Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
LXXXVI explained
Lawrence recounts a brutal battle near Kerak, where Arab forces, despite heavy losses, defeat a Turkish column.
What happens
Lawrence recounts a brutal battle near Kerak, where Arab forces, despite heavy losses, defeat a Turkish column. He reflects on the futility and horror of war, the tactical decisions made, and the aftermath of the engagement, including the capture of artillery and prisoners. The chapter also includes a satirical report Lawrence wrote for British headquarters.
Themes in this chapter
Futility and Meaning
Lawrence reflects on the high cost of the battle—one-sixth of his force—for a victory that does not affect the war's outcome, questioning the value of the engagement.
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Detailed description of Arab tactics: envelopment, use of automatic guns, and exploiting terrain, contrasting with conventional military doctrine.
Suffering and Endurance
The physical and emotional toll on both sides: wounded men, cold weather, and the massacre of fleeing Turks.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Narrator and commander, reflects on the battle's cost and writes a satirical report.
- Sherif Zeid
Arrives with reinforcements and observes the battle's progress.
- Rasim
Leads a cavalry envelopment of the Turkish left wing.
- Metaab
Young commander holding a rearguard position, frustrated by the situation.
- Sherif Mastur
Arrives with the main body of reinforcements.
- Sherif Abdulla
Arrives with the main body of reinforcements.
Key passages
“By my decision to fight, I had killed twenty or thirty of our six hundred men, and the wounded would be perhaps three times as many. It was one-sixth of our force gone on a verbal triumph, for the destruction of this thousand poor Turks would not affect the issue of the war.”
Lawrence calculates that his choice to engage cost a sixth of his men, achieving only a symbolic victory that does not change the war's course.
Reflection on the cost and futility of the battle.
“It was meanly written for effect, full of quaint smiles and mock simplicities; and made them think me a modest amateur, doing his best after the great models; not a clown, leering after them where they with Foch, bandmaster, at their head went drumming down the old road of effusion of blood into the house of Clausewitz.”
Lawrence's report to headquarters was deliberately crafted to appear naive, parodying conventional military writing, and was taken seriously, even earning him a decoration.
Satirical commentary on military bureaucracy and self-promotion.