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.
Date 18–21 June 1941 Location Damascus, Syria 33°30′00″N 36°18′00″E / 33.50000°N 36.30000°E / 33.50000; 36.30000 Result Allied victory
Belligerents
United Kingdom India  Free France  Australia	Vichy France Syria
Commanders and leaders
Henry Wilson Wilfrid Lloyd Paul Legentilhomme	Henri Dentz

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.