An expeditionary corps was sent under General Jacques Duchesne. First, the harbor of Toamasina on the east coast, and Mahajanga on the west coast, were bombarded and occupied in December 1894 and January 1895 respectively. Some troops were landed, but the main expeditionary force however arrived in May 1895, numbering about 15,000 men, supported by around 6,000 carriers. The campaign was to take place during the rainy season, with disastrous consequences for the French expeditionary corps. In the whole conflict, there were only a few skirmishes, and only 25 French soldiers died from fighting.