Don’t mention the war! Fighting the French in Syria and Lebanon, 1941

The Syria-Lebanon theatre of the Second World War has become the great undiscussed warzone. Don’t mention the war!

In June 1941 Commonwealth, Australian and Free French forces invaded Syria, out of concern that Germany may begin using bases occupied by the Vichy French.

Operation Exporter is probably one of the most misunderstood and forgotten campaigns of World War II. It was a complicated mixture of strategic imperatives around airfields and oil, politico-diplomatic manoeuvering, and improvisation with scarce military resources.

Lieutenant-Colonel Ron Lyons (retired) discusses this often forgotten Second World War campaign. Ron served for many years as an office of the Australian Army Reserve and subsequently as a military historian and battlefield guide. He is also Vice-President of The Military History Society of New South Wales and Vice-President of The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Strategic Studies New South Wales.

TIME AND VENUE: 10:30AM Saturday, 7 September 2024 at The Auditorium, Anzac Memorial Hyde Park, Hyde Park South, corner Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Admission is free of charge but a donation would be appreciated. For information call 0419 698 783 or email: president@militaryhistorynsw.com.au

The venue for The Military History Society of NSW lecture program is on the corner of Elizabeth and Liverpool Streets, Sydney CBD. Numerous bus services stop at the location and Museum railway station is only 160 metres away. The venue opens its doors at around 10:00AM.