# The House Is Perfected explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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

## What happens

The mobile column of aeroplanes, armoured cars, Arab regulars, and Bedouin assembles at Azrak to cut the three railways out of Deraa. After successful demolitions, Allenby's attack scatters the Turkish armies. Lawrence flies to Palestine for air support and receives orders for a second phase. The forces move behind Deraa, join General Barrow, advance to Kiswe, and meet the Australian Mounted Corps. They enter Damascus unopposed, where confusion is allayed by Allenby's arrival. Lawrence is then released.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Guerrilla Tactics

The mobile column's railway cutting and coordinated attacks exemplify guerrilla warfare against a conventional army.

### Futility and Meaning

The swift collapse of Turkish resistance and Lawrence's subsequent release reflect the transient nature of military achievement.

## Character check-ins

### T.E. Lawrence

Leads the mobile column, flies to Palestine for aeroplane help, and enters Damascus.

### General Allenby

Attacks and scatters Turkish armies, arrives in Damascus to smooth out difficulties.

### General Barrow

Joins the Arab forces and advances with them to Kiswe.

## Key lines

> Our mobile column of aeroplanes, armoured cars, Arab regulars and Beduin collected at Azrak, to cut the three railways out of Deraa.

A mixed force of aircraft, armored vehicles, Arab soldiers, and Bedouin gathered at Azrak with the goal of severing the three railway lines leading from Deraa.

_Describes the composition and objective of the mobile column._

> Next day Allenby attacked, and in a few hours had scattered the Turkish armies beyond recovery.

The following day, Allenby launched an assault that within hours routed the Turkish forces irretrievably.

_Highlights the decisive impact of Allenby's offensive._

> Our united forces entered Damascus unopposed.

The combined Allied and Arab forces marched into Damascus without facing any resistance.

_Marks the unopposed entry into Damascus._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/book-x-the-house-is-perfected
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters