIGURE 9. Tananarive is built on a series of steep hills and ridges that rise abruptly from the Betsimitatatra plain. Retaining
walls and narrow, winding streets are typical of the older residential sections which occupy the hill slopes. The newer sections,
located on relatively flat land at the base of the hills, contain most of the industrial, administrative, and commercial
installations. (WOU)

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120
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ELEVATION 26 FT.
TANANARIVE
30
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JFMAMIIASOND
F TAMATAVE
30:
20
to.
0 JFMAMIIASOND
MEAN THUNDERSTORM DAYS
ABSOLUTE
MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY
MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY
MINIMUM
ABSOLUTE
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TANANARIVE
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ELEVATION 26 FT.
TANANARIVE
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F TAMATAVE
30:
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to.
0 JFMAMIIASOND
MEAN THUNDERSTORM DAYS
ABSOLUTE
MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY
MAXIMUM
MEAN DAILY
MINIMUM
ABSOLUTE
MINIMUM
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1FMAMIJASONDJ
TANANARIVE
100.............
80 070'0
60
40
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1FMAMIJASONDI
AT SPECIFIED' HOURS (LST)
TANANARIVE
100
80 f
60_
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JFMAMIJASONDI
TAMATAVE
10L'........
0
Bo
1 sL
60
40
20
J FM }M1 JASONDJ
LN RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT SPECIFIED HOURS (L
FIGURE 10. Precipitation, thunderstorm days, cloudiness, temperatures, and relative humidity (U /OU)
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T AMATAVE
100.
80
0700
60
AO
20
0.............
1FMAMJJASONDI
AT SPECIFIED' HOURS (LST)
TANANARIVE
100
80 f
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40
20
0
JFMAMIJASONDI
TAMATAVE
10L'........
0
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1 sL
60
40
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LN RELATIVE HUMIDITY AT SPECIFIED HOURS (L
FIGURE 10. Precipitation, thunderstorm days, cloudiness, temperatures, and relative humidity (U /OU)
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althou It here movement of wheele(I wololcl
be hindered b patches of sucoka yt�gefadon.
Moyenu�nt of tracked vehicles wmild he feasible in the
so�tth on plains coyem(I with thorn scroll), till ough
wheeled vehicles worodd be preclnuled. Ito the scatlere�d
areas of rolling or m otIvr:atvIy (dissecte(I plains covered
wit It savanna, chivfIy in the %vest and se.utlo,
novenu�rut would be feasible l)ut locally restricted in
direction by short escarpments, hillocks, and other
surface irr(,gul ;trities. Ohl%� in small, sc�utterecl ;areas of
flat to gentI% rolling plains covered kith savatuua,
prim arily near the westent coast, %%ooticl :�hictilar
cross country m ovenu�nl lie ease: from al)out mid
\ovetnber to rnd- April. howmvr, soft soils in tilt-
valleys would restrict nrovvinent to the broad
interflayes much of the tithe. In most places,
na(yema�nt on foot would be hampemed or precluded
bs- steel slopes, dense thorn scnul) and savo'ku. and
generally soft ground ill scattered wig .areas a
beh%ven beach ridges. On -road movement %%oudd be
limited to the sparse network of mostl% eartliJoads and
trucks. which are n� url% impassable daring naid-
Novendwr to raid- :lpril because of soft surfaces and
numerous ashottls. :Although ntcvetnent %wold be
feasible on the few surfaced roads linking the major
cities, traffic would be slimed in roan% places by sharp
c�urvcs and steep grades. During 1)ecetnber through
flay, movement would be halted at mtnu�rnts fords
bs swift streams more than 8 ae feet deep, and the few
ferries are goner II% inoperative (lurint_ this period.
