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Lawrence's field
diary for 1918:
January 10–February 4 1918
Lawrence takes part in the battle for Tafileh, then returns to
Feisal's base at Guweira for funds and advice.
February 5–18
Lawrence returns to Tafileh with 30,000 sovereigns for the
forthcoming campaign in the area. He gives the
funds to the Emir Zeid, younger brother of
Feisal and leader of the expedition, and leaves
for a reconnaissance in the area east of the
Dead Sea. In Lawrence's absence, Zeid's local
advisers persuade him to pay out all the money
to local tribes.
February 18-March 21
Lawrence, dismayed to
find that his confidence in Zeid was misplaced,
and lacking funds for further operations,
travels to the advance British headquarters in
Palestine, determined to hand in his
resignation. This is refused. For the next month
he helps in preparations for a major Arab
offensive against Deraa.
April 18–22
Attacking the Hedjaz Railway south of Maan: Lawrence takes part
in a successful attack on Tell Shahm station.
April 22–May 28
Lawrence spends a month going between Akaba and Cairo,
providing liaison between the British and Arabs
HQs.
May 29–August 26
Lawrence goes north to make a reconnaissance of Hesa, then
returns to Egypt to spend seven weeks in
planning the future direction of the Arab
Revolt. Back in Akaba, he continues with liaison
duties before joining a raid in the north by the
Imperial Camel Corps.
August 26–September 19
A wrangle with Hussein delays preparations for a raid on Deraa,
which is timed to coincide with a major British
offensive in Palestine. The raid takes place and
is extremely successful, effectively halting
Turkish railway communications with Palestine
and all areas south of Deraa. The Turkish forces
begin a precipitous and disorderly retreat.
September 19–28
The Arabs surround and capture Deraa, before moving north.
September 28–October 4
Lawrence accompanies the rebel forces from Deraa
to Damascus, where he helps to set up a
provisional Arab government. On 4 October Feisal
and the British commander, General Allenby,
arrive in Damascus and meet for the first time.
Afterwards, Lawrence obtains permission from
Allenby to return to England. While military
victory is now assured, Arab hopes of
self-government are threatened in the peace
negotiations by French imperial ambitions in
Syria, and by the British Government of India,
which has similar objectives in Mesopotamia.
For the remainder of 1918 see
Lawrence as Diplomat, 1918 |
