Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
CXIV explained
Lawrence returns to the Arab camp at Um el Surab via Australian aircraft, learns of recent Turkish bombings and Winterton's railway demolition, and hears of Allenby's successes.
What happens
Lawrence returns to the Arab camp at Um el Surab via Australian aircraft, learns of recent Turkish bombings and Winterton's railway demolition, and hears of Allenby's successes. After an air battle in which Ross Smith shoots down a German plane, Lawrence flies to Azrak to fetch Feisal and Nuri Shaalan. They return to witness the arrival of the giant Handley-Page bomber, which boosts Arab morale. Feisal decides to add Nuri Shaalan's Rualla camel men to the force, and plans are made to harass the Turkish Fourth Army during its retreat.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
The chapter details air combat, railway demolitions, and the use of aircraft to support irregular Arab forces.
Suffering and Endurance
The Arab camp endures repeated bombings, with casualties among regulars and Pisani's gunners, yet morale is restored by the arrival of the Handley-Page.
Honor and Deception
Winterton's encounter with a Turkish soldier, who thanks God before opening fire, illustrates the deceptions and ironies of war.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrates the chapter; flies to Um el Surab, then to Azrak to bring Feisal and Nuri Shaalan; rests in Nasir's tent.
- Emir Feisal
Lawrence flies to Azrak to see him; he decides to add Nuri Shaalan's Rualla camel men to the column.
- Nuri Shaalan
Old, cynical leader of the Rualla; personally leads his horsemen in a raid; his tribe's morale is boosted by the Handley-Page.
- Sherif Nasir
Reports casualties and tribal gossip to Lawrence; Lawrence rests in his tent.
- Tallal
Takes fire from Allenby's successes and boasts; eager to march on Damascus.
- Nuri Said
Helps clear the landing ground; leads a raid with Pisani, Stirling, Winterton, and Young to destroy railway track.
- Captain Pisani
His gunners were killed in bombings; participates in the railway raid with Nuri Said.
- Lord Winterton
Describes his amusing night blowing up the railway; joins the raid with Nuri Said.
Key passages
“The three shining aeroplanes had much restored the Arabs, who lauded the British, and their own bravery and endurance, while I told them the scarce-credible epic of Allenby’s success—Nablus taken, Afuleh taken, Beisan and Semakh and Haifa.”
The gleaming aircraft lifted Arab spirits, and they praised the British and themselves as Lawrence recounted Allenby's astonishing victories.
Shows the morale boost from air power and Allenby's advances.
“He was old and wise, which meant tired and disappointed: so old that it was my abiding wonder he should link himself to our enthusiasm.”
Nuri Shaalan's age and wisdom made him weary and disillusioned, yet Lawrence marveled that he still joined their cause.
Highlights Nuri Shaalan's character and motivations.
“The biggest aeroplane in the world, before he flapped on into the south, to spread his great news among the tents.”
A Bedouin runner, seeing the Handley-Page, shouted about the world's largest plane and hurried south to spread the news.
Illustrates the awe and rapid dissemination of news among the Bedouin.
