Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
The Failed Bridge at Tell el Shehab explained
Lawrence and his Arab forces attempt a covert operation to capture the bridge at Tell el Shehab, but a Turkish reinforcement train arrives with German reserves, foiling the plan.
What happens
Lawrence and his Arab forces attempt a covert operation to capture the bridge at Tell el Shehab, but a Turkish reinforcement train arrives with German reserves, foiling the plan. After a tense night of waiting and a failed ambush, they withdraw and instead cut the railway line twice behind the village to harass the enemy.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
The chapter details a complex ambush plan, the use of gelatine charges, and the strategic decision to withdraw rather than engage in a costly direct assault.
Futility and Meaning
Lawrence reflects on the 'game of reckoning the value of the objective in terms of life,' finding most war actions 'too dear,' yet acknowledging the strategic benefits of the failed attempt.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Leads the operation, fills pockets with detonators, and ultimately decides against a direct assault due to the high cost in lives.
- Sherif Nasir
Commands alongside Lawrence, sends orders to the Camel Corps, and shares the temptation to fire a Very light at the German bivouac.
- Nuri Said
Offers to take the place by main force but agrees with Lawrence's decision to withdraw.
- Rahail
Acts as a scout, alerting Lawrence to the column of white smoke rising from the valley.
- Tallal
Provides guides for the parties that cut the railway line after the failed bridge attempt.
Key passages
“Slow work; and when at last we were ready a new visitor appeared, the boy-chief of Tell el Shehab.”
The operation was slow, and just as they finished preparations, the young chief of Tell el Shehab arrived.
Introduces the local sheikh who proposes the ambush plan.
“I was at the game of reckoning the value of the objective in terms of life, and as usual finding it too dear.”
Lawrence was calculating whether the objective was worth the potential loss of life, and as always, he concluded it was too costly.
Highlights Lawrence's moral calculus regarding the cost of war.
“We had today twice cut the Damascus-Palestine railway; and the bringing here of the Afuleh garrison was a third benefit to Allenby.”
They had already cut the railway twice that day, and the diversion of the Afuleh garrison to this location was a third advantage for Allenby.
Explains the strategic rationale for withdrawing despite the failed bridge attack.