British planners feared that telling the Free French leadership about Ironclad in advance might compromise operational secrecy. Their mistrust concerned the political leadership rather than the fighting ability of Free French troops. French acquiescence to Japanese pressure in Indochina had also weakened confidence that Vichy forces on Madagascar would deny the island to Japan. Britain therefore treated the island's defense as too uncertain to leave to the existing authorities. Coalition politics and assumptions about Vichy reliability shaped the decision to mount a British-led amphibious operation.
Notable Point · 5:35-6:43
Why Britain excluded the Free French from the plan
Fear of leaks and doubt that Vichy forces would resist Japan led British planners to keep the Free French outside Ironclad's advance planning.