E-Book Overview
The Arab Revolt of 1916-18 was one of the most dramatic events of the First World War. It resulted in the birth of the modern Middle East and also created one of the most enduring myths of the war, the story of "Lawrence of Arabia". In fact, it could be argued that the wider importance of the Arab Revolt has been forgotten in the rush to focus on Lawrence myth and that later generations have lost sight of the immense changes that this rebellion represented in Arab affairs.This book examines the revolt without this prejudice, describing and analyzing the background and events of the revolt. Breaking the process into several broad phases, the author examines the initial capture of coastal towns like Jeddah, which secured and this allowed for the re-supply and support of the Arab Army by the Royal Navy. Then, the main focus of the revolt became the Hijaz Railway. The raids on this vital route are described in detail, as is the seizure of Aqaba in 1917 and the northward push of the Arab Army at Gaza, Jerusalem, Megiddo and Damascas. Finally, this book describes how a local Arab rebellion grew to form a major part of Allied operations in the Middle East, as Arab tribesman developed from being troublesome raiders into a force which could oppose brigade-sized Turkish columns by 1918.
E-Book Content
CAM202cover.qxd:Layout 1 4/8/08 CAMPAIGN • 202 09:53 Page 1 THE ARAB REVOLT 1916 –18 xx En Nebk 4 THE ARAB REVOLT 1916 –18 The Arab Revolt of 1916–18 was one of the most dramatic events of World War I. It resulted in the birth of the modern Middle East and also created one of the most enduring myths of the war, the story of ‘Lawrence of Arabia’. This book describes how a rebellion of local proportions and aspirations in the Hejaz region of Arabia grew to such an extent that by 1918 it formed a major part of the Allied effort in Palestine and Syria. Supported by British and French advisers, including the influential T. E. Lawrence, the Arab armies developed into a coherent fighting force capable of taking on the regulars of the Ottoman Army. BARROW THE ARAB REVOLT 1916 –18 Lawrence sets Arabia ablaze Lawrence sets Arabia ablaze Jebeil CAMPAIGN • 202 Accounts of history’s greatest conflicts, detailing the command strategies, tactics and battle experiences of the opposing forces throughout the crucial stages of each campaign Baalbek Ghezir Me`lula Riyaq Zahle Beirut Quteife xx Zaddari 54 xx xx Dume Full colour battlescenes 5 Sidon Damascus Arab Northern Army Lita ni 3 x Illustrations 3-dimensional ‘bird’s-eye-views’ Maps FEISAL xx 7 Indian Tyre xx Arab Northern Army xx 54 Acre Haifa x 4 BARROW FEISAL LAWRENCE Izra` Sheikh Miskin Ghazale Sheikh Sa`d Muzeirib Sea of Galilee Deraa Er Remta J or d an xx JEBEL D Tafas Arab Northern Army 2 1 Nasir Jabir x FEISAL LAWRENCE El Umtaiye Umm Es Suret 4 BARROW 5 1 9 9 5 PUBLISHING 9 781846 033391 OSPREY WWW.OSPREYPUBLISHING.COM DAVID MURPHY OSPREY US $19.95 / CAN $22.95 I S B N 978-1-84603-339-1 DAVID MURPHY ILLUSTRATED BY PETER DENNIS © Osprey Publishing • www.ospreypublishing.com CAM202title.qxd:Layout 1 4/8/08 09:37 Page 1 CAMPAIGN • 202 THE ARAB REVOLT 1916 –18 Lawrence sets Arabia ablaze DAVI