Syria |
Allegiance:
Role In WW II
SYRIA, Republic of Syria, al-Djumhuriya as-Suriya.
Contemporary national flag: Not yet available.
Population: 2 750 000 (in 1938), 3 068 000 (in 1947).
Borders with (during WWII) Turkey, Iraq, Transjordania, Palestine, and Lebanon. It also has access to the Mediterranean Sea.
Area: 185 180 squared kilometers.
Capital City: Damascus
Overview: The movement for Syria's total independence grew stronger in the 1930's; consequently, a French - Syrian treaty of friendship and alliance was signed on 09/09/1936. The French government recognized Syrian independence but restrained itself from the ratification of the above-mentioned treaty. Following the French surrender in 1940, Syria was placed under Vichy administration. The Germans began to construct military airfields on Syrian soil with the silent approval from General Dentz (the regional French high commissioner), with the aim of supporting a pro-Axis coup in nearby Iraq. These airfields located at Damascus, Palmira, and Rayak (the latter in Lebanon) were already up-and-running by the first half of 1941. In response to these threats, the British forces of General Wilson occupied both Lebanon and Syria by 08/06/1941. On 28/09/1941 Syria's independence was proclaimed, however, British and French troops remained in the country until 1946. Syria is a co-founding member of the U.N.
Armed Forces: In late 1930's Syrian military units numbered around 8 000 personnel; the army was made up of seven battalions of infantry (Bataillons du Levant), two squadrons of line cavalry, 15 squadrons of light cavalry, three light mounted-mechanized desert warfare companies (Compagnies Legeres du Desert), three sapper companies, and a single unit of artillery. After the defeat of France in 1940, all Syrian troops were placed under strict Vichy control and the following year they took part in engagements against British forces that were stationed in the region. Subsequently, after the liberation from Vichy domination in mid-1941, all Syrian forces were placed under the jurisdiction of the Free French Committee. The combat contribution of Syrian armed forces at that time came to an end. Near the time of the conflict's termination Syria had a standing army composed of nine infantry battalions, one cavalry regiment, three units of shock troops, two artillery units, and one tank battalion. Syria and Lebanon also jointly owned / maintained dually shared communication and transportation units, and an officers' academy located at the town of Hims (in western Syria).
Main article: French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon
Syria was under French control throughout the war. Following the French surrender in 1940, this was the 'Vichy' government, a puppet of the Nazi regime. Churchill had fears about the use of Syria to threaten Britain's Iraqi oil supplies. These appeared to be substantiated when Luftwaffe supply flights to the new pro-German Iraqi regime (under Rashid Ali) refuelled in Damascus.[citation needed]
In June 1941, British and Free French forces invaded Syria, and after giving effective opposition, the Vichy forces surrendered in July 1941. British occupation lasted until the end of the war. The province of İskenderun was given to Turkey to be kept neutral in the war.[citation needed]
Contemporary national flag: Not yet available.
Population: 2 750 000 (in 1938), 3 068 000 (in 1947).
Borders with (during WWII) Turkey, Iraq, Transjordania, Palestine, and Lebanon. It also has access to the Mediterranean Sea.
Area: 185 180 squared kilometers.
Capital City: Damascus
Overview: The movement for Syria's total independence grew stronger in the 1930's; consequently, a French - Syrian treaty of friendship and alliance was signed on 09/09/1936. The French government recognized Syrian independence but restrained itself from the ratification of the above-mentioned treaty. Following the French surrender in 1940, Syria was placed under Vichy administration. The Germans began to construct military airfields on Syrian soil with the silent approval from General Dentz (the regional French high commissioner), with the aim of supporting a pro-Axis coup in nearby Iraq. These airfields located at Damascus, Palmira, and Rayak (the latter in Lebanon) were already up-and-running by the first half of 1941. In response to these threats, the British forces of General Wilson occupied both Lebanon and Syria by 08/06/1941. On 28/09/1941 Syria's independence was proclaimed, however, British and French troops remained in the country until 1946. Syria is a co-founding member of the U.N.
Armed Forces: In late 1930's Syrian military units numbered around 8 000 personnel; the army was made up of seven battalions of infantry (Bataillons du Levant), two squadrons of line cavalry, 15 squadrons of light cavalry, three light mounted-mechanized desert warfare companies (Compagnies Legeres du Desert), three sapper companies, and a single unit of artillery. After the defeat of France in 1940, all Syrian troops were placed under strict Vichy control and the following year they took part in engagements against British forces that were stationed in the region. Subsequently, after the liberation from Vichy domination in mid-1941, all Syrian forces were placed under the jurisdiction of the Free French Committee. The combat contribution of Syrian armed forces at that time came to an end. Near the time of the conflict's termination Syria had a standing army composed of nine infantry battalions, one cavalry regiment, three units of shock troops, two artillery units, and one tank battalion. Syria and Lebanon also jointly owned / maintained dually shared communication and transportation units, and an officers' academy located at the town of Hims (in western Syria).
Main article: French Mandate for Syria and the Lebanon
Syria was under French control throughout the war. Following the French surrender in 1940, this was the 'Vichy' government, a puppet of the Nazi regime. Churchill had fears about the use of Syria to threaten Britain's Iraqi oil supplies. These appeared to be substantiated when Luftwaffe supply flights to the new pro-German Iraqi regime (under Rashid Ali) refuelled in Damascus.[citation needed]
In June 1941, British and Free French forces invaded Syria, and after giving effective opposition, the Vichy forces surrendered in July 1941. British occupation lasted until the end of the war. The province of İskenderun was given to Turkey to be kept neutral in the war.[citation needed]