What was T.E. Lawrence's Role in the Arab Revolt Against the Ottoman Empire?

Capt Miller, Thank you for sharing the term 'fancy boy!' There's nothing quite like a little humor to medicate the soul (Here: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=fancy%20boy)! LOL

MSgt Ken "Airsoldier" Collins-Hardy - T. H. Lawrence was a great captain and it is so so so sad that he wasn't around for WWII.

Walt

Thank you, Sir, for a more serious follow-up reflection. Based on what little I've read about how he was double-crossed (secret Sykes-Picot Agreement) while undergoing efforst to help the Arabs form their own homeland (Caliphate) as a reward for helping Great Britain crush the Ottoman Empire, not only do I tend to agree, it appears that the West is still suffering repercussions today for our geopolitical duplicity (Here: http://themoderatevoice.com/book-review-lawrence-in-arabia-how-the-british-double-crossed-the-arabs-guaranteed-endless-regional-turmoil/).

Greetings to all in this interesting thread about TE Lawrence and his commendable service in engaging and influencing militaty operations of the Hashemite-aligned tribal confederations in the western Hijaz area of the Arabian Peninsula.

** Lawrence's publicity machine aside, an equally-successful, and perhaps more politically-relevant, British military advisor was Captain William H.B. Shakespear (British Army, Royal Artillery), who was selected and duly dispatched by the East India Company, sent to engage, advise and influence the tribal confederations in the central Najd region led by (later king) Abdulaziz Al Saud.

** The British historian V. H. F. Winstone wrote a good treatment of Captain Shakespear's role in the Arabian Peninsula and his death on the battlefield.

** Hope this provides some balance to such narratives about foreign advisors (British and otherwise) to Arab military forces since WWI.

** Regards, Stephen H. Franke
LTC, FAO (FA 48G - Middle East (long-time "Gulfie") / MI / SOF /
Attaché / Security Cooperation Officer / Advisor / Trainer
US Army Retired
San Pedro, California

Email: [login to see]