The Scottish Commando Battalion, alias "C" Battalion Layforce, alias No. 11 Special Service Battalion, was used as garrison troops at Famagusta, Cypress until its participation in Operation Exporter.

The battalion embarked and sailed for Port Said. On June 7, 1941, it sailed from Egypt to the Lebanese coast on the HMS Glengyle.

The mission of the commandoes was to land north of the bridge over the Litani River, in the French rear. Australian troops would seize the bridge while the commandoes would spread confusion and block French reinforcements. The landing, initially, had to be aborted when the seas were found to be too rough to safely get the landing craft ashore. The British decided to try again, however. The Royal Navy had been shelling the area all day, and Vichy French aircraft had been attacking the ships in return. The attention of the Vichy French defenders were, therefore, heightened by this activity.

There were 400 men in the commando battalion, divided into 10 troops. Eight troops would be landed and two would be held in reserve. Three troops, designated Force X, were to land north of the Litani. Force Y, also consisting of three troops, was to land one mile further to the north. The final two troops, designated Force Z, were to land north of Force Y near Kafr Badda.

Force Z landed in place.

Force X landed three quarters of a mile south of where they intended--behind the Australian lines. Force Y landed near where Force X was supposed to, and two of the three groups were wiped out by the Vichy French. Force Z had taken more prisoners than it could safely guard, and was soon overwhelmed by them. The ensuing running gunfight left the battered commando group scattered and disorganized throughout the surrounding hills.

In its first action, Layforce had been more or less destroyed. Its Colonel (Pedder) and most of its officers had been killed, wounded, or captured.

Reference:

Our Enemies the French pg. 79-85, Anthony Mockler, Leo Copper, Ltd., London, 1976.