XIII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• War and Guerrilla Tactics

  Feisal's use of mounted charges and night attacks against Turkish artillery, and his strategic plan to threaten Medina from multiple sides.

• Suffering and Endurance

  The Arabs' endurance despite inferior arms, lack of supplies, and the psychological shock of the Awali massacre.

• Colonialism and Imperialism

  British and Egyptian involvement in the Arab revolt, with tensions between local needs and external support.

Characters to notice

• T.E. Lawrence

  Arrives at Feisal's camp, meets Nafi Bey and Maulud, and hears Feisal's account of the revolt's history and plans.

• Emir Feisal

  Describes the revolt's beginning, the massacre at Awali, his strategic withdrawal, and his plan to threaten Medina from multiple sides.

• Maulud el Mukhlus

  Feisal's A.D.C., a former Turkish officer who complains of ill-equipment and urges aggressive action.

• Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein

  Mentioned as having gone to Rabegh to investigate supply issues and later settling there with Zeid.

• Sherif Zeid

  Half-brother of Ali, called from Jidda with reinforcements to Rabegh.

• Sherif Hussein

  The father who ordered the revolt but did not fully coordinate with his sons.

• Colonel Wilson

  Visits Yenbo and promises Feisal mountain guns and machine-guns from the Egyptian Army.

• Sir Reginald Wingate

  Sent the Egyptian Army unit under Nafi Bey from the Sudan to assist the Arab rebellion.

Key passages

• “This bitter taste of the Turkish mode of war sent a shock across Arabia; for the first rule of Arab war was that women were inviolable: the second that the lives and honour of children too young to fight with men were to be spared: the third, that property impossible to carry off should be left undamaged.”

  The brutal Turkish tactics at Awali horrified the Arabs, whose own code of war protected women, children, and property.

  Highlights the cultural clash and the moral shock that galvanized Arab resistance.

• “Feisal filled a decent chest with stones, had it locked and corded carefully, guarded on each daily march by his own slaves, and introduced meticulously into his tent each night.”

  To maintain morale, Feisal pretended a chest full of stones was a treasure of gold, guarding it as if it were real money.

  Illustrates Feisal's theatrical leadership and the desperate lack of funds.

• “Maulud, who had sat fidgeting through our long, slow talk, could no longer restrain himself and cried out, 'Don't write a history of us. The needful thing is to fight and fight and kill them. Give me a battery of Schneider mountain guns, and machine guns, and I will finish this off for you. We talk and talk and do nothing.'”

  Maulud, impatient with discussion, demanded modern weapons and urged immediate action instead of talking.

  Reveals the frustration among Arab leaders over their lack of equipment and the slow pace of support.