Looking for friends from the Amporaha camp in Nosy Be

Hi, I remember a lot of Réunionese "totoches" who used to stay in Tana—they were really into the local booze... I recall having to stand guard for a whole week at the hotel in Tana, opening the barrier from morning till night. Back then, the commander of the French forces in the Indian Ocean was General Bigeard. Cheers, jlou82

hi lambo52 welcome, isn’t this the BA you’re talking about? So glad some folks are reconnecting here! you can DM me To everyone, I’m still looking for photos and a huge thanks to Patrick Germanovitch for the CD!!! cheers to all

Hey jlou82 Why fear being disappointed? You just have to see Madagascar with different eyes, that's all. And most importantly, don't compare. I'm heading back there on the 21st, and believe me, it's tough for us, but it's the best way to show our attachment to Madagascar. A first step? Look, you're already there (in '70).

hi, I found some photos in my archives that’ll bring back good memories for you.....best regards, jlouis 82

hi, I found some photos from the Amporaha camp back in the 70s. It was in May-June, and so many good memories are coming back... anyway, it's nostalgic. Hope to hear from you soon... best regards, jlouis82

Hello everyone, here are 2 or 3 photos that might bring back some memories!!! Miroku, Babettelopez, ... maybe you'll recognize yourselves in the photos? 1) our "doumé" 2) yikes! the canteen! 3) (upside-down photo) 14/07/70 or 71 and thanks again to Patrick G. and Mrs. LAMY G. for photos from 58/59 best regards to all, francis

Hi Francis, I’m Bernard, Christian’s and Caudou06’s brother. I remember that amazing time so well—the coconut-bowl contests, the volleyball tournaments, and those lively evenings in those "lovely summer camps" I have a recording of, thanks to my brother who carefully kept it..... and the coconut pancakes......... So many memories are coming back to me..... See you soon to chat about it! Bernard

HELLO, I just came across your post today.

I think it’s about the military holiday camp on Amphoraha Nord beach?

As for me, I stayed there in July 1968.

Hello, I was in Amporoha in July and August 1971, serving in the camp for the air force. I have a bunch of questions. I’m looking for buddies, a girlfriend. Patrick Durieux

Hello, I’m Patrick. I was in Amporoha in July and August ’71, and I think I went diving with your older brother. Did you happen to know a helicopter pilot’s daughter named Dominique Agrisset, who would’ve been 17 or 18 at the time? Thanks

Hello, I’m Patrick. In July and August ’70, I got to know your sister Dominique really well. How is she doing? Back then, I was 19, and your sister was 16 or 17, maybe. And of course, I was in love. Tell her it’s for old times’ sake. Cheers

Hi, could you add Patrick Durieux 71 72

And also Alain Massard, thanks!

Hey!

Love the photos! I recognized the stage where I had to take part in my first talent show!!!!!!

Unfortunately, I don’t think I noticed you 😕

Thanks again for this amazing blast from the past 😉

Hi, I remember a lot of Réunionese "totoches" who used to stay in Tana—they really liked the local booze.... I remember we had to stand guard for a whole week at the hotel in Tana, opening the barrier from morning till night. Back then, the commander of the French forces in the Indian Ocean was General Bigeart. Cheers, jlou82

I was there in '70-'71 too. I also stood guard at the embassy in Tana, spent two months in Amporoha in July and August '71. I noticed that not many veterans from Ivato dare to talk about (the village, the bars, the girls). For me, those are great memories too—I don’t know many who took full advantage of it. Maybe they’re a little ashamed, but we were really young. patrick.durieux@neuf.fr

I also arrived in November '70 at Ivato, and my classes in Dijon. I also passed through Amporoha in July and August '71. Patrick

hi. if I understood correctly, the cushy job I had as a mail clerk kept me from doing what everyone else did—spending 2 months in Nosy Be.😠 I only got to enjoy a 2-week leave to do some sightseeing between Majunga, Diego, and Nosy Be. At the camp, I had to crash the party to convince the camp chief to send me back. With no money in my pocket and a high chance of being late, walking back would’ve been pretty long.😏 On base, I also filled in as a projectionist for a while. If anyone knows Ritchie Valens, it’s thanks to me—I played him on loop during downtime.😇 And you, Pat, what job did you have?

Hi, I was with Adjutant Kemzinski in the maintenance department of the 2501 Air and Sea Rescue unit—pretty cushy, just 1 to 2 hours of work in the morning and the rest of the time was quiet. I remember you, and especially those much-awaited paychecks. You weren’t so lucky with your job there. Me and the guys from the same unit left for two months in Amporoha (a holiday camp in Nosy Be) + 30 days of leave in October '71. Did you know Alain Massard? Cheers, Patrick

Hello everyone, I was in Ivato from December 1971 to September 1972 and worked in the office next to the secretary’s office for Colonel Peron with a *juteux* (sergeant). Indeed, there was Saez (warrant officer), a Captain Exposito, whom I saw again around 1980 in Vence, and I think Commander Santoni. I posted a photo on *Copain d’Avant*. Then I went to Nosy-Be as a warehouse assistant, and I managed sheets and food in the big tent with a warrant officer. My buddies were kitchen helpers, and since we had a lot of lobsters—but not enough for the whole camp to eat—we’d often eat them in small groups...

I remember my Corsican compatriot, Officer Cadet Doctor Gérard Cordoliani from Rutali. I even think the song *Les Bronzés* comes from Nosy-Be, and I still remember the lyrics. We used to sing it in the showers with Gérard Cordoliani (he had a really nice voice).

I remember eating suckling pig and getting scolded by the cook because I’d eaten the ears...

I remember the activities—the Hernandez family, the parody of *Le Cid*...

At Colonel Peron’s request, I also organized reward trips by bus for July 14th and August 15th to make up for the canceled reward flights due to fuel restrictions (cost of fuel).

I remember a driver (Mercier) at the French Embassy where we stood guard, next to the *Cercle Franco-Malgache* dance hall.

I remember the *vaguemestre* (mail officer) and the *totoches* (local term for kids) because I shared a room with a Breton and an Alsatian.

I remember the events of May 1972 that led to our confinement on the base.

I lived in Nice from birth until May 2007, and since June 2007, I’ve been living in Corsica.

For more news, see you soon. pierre.inno@orange.fr

Indeed, in Nosy Be, we conscripts were a bit more privileged compared to Ivato. We had more contact with the enlisted men and their families. Even though in Ivato, there had been trouble with an enlisted man’s partner and a conscript—who, by the way, cut his stay short. In Nosy Be, I remember two young girls (16 to 17 years old, children of enlisted men)—one went out with a friend, and the other with me—but with them, it was just flirting compared to the *ramates*. Since I’m very fair-skinned, they nicknamed me *nivaquine*. Once, a dolphin washed up on the beach to die, and several strong swimmers, including the camp commander’s son, tried repeatedly to push it back into the sea without success... Cheers, Pierre