Australian troops at the French Aleppo airfield, Syria, June 1941. In the background are Morane-Saulnier MS.406 fighters. The initial 5:1 advantage the Vichy French Air Force (Armée de l’Air de Vichy) enjoyed over the RAF and the Royal Australian Air Force quickly evaporated. Most Vichy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. In all, Vichy forces lost 179 aircraft from about 289 that had been committed to defending French Syria and Lebanon.
