On 15 September al-Musayfirah was occupied by 600-800 French troops,[REF] initially coming from the Foreign Legion which was divided into the 5th Battalion of the 4th Foreign Infantry Regiment (4e REI) commanded by Major Kratzert and the 4th Squadron of the 1st Foreign Cavalry Regiment (REC) commanded by Captain Landriau.
Seeking to attack French positions before the bulk of Gamelin's army from Damascus arrived to the village,[REF] the rebels made a charge against al-Musayfirah on 16 September [REF].