# XXII explained — Seven Pillars of Wisdom

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

## What happens

Feisal and Lawrence plan the move to Wejh, reorganizing the Arab army with mounted infantry and tribal contingents. Lawrence leads a small raid on a Turkish blockhouse, and they decide to redirect Sherif Abdulla to Wadi Ais to threaten the railway north of Medina, securing Yenbo's safety.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

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