Editing Layforce (section)

===Syria===
On 8 June 1941 the Allies launched [[Operation Exporter]], the invasion of [[Vichy France|Vichy French]] controlled [[Syria]] and [[Lebanon]].<ref name=Saunders57/> As a part of this operation, 'C' Battalion [[No. 11 (Scottish) Commando]] were tasked with seizing a crossing over the [[Battle of the Litani River|Litani River]] on 9 June ahead of the Allied advance.<ref name=Chappell16/><ref name=combined>{{cite web|url=http://www.combinedops.com/Black%20Hackle.htm|title= 11 (Scottish) Commando – Black Hackle|publisher=www.combinedops.com|access-date=16 August 2009}}</ref> Embarking upon the ''Glengyle'' under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Richard R.N. Pedder (Highland Light Infantry), the plan called for the Commandos to land on the north bank of the river, near Kafr Bada, and attempt to seize the bridge that spanned the river there before the defenders could detonate the explosive charges that were believed to have been placed on the structure.<ref name=Saunders57/>

Upon arriving offshore, the raiding party waited until dawn to take to the water in order to conceal their approach as best as possible. The force was broken up into three detachments with Pedder commanding the centre, the second in command, Major [[Geoffrey Charles Tasker Keyes|Geoffrey Keyes]] commanding the right detachment and Captain George More commanding the left detachment.<ref name=Saunders58>Saunders 1959, p. 58.</ref> Although the landing was unopposed, the southern detachment under Keyes soon discovered that they had been put ashore by mistake on the wrong side of the river. As Pedder's detachment advanced on the target, the [[French Colonial Forces|French colonial troops]] from the [[Tirailleur|22nd Algerian Tirailleurs]] that were defending the area opened fire and in the ensuing engagement Pedder was killed and a number of other officers in the centre detachment were wounded. Nevertheless, the detachment pressed on and, under the command of the [[Regimental Sergeant Major]], they succeeded in securing one of the barracks buildings near the redoubt that formed the key to defence of the position.<ref name=Saunders58/> At the same time the left detachment under More captured a number of howitzers and field guns, as well as a number of prisoners, but as the initial surprise of the attack wore off, the defenders were able to organise themselves. The fighting became more intense, and as the French brought up mortars and artillery, a stalemate developed.<ref name=Saunders58/>

While this was going on, the right detachment under Keyes, having found itself on the wrong side of the river, made contact with the Australian [[2/16th Battalion (Australia)|2/16th Battalion]] to the south which brought up a boat with which they could make a crossing. Due to the size of the boat, it had to make a number of trips before the detachment was on the northern side. Once that was complete Keyes was able to take command of the unit. After carrying out a reorganisation, he was able to launch an assault on the redoubt and by 13:00 they had captured it and secured the crossing.<ref name=Saunders58/> This allowed C Company of the 2/16th Battalion to cross in force and Keyes handed control of the redoubt over to its commander at 19:00.<ref>{{Cite book |last=McHarg |first=Ian |title=Litani River: The Daring Second World War Commando Raid, Syria 1941. |publisher=DaggerMediaLtd |year=2011 |pages=85}}</ref>

Of the 406 men that landed, 130 were killed or wounded, including the commanding officer, in nearly 29 hours of fighting. Despite being outnumbered, and short on ammunition and food, they held their position long enough for the Australians to cross the river and continue with their advance to [[Beirut]].<ref>McHarg, 2011</ref> A short time later, No. 11 Commando returned to garrison duty on Cyprus.<ref name=Saunders60>Saunders 1959, p. 60.</ref>