British formed the largest desert column in history as they set out across Sinai in 1916 but its effectiveness would depend on the capacity of the rank and file to fight in conditions of extreme heat, widespread disease and serious supply shortages. Extracts from soldiers’ unpublished letters and diaries held in British archives give a clear insight into local conditions and how they affected troops with no experience of the desert. These same sources confirm that the Turks could still be formidable opponents despite the fact that they were fighting for an empire in terminal decline.

Such archival material provided a major source for this book but other sources were equally important in reconstructing the course of events. The three-volume British official history produced by Sir George MacMunn and Cyril Falls, both distinguished military historians, provides a detailed account of the progress of Allied forces that cannot be found elsewhere. Lord Wavell, who served on Allenby’s staff in Palestine in 1917–18, produced the only other notable account of the campaign. The Arab revolt has been even less well served by historians although the many Lawrence biographies provide more or less detail of the course of military events in the Hejaz and further north. One notable exception is Jeremy Wilson’s substantial authorized biography of Lawrence. It is the most detailed account of his life available. More importantly, it gives access to a wide range of archival and documentary material that could not otherwise be easily obtained. Few historians can match the power of T. E. Lawrence’s prose in the Seven Pillars of Wisdom and his wartime correspondence which record vividly and in great detail how the uprising unfolded. Allenby has until recently been less well served by biographers but the recent study by Matthew Hughes sets new standards. Like Lawrence, Allenby was an outstanding leader whose reputation has largely survived criticism by revisionist historians.

I would particularly like to acknowledge the efforts of archive staff at the Centre for Military Archives, King’s College, London, the Imperial War Museum and the National Army Museum in retrieving a wide range of unpublished material that forms the basis of this study. The British Library and the London Library provided ready access to most of the printed sources. The idea for this book was developed in conjunction with Andrew Lownie, my agent, and it was through his efforts that it became a reality. I have valued the support and commitment of Grant McIntyre, editorial director of John Murray, who has shown great forbearance throughout the long