XXII explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• War and Guerrilla Tactics

  The chapter details the strategic move to Wejh, reorganization of forces, and a small raid, emphasizing empirical and adaptive guerrilla methods.

• Leadership and Organization

  Feisal's leadership in planning and Maulud's training of mule-riders highlight the importance of discipline and command in the Arab army.

Characters to notice

• Emir Feisal

  Feisal is portrayed as a dedicated leader, planning the march to Wejh and reorganizing the army with mounted infantry and tribal forces.

• T.E. Lawrence

  Lawrence participates in planning and leads a test raid on a Turkish blockhouse near Dhifran.

• Maulud el Mukhlus

  Maulud trains mule-riders into effective mounted infantry, demonstrating strict discipline.

• Rasim

  Rasim is Feisal's gunner, receiving equipment from Egyptian troops.

• Sherif Abdulla

  Abdulla is in Henakiyeh with irregulars; Feisal and Lawrence plan to redirect him to Wadi Ais to threaten the railway.

• Sherif Zeid

  Zeid agrees to go to Rabegh to organize pinprick attacks in the Turks' rear.

• Raja el Khuluwi

  Raja is sent to deliver the proposal to Sherif Abdulla regarding Wadi Ais.

Key passages

• “Feisal was a fine, hot workman, wholeheartedly doing a thing when he had agreed to it.”

  Feisal was a dedicated and energetic worker, fully committed once he gave his word.

  Describes Feisal's character and work ethic.

• “The smaller the unit the better its performance. A thousand were a mob, ineffective against a company of trained Turks: but three or four Arabs in their hills would stop a dozen Turks.”

  Small Arab units fought effectively, while large groups lacked discipline and were easily defeated by trained Turkish troops.

  Highlights the tactical advantage of small guerrilla units over larger formations.