Egyptian battle orders demanded soldiers’ literal obedience and forbade independent thought

Evidence

Because of what we know of your courage and valor in the previous wars that you have witnessed in the Hijaz [he told them,] we have selected you from among other soldiers for the duty [of attacking the fortress] of Acre, which is now ready and exhausted. We remind and alert you that once you receive orders of attack hold your rifles tight in your hands and storm your targets like fire … Do not fear the enemy, because if they come with swords, then your bayonets will be longer; and if they come with muskets, then the continuous volleys that you have been trained to perform over the past eleven years will make every one of you count as ten of the enemy soldiers. You have to remember our order: first, storm quickly and forcibly and then strengthen your footholds; and, second, listen very carefully to the orders of your commanders and execute them without using your minds in understanding what they mean [wa lā ta‘malū shai’an min ‘aqlikum]. — Khaled Fahmy, All the Pasha_s Men_ Mehmed Ali, his…, 645