Glubb Pasha

[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".

[Ingsoc]

His name was actually John Bagot Glubb, he receive the command of the Transjordan legion in 1939, in addition to the operation in Syrian, he and his men also took part in putting down the revolt of Ali Rashid in Iraq, he was also the commander of the tranjordan legion during Israel war of independence, he manage to capture the west bank and thus the transjordan legion was the only arabian army that manage to have a significant achievment against Israel.

As part of the anti-colonial feeling, Glubb was relieve of his command the Jordanian king in 1956, he return to Britain and spend the rest of his life writing books which express his pro-arabian views, he was also knighted by queen Elisabeth II.

He died in 1986.

[sniper1shot]

Interesting for sure. Did not know this little story.

[Klaus]

Me neither. I knew of Lawrence, but this guy is new to me. Reading it reminds me a lot of Lawrence.