Saturday, April 22, 2006

More action in the Syrian desert in late June and early July 1941

8 Tomahawks from No.3 Squadron, RAAF, escorted raiding Blenheims on a raid to hit Vichy forces at Palmyra. The Vichy had a raiding force of their own, consisting of Glenn L. Martin 167A3's (what the British called Marylands). Several were shot down by the Tomahawks. On the same day, the 1st Battalion, the Essex Regiment, took possesion of the heights to the northwest of Palmyra. The next three days saw them and the Royal Wiltshire Yeomanry fighting for the ridge, overlooking the town. On 3 July, the Vichy garrison surrendered, along with those defending the small outpost T.3. Habforce took 48 aviators among the 187 prisoners. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

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