Rutbah and the Transjordan border. As the thrust up the Euphrates took place, Habforce would meanwhile advance north-westerly to take Palmyra, Syria, and secure the oil pipeline from Haditha to Tripoli. Campaign War on land Hostilities commenced on 8 June 1941. The battles of the campaign were: Battle of the Litani River (9 June): part of the advance on Beirut from Palestine Battle of Jezzine (13 June): part of the advance on Beirut from Palestine Battle of Sidon (13–15 June): part of the advance on Beirut from Palestine Battle of Kissoué (15–17 June): part of the advance on Damascus from Palestine Battle of Damascus (18–21 June): part of the advance on Damascus from Palestine Battle of Merdjayoun (19–24 June): part of the advance on Beirut and Damascus from Palestine Battle of Palmyra (1 July): part of the advance on Palmyra and Tripoli from Iraq Battle of Deir ez-Zor (3 July): part of the advance on central and northern Syria from Iraq Battle of Damour (5–9 July): part of the advance on Beirut from Palestine Battle of Beirut (12 July): part of the advance on Beirut from Palestine War in the air The initial advantage that the Vichy French Air Force (Armée de l'Air de Vichy) enjoyed did not last long. The Vichy French lost most of their aircraft destroyed on the ground where the flat terrain, the absence of infrastructure and the absence of modern anti-aircraft (AA) artillery made them vulnerable to air attacks. On 26 June, a strafing run by Tomahawks of 3 Squadron RAAF, on Homs airfield, destroyed five Dewoitine D.520s of Fighter Squadron II/3 (Groupe de Chasse II/3) and damaged six more. On 10 July, five D.520s attacked Bristol Blenheim bombers of 45 Squadron RAF, which were being escorted by seven Tomahawks from 3 Squadron RAAF. The French pilots claimed three Blenheims but at least four D.520s were destroyed by the Australians. The following day, a Dewoitine pilot shot down a Tomahawk from 3 Squadron, the only one lost during the campaign. By the end of the campaign, the Vichy forces had lost 179 aircraft from about 289 committed to the Levant, with remaining aircraft with the range to do so evacuating to Rhodes. War at sea The war at sea was not a major part of Operation Exporter, although some significant actions were fought. During the Battle of the Litani River, rough seas kept commandos from