Levantská armáda
Čerkeská jízda Levantské armády s francouzským důstojníkem Philibertem Colletem
Levantská armáda (francouzsky l'armée du Levant) byla francouzská armáda v Levantě mezi koncem první světové války a koncem druhé světové války. Rekrutovala se z části z obyvatelstva Levanty. Bojovala vítězně ve francouzsko-syrské válce.
Po pádu Francie 22. června 1940 vojska v Levantě zůstala na straně vichistického režimu vedeného maršálem Philippe Pétainem. V roce 1941 provedli Britové a Svobodní Francouzi spolu s dalšími spojenci operaci Exporter a v rámci Syrsko-Libanonské kampaně zaútočili na Levantskou armádu z Britského mandátního území v Palestině a z Iráku nedávno obsazeného během anglo-irácké války.
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Circassiantroopswiththeirfrenchofficer.jpg
An original photograph from Damascus of the Circassian troops during the French mandate with Colonel Collet, Commander of the Circassian Cavalry. Colonel Collet was instrumental in the defeat of the Vichy French troops by collaborating with the free French army led by De Gaulle and the British allies. Collet's role was uncovered by Radio Ankara, repeated by the BBC, and taken up by brazzaville, prompting Dentz (commander of Vichy French army in Syria) to issue orders to arrest Collet. It was said that Collet's wife was British and hence his cooperation with the British and De Gaulle. On 8th June 1941 at 2AM, British, Australian and free free French forces crossed into Syria and Lebanon. (source: fulfilment of a mission by Major-General Sir Edward Spears).
An original photograph from Damascus of the Circassian troops during the French mandate with Colonel Collet, Commander of the Circassian Cavalry. Colonel Collet was instrumental in the defeat of the Vichy French troops by collaborating with the free French army led by De Gaulle and the British allies. Collet's role was uncovered by Radio Ankara, repeated by the BBC, and taken up by brazzaville, prompting Dentz (commander of Vichy French army in Syria) to issue orders to arrest Collet. It was said that Collet's wife was British and hence his cooperation with the British and De Gaulle. On 8th June 1941 at 2AM, British, Australian and free free French forces crossed into Syria and Lebanon. (source: fulfilment of a mission by Major-General Sir Edward Spears).