Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXVI explained
Lawrence and his Arab forces execute a meticulously planned train ambush near Mudowwara, using an electric mine to derail a Turkish train carrying troops, refugees, and Austrian artillery instructors.
What happens
Lawrence and his Arab forces execute a meticulously planned train ambush near Mudowwara, using an electric mine to derail a Turkish train carrying troops, refugees, and Austrian artillery instructors. The attack descends into chaotic looting and violence, with Lawrence destroying the locomotive and witnessing the brutal aftermath.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
The chapter details a complex train ambush using an electric mine, covering parties, and coordinated fire, exemplifying the guerrilla warfare tactics employed by Lawrence and the Arab forces.
Suffering and Endurance
The train is packed with sick refugees, wounded soldiers, and families; the aftermath includes brutal violence, looting, and the abandonment of the dying, highlighting the human cost of war.
Futility and Meaning
Despite the tactical success, the chaotic looting and senseless destruction of goods, along with the killing of prisoners, raise questions about the meaning and morality of the conflict.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Plans and leads the train ambush, triggers the mine, destroys the locomotive, and observes the chaotic looting and violence.
- Ibn Zaal
Rushes uphill with Lawrence to spot the train at Hallat Ammar and helps coordinate the ambush.
- Rahail
Young Rahail is fired upon by an Austrian officer, prompting Lawrence's bodyguard to kill the Austrians.
- Sergeant Stokes
Operates the Stokes mortar during the ambush, firing shells into the Turkish positions.
- Lewis
Operates the Lewis gun during the ambush, providing covering fire.
- Awad
Mentioned as a Sherari scout; Mushagraf, a Sherari boy, is noted as a gunner.
Key passages
“The valley was a weird sight. The Arabs, gone raving mad, were rushing about at top speed bareheaded and half-naked, screaming, shooting into the air, clawing one another nail and fist, while they burst open trucks and staggered back and forward with immense bales, which they ripped by the rail-side, and tossed through, smashing what they did not want.”
The valley became a scene of frenzy as the Arab fighters, driven wild with excitement, tore through the train's cargo, destroying and discarding goods in a chaotic rush.
Lawrence describes the uncontrollable looting and destruction by his own men after the ambush.
“The Turks, later, found the engine beyond use and broke it up.”
The Turkish forces later determined the locomotive was irreparable and dismantled it.
Lawrence confirms the success of his demolition efforts on the second engine.
“I assured them that all was going well: but they would not get away till some husbands delivered me. These knocked their wives off and seized my feet in a very agony of terror of instant death.”
Lawrence tried to calm the hysterical women, but their husbands, terrified for their lives, pushed the women aside and clung to Lawrence's feet begging for mercy.
Lawrence recounts the desperate pleas of Turkish prisoners during the chaotic aftermath.