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What happened in Madagascar during World War II?
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During World War II, Madagascarās political alignment and status shifted significantly. Initially, in 1940, the island rallied to support the Vichy government, the regime that collaborated with Nazi Germany following the fall of France.
This alignment led to a blockade and a subsequent military intervention in 1942, during which British and South African forces occupied the island to prevent it from being used by Axis powers. Following this occupation, control of Madagascar was eventually returned to Free France, the government-in-exile led by Charles de Gaulle that continued the fight against the Axis.12