IOR/L/PS/11/126, P 3733/1917

(1) Note dated 30 Jul 1917 from R. Steel on behalf of Director of Military Operations for the Imperial General Staff Sir Frederick Maurice, to Deputy Under-secretary of State for India Sir Arthur Hirtzel, saying “The DMO sends you this account of Lawrence’s wonderful journey. Was ever VC better earned?” The note bears an annotation dated 31 Jul 1917 from Arthur Hirtzel to the Secretary of State, Sir Edwin Montagu, saying “Lawrence was not disguised. He wore Arab dress, but being clean-shaven cd. not be mistaken for one. His splendid performance shows inter alia what Arabs can do when led by the right man”. Underneath Hirtzel’s annotation are the initials of Permanent Under Secretary of State for India Sir Thomas William Holderness, dated 1 Aug 1917.

(2) Extract of a report on Captain Lawrence’s journey, from a letter to Sir William Robertson from Sir R. Wingate, 11 Jul 1917. The extract gives an outline of Lawrence’s route and activities, mentioning how he started with 36 Arabs at Wejh (Al Wajh), dynamited the Hejaz railway line, met Auda Abu Tayi at Nebk and left him to raise more forces. Lawrence then rode with 2 men to Tadmur where he interviewed Aneizeh Sheiks, destroyed a railway bridge at Baalbek, visited the Druse chiefs at Salkhad, and returned to Nebk where Auda Abu Tayi had raised a large force. All travelled to Bair, where Lawrence left the Arab forces and went to Um-Keis, then returned to Bair having interviewed chiefs on the way, destroyed the railway line and derailed a train. The Arab force, now 2000 strong, destroyed posts between Bair and Akaba (Aqaba), leaving Maan (Ma’an), and are now in possession of Akaba with 600 prisoners. Reginald Wingate says he has not yet discussed the journey with Lawrence, who he says “has only just arrived and is somewhat exhausted by 1,300 miles on a camel in the last 30 days”. He describes the journey as “a very remarkable performance, calling for a display of courage, resource, and endurance which is conspicuous even in these days when gallant deeds are of daily occurrence”.

(3) Map entitled “Route map May 9 – July 9” marked “Secret”, showing the route Lawrence followed and the position of cities, towns and railways.