World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon was declared, under French control, in 1920. During WW2, after observing German and Italian aircraft stationed in the mandate, Allied troops invaded Syria-Lebanon to remove the possibility of a German attack on eastern Egypt. The French had 7 battalions of French troops and 11 battalions of colonial troops, under the command of French High Commissioner General Henri Dentz. The French forces were also supported by 289 aircraft and 2 destroyers at the eve of the Allied invasion. The campaign lasted about five weeks, during which the Allies defeated the French through heavy fighting. In order to prevent the news of the 1,000 French deaths from undermining Allied morale, the spread of this information was artificially reduced. In late 1941, Free French General Georges Catroux was placed in command of the mandate, and on 26 Nov, he promised independence for what was to become the modern nations of Lebanon and Syria. Lebanon became independent in Nov 1943 and Syria became independent in Jan 1944.

Photographs

French Syria and Lebanon in World War II Interactive Map

Visitor Submitted Comments

Show older comments