Battle of Damascus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Damascus |
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Map of Syria and the Lebanon during World War II |
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Free France Australia |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
 Henry Wilson Wilfrid Lloyd Paul Legentilhomme |
 Henri Dentz |
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The Battle of Damascus (18–21 June 1941) was the final action of the Allied advance on Damascus in Syria during the Syria–Lebanon Campaign in World War II.
The initial advance was undertaken by Indian troops who were tasked with capturing Mezzeh while Free French forces were to capture Qadam. While the Free French were held up, the Indian troops were able to capture Mezzeh and then became cut off following a Vichy French counterattack.
British and Australian reinforcements were brought up and throughout 19–20 June, the Indian troops holding Mezzeh continued to hold out despite running low of ammunition and rations. Late on 20 June, Australian troops attempted to relieve them and entered the town, arriving to find that the town was deserted, as the remaining Indian troops had been captured by the Vichy French and removed from the town earlier in the day.
The following day, the Free French, supported by British and Australian troops, captured Qadim and throughout 21 June further actions were fought around the Quneitra road and the Barada Gorge. By mid-morning on 21 June the Vichy French garrison in Damascus surrendered to the Allied forces.
Images for kids
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Sketch map of the area of the Battle of Damascus, June 1941
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Free French Circassian Cavalry outside the railway station in Damascus, 26 June 1941
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Damasco para niños
