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and open a strategic route to
Romania and Russia for the Al-
lies. In actuality, the Arabs were
merely a means to an end in the
cold world of war.
Neither the French or the Brit-
ish had any plans to give up their
foothold in the region if they
succeeded (Google “Sykes-Picot
Agreement” and/or “Balfour
Declaration”), let alone reduce
their influence especially in a
newly formed region called
“Beirut”. The British wanted to
“pluck Jerusalem from the reeling
Turks” as a “Christmas present”
to its Catholics. The Jerusalem
connection was purely and ut-
terly religious on both sides of
the equation.
Also, Palestine was important
to the British both economically
and strategically. It “would act
as a buffer to Egypt and the Suez
Canal and ensured a tight link to
the eastern reaches of the empire.
It also provided an entree to the
oil-laden regions on the Middle
East.” That last bit has had lasting
effects. However, amongst all the
lies and double dealing, Law-
rence was one Brit who truly and
honorably worked towards Arab
independence on the front lines.
Seeing Lawrence, in his white
robes that were given to him as
a gift, surrounded by his body-
guards was striking to say the
least. He looked like an “ascetic
Templar knight leading a band
of renegade Muslim raiders in a
holy war.” His bodyguard was
composed mainly of outcast
warriors from 30 or more desert
tribes. They were able to reclaim
a type of tribal identity by being
Lawrence’s bodyguards and
thusly were incredibly loyal.
The bond was so strong that 60
(nearly half) died in the protec-
tion and service of Lawrence.
Lawrence was a pioneer in
bringing guerilla warfare into the
framework of a Western military.
Guerilla warfare goes back to
the very beginning of war itself.
It’s the type of warfare that in-
evitably occurs any time a major
organized army tries to take over
any organized city of a decent
size. It’s the essence of defending
one’s turf.
The primary strategy is attri-
tion and your tactics aren’t so
much meant to kill as to create
day-to-day discomfort for the
enemy. After all, a dead combat-
ant can be used to inspire other
would-be combatants, whereas
a living combatant deprived of
food, water, rest and creature
comforts can create demoraliza-
tion within the ranks. It occupies
the occupiers, creating the im-
pression (or paranoia) that there
is a large enemy force “just over
that hill” when in actuality there
are only 5 to 10 armed guerillas
stirring things up and ready to
move at a moment’s notice.
Continued on page 54
Literary Review
53
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