Armistice of Saint Jean d'Acre facts for kids

The Armistice of Saint Jean d'Acre was a special agreement that ended the Syria-Lebanon Campaign during World War II. It was also called the Convention of Acre. This agreement was signed on July 14, 1941.

The armistice was made between the Allied forces and the Vichy France forces. The Allies were led by British General Henry Maitland Wilson. The Vichy French forces in Syria and Lebanon were led by General Henri Dentz. He was the top commander of their army in the region.

Why Was the Armistice Needed?

General Dentz decided to ask for a ceasefire because his forces were losing control. They had lost important areas like the Northern Desert and the Euphrates Province. Also, the city of Beirut was about to be captured by the Allies.

On the evening of July 11, General Dentz sent a message. He suggested stopping the fighting six hours later, at midnight. He said he was ready to talk based on a plan given to him by the United States Consul. However, Dentz insisted that he would only talk with British representatives. He did not want to talk with the Free French.

Starting the Peace Talks

The Allied leaders quickly discussed General Dentz's offer. They thought Dentz might not be serious and could just be trying to gain time. They worried he was hoping for help from the Germans.

Because of this, the British leaders rejected his conditions. They told him to send his representatives to a British outpost. This outpost was on the road between Beirut and Haifa. They had to arrive by 9:00 AM on July 12. If they did not, the fighting would start again at that time.

Who Represented Each Side?

On July 12, Lieutenant-General Joseph-Antoine-Sylvain-Raoul de Verdillac attended the talks. He was the second-in-command for the Vichy French. He traveled from Syria to Acre in British Mandate of Palestine. Australian officers escorted him.

General de Verdillac represented the Vichy French army instead of General Dentz. Some believed Dentz sent de Verdillac because de Verdillac was more friendly towards the British. He was also less against De Gaulle than Dentz was.

Where Were the Talks Held?

The Armistice of Saint Jean d'Acre was officially agreed upon at 10:00 PM on July 12. General Wilson, Air Commodore L. O. Brown, Captain J. A. V. Morse, and Free French General Georges Catroux represented the Allied forces. General de Verdillac represented the Vichy French.

These talks were the first between Great Britain and France since the time of Napoleon. They happened in the officers' mess hall of "Sidney Smith Barracks." This place was on the edge of the city of Acre. Later, an Israeli farm settlement called Bustan HaGalil was founded there.

Even though the British offered fair terms, the Vichy representatives first pretended to refuse them. Then, they left the final decision to General Dentz. On Bastille Day, July 14, General Dentz signed the agreement. This handed over Syria and Lebanon to the British and the Free French Forces.

As General De Verdillac was about to sign, all the lights in the room went out! So, a motorcycle was brought inside. Its head lamp was used to light up the room so he could sign.