[Hobilar]

The Second World War equivalent of Lawrence of Arabia was one, Major John Nagot Glubb, whose 350 man Arab Legion crossed the Syrian Desert in June 1941 along the oil pipeline to Tripoli. Its advance was blocked at the Fort of Palmyra which was held by 187 French Foreign Legionaires (Half Germans and half Russians) who held out for 12 days before surrendering.

The undisciplined, but skilled Bedouins then set about capturing the towns of Sab Biyah (SW of Palmyra) and Es Sukhne in order to protect the British supply lines from Iraq. The job was done so well that 'Glubb Pasha' was soon able to signal to General Wavell "The Syrian Deserts are clear of enemy troops".