# Book VI: The Raid Upon the Bridges explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

> Chapter companion for Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.

## What happens

In November 1917, as Allenby prepared a general offensive against the Turks, Lawrence chose a cautious half-measure: cutting the Yarmuk Valley Railway to disrupt the expected Turkish retreat. This operation ultimately failed, as Lawrence admits it deserved.

## Themes in this chapter

### Futility and Meaning

Lawrence's half-measure of cutting the railway is described as a 'specious operation' that 'met with the failure it deserved,' highlighting the futility of cautious strategies in war.

## Character check-ins

### T.E. Lawrence

Narrator and strategist who designed the failed raid on the Yarmuk Valley Railway.

### General Allenby

Preparing a general attack against the Turks along his whole front.

## Key lines

> By November, 1917, Allenby was ready to open a general attack against the Turks along his whole front.

In November 1917, Allenby prepared a full-scale offensive against the Turkish forces.

_Sets the strategic context for the chapter._

> I was afraid to put everything on a throw, and designed instead the specious operation of cutting the Yarmuk Valley Railway, to throw into disorder the expected Turkish retreat.

Fearful of risking everything, Lawrence devised a deceptive plan to sever the Yarmuk Valley Railway and disrupt the anticipated Turkish withdrawal.

_Lawrence explains his cautious and ultimately flawed strategy._

> This half-measure met with the failure it deserved.

This incomplete effort failed, as Lawrence believed it rightfully should.

_Lawrence's self-critical assessment of the operation's outcome._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-vi-the-raid-upon-the-bridges
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters