Syria 1941.

Foreign volunteers, collaboration and Axis Allies 1939-1945.

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tigre
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Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; I think this topic fits here.............................

The Cavalry in the present war (WWII that is).

According to defense plans issued by Beirut, the resistance line should retreat south of Damascus and should be established on the river Amadjo. The Hauran outposts were either conquered by the enemy or retreated according to the order received.

Strong enemy forces pressed on two main axes of penetration: the road of Cheik el Meskine and the road of Kuneitra, both converged in Damascus. The French aviation (Vichy) tried to harass the enemy in the water wells of Sanameth and Guabachep, located on the axes of advance, but without reducing the pressure of the opponent, which was getting stronger.

Then General Dentz decided to carry out an action on the flanks and rear of the enemy, as targets he selected the opponent's forward bases in Kuneitra, Cheik el Meskine and Ezraa.

General Kein, commander of the Cavalry of Levante took command of the operation.

There were three groups of forces:

The first on orders of Colonel Le Couteaux de Caumont following the road of Ketana toward Kuneitra.

The second group under the command of Commander Simon, supported by a detachment from Soueida, shall go by Bourak against Ezraa and Cheik el Meskine.

Captain Carnejane commanding two squadrons, bolstered by some armored cars, would maintain liaison between the two previous groups.

Source: Journal of the Spanish Army No. 28. May 1942. Cavalry Commander Julian Olivares.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
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Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Die Blechtrommel
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by Die Blechtrommel »

Familiar places. I was in the area in early 1980's as an UN Peace-keeping Officer.
Alas, an interesting topic for me!

With best,
J-P 8)
“Die Blechtrommel trommelt noch !!“
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; thanks for joining J-P :wink:. Now more follows.............................

The Cavalry in the present war (WWII that is).

Early in the morning of June 14, 1941 the forces marched out of Damascus. The Group of Colonel Caumont, left the city by the suburbs of Mezze, taking the road Damascus - Beirut and having reached the first Hermon foothills, turned South towards Ketana, thus reaching the road Damascus - Kuneitra on the rear of the Advanced English forces, therefore cutting their lines of communications.

The Groupement Simon, more fast and autonomous will establish from Damascus toward the oasis of Ghouta a watch line on the tracks, running from the East, across the region and outlining the inhospitable region of Loja, Bourak and Chaaba (where will be reinforced by the detachment that withdrew from the Djebel Druse), later will follows to Ezraa and Cheik el Mezkine. This forces must travel 150 kilometers, while the troops of Caumont only 80 kilometers to their objective.

On June 16, 1941 the enemy outposts, covering Kuneitra from the North, were cut and taken prisoner. Kuneitra itself was taken on June 17, 1941, after beating a strong opposition of the forces which were there and composed of two battalions with numerous anti-tank weapons and supported by several batteries of artillery. Some 500 prisoners and all the material fell into the hands of the attackers.

Source: Journal of the Spanish Army No. 28. May 1942. Cavalry Commander Julian Olivares.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by Die Blechtrommel »

Here's a couple of recent pictures taken from the Israeli side.
This valley became famous in the Yom Kippur War 1973. Israelis gave it a nick-name "The Valley of Tears".
The place is about 20 km north of Kuneitra.
Israle made anti-tank ditch
Israle made anti-tank ditch
ditch.jpg (80.88 KiB) Viewed 9198 times
A Centaurion tank placed in its original position.
A Centaurion tank placed in its original position.
Memory tank.jpg (50.54 KiB) Viewed 9198 times
North of Kuneitra
North of Kuneitra
Near Kuneitra.jpg (164.51 KiB) Viewed 9198 times
With best,
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello J-P :D; thanks for sharing those pictures here :wink:. A good view of the operation's area.........Regards. Raúl M 8).
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; more follows.............................

The Cavalry in the present war.

Meanwhile Commander Simon rejected the reconnaissance troops of the enemy that appeared east of the oasis of Ghouta and reached Chaaba by Bourak in its advance, where it met the motorized battalion which reinforced its troops. Launched as a tornado on Ezraa, which occupied and went against the Cheik el Meskine, whose defense could not overwhelm, but flanked and besieged the town.

The small detachment of cavalry of Carnejane, patrolling between the roads of Kuneitra and Cheik-Meskine to Damascus, incessantly harassing enemy outposts and communications, disrupting their supply columns.

The operation aimed only to relieve enemy pressure, delaying the attack on Damascus, giving time to retreat on the new line of resistance and give a rest to the troops, was a complete success.

Source: Journal of the Spanish Army No. 28. May 1942. Cavalry Commander Julian Olivares.

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello to all :D; last part.............................

The Cavalry in the present war.

The major reinforcements sent by the adversary to restore the situation of their vanguards, forced the weak forces that made ​​the move to withdraw, skillfully avoiding the threat of involvement they suffered, entered Damascus.

One June 18, 1941 the radio stations of the Levante's French Army transmitted the following message: Thanks to the cavalry - Signed Dentz.

Source: Journal of the Spanish Army No. 28. May 1942. Cavalry Commander Julian Olivares.

It's all folks. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Attachments
The British Empire advances on Syria - June 1941..........................<br />http://es.paperblog.com/batalla-de-kissoue-los-franceses-cortan-la-retaguardia-de-la-columna-aliada-que-avanza-hacia-damasco-16061941-582964/
The British Empire advances on Syria - June 1941..........................
http://es.paperblog.com/batalla-de-kissoue-los-franceses-cortan-la-retaguardia-de-la-columna-aliada-que-avanza-hacia-damasco-16061941-582964/
image013.jpg (59.43 KiB) Viewed 9080 times
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by Die Blechtrommel »

Sorry, but improving your story, could you give us some further information of the all-around situation of that time.
I know that Vichy army lost Damascus or ...?

With best,
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

Hello J-P :D ; sure my friend, below you will find a quite good briefing about this campaign...............

http://i53.tinypic.com/vhw274.jpg
http://i56.tinypic.com/35hmnmg.jpg

Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by Die Blechtrommel »

Thanks Raúl! :D

J-P
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Re: Syria 1941.

Post by tigre »

You're welcome :wink:. Cheers. Raúl M 8).
Serás lo que debas ser o no serás nada. General José de San Martín.
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