Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXVIII explained
Lawrence and Feisal prepare for a new operation, focusing on mining trains.
What happens
Lawrence and Feisal prepare for a new operation, focusing on mining trains. Lawrence leads a raid with 150 men and a train of pack-camels, laying a powerful lyddite mine near Maan. After a failed water-train, they lay an electric mine and successfully ambush a Turkish train, destroying the locomotive and capturing supplies. The chapter highlights the psychological and tactical impact of these attacks, the training of Arab miners, and the broader strategic effect on Turkish logistics. Lawrence also reflects on his internal conflict and the fraudulent nature of his leadership.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Detailed description of mining trains, ambush tactics, and the psychological impact on the enemy; the 'no margins' motto of Akaba.
Suffering and Endurance
Lawrence's physical pain from a scorpion sting and his mental anguish over the fraudulence of his leadership.
Futility and Meaning
Lawrence questions the war as a 'folly' and his role as a 'crime'; the internal ache and self-doubt despite tactical success.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator and leader of the raid; reflects on his false authority and internal turmoil; oversees mining and ambush; wounded in the hip.
- Emir Feisal
Discusses politics, organisation and strategy with Lawrence; provides three young Damascenes for the raid.
- Captain Pisani
First volunteer for mining training; commands French at Akaba; sounds the battle-cry during the ambush.
- Gasim abu Dumeik
The raid is specially announced for Gasim's clan.
- Maulud el Mukhlus
Presides over the defense of Wadi Musa; uses a clever tactic to defeat the Turkish attack.
- Farraj
Holds Lawrence's camel during the ambush.
- Mohammed el Dheilan
Helps with the exploder and wire during the ambush.
- Saad
An Ageyli lent to the Beni Atiyeh; helps capture a train with Suleiman Rifada and twenty thousand pounds in gold.
Key passages
“The fraudulence of my business stung me. Here were more fruits, bitter fruits, of my decision, in front of Akaba, to become a principal of the Revolt. I was raising the Arabs on false pretences, and exercising a false authority over my dupes”
Lawrence feels guilty for deceiving the Arabs, exploiting their trust to further the revolt under false pretenses.
Lawrence's internal conflict about his role and the moral cost of his leadership.
“We allowed no margin for accident: indeed 'no margins' was the Akaba motto, continuously in the mouths of all.”
The Arab forces operated with no safety margin, relying on precise knowledge of the enemy and unorthodox tactics.
Describes the high-risk, high-reward strategy of the Arab guerrilla campaign.
“The mine had taken out the near arch of the bridge. Of the locomotive, the firebox was torn open, and many tubes burst. The cab was cleared out, a cylinder gone, the frame buckled, two driving wheels and their journals shattered.”
The explosion destroyed the bridge arch and severely damaged the locomotive, rendering it inoperable.
Detailed account of the successful train ambush and its destructive effect.
