Mined bridge over Damour river

This sketch comes from a series completed by VX18229, Sergeant Francis George (Frank) Hodgkinson, HQ 7th Australian Division, completed during his time in Syria and modern-day Lebanon as part of Operation Exporter, an Allied action against Vichy French forces in 1941. The sketches in these series were completed in a private capacity before Hodgkinson was appointed an official war artist in 1944 as a Lieutenant. These significant works are some of the very few contemporary depictions Operation Exporter, with other war artists such as Harold Herbert only approaching these subjects at the cessation of hostilities in Syria.

The Battle of Damour was the final battle of Operation Exporter, lasting from 5-9 July 1941. Damour was the final hurdle for the Allied advance to Beirut. As soon as Damour had fallen, Vichy French forces knew that they would not be able to hold Beirut, with General Henri Dentz seeking an armistice on 8 July, with a complete ceasefire eventually called on 12 July.

This sketch shows the Wadi Damour, with its half-destroyed bridge in the right foreground closely resembling the famous Pont d’Avignon. The bridge was shelled by retreating Vichy French soldiers as Allied soldiers made their way towards Beirut. Allied engineers would soon build a temporary replacement for the demolished half.

This sketch shows the flowing Damour River in its foreground, with rolling, dry countryside and pastoral lands surrounding it, with dry, yellow mountains in the background. It appears to be lightly sketched out in pencil before being overpainted with watercolours. Australian Official War Artist Harold Herbert would later paint this bridge from a different angle (ART30067).