Syria-Lebanon campaign
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The Syria-Lebanon campaign was the Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon in 1941, during World War II.
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[edit] Causes
The Allied offensive, also known as Operation Exporter, was aimed at preventing Nazi Germany from using Vichy territory as a springboard for attacks on the Allied stronghold of British Egypt, as the Allies fought a major campaign against Axis forces further west, in North Africa.
The Vichy high commissioner for the region, General Henri Dentz had allowed Luftwaffe planes to refuel in Syria during May 1941, en route to Iraq. There was a threat of Axis support for anti-British parties in Iraq, thus endangering strategic oil supplies and communications.
[edit] The balance of forces
On June 7, 1941, Allied forces including the Australian 7th Division, two Free French brigades and the Indian 5th Brigade (on detatchment from Indian 4th Infantry Division in North Africa) launched thrusts into Vichy territory from bases in the British Mandate of Palestine. The ground forces were supported by shelling from Royal Navy and Royal Australian Navy units, and by ground attack squadrons from the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force.
Also in support of the Allies was a force of Palestinian Jews - Palmach - acting to disrupt defences and as guides.
They were opposed by Dentz's Armée du Levant, including a French Foreign Legion regiment.
The Allied plan of attack, devised by the commander, the British General Henry Maitland Wilson, called for the Australian 21st Brigade to advance north towards Beirut; the Australian 25th Brigade would attack the major airbase at Rayak, and; the Free French and Indian forces would mount a thrust towards Damascus.
Allied forces in reserve included the British 6th Infantry Division, the Australian 17th Brigade and Iraqforce — the Allied force occupying Iraq, including the Indian 10th Infantry Division, Indian 17th Infantry Brigade from Indian 8th Infantry Division, the British 4th Cavalry Brigade and the Arab Legion.
[edit] The campaign
Battle of the River Litani
Battle of Kissoué
Battle of Merdjayoun
Battle of Jezzine
Battle of Damascus (1941)
Battle of Palmrya
Battle of Damour
Battle of Beirut (1941)
Dentz surrendered at Acre on July 12.
[edit] Casualties
- Vichy: about 1,000 killed
- Allied
- Free French:
- Australia: 416 killed; 1,136 wounded
- Indian:
- British:
- Other Allied:
[edit] Other points
Among the people involved in the campaign was Moshe Dayan, later an Israeli general, who lost an eye while serving as an interpreter with an Australian unit. Dayan received the Military Cross for his actions in the campaign.
