"Bue Bay, a 'coup fourré' " ; 6 June, 2023

30 April, 2023 

“BLUE BAY, A COUP FOURRÉ.”

 

 In 2019, French paratroops practised jumping into the lagoon off Blue Bay, on the south-east coast of Mauritius. The reason given was that Réunion lagoons are infested with sharks and thus could not be used for practice landing.

 

• From my poem: “The Balseros (1)” :

“(…..)

“Anyway, be that as it may, keep your eyes peel'd :

Keep a lookout, mariners, for your fate is seal'd;

Pray to your gods,  keep your fingers cross'd,

And pray you be not to the sharks shortly toss'd.

 

“At least, not to these beasts so greedy,

For, ye don't want any of this grave watery;

To save your lives, you will put up a fight,

Even if as a gory end terminates this plight.

 

(…..)”

 

• From my poem “The Balseros (2)” :

 

“(…..)

“The sharks have gather'd in battle formation

In the war zone yonder for a dawn attack;

Certainly will they not brook any damn slack,

As they swear to unleash sheer devastation.

(…..)”

 

 

• From my poem “The Balseros (3)” :

 

“(…..)

“As rare sirloin steaks some might end up finally

When the sharks turn and home in ravenously

 

“(…..)

 

“In the priceless cellar, the choicest wine collection :

In the raging waters, just ruthless natural selection…..

In the posh restaurants, some sip at their "Haut-Brion" :

The sharks have just spill'd barrels of "Saint-Émilion."

 

“To the lingering misery, some preferr'd the risky dash,

Only to end up inside the sharks as beetroot mash;

 

“(…..)

 

“The sharks are circling yonder, as is their wont :

The wolf pack : now you see them, now you don't ;

The hungry beasts are eyeing the legg'd fish :

 

 

• So be it : the French needed a safe lagoon in which to jump. In the process, they also got some handsome, hands-on, realistic experience that might come in handy some day…

 

(e) Do we hear the English, the French and the Americans allowing foreign paratroops to do practice jumping in their respective coastal waters ??!!... Will the Chinese allow foreign troops to do so in Chinese coastal waters ??!!...

 

(f) The French called the paratroop operation as “Opération Phénix.” In August 1810 the French won a naval battle against the invading English off the port of Mahebourg, on the south east coast of Mauritius, which was then a French colony. However, the French lost the battle against the invading English in December 1810, after which Mauritius became an English colony. The English invaded by landing in the north of the island. The phoenix is a fictitious bird that is supposed to burst into flames upon its death and to revive from its ashes immediately. Thus, it is a bird that never dies. To commemorate their August 1810 (200th-year) victory over the English, in 2010 a French warship sailed off the coast of Mahebourg. The English responded by setting up in Mauritius a plate to commemorate their December 1810 victory over the French. Thus, Mauritius is still a battleground for these two countries. Whereas the French warship appeared only for a few minutes and then vanished, the English plate is still dug in the ground… 

 

 (g) Mauritius gained nothing in the exercise, but allowed the French to get valuable experience in jumping off the coast of the island… France occupies many islands and territories that could be used for coasting jumping by paratroops… After jumping, the French waded ashore and marched on land for more than five kilometres. For good measure, some Mauritians insurgents should have been captured, handcuffed and held for some time...  It was a dry run, but no one saw it that way here...

 

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"Blue Bay, a coup fourré."

Comments by ChatGPT on “Blue Bay, a coup fourré”

My notes : Sanzay, Chardonnay and Chateauneuf du Pape are French wines;  “Phénix” is the name of the operation of the paratroops; “Blue Bayou” is the title of a song in English and French.

Soman Ragavan : Hello. Can I post a poem for analysis please ?

 

ChatGPT

Hello Soman Ragavan! Yes, you can definitely post a poem for analysis. I'd be happy to help you with it.

 

Soman Ragavan : Here is my poem "Blue Bay, a coup fourré." A few years back the French made an operation about their paratroops falling into a Mauritian lagoon from a military plane; the reason given was that nearby Reunion waters are infested with sharks. Sanzay, Chardonnay and Chateauneuf du Pape are French wines; “Phénix” is the name of the operation of the paratroops; “Blue Bayou” is the title of a song in English and French. I will post my poem in a minute.