Construaction (}`additional roads would he difficult
in most places becuu +e of the requiret tents for tnnc�h
grading, drilling, and blasting: also, there is it n ed for
protection from landslides, and mmnerus bridges and
c�olverts, some kith raised approaaches, (sit be
nec(Ied. 1n the scattewd areas of plain-, covered with
deciduous forest. thorn scent), and sut�oku. mainly
along or near the coasts. extensive clearing would be it
problem. Canstniction ill -.the scattered wet areas
wood( be extremely diffic�ttll bec�auust of poor
foundations and drainage problems. Only in the small
areas of flat to gentle rolling plains covvred with
savanna can roi(h be built with fey alignmuent
problems and little clearing. In the scollen d an�as of
rolling or moderalv1% dissected say:anna plains.
alignments wood( be locally mstric�ted by hillocks�
short escarpments. and other surface irmgularities. In
the south, the scarcity or luck of'water most of the year
world be a rmajorconstntc�tion problem. The hard and
mixed hard and ..soft rocks, which are extensive,
generally are suitable for crushing, aggregate, and
riprap; the thick soils covering scattered areas of plains
in the m-%l an(I south are suitable for fill material.
Concealnn�ni frottu air observation \%mild by limited
largc',y to the :teas of dvp. broadIcal evergreen forest
in the east and north, scattered areas of deciduous
forest in Ill, Nwsl, and areas of thorn scroll) it: the
south. In the ;areas of deciduonts forest awl scrub,
ho\yeyer. concealment possibilities am greatly m(Iuced
(Iloring Augasl threnugk October. Mhern the trees are
gen�r:dly leafless. Ill most places, cooc�ealmenl from
groan( observation mmld fie afforded by tall grass
:uul. in areas in the east. b\ socoka. Cover from flat
tr �jectoy fi e mmld b afforded b\ steep slopes.
'I -type installatien-'cmdd be constricted in the
hills Mid tnotntttitts: in nanny places short entries and
100 feel or more of prolec�tke cover in hard, massive
rock` \%mild be possible. In the plains ion m-stern
Madaga,ear and in sc altered interior b:hins, bunkers
cold,-! be,-lug th g handlools ion soils aver�?0 feet
but shorin;; generally %oul(I be r�(join to prevent
slumping.
Conditions are prcdomin:,ntl\ uufayorahle for
airhorn(� and airtnohile operation. becauu� of extensive
steep .i,)pes and scattered forests and wet areas. Oilly
in the� small areas cf flat to i;entl\ rolling plains
co%ere(d ill sayalomu. nnailok :dung or near the
%%-stern coast, are there mane suitable sites for
parachute (bops and helicopter lit n(iings. lit the
scattered areas of ro lling or moderatek dissected
plains covered with %a\imnu, cliefly in the Ncest and
south. there art loa:un suitable sites. but approaches
%%MtI(I be loc�aIk re.lric�ted by hiliu.,11. :;n(I
esv;Irpmu�tals. asid inmenu�nt from ..um v sites woaad be
hampered b\ surface irregularities. :\ssu ;dt type
aircraft could land easil\ al the airfields \%ith hard
surfaced runways over 11.1100 feel lung iwar
Tananarive. Maj(nnga. and Diego -tio:re and at
several scattered airfields kith surfaced and
onsurfac�ed runways less than 6.000 feet i�ng.
(:onstruction of loess airfields %mild be ditficult
because of restrik -Wd approaches: the loved for mach
gradin4, drilling. and blasting ill the hills and
m omitains grading and filing ill the severely
dissected plains: exteosiye clearing in the scattered
areas of plains coy( red with dec�idmms forest, thorn
scroll). and saroku. initinly along or ue;tr the coasts;
and poor foundations and drainage in the scattered
wet areas. ()illy in tit( small areas of flat to gently
rolling plains covvrvd with savanna are there many
suitable sites for :airfields over 6.000 feet long: in these
areas approaches mmld be restric�tecl, although little
grading, clearing, and subgrade improvement would
be necessary. In the scattered areas of rolling or
no(lerately dissected plains there are many suitable
sites for airfields over 6.000 fe long, boot approaches
H
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would he IocaIIy restricted by hillocks and
escarpments, and moderate amounts of' grading and
excav,> would he needed in many places. In
addition, long hauls to water points would be
necessary front about early June to December in the
west and most of the time in the south.
Conditions are fair for irregular force operations.
