French Forces

Syria-Lebanon Campaign

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ON THIS DAY: 8 JUNE 1941 The Syria-Lebanon Campaign begins during WWII. A British-led Allied force invaded both Syria and Lebanon to wrest control from Vichy France. The idea was to prevent Nazi Germany from controlling bases in the area to attack Egypt. The Vichy French fought vigorously against the Allies but surrendered on 14 July and handed over control of Levant territories to Free French forces. The campaign was a bloody affair with thousands of casualties but received little attention at the time and since due to the sensitive situation of Allied troops fighting former French allies. taken from fb/History of War Magazine