Key Facts
- Duration
- 3 days (13–15 June 1941)
- Daylight advance distance
- 6.5 km over open ground
- Town population at time
- ~12,000
- Exploitation advance
- 4.5 km north of town
- Battle honours awarded
- 4 Australian units
Strategic Narrative Overview
After preliminary moves by the 2/27th Infantry Battalion near Adloun and the 2/14th Battalion's coastal advance, the 2/16th Infantry Battalion was assigned to capture Sidon on 13 June. The unit conducted a daylight march across 6.5 kilometres of open ground. Australian artillery was restrained to avoid damaging historic mosques and Crusader-era castles. The Vichy French mounted a determined counterattack including tanks, and French aircraft struck Australian artillery and headquarters positions.
01 / The Origins
Following the fall of France in 1940, Vichy French authorities controlled Syria and Lebanon, raising Allied concerns about Axis use of the region. In June 1941, the Allies launched Operation Exporter to seize these territories. The Australian 21st Brigade, under Brigadier Jack Stevens, crossed the Litani River and advanced northward along the Lebanese coast toward Beirut, bringing them into conflict with Vichy French defenders around the coastal town of Sidon.
03 / The Outcome
Sidon fell to Australian forces on 15 June 1941. The following day, further engagements erupted near Meidelyoum and Jabal Aababy as Australians cut the Sidon–Jezzine road. The advance then continued toward Damour, which fell in early July. After the war, battle honours were awarded to the 2/16th and 2/27th Infantry Battalions, the 2/3rd Machine Gun Battalion, and the 6th and 9th Divisional Cavalry Regiments.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Brigadier Jack Stevens.
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.