Syria and Lebanon 1941

Original Paintings from Syria and Lebanon 1941

These are original paintings by Graham Turner, painted in gouache on watercolour board for the Osprey book 'Syria and Lebanon 1941'. They are unique pieces of hand-painted artwork by this well known historical artist - CLICK HERE for more information about how to purchase one of these paintings, or to arrange to visit us to view the originals.

For details of more original paintings by Graham Turner from other periods of history that are also available for sale, CLICK HERE.

Studio 88 also publishes an extensive range of prints and greeting cards from Graham Turner's historical paintings, with print prices from £15 and cards £1.50. CLICK HERE to go to the main menu and see what is available.

Crossing the Litani River - Painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Syria and Lebanon 1941

Crossing the Litani River, 9th June 1941 Ref: GT-373A

Soldiers of the Australian 2/16th Battalion haul themselves across the fast flowing Litani River under fire, using a rope improvised from the boats' ropes and telephone wires, carried from the far bank by Corporal Alan Haddy, who was wounded by a mortar shell as he swam, and Lance-Corporal Harry Dusting, here encouraging his colleagues in their vulnerable canvas boat.

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Price: £695.00

Last Stand at Mezze - Painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Syria and Lebanon 1941

Last Stand at Mezze Ref: GT-373B

Indian soldiers make their last stand in the ruins of the Mezze House in Damascus (the former Syrian headquarters of the British Iraqi Petroleum Company), as Vichy forces close in. After thirty hours of desperate fighting, during which the Indian defenders destroyed several Vichy light tanks with Molatov cocktails, the attacking Vichy French forces brought in 75mm guns and, as their position was smashed around them, and ammunition and supplies ran out, the last surviving Indian soldiers were forced to surrender on 20th June.

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Price: £750.00

Curtiss P40-B Tomahawks over Palmyra - Painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Syria and Lebanon 1941

Air Battle over Palmyra Ref: GT-373C

On 28th June 1941, Vichy French Glen Martin 167F bombers come under attack by Curtiss P40-B Tomahawks of 3 Squadron RAAF, over the ancient city of Palmyra; all six Vichy bombers were shot down, while the Australians sustained no damage.

Here, Flight Lieutenant Alan Rawlinson in his Tomahawk (serial number AK 446) brings down Lieutenant de Vaisseau Francois Xavier Paul Martial Ziegler's Glen Martin 167F 6B-3 of Flotille 4F, Groupe de Bombardement 2 Aeronavale (Fleet Air Arm).

Gouache painting by Graham Turner - image size 19"x 13" (48 x 33cm)

click on image to enlarge

Price: £750.00

Purchasing an Original Painting

Graham Turner's Original Paintings are offered for sale by the artist himself, so if you are interested in purchasing an original painting, please email Graham Turner at graham@studio88.co.uk to discuss the purchase.

The cost of shipping original paintings varies, depending on their size, value and destination. Our usual shipping rates do not apply, but we would be happy to provide a quote for shipping to your address if required.

CLICK HERE for more information about buying an original.

Artist signed Osprey book, Campaign 373, Syria and Lebanon 1941

Syria and Lebanon 1941 Ref: CAM373
The Allied fight against the Vichy French

by David Sutton

Includes three paintings by Graham Turner

Books bought from Studio 88 are individually hand-signed by artist Graham Turner

From the publisher's website:
A detailed study of the Syrian and Lebanon campaign of World War II.

In June 1941, Australian, British, Indian and Free French forces invaded the Vichy French-controlled mandate of Syria and Lebanon. They faced an enemy that had more artillery, tanks and aircraft. They fought in rocky, mountainous terrain, through barren valleys and across swollen rivers, and soon after the initial advance faced a powerful Vichy French counter-attack on key strategic positions. Despite these difficulties, the Allies prevailed, and in doing so ensured that the territory did not fall into German or pro-German hands, and thus provide a springboard from which Axis forces could attack British oil interests in Iraq, the key territory of Palestine or the Suez Canal. This book examines the high military and political strategy that lay behind the campaign, as well as the experiences and hardships as endured by the men on the ground.

The battles in Syria and Lebanon were complex actions, often at the battalion level or below, and this work uses extensive war diaries and available records to make sense of the actions and examine how they affected the wider campaign.

click on image to enlarge

Paperback
248 x 184mm
96 pages
Published February 2022

Price: £15.99

Click here for details of the many other Osprey military history books that Graham Turner has been commissioned to create paintings for.

Curtiss P40-B Tomahawks over Palmyra - Detail from a painting by Graham Turner from Osprey book Syria and Lebanon 1941