Battle of the Litani River
| Battle of Litani River | |||||||
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| Part of Syria-Lebanon Campaign, World War II | |||||||
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| Belligerents | |||||||
 Australia |
 Vichy France French Lebanon |
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| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
John Lavarack Paddy Mayne |
Unknown |
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The Battle of the Litani River (9 June 1941) was a battle of the Second World War that took place between during the advance on Beirut during the Syria-Lebanon campaign. The Australian 7th Division, commanded by Major-General John Lavarack, crossed the Litani River and later clashed with Vichy French troops.
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[edit] Operation Exporter begins
During the first hour of 8 June 1941, Australian forces in northern Palestine crossed the border into southern Lebanon. Guides from the Palmach supported many of the lead units. Initial resistance from Vichy forces south of the Litani River was scattered and generally disorganised.[1]
The 21st Australian Brigade advanced along the coast road heading for Beirut and attempted to cross the Litani River. The crossing was stubbornly contested by the Vichy French. The Australians came under fire from two Vichy French destroyers, the Guépard and the Valmy. Australian artillery had to drive off the warships which had come inshore to shell the advancing troops.[2]
On 9 June, because the bridge over the Litani River was destroyed by Vichy French, two platoons of the Australian 7th Division had to cross the Litani River in canvas boats. They crossed the river successfully and captured several Vichy French positions on the far shore.
The British No. 11 (Scottish) Commando, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel R.L.Pedder (Highland Light Infantry) who was subsequently killed in action during the operation, were transported by the HMS Glengyle landing ship. On 9 June, after a delay caused by rough seas, the commandos landed on the coast near the Litani River and led the crossing.[3]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Long, Gavin (1953). "Chapters 16 to 26". Volume II – Greece, Crete and Syria (1st edition, 1953). Official Histories – Second World War. Canberra: Australian War Memorial. http://www.awm.gov.au/histories/chapter.asp?volume=18.
