# LXXXVI explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

> Chapter companion for Seven Pillars of Wisdom by T. E. Lawrence.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters/lxxxvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/seven_pillars_of_wisdom_se/chapters