Syria-Lebanon campaign

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 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.

The balance of forces

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, the British 4th Cavalry Brigade and the Arab Legion.

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.

Casualties

• Vichy: about 1,000 killed
• Allied
• * Free French:
• * Australia: 416 killed; 1,136 wounded
• * Indian:
• * British:
• * Other Allied:

Other points

See also

External links