Seven Pillars of Wisdom · Chapter
XXI explained
The crisis at Yenbo passes as the Turks fail to attack.
What happens
The crisis at Yenbo passes as the Turks fail to attack. Feisal receives encouragement from Sir Archibald Murray. Lawrence meets Colonel Bremond at Rabegh and debates the future of the Arab Revolt, disagreeing with Bremond's colonial vision. Turkish forces under Fakhri Pasha begin a slow retreat toward Medina due to tribal raids, logistical difficulties, and British seaplane attacks. Ali's advance falters, and a conference decides on an operation against Wejh, with Wilson giving a personal assurance to Feisal to secure his cooperation.
Themes in this chapter
Colonialism and Imperialism
Bremond's plan to use Allied troops to control the Arab Revolt and the Sykes-Picot agreement reflect colonial ambitions, opposed by Lawrence's vision of Arab independence.
War and Guerrilla Tactics
Tribal raids, seaplane attacks, and the strategic move to Wejh illustrate guerrilla warfare and mobility against a conventional Turkish army.
Honor and Deception
Wilson's personal assurance to Feisal about Rabegh's defense is described as a 'wise gamble,' blending honor with strategic deception.
Characters to notice
- T.E. Lawrence
Meets Bremond at Rabegh, argues for Arab conquest of Medina and Damascus, opposes colonial schemes.
- Emir Feisal
Appeals to Murray for demonstration; considers moving to Wejh but fears for Yenbo and Rabegh; receives direct order from his father to proceed.
- Colonel Bremond
French chief of mission at Rabegh; argues against Arab capture of Medina, advocates Allied occupation to control the revolt.
- Sherif Ali ibn el Hussein
Moves north with his army to attack Turks in Wadi Safra but falls back in disorder after false reports.
- Sherif Zeid
Sent to Masahali and then to occupy Bir Said; defeated earlier, receives reinforcements from Ali.
- Colonel Wilson
Comes to Yenbo to persuade Feisal to attack Wejh; gives personal assurance about Rabegh's defense.
- Fakhri Pasha
Turkish commander; abandons attack on Yenbo, falls back toward Medina due to tribal raids and logistical problems.
- Joyce
Present at the Christmas Eve conference in Rabegh.
Key passages
“I laid the greatest weight on the immediate conquest of Medina, and was advising Feisal to seize Wejh, in order to prolong his threat against the railway. In sum, to my mind, the Arab Movement would not justify its creation if the enthusiasm of it did not carry the Arabs into Damascus.”
Lawrence argued that capturing Medina quickly was crucial and urged Feisal to take Wejh to keep pressure on the railway. He believed the Arab Revolt would only be meaningful if it reached Damascus.
Lawrence's strategic vision for the Arab Revolt, emphasizing momentum and ultimate goals.
“Bremond took refuge in his technical sphere, and assured me, on his honour as a staff-officer, that for Feisal to leave Yenbo and go to Wejh was military suicide; but I saw no force in the arguments which he threw at me volubly; and told him so.”
Bremond insisted that moving to Wejh would be disastrous, but Lawrence dismissed his objections as unconvincing.
Disagreement between Lawrence and Bremond over military strategy.
“Wilson looked for support round the silent deck of the Dufferin (on which we were conferring), and nobly gave the required assurance: a wise gamble, since without it Feisal would not move; and this diversion against Wejh, the only offensive in the Arabs’ power, was their last chance not so much of securing a convincing siege of Medina, as of preventing the Turkish capture of Mecca.”
Wilson gave his personal word that Rabegh would hold, a calculated risk needed to persuade Feisal to attack Wejh, which was essential to prevent the Turks from taking Mecca.
The high-stakes decision to proceed with the Wejh operation.
