Saturday, April 01, 2006

Operation Exporter

General Wavell presented the plan for Operation Exporter, the occupation of Syria, to his superiors at home. The assault would be made by two brigades of the 7th Australian Division, "the Free French troops", and "part of the 1st Cavalry Division". General Wavell actually thought that more would be needed, but what was in the plan was all that was available. The Defence Committee told General Wavell to mount the attack and soon as the forces were ready. He could invite the Turks to occupy Aleppo, if they chose. The final attack force consisted of the following units:

7th Australian Division (two brigades)
2 cavaly regiments from the 1st Cavalry Division
5th Indian Brigade
a Free French force commanded by Genral Legentilhomme
with 6 battalions, one artillery battery, and several tanks
one squadron of armoured cars
one light AA regiment
one heavy AA regiment
one field regiment, RA
C Battalion of the Special Service Brigade (a commando)

This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.

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