Syria and Lebanon 1941

The Allied Fight against the Vichy French

Syria and Lebanon 1941 cover

Description

A detailed study of the Syrian and Lebanon campaign of World War II.

In June 1941, Australian, British, Indian and Free French forces invaded the Vichy French-controlled mandate of Syria and Lebanon. They faced an enemy that had more artillery, tanks and aircraft. They fought in rocky, mountainous terrain, through barren valleys and across swollen rivers, and soon after the initial advance faced a powerful Vichy French counter-attack on key strategic positions. Despite these difficulties, the Allies prevailed, and in doing so ensured that the territory did not fall into German or pro-German hands, and thus provide a springboard from which Axis forces could attack British oil interests in Iraq, the key territory of Palestine or the Suez Canal. This book examines the high military and political strategy that lay behind the campaign, as well as the experiences and hardships as endured by the men on the ground.

The battles in Syria and Lebanon were complex actions, often at the battalion level or below, and this work uses extensive war diaries and available records to make sense of the actions and examine how they affected the wider campaign.

Table of Contents

ORIGINS OF THE CAMPAIGN

CHRONOLOGY
OPPOSING COMMANDERS
- Allies
- Vichy
OPPOSING FORCES
- Allies
- Allied order of battle
- Vichy
- Vichy order of battle
OPPOSING PLANS
- Allies
- Vichy
THE CAMPAIGN
- Coastal column, 7–15 June 1941
- The war in the air and on the sea
- Central column, 7–15 June 1941
- Right column, 7–15 June 1941
- The Vichy French counter-attack
- Taking Damascus
- Continued fighting at Merdjayoun and Jezzine
- Mopping up around Damascus
- North Syria and Palmyra
- Attacks along the Euphrates
- The final push on the coast
- The Battle of Damour
- The war at sea
AFTERMATH

BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX

Product details

Published Feb 17 2022
Format Ebook (Epub)
Edition 1st
Extent 96
ISBN 9781472843852
Imprint Osprey Publishing
Illustrations Colour illustrations throughout, including battlescene artworks, maps, 3D diagrams and photographs.
Series Campaign
Short code CAM 373
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing

About the contributors

Author

David Sutton

Dr David Sutton is a historian in the Military His…

Illustrator

Graham Turner

Graham Turner is a leading historical artist, spec…

Resources

Discover More

Visit our exclusive member's website to see artwork, maps, and more from this book.

Resources

Book Vote

Tell us what titles you would like to see published by Osprey, then vote for your favourites in our monthly book vote!

Related Titles

Sign up for Osprey membership for access to thousands of plane profiles, maps, battle scenes and more. Plus up to 30% off website purchases

Free US delivery on orders $35 or over