"Invasion Syria 1941 – Churchill and de Gaulle’s Forgotten..." Topic

…War

"Unlike in World War I when much is known and much has been written about the Middle East and Arab countries and the fighting therein, there is little available about fighting in this area during the early part of World War II. That campaign began on 8 June 1941 and ended with a cease fire 34 days later, on 12 July. Because of its length it seems almost like a backwater compared to later campaigns in the area and has been mostly neglected by military historians.

This should change with the publication of Henri de Wally's latest book, Invasion Syria 1941. This book brings to light a new and very readable account of the events leading up to this campaign as well as those that led to an armistice and even events beyond the armistice. This is all possible because de Wally consulted a wide variety of sources, including memoirs of those involved and later court transcripts of some who were tried for various offenses. Mixed in with all these events is the extremely difficult positions French officers and units were put in because of their conflicting loyalties – to France, to the Vichy government, to Free France, to their own consciences, and to pragmatic survival decisions.

When Germany conquered France in May 1940, it established a government in Vichy. This was the root of problems for French citizens. Many of them believed that Vichy and its leaders were collaborating with Germany and, therefore, had no authority over them or their actions. General Charles de Gaulle personified this attitude for many but not all French citizens. He established Free France in London and, later, Free French military forces. Others, including many military personnel and units, believed that they owed their loyal to Vichy as the legitimate French government, even if they disagreed with its orders…"
Full review here
link

Amicalement
Armand

The book clearly covers the politics. From the perspective of scenario design, I'd be interested to know how much fine detail on the combat actions is included?

One of my favorite Campaigns to study … A lot of actions. Vichy vs. Free French, including FFL on both sides. Local militias, UK, Aussie, Israelis[this is where Dayan lost his eye], Trans Jordanian TF, Habforce from the UK in Iraq, etc., …

…and Poles..

Indeed very interesting conflict.

Oh Yes ! I forgot and I believe a Bn of Czechs too …

I have read it – it covers the French operations on both sides in great detail- it is all very French actually in style and content.

Thanks Green Tiger -it then sounds like a very useful book for wargamers interested in designing historical scenarios. I'm currently developing a collection in 6mm. Just completed painting 7 of the amazingly colourful Vichy aircraft!

Anyone make 15mm Vichy French in tropical kit?

The book sounds interesting, and I may buy it.

However, contrary to the quoted review, this campaign was covered in a fair bit of detail in the Australian Official History volume entitled "Greece Crete and Syria". Certainly in sufficient detail to allow construction of game scenarios, at all levels. The AOH contains excellent maps as well.

link

Random example quote:

"At dawn next morning, the 16th, an enemy patrol approached along the road from Machrhara. Here Captain Houston's company was well concealed astride the road at the foot of towering Mount Toumat. Houston was a cool and deliberate soldier, and Porter had instructed him if he was attacked by a small enemy detachment, to hold his fire and capture a prisoner. He held his fire until the enemy column was only 200 yards away and then opened with a 2-pounder gun (of the 7th Anti-Tank Battery) and small arms. The gunners hit the leading armoured car, then the rear one and the one in the middle in quick succession. The crews ran, leaving behind the three wrecked cars (which thenceforward formed a useful road-block) and two undamaged motor-cycles. …"

Mark H.

'England's Last War with France' by Colin Smith covers the British involvement quite nicely.