The Battle of Beirut ended the Syria–Lebanon campaign of World War II, establishing Allied control over Lebanon and securing an important Mediterranean naval base.
Key Facts
- Date of ceasefire
- 12 July 1941, one minute past midnight
- Armistice signed
- 14 July 1941 at Sidney Smith Barracks, Acre
- Vichy commander
- General Henri Dentz
- Key Allied unit entering Beirut
- Australian 7th Division
- Armistice authority
- Syria placed under General Charles de Gaulle
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Allied forces advanced on multiple fronts during the Syria–Lebanon campaign: capturing Damascus in late June 1941, pushing through Damour, and rapidly advancing from Iraq to seize Deir ez Zor and press toward Aleppo, making the Vichy French position untenable. General Henri Dentz sought an armistice on 8 July even before Damour fell.
At one minute past midnight on 12 July 1941, a ceasefire came into effect, effectively ending the Syria–Lebanon campaign. The Australian 7th Division made a triumphant entry into Beirut, completing the Allied occupation of Lebanon. A formal armistice was signed on 14 July at the Sidney Smith Barracks on the outskirts of Acre.
The armistice placed Syria under the authority of Free French leader Charles de Gaulle. Beirut subsequently became a significant Allied base supporting Mediterranean naval operations, consolidating Allied strategic dominance in the Levant for the remainder of World War II.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Charles de Gaulle.
Side B
1 belligerent
General Henri Dentz.