The Third Phase in Syria at Sea

At sea, there was action for the first time in a while. British forces fought two Vichy destroyers, but without result. A Vichy destroyer bringing ammunition was hit in the harbour at Beirut. HMS Parthian, a submarine, sank the Vichy submarine Souffleur on 25 June 1941. On 1 July, a FAA Albacore from Cyprus sank a Vichy troopship St. Didier, in the Gulf of Adalia. The RAF, meanwhile, was attacking harbours, both in Syria and Libya. No troops seemed likely to be able to reach Syria. This is based on the account in Vol.II of the Official History.