[Map of the first day of the Syrian-Lebanon Campaign / Operation Exporter] Levant 1:200,000 Flle N.I. 36-XII Beyrouth, Edition of 8 June 1941 (Not to be Published) 512 Advanced Field Survey Company, Royal Engineers

Colour printed paper map 57x80cm. Good, neatly folded, with closed circular tear to the image, spotted, and lightly creased, rubbed along the outer fold. This edition of 8 June 1941 was drawn and reproduced by 512 Advanced Field Survey Company from a French Map dated 1938, updated from the 1 January 1941 edition with roads revised June 1941 from intelligence reports, corrected marginal notes, and tables reconciling French and Palestine Grids. This dates to the first day of the Syrian-Lebanon Campaign led by British, Commonwealth and Free French forces against the Vichy French (Operation Exporter). On 8 June, Australian forces crossed from northern Palestine into Lebanon and began their advance on Beirut. Initially they made good progress until temporarily held up in fierce fighting at the Litani River (9 June). There followed a series of battles during advances along the coast and inland via Merdjayoun. These culminated in the Battle of Beirut (12 July), which established the Allied occupation of Lebanon, and Beirut as an important Allied naval base. Bounded by the Mediterranean from Nahariya in northern Palestine (SW) to Beirut and Djounieh (N), and inland to Rayak (NE), this covers the above theatre of operations including locations along the coastal and inland advances. Details include roads (2 classes), tracks (4 classes from passable all seasons to fit for cart traffic only), rail (2 gauges), remains of Roman roads, mosques, tombs, towers, forts, telegraph, pipelines, wells, camps, gardens, airstrips etc, with contour lines and spot heights. Rare.