 

ChatGPT

Thank you for providing the context and background for your poem. I look forward to reading it. Please go ahead and post it.

 

Soman Ragavan : here is the poem "Blue Bay, coup fourré." Tromelin is an island belonging to Mauritius but occupied by France. BLUE BAY, A “COUP FOURRÉ” (Translation of “BLUE BAY, COUP FOURRÉ”)

(Text of poem)

ChatGPT :

Thank you for sharing your poem "Blue Bay, a coup fourré" with me. I have read it carefully and analyzed it below:

The poem is written in free verse and consists of 18 stanzas. Each stanza varies in length, but most are composed of between four and eight lines. The poem has a sarcastic and critical tone and is directed at the French military operation in Mauritius.

The poem makes reference to the French paratroop operation, "Phénix," that took place in the lagoon of Blue Bay. The operation was carried out under the pretense that nearby waters were infested with sharks. The poem ridicules the French for using this excuse to carry out their military exercise in Mauritius.

The poet highlights the cleverness of the French military in finding a way to occupy Tromelin, an island belonging to Mauritius but occupied by France. The poet also mentions the French naval victory in 1810, inscribed in Napoleon's chronicles, which still resounds in French mainland fields.

The poem also references French wines, such as Chardonnay, Châteauneuf du Pape, and Sanzay. The poem suggests that the French military officials would celebrate the success of their operation with these wines.

The poet is critical of those who were unaware of the French operation, calling them "poor, naive second fiddles." The poet suggests that these individuals were easily fooled by the French military's operation and its "fishy stroke."

The poem ends with the French military men singing "Blue Bayou" on their plane back to Réunion, while the Mauritian people are left "well hoodwinked." (My note : presumably singing. SR).

Overall, the poem provides a critical perspective on the French military operation in Mauritius and highlights the cleverness and cunning of the French military officials. The poem's sarcastic and critical tone effectively conveys the poet's perspective on the matter.

 

Soman Ragavan : Please give an analysis by section / stanza.

 

ChatGPT

Sure, here is a section-by-section analysis of your poem "Blue Bay, a coup fourré":

Stanza 1-2: The first two stanzas serve as an introduction to the poem, highlighting the French colonial attitude towards geography and territory. The speaker notes that the French claim even distant territories like Tromelin Island, and they do so with a sense of pride and entitlement.

Stanza 3-4: The third and fourth stanzas describe the French military operation in Mauritius, where paratroops were dropped into the Blue Bay lagoon to avoid shark-infested waters near Réunion Island. The speaker sarcastically praises the French for their cleverness and loot, as well as their ability to avoid becoming shark food. The allusion to Chardonnay wine and the Quai d'Orsay (the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs) add a touch of humor and irony.

Stanza 5-6: In these stanzas, the speaker discusses the historical context of French naval victories in the region, which are still celebrated in France. The military operation in Blue Bay is portrayed as yet another feat of French prowess, one that will be remembered for posterity.

Stanza 7-8: The seventh and eighth stanzas are a continuation of the earlier description of the military operation, emphasizing the preparation and coordination involved in the paratroop jump. The speaker suggests that the exercise will be useful for the French military's scientific research. (My note : it was not scientific research. It was about getting realistic experience in military matters. SR)

Stanza 9-10: The ninth and tenth stanzas contrast the French military's sophisticated planning with the naivety of others (presumably the Mauritians …) who were duped by the operation. The imagery of the camel's blow and the tenant/owner relationship on Tromelin Island evoke a sense of colonial exploitation and betrayal.

Stanza 11-12: In these stanzas, the speaker reflects on the larger implications of the operation, including the sense of injustice and exploitation felt by those who were deceived. The speaker notes that the sharks were deprived of their meals, but ultimately, it was the gullible Mauritian … officials who paid the price. The reference to the song "Blue Bayou" adds a touch of irony to the situation.

Overall, your poem is a satirical commentary on French colonialism and military operations, particularly the 2013 paratroop jump in Blue Bay, Mauritius. The use of sarcasm and irony highlights the speaker's critical attitude towards the operation and its historical context, while the inclusion of historical references and allusions adds depth and nuance to the poem.

