Since starting the podcast, I’ve looked at the aspects of the war from the point of view of various countries. But, one glaring omission has been any Australian narrative of the war.
The Australians fought across the world on the land, sea and in the air air; notably in the Pacific and the Middle East, which is what we’ll be discussing in this episode.
With the fall of France, her overseas territories predominantly remained loyal to the French Vichy regime. This was true for Syria and Lebanon. To the south were the British in Egypt.
With Rommel in the Western Desert and Germans fostering an uprising in Iraq, the British feared Germany might take control over of Syria and Lebanon. From there, the Nazis could supply the rebels in Iraq and threaten Egypt from two sides. Churchill ordered General Wavell to go on the offensive and take the French territories. The British didn’t envisage the French putting up much of a fight.
The Australian 7th Division would make up the bulk of the allied attacking force.
Joining me is Richard James. Richard is the author of Australia’s War with France: The Campaign in Syria and Lebanon 1941.
I'd like to thank David Phillipson, president of the Australian-based History Guild, charity which promotes historical literacy for all. David reached out to suggest I have a chat with James. If you’re interested in finding out more about the History Guild, go to historyguild.org.
Patreon: patreon.com/ww2podcast
49 - Castle of Eagles
48 - Fallen Giants: The Russian T-35 Tank
47 - Flying to Victory: The Western Desert Campaign 1940-41
The Covenanter Tank
46 - Fighting Through From Dunkirk to Hamburg
45 - The Jersey Brothers
44 - The Winter War: The British Reaction to the Invasion of Finland
43 - The Red Cross: Humanitarians at War
42 - The Battle of the Coral Sea
41 - Amphibious Operations in WWII
40 - Homefront to Battlefront
39 - Allen Dulles and the German Resistance
38 - The Race for the Rhine
37 - 82nd Airborne at Operation Husky
36 - Volunteers and Pressed Men
35 - Air Campaigns on the Eastern Front
34 - Surviving the Nazis, Gulags and Soviet Communism
33 - The American St Nick
32 - Operation Sea Lion - The invasion of Britain
31 - Shadow Warriors: Daring Missions of WWII by Women of the OSS and SOE
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