Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
CIX explained
On September 17, Lawrence and the Arab Army execute a coordinated attack on the Damascus railway line near Tell Arar, successfully cutting the railway and fulfilling their promise to Allenby.
What happens
On September 17, Lawrence and the Arab Army execute a coordinated attack on the Damascus railway line near Tell Arar, successfully cutting the railway and fulfilling their promise to Allenby. Despite heavy aerial bombardment from Turkish aircraft, the demolition teams systematically destroy the track using 'tulip' charges. Pilot Junor arrives in an outdated B.E.12 machine, distracting the enemy and allowing the Arab forces to regroup and continue their operations.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
The chapter details the coordinated use of demolition, air distraction, and troop movements to cut the railway, exemplifying guerrilla warfare.
Futility and Meaning
Lawrence reflects on the immense strategic significance of the railway cut, yet the chapter also shows the chaotic, fragile nature of the operation under constant air attack.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Leads the attack on the railway, coordinates demolition, and observes the strategic situation from Tell Arar.
- Nuri Said
Commands the regular Arab troops, positions machine guns and guns, and participates in council with Lawrence and Joyce.
- Joyce
Present in the council with Lawrence and Nuri Said, and later gives Junor a Ford for further demolition.
- Junor
Pilot of the B.E.12 who bravely engages Turkish aircraft, is shot down but survives, and later demolishes a rail gap near Deraa.
- Peake
Leads the Egyptian demolition team, fires the first tulip charge, and methodically destroys the railway.
- Captain Pisani
Commands the French mountain guns, fires shrapnel at Turkish aircraft, and later moves with the regulars toward Mezerib.
Key passages
“So the southern ten miles of the Damascus line was freely ours by nine in the morning. It was the only railway to Palestine and Hejaz and I could hardly realise our fortune; hardly believe that our word to Allenby was fulfilled so simply and so soon.”
By nine in the morning, the Arab forces had captured the southern ten miles of the Damascus railway, the sole link to Palestine and Hejaz. Lawrence was astonished that their promise to Allenby had been fulfilled so easily and quickly.
Lawrence expresses disbelief at the swift success of the operation.
“Junor five minutes later was asking for another job. Joyce gave him a Ford for himself, and he ran boldly down the line till near Deraa, and blew a gap in the rails there, before the Turks saw him.”
Within minutes of his crash, Junor requested another assignment. Joyce provided him with a Ford vehicle, and he drove daringly along the railway line to near Deraa, where he destroyed a section of track before the Turks could react.
Junor's resilience and initiative after being shot down.