Douglas Haig
Douglas Haig, (1861-1928). British field marshal. The son of a -landed Scottish family, Haig trained at Sandhurst and served in the Sudan, South Africa, and India. During World War 1 he commanded a corps in France before being made commander-in-chief of British forces in December 1915. The following year he directed a slow war of attrition along the Somme, resulting in appalling losses; similar tactics were used at Passchendaele in 1917. Despite criticism from Lloyd George and others, he kept his position, mainly because of his connections with the Royal Family. Under the supreme command of General Foch, Haig led the final victorious attack on German positions in 1918. After the war, he helped to found the British Legion, which cares for ex-servicemen and their families. His reputation was damaged by papers published after his death, which revealed him as an ambitious intriguer.
“Every position must be held to the last man: there must be no retirement. With our backs to the wall, and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end. Field Marshal Haig, order to British troops 12 April 1918”
