Haig: Key facts Flashcards
When was he appointed leader?
December 10th 1915
What was Haig appointed Leader of?
The British Expeditionary Force
What rank did Haig hold in the army?
Cavalry officer
What do historians say is the reason the same tactics were being used in the SOMME and Passchendaele?
(Despite new technology)
Stuberness and previous experience
What does Dr Garry Sheffield think?
He wasn’t an idiot and think others assessment was unfair and untrue
What form of weapon did he use?
Horses
Why did he only use horses?
Because….
Tanks were slow and unreliable
Horses were the only way to ensure the mobility of troops
Why did he continue to send men to their deaths?
Because….
He was grinding down the enemy
No viable alternatives
Wanted to help France get Germany off their land
What percentage of those killed on the first day off the SOMME were Officers?
60% (60,000)
“Lions led by donkeys” - accurate???
No haig wasn’t a donkey and those that were were weeded out
What were Haigs thoughts on:
Aeroplanes?
Tanks?
“Only accessories to men and horses” - Haig
Was Haig a technophobe?
No, if anything he relied on it a lot
How many soldiers die at Pesschendaele?
310,000
Had he learnt anything from the SOMME?
Yes - development of artillery tactics
No - led battle for too long expecting a breakthrough
Could he have led it better?
Possibly but there weren’t many alternatives
