Syria-Lebanon Campaign

The Syria-Lebanon Campaign(Operation Exporter) was an allied offensive operation into the Vichy colony of Syria-Lebanon that lasted from June 8th until July 14th of 1941.

The British invaded to prevent German use of Vichy French colonies ,in Syria and Lebanon, to attack Egypt and Iraq and to use oil.

Land Battles
The campaign began in June 8th but military action began in July 9th. British forces began to march towards Beirut meeting resistance along the Litani River(June 9th) then moving on to the town of Jezzine(June 13th) then onto Sidon(June 13-15). The battle of Damascus began in June 18 while the Merdjayoun battle began in 19th of June, both battles ended with British victories over Vichy French forces. The British also began to march towards Damascus fighting in Kissoué(June 15-17). The British also occupied Palmyra in July 1st with stiff resistance while occupying Deir ez-Zor in July 3rd. The Australian offensive into Damour was one of the last major operations of Operation Exporter. The battle in Beirut doomed all Vichy French forces operating in Syria and Lebanon.
 * Battle of the Litani River (June 9th)
 * Battle of Jezzine (June 13th)
 * Battle of Sidon (June 13-15)
 * Battle of Kissoué (June 15-17)
 * Battle of Damascus (June 18-21)
 * Battle of Merdjayoun (June 19-24)
 * Battle of Palmyra (July 1st)
 * Battle of Deir ez-Zor (July 3rd)
 * Battle of Damour (July 5-9)
 * Battle of Beirut (July 12)

Air raids
The Vichy French Air Force enjoyed an advantage that didn't last long. Most of Vichy aircraft was destroyed on the terrain when the RAF begin to bomb them. With no AA guns to defend themselves they quickly lost their advantage.

Naval Combat
Naval combat was very minor with the following actions:
 * (June 9th) Vichy destroyers Valmy and Guépard fired on advancing Australians in the Litani River before being driven off by some shore-based Artillery. The Destroyers then exchanged fire with the British Destroyer Janus, Janus was then reinforced with the New Zealand light Cruiser Leander and six British destroyers forcing the Vichy French to retreat.
 * (June 15th) The Luftwaffe attempted to help the Vichy navy by attacking British warships, damaging the Llex and Isis off the Syrian coast.
 * (June 16th-17th) The British sink the French Chevalier Paul, which had been carrying supplies from mainland France. The British ,also on the following day, sank another French Destroyer, that also carried supplies from mainland France.
 * (June 22th-23rd) Guépard fought a brief encounter with two British cruisers and six destroyers off the Syrian coast before having to fully retreat.
 * (June 25th) The submarine Parthian sinks the French Souffleur. Shortly afterwords the French Tanker Adour, which carried fuel meant for French middle eastern forces, was heavily damaged and retreated.

Also see

 * Anglo-Iraqi War
 * Mediterranean Front