There is it predominance of rugged relief and fairly
large areas of dense forest, and the road network is
sparse. Small units of foot troops would be able to
move almost everywhere in the hills, mountains, and
di plains whiclu characterize the relief of most
of the country. The extensive surface irregularities
prov good cover and concealment from ground
observation, and the dennse orests provide excellent
concealment Prot i air observation and good
concealment from ground observation. Conditions for
irregular force operations, however, arc� poor in the
scattered areas of riilling or moderately dissected
savanna plains, chiefly in the west and south. where
concealment from air observation generally would be
lacking and in small areas of flat to' gently rolling
savanna plains, mainly along or near the western
coast, where concealment from- air observation
generally would be lacking and cover would he
sev erely limited. Operations by irregular forces ill the
scattered marshes and mangrove swamps along the
west coast would be precluded because of soft ground
and the lack of freshwater supplies; also, some marshes
and lagoons in a narrow strip along much of the
eastern coast are unsuited because generally the
surface water is saline. In the south, operations would
he extremely difficult because surface water is scarce
or lacking and movement on foot would be severely
slowed by thorn scrub. Natural shelter materials are
scarce. Widely scattered cultivated fields, mainly rice,
corn, and manioc, would provide considerable food
supplies. Abundant quantities of wild berries, nuts,
fruits, and fish would afford additional sources of
food. Supply would be possible by airdrops and
landings of aircraft at widely scattered airfields and by
landing of craft at scattered beaches.
Conditions are it nfavor,ible for large -scale
amphibious operations because of restricted offshore
and ncarshore approaches, periods of heavy sea and
swell, periods of adverse weather, large tidal ranges at
many locations, and, in places, flat ncarshore
gradients. In addition, beaches suitable for dry-ramp
landings are widely spaced, short, and backed in
places by wet areas, beach ridges, and, along the
southeastern coast, by rough plains consisting of"
stabilized sand dunes, numerous depressions, and
shr,rt escarpments. Lxits are primarily by cross country
S
T;)
movement, to tracks and widely spaced roads, mostly
unsttrfaced, 'which lead to the interior. Along parts of
the northwestern coast, exits and cross country
movement inland would he precluded by steep slopes
of hills.
C. Strategic area (C)
The strttegic: is Iananarive and its environs
(Figures 1I and 14). 'I'ananarive, the capital and
largest city (population 103,000 inclucling suburbs), is
tine chief commercial, industrial, transportation, and
cultural ceiae of the country. (Major installations
include two .rotor vehicle assembly plants, it railroad
repair sho;., a radio and 'IN assembly plant. the
wintry s only batten plant and factories producing
Selected road 4170 Spot height (feet)
Railroad I Canal
t Airfield 0 Marsh
Prominent relief Rice
0 1 2 3 4 5
1. 1
Statute miles
FIGURE 11. Tananarive strategic area (C)
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agrictil iral equipment, oxygen and acetylene,
Nladagasca:. It is the terminus of the,railroad from the
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and shoes. There are also
minor port of vlanakara. The city contains the
several printing plants, several brickwork, and
Malagasy .1nny Noncommissioned Officers Academy.
numerous small factories engaged in the processing of
Industrial installations include it railroad repair shop,
agricultural products. The Pasteur Institute, tt major
bricV wd tile works, and se. moral plant, engaged in the
medical rese arch center, produces vaccines and
proces iig of agricultural pJ ducts. Ali airfield is
a medicines. The University of Madagascar, the only
about 2 miles south of the city.
university in the country, is located just cast of the
Antsirabe (population :34,000) is the terminus of the
city. Considerable covered storage space is available in
railroad from "Tananarive and contains the Malagas
several warehouses, two large army camps, and the
Army "Military Academy. Industrial installations
railroad freight station. A POL (petroleum fuels, oils,
include a textile plant,` 'tobacco processing plant,
brewery, brick
fV
and lubricants,) depot at the northern,edge'of the city
peanut oil refinery, a and the works,
a
has storage capacity of about 32,500 barrels (if
and sev eral rice mills. The airfield serving the city lic<
refined products. Tananarive /Nato airfield, a joint
,Hiles to the, northeast.
civil military fai ilih located about 7 miles northwest
D. Internal routes (C)
of the city, is'the largest airfield in the country.
Other important areas are Taniatave, Diego- Suarez,
I'Fte internal routes Figure 1 -1) pre;yide the easiest
Majunga, Fianarantsoa, and Antsirabe. Tamatave is
avenues of movement from the hest anphibiou;
the ._i__(.>.:._,... .Q_ /_.._y_. w.3 'I'�e. ro-kRa ct;s.. _::,t,
R.
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