Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXIX explained
Lawrence reflects on the intelligence and deception operations preceding Allenby's attack on the Gaza-Beersheba line, weighing the risks of a premature Arab uprising around Deraa against the need to support the British offensive.
What happens
Lawrence reflects on the intelligence and deception operations preceding Allenby's attack on the Gaza-Beersheba line, weighing the risks of a premature Arab uprising around Deraa against the need to support the British offensive. He ultimately decides to postpone the Arab gamble to preserve their strength for a decisive moment.
Themes in this chapter
Honor and Deception
The chapter details Meinertzhagen's elaborate deception plan to mislead the Turkish command, highlighting the use of trickery as a legitimate military tactic.
Futility and Meaning
Lawrence wrestles with the potential sacrifice of Arab forces for the Allied cause, questioning whether the gamble is worth the cost.
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Lawrence considers using local Arab tribes and peasantry for a guerrilla assault on Deraa, weighing the strategic value against the risk of massacre.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator and strategist, torn between loyalty to Allenby and Feisal, decides to delay the Arab uprising at Deraa.
- General Allenby
New British commander whose breadth of personality revitalizes the army; his plan for the Gaza-Beersheba attack is central to the chapter.
- Emir Feisal
Arab leader whose forces and reputation would be risked by a premature Deraa operation; Lawrence advises him.
- Guy Dawnay
Brilliant, intellectual staff officer who devises the deceptive strategy for the Beersheba attack.
- General Bols
Allenby's chief of staff, described as a pleasant but opinionless foil who assents to the plan.
- Sheikh Talal el Hareidhin
Local leader from the Deraa area who sends repeated messages urging an Arab attack on Deraa.
Key passages
“Army papers, elaborate and confidential, which to a trained staff officer would indicate wrong positions for Allenby’s main formation, a wrong direction of the coming attack, and a date some days too late.”
Meinertzhagen created fake military documents designed to mislead Turkish intelligence about the location, direction, and timing of Allenby's offensive.
Describes the core of the deception campaign.
“We could there use Rualla, Serahin, Serdiyeh, Khoreisha; and, far stronger than tribes, the settled peoples of Hauran and Jebel Druse.”
Lawrence identifies the various Arab tribes and settled populations that could be mobilized for an attack on Deraa.
Highlights the potential manpower for a guerrilla uprising.
“I weighed the English army in my mind, and could not honestly assure myself of them. The men were often gallant fighters, but their generals as often gave away in stupidity what they had gained in ignorance.”
Lawrence doubted the competence of British generals, fearing their mistakes would undermine the bravery of their soldiers.
Reflects Lawrence's skepticism about British military leadership.
“So I decided to postpone the hazard for the Arabs’ sake.”
Lawrence chose to delay the risky Arab uprising at Deraa to protect the long-term interests of the Arab cause.
Key decision point in the chapter.
