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Lawrence's field
diary for 1917:
March 10–April 13 1917
Lawrence travels to meet Sherif Abdullah's forces in the Wadi
Ais, spends some time recovering from illness,
and then conducts two raids against the Hejaz
railway.
April 14–20
Lawrence returns to Wejh to discuss tactics with the Arab
leaders and their British military advisers;
during this time he formulates his plan to take
Akaba.
May 9–June 2
June 3–20
June 21–28
June 28–September 6
Lawrence takes part in battles at Fuweila and Aba el Lissan.
The Arabs enter Akaba on approx.
6 July, and
Lawrence immediately crosses Sinai to Suez to
carry the news to the British. Thereafter, with
British assistance, Akaba is built up as a new
base for Feisal's rebel forces. It will serve as
a centre for political propaganda, and the
starting-point for raids into northern Syria.
September 7 - October 9
Lawrence makes two raids against the Hejaz railway; the first
at Km. 587, the second at Km. 489.
October 9–24
Lawrence spends time at GHQ and Akaba, planning a raid against
railway bridges in the Yarmuk Valley. On 15
October he leads an abortive attack there. He
returns to the advanced rebel base at Azrak,
mining a train on the way.
November to December
The Arab
raiding party decides to spend the winter at
Azrak, spreading propaganda for the rebellion
among the northern tribes. Late in the month,
Lawrence makes a reconnaissance of the country
around the Turkish railway junction at Deraa. To
complete this, he risks entering the town in
disguise. He is stopped, very probably
recognised, then tortured and abused by the
Turks. He is left unguarded by a medical
attendant who is an Arab sympathiser, and
escapes. He returns to Azrak, and then to Akaba.
Returning
to Allenby's headquarters in Palestine, he is
invited to take part in the official Allied
entry into Jerusalem on 11 December.
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