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Lawrence's field diary for 1917:

Lawrence travels to meet Sherif Abdullah's forces in the Wadi Ais, spends some time recovering from illness, and then conducts two raids against the Hejaz railway.

Lawrence returns to Wejh to discuss tactics with the Arab leaders and their British military advisers; during this time he formulates his plan to take Akaba.

Lawrence takes part in battles at Fuweila and Aba el Lissan. The Arabs enter Akaba on approx. 6 July, and Lawrence immediately crosses Sinai to Suez to carry the news to the British. Thereafter, with British assistance, Akaba is built up as a new base for Feisal's rebel forces. It will serve as a centre for political propaganda, and the starting-point for raids into northern Syria.

Lawrence makes two raids against the Hejaz railway; the first at Km. 587, the second at Km. 489.

Lawrence spends time at GHQ and Akaba, planning a raid against railway bridges in the Yarmuk Valley. On 15 October he leads an abortive attack there. He returns to the advanced rebel base at Azrak, mining a train on the way.

The Arab raiding party decides to spend the winter at Azrak, spreading propaganda for the rebellion among the northern tribes. Late in the month, Lawrence makes a reconnaissance of the country around the Turkish railway junction at Deraa. To complete this, he risks entering the town in disguise. He is stopped, very probably recognised, then tortured and abused by the Turks. He is left unguarded by a medical attendant who is an Arab sympathiser, and escapes. He returns to Azrak, and then to Akaba.