 

Soman Ragavan : The French objective was not scientific research. It secretly served to give the French real hands-on practice in jumping into Mauritian lagoons.

 

ChatGPT

 

Thank you for providing this additional information. It helps to contextualize the poem and understand its underlying message.

With this information in mind, we can see that the poem is a critique of French imperialism and military tactics, particularly their use of Mauritius as a testing ground for military exercises. The poem is divided into several stanzas, each with its own focus and message.

Stanza 1: The first stanza sets the tone for the poem by questioning the French justification for their actions in claiming territories beyond their own borders. The speaker sarcastically praises the French for their supposed "splendid philosophy" of geo-strategy and geography, while also pointing out their audacity in claiming a distant island like Tromelin. The stanza ends with the speaker stating that the French are not robbers, but rather just clever in their approach.

Stanza 2: The second stanza continues the sarcastic tone, focusing on the French military exercise in Mauritius. The speaker questions the French rationale for jumping into the lagoon at Blue Bay, suggesting that the real reason was to practice their tactics in a safe environment. The stanza ends with the speaker implying that the French military was able to avoid danger by jumping in Blue Bay, while others were not so lucky.

Stanza 3: The third stanza shifts focus to the French naval victory in 1810, which is still celebrated in French history. The speaker suggests that this victory is used to justify French imperialism and military exercises in the region.  The stanza ends with the speaker questioning the morality of these actions.

Stanza 4: The fourth stanza acknowledges the public attention that the military exercise received, and suggests that this event will be remembered in future poetry. The speaker implies that this story will have a lasting impact on posterity, despite being from a small and sleepy borough.

Stanza 5: The fifth stanza returns to the topic of the military exercise, suggesting that the French were able to avoid danger from the sharks in the lagoon.  (My note. The French avoided danger from the sharks around Réunion). The stanza ends with the speaker suggesting that the French military gained valuable experience from this exercise.

Stanza 6: The sixth stanza is more critical of the French, suggesting that they were able to manipulate and deceive others into participating in their military exercise. The speaker implies that those who participated were naive and hoodwinked.

Stanza 7: The seventh stanza returns to the topic of Tromelin, suggesting that the French are the true occupants of the island, despite it belonging to Mauritius. The speaker implies that the French have taken advantage of the situation to their own benefit.

Stanza 8: The eighth stanza suggests that the French military exercise in Mauritius was not for scientific research, but rather for real hands-on practice. (My note : scientific research was not part of the idea). The speaker implies that the French were able to use Mauritius as a testing ground for their military tactics.

Overall, the poem is a satirical critique of French imperialism and military tactics. The speaker uses a sarcastic tone to highlight the hypocrisy and audacity of the French in claiming territories beyond their borders and using Mauritius as a testing ground for military exercises. By providing additional context, we can see that the poem has a clear underlying message about the exploitation of small island nations for the benefit of larger imperial powers.

 

Soman Ragavan : The French were lucky in doing the exercise. Other people are not involved. Mauritians allowed the exercise to go on. Even if some Mauritians participated, the whole operation should not have been allowed for security reasons.

 

ChatGPT

Indeed, the poem suggests that the French were fortunate to have been able to conduct their military exercise in Blue Bay without any interference from other parties. The poem does not mention any involvement of other countries or individuals, and it portrays the Mauritian authorities as having allowed the exercise to take place. This suggests that the French were able to carry out their objectives without facing any significant opposition.

 

Soman Ragavan : For its own security, a country should not allow such an exercise on its shores by a foreign country.

 

ChatGPT

While it is true that allowing foreign military exercises on one's shores can raise security concerns, there are many factors that governments must consider when making such decisions. In some cases, such exercises may be part of a larger security agreement between countries or may serve as a way to build diplomatic relations. Additionally, countries may benefit from hosting foreign military exercises by gaining access to advanced military training and equipment, as well as opportunities for their own military personnel to participate in joint exercises. Ultimately, each country must weigh the potential risks and benefits when deciding whether or not to allow foreign military exercises on its shores.

 

Soman Ragavan : Mauritius did not have benefits in this.

