Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LX explained
Feisal lands at Akaba with reinforcements, including Jaafar, Joyce, armoured cars, and Egyptian labourers.
What happens
Feisal lands at Akaba with reinforcements, including Jaafar, Joyce, armoured cars, and Egyptian labourers. The Turks, under Falkenhayn's advice, fortify Maan and advance toward Guweira. Lawrence describes a successful air raid on Maan and Aba el Lissan led by Stent, which demoralizes the Turks. To further disrupt the Turkish offensive, Lawrence plans railway demolitions and revives the idea of mining a train using an electric exploder. He tests the device with Captain Snagge aboard H.M.S. Humber, then organizes a raid on Mudowwara station with the Howeitat and newly recruited Haurani followers. Sergeants Lewis and Stokes train Arab squads in Akaba to use trench-mortars and Lewis guns.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Lawrence employs irritative raids, air power, and railway demolitions to disrupt the Turkish offensive and lure them toward a wrong objective.
Suffering and Endurance
The Turkish troops endure bombing and raids, while the Arab forces and British pilots face harsh conditions and mechanical risks.
Colonialism and Imperialism
British support for the Arab Revolt, including arms, training, and air raids, reflects imperial interests in undermining the Ottoman Empire.
Characters to notice
- Emir Feisal
Lands at Akaba with his staff and troops.
- Jaafar Pasha
Lands with Feisal at Akaba.
- Joyce
Lands with Feisal at Akaba; referred to as 'the fairy godmother'.
- T.E. Lawrence
Plans railway demolitions and the mining of a train; tests the electric exploder with Captain Snagge.
- Maulud el Mukhlus
Goes up with his mule-mounted regiment and quarters at Petra.
- Air Vice-Marshal Salmond
Promised a long-distance air raid on Maan; chose Stent and other pilots.
- Captain Snagge
Commanding H.M.S. Humber; assists Lawrence in testing the electric exploder and provides hospitality.
- Sergeant Stokes
Instructor training Arab squads in Akaba; stocky English yeoman.
Key passages
“Vessels steamed up the Gulf of Akaba. Feisal landed, and with him Jaafar, his staff, and Joyce, the fairy godmother.”
Ships sailed into the Gulf of Akaba, bringing Feisal, Jaafar, his staff, and Joyce, who was like a beneficent helper.
Describes the arrival of key Arab and British figures at Akaba.
“We would play with them and provoke them to go for us in Wadi Musa, where the natural obstacles were so tremendous that the human defending factor might behave as badly as it liked, and yet hold the place against attack.”
We would tease the Turks into attacking us at Wadi Musa, where the terrain was so difficult that even poor defenders could hold it.
Lawrence's strategy to lure the Turks into a disadvantageous position.
“I decided also to revive the old idea of mining a train. Something more vigorous and certain than automatic mines was indicated, and I had imagined a direct firing, by electricity, of a charge under the locomotive.”
I decided to bring back the plan of blowing up a train, but using an electric trigger to detonate the explosives under the engine for greater reliability.
Lawrence's innovation in train ambush tactics.
“To tell him the story of a failure was to laugh at it, and always for a good story he gave me a hot bath, and tea with civilised trappings, free from every suspicion of blown sand.”
When I told him about a failure, he would laugh, and in return for a good story, he would offer me a hot bath and tea in a clean, civilized setting.
Captain Snagge's hospitality and humor aboard H.M.S. Humber.
