On 8 June 1941, a force of approximately 20,000 Australian, Indian, Free French, and British troops, under the command of Sir Henry M. Wilson, invaded Syria and Lebanon from the British Mandate of Palestine and from Iraq.

Fierce fighting ensued and the Vichy forces under Dentz progressively lost ground over a 13-day period.

On 10 July 1941, as the Australian 21st Brigade was on the verge of entering Beirut, Dentz sought an armistice.

During the ceasefire, Dentz ordered his troops the retreat to Tripoli, Lebanon and then ships and aircraft went to Turkey where they were interned.

There were 37,736 Vichy French prisoners of war who survived the conflict after fighting for Dentz.