Field-Marshal Haig was a lion, not a donkey | History Defended

Douglas Haig’s reputation is today remembered in the bloody fields of Passchendaele or with the terrible losses at the Somme. However, to some historians, the truth around Haig’s legacy is more complicated. They argue Haig’s lifelong duty to his country and his troops, and his role in the last one hundred days of the war, must not be forgotten. Steven Edginton sat down with the military historian Nick Lloyd to discuss the life and controversies of the Field-Marshall. Watch the full episode of History Defended above, or listen on your podcast app.
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[@internetenjoyer1044]

for people who want to know more, Gary Sheffield's lectures on youtube on excellent ways to learn about Haig's strengths and weaknesses as a commander

[@marinanguish9928]

His lectures are great

[@anthonyeaton5153]

The interviewer stated that 400,000 British soldiers died on the Somme. Wrong! C94,000 died. According to Gordon Corrigan c74 percent came out of the battle uninjured.

[@internetenjoyer1044]

Hig was a serious commander operating in unimaginable circumstances navigating an entirely new kind of warfare as it was being invented second by second before him, prior to the technology to cope with the military demands existing. And, in the end, he won.

[@CuckFinn]

He didn’t win tho.

[@anthonyeaton5153]

@@CuckFinnWho won the war? France and Britain and Haig was the CinC.

[@puffin51]

@@anthonyeaton5153 France and Britain won, but Haig didn't. He was never CinC, and was removed from direct control of battle in March 1918, after three years of attritional war studded with blunders, such as his failure to follow up on the one occasion when a breakthrough was possible, at Cambrai. The "Hundred Days" was planned and fought entirely by others, and it was that campaign that broke the German army, not, as Haig falsely claimed, the slaughters of 1916 and 1917. Haig was at best a determined plodder, and Third Ypres was a hideous demonstration of how disastrous that can be.

[@castlerock58]

The Somme took the pressure off the French at Verdun. Germany had to fight both battles plus the losses they took in the East. They put out peace feelers to Wilson but Wilson did not manage to set up a peace conference.

[@kiz4483]

The donkeys are the ones who looked at him as he was one

[@Baldwin-iv445]

Amen brother!

[@opticnerve8927]

Haig was like Churchill the man for the times he beat the Germans as did Churchill it's good that the British Empire had two proud Scots and English in charge at these dire times 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@Lesboi]

Lmao😂

[@RAHULRoy-ow4sv]

1st

[@Zealith]

There is no practical difference between Haig and Luigi Cadorna. We rightly condemn the fool that was the latter, it is right to do the same for the former.

[@t.wcharles2171]

There is a difference between Cadorna and Haig. Haig was adaptable, Cadorna was not.

[@slhansaka]

1st Comment

[@olearyma57]

WTF: Donkeys admiring a Donkey with an appropriate Edwardian deference ?. Or are they just having a good laugh at the gullible.

[@audiobooks3623]

Unconvincing..

[@stephentate6038]

A military clerk, collecting a handsome pension riding a fine new horse passing houses of men still buried in the mud of the Somme.

[@johnarmstrong3782]

An astonishing assessment of Haig who was truly a butcher. Class ridden and with no empathy for anyone other than those of his own class. A disgrace to our country and I reject any attempt to eulogise him. Damn Haig in whose hands the worst slaughter of British men has ever occurred to no effect whatsoever

[@michaelwright160]

to no effect whatever except that of decisive and complete victory over the strongest enemy they ever faced. When I read @johnarmstrong3782's comment I am afraid I was reminded of Aneurin Bevan's remark "That was not an argument. That was a spasm"

[@stephentate6038]

A lion??? Anything but.

[@nexterstopproductions637]

Boring!

[@jacobprice2579]

So don’t watch

[@vidloop6]

Haig should have faced war crimes.. It's absolutely amazing how British history can turn a total incompetent. Into some kind of HERO...... DISGUSTING

[@williamthebonquerer9181]

He literally won the war in 1918.

[@daniellewis3270]

Using nineteenth century tactics in a twentieth century war, totally incompetent. Saying that he’d do well in the current russian army.

[@guyharrison5773]

For what?

[@guyharrison5773]

​@@daniellewis3270 which "19th century tactics" did he use?