Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXX explained
Lawrence plans a raid to cut the Yarmuk Valley bridges, isolating the Turkish army in Palestine from Damascus.
What happens
Lawrence plans a raid to cut the Yarmuk Valley bridges, isolating the Turkish army in Palestine from Damascus. He assembles a force including Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein, the Abu Tayi, and Indian volunteers, while dealing with the problematic Emir Abd el Kader el Jezairi, whom Bremond warns is a Turkish spy.
Themes in this chapter
War and Guerrilla Tactics
The planned raid on the Yarmuk bridges exemplifies guerrilla warfare aimed at cutting enemy supply lines.
Honor and Deception
Lawrence's cautious handling of Abd el Kader, suspected as a spy, highlights the tension between trust and suspicion.
Colonialism and Imperialism
The Arab Movement operates under Allenby's authority, reflecting British imperial control over the revolt.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Plans and leads the Yarmuk bridge raid, coordinating with Allenby and Feisal.
- Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein
Brought from the Beni Sakhr to lead the raid; described as courageous, strong, and reckless.
- Emir Abd el Kader el Jezairi
Offers his Algerian villagers for the raid but is suspected by Bremond of being a Turkish spy.
- Emir Feisal
Loans Ali to Lawrence and advises using Abd el Kader despite his madness.
- General Allenby
Requests the bridge operation by November 5th to support his advance.
- George Lloyd
Rides with the party to Jefer before going to Versailles.
Key passages
“However, the Arab Movement lived on Allenby’s good pleasure, so it was needful to undertake some operation, less than a general revolt, in the enemy rear: an operation which could be achieved by a raiding party without involving the settled peoples; and yet one which would please him by being of material help to the British pursuit of the enemy.”
The Arab Revolt depended on Allenby's approval, so they needed a raid that would help the British advance without stirring up the local population.
Lawrence explains the political necessity of the raid.
“To cut either of these bridges would isolate the Turkish army in Palestine, for one fortnight, from its base in Damascus, and destroy its power of escaping from Allenby’s advance.”
Destroying one of the Yarmuk bridges would cut off the Turkish army in Palestine from Damascus for two weeks, preventing their retreat.
Strategic goal of the operation.
“His courage, his resource, and his energy were proven. There had never been any adventure, since our beginning, too dangerous for Ali to attempt, nor a disaster too deep for him to face with his high yell of a laugh.”
Ali ibn el Hussein was fearless and energetic, always ready for any dangerous mission.
Lawrence praises Ali's character.