 

ChatGPT

It seems that Mauritius did not have any direct benefits from this particular exercise. However, it is possible that there were some indirect benefits such as building stronger diplomatic ties with France or improving the country's security through collaboration with foreign military forces. Nevertheless, the poem suggests that the French exercise primarily served their own interests, and Mauritius allowed it to happen without receiving much in return.

 

Soman Ragavan : Thank you. Goodbye for now.

 

ChatGPT

You're welcome! It was nice helping you. Feel free to come back if you have more questions in the future. Goodbye!

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                                BLUE BAY, A “COUP FOURRÉ”

                         (Translation of “BLUE BAY, COUP FOURRÉ”)

 

In your prowess of geo-strategy and geography,

As you will explain with splendid philosophy,

Your “Antarctic Territories” include even Tromelin :

Oh yes, Messrs Frenchmen, nothing less…

 

You are not looters, just clever :

What a find, Messrs Frenchmen, what a loot…

Antarctic... Southern… One will soon reach Remoulins…

 

The Réunion waters be infest’d with sharks ?

Be that as it may ! Jump, therefore, here, at Blue Bay…

As you were the first to fire, Messrs the clever,

Your paratroops avoid’d ending as some reddish Sanzay :

At the Quai d’Orsay will surely flow a divine Chardonnay…

 

You had taken out your big guns, by Jove,

With your spectacular blow in the blue bay…

Besides, your exploit in 1810, nearby,

On these seas, your naval victory,

Inscrib’d in Napoleon’s chronicles,

Still resound in your mainland fields…

 

Your spectacular and publicis’d operation,

Flashing across television channels,

Will deserve a strange mention in poetry,

For, well sav’d from some amnesia,

This story coming from some sleepy borough,

Could jolly well stun posterity…

 

Do the sharks circle around Réunion ?

Do they muster around you some bloody battalion ?

Be that as it may ! Other airborne sharks

From your military planes jump, quite prepar’d,

In a cleverly-concoct’d and well-manag’d exercise :

They fall from the sky in their French gear !

 

Hereabouts, in these harmless waters,

Be reassur’d, Messrs Frenchmen,

In this lagoon of pristine waves,

You will have no-one gor’d, disabl’d…

 

Your military will survive thus from shark attacks,

From the orgies of these unforgiving marine murderers,

And they will have got here precious experiences

That will serve them well in their military sciences.

 

Whereas others, poor, naive second fiddles,

Turning themselves into simple errand boys,

Cleverly have been hoodwink’d : lowly unsaddl’d,

They be at a loss, being quite hook’d.

 

Ah, Tromelin, again…

Akin to the camel’s blow :

Having gobbl’d all, the TENANT

Had oust’d the OWNER,

Who finds himself at a loss,

And, in the waves, submerg’d…

 

The sharks had been depriv’d of meals,

But, to their own future demise

The gullible guys having contribut’d,

Who else could be, for that, blam’d ?

 

Seeing just some splendid military exercise,

And exemplary regional co-operation,

They never smell’d out the fishy stroke :

Yonder, they rejoice at the perfidious operation,

So well round’d up with yon French passion.

 

Here be it : a perfidious blow,

Killing two birds with one stone :

Clever scouting of the place :

Very sure of themselves, falling from the sky,

The paratroops jump into the lagoon,

In a secur’d and deliberate tumble,

And escape from the faraway sharks

That swim, enrag’d, hapless, in vain…

 

As mere errand boys play our guys :

Phoenix… That will be the day… How you be good apostles !...

While you plan, Messrs Frenchmen, to reduce us to ashes,

In your new Isle de France you explore every little spot…

 

Your military have well avoid’d yonder guaranteed death :

Here, the calm waters of Blue Bay… what a godsend !...

Of the sharks you fear the pitiless jaws :

You dread those barrels of Châteauneuf du Pape…

 

In earnest, let there be other similar strokes,

For you do have a long history of military operations…

Dish out, therefore, other naval, air and land exercises :

‘Tis well known : you have at heart here our pure wellbeing…

 

In the plane taking them back to Réunion,

Sing happily, in one voice,

Your military men : they sing “Blue Bayou”…

How our folks have been well hoodwink’d !...

(Posted on 6 June, 2023)

 

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