Page:The Seven Pillars of Wisdom (1926).djvu/25

 BOOK X.

THE LIBERATION OF DAMASCUS.

Our mobile column of aeroplanes, armoured cars, Arab regulars and Beduin, collected at Azrak to cut the three railways out of Deraa. The southern line we cut near Mafrak; the northern at Arar; the western by Mezerib. We circumnavigated Deraa, and rallied, despite air raids, in the desert. Next day Allenby attacked, and in a few hours had scattered the Turkish armies beyond recovery. I flew to Palestine for aeroplane help, and got orders for a second phase of the thrust northward. We moved behind Deraa to hasten its abandonment. General Barrow joined us; in his company we advanced to Kiswe, and there met the Australian Mounted Corps. The united forces entered Damascus unopposed. Some confusion manifested itself in the city. We strove to allay it; Allenby arrived and smoothed out all difficulties. Afterwards he let me go.

Chapter 108.—Winterton (571) at Azrak (572) a rest (573) plans (574) reinforcements (575) concentration (576) first step (577). Chapter 109.—It starts ill (578) an air fight (579) bombing Deraa (580) a Rolls-Royce operation (581) running repairs (582). Chapter 110.—The main line is captured (583) Peake and his tulips (584) aerial interference (585) Junor takes a hand (586). Chapter 111.—For the Palestine line (588) Mezerib taken (590) our plunder and a great fire by night attract visitors (591). Chapter 112.—A classical project (592) waiting (593) prudence asserts her lovely self (594) doing the round trip (595). Chapter 113.—Hejaz line (596) a sunset (597) the last bridge (598). Chapter 114.—Visitors (600) shaking us up (601) shaking them up (602) need for air reinforcement (603) a night muddle (604) Allenby in victory (605) the Royal Air Force chiefs (606). Chapter 115.—Back to duty (608) resisting importunity (609) an air success (610) the Handley-Page (611) Nuri Shaalan (611). Chapter 116.—Another bungle (612) the Turks break (613) a new departure (614) an opposition (615) five different minds (616). Chapter 117.—An army again in all men's eyes (617) three enterprises (618) a pause (619) prisoners in handfuls (620).

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