Battle of Damascus (1941)

Battle of Damascus
Part of the Syria–Lebanon campaign of World War II

Indian troops outside Damascus on 26 June 1941.
Date18–21 June 1941
Location33°30′00″N 36°18′00″E / 33.50000°N 36.30000°E / 33.50000; 36.30000
Result Allied victory
Belligerents

 United Kingdom

 Free France
 Australia

 Vichy France

Commanders and leaders
United Kingdom Henry Wilson
United Kingdom Wilfrid Lloyd
Free France Paul Legentilhomme
Henri Dentz
Map of Syria and the Lebanon during World War II

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.