Douglas Haig in United Kingdom

History of the 1st Lord, formerly Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928)

The following commentary about 1st Lord, formerly Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928) in the Churchill Era is produced by the Churchill College (Cambridge): Controversial Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (part of the Army available for service in Europe) 1915-1918.

Haig saw the Western Front as the only front that mattered, but he has been blamed for the heavy British casualties on the Somme (1916) and at Passchendaele (1917). Although presented to the public as a hero figure, Haig had serious disagreements with Lloyd George’sWar Cabinet (the group responsible for overall strategy and policy in time of war) and blamed them for the weak state of the British army at the time of the German spring offensive in March 1918.

Haig joined the 7th Hussars in 1885, serving in the Soudan, 1898 and in the Boer War. Between 1901 and 1903 he commanded the 17th Lancers, moving on to be Inspector-General of Cavalry in India, 1903-1906. Between 1906 and 1907, he served as Director of Military Training, then Director of Staff Duties at Army Headquarters, 1907-1909, Chief of Staff, India, 1909-1912 and General Officer Commanding, Aldershot, 1912-1914 (being made first General and then Field-Marshal in 1914, for distinguished service). In the First World War, he commanded the First Army, 1914-1915, stepping up to Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Forces in France and Flanders, 1915-1919. After the war Haig stayed on briefly as Field-Marshal Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in Britain, 1919-1920, before retiring to devote his time to the work of the British Legion.