Douglas Haig and the First World War

A major biography of one of the most controversial commanders in British military history.

J. P. Harris (Author)

9780521158770, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 15 October 2009

666 pages, 19 b/w illus. 24 maps
22.1 x 15.5 x 3 cm, 1.03 kg

'… a formidable achievement … Not the least of Harris's strengths is his impressive grasp of the literature, and his synthesis of recent research (of which there is a great deal, such is the dynamic nature of the subject) is extremely valuable. Not surprisingly it has been acclaimed by a battery of historians, and has been awarded, at the time of writing, two major prizes.' Gary Sheffield, English Historical Review

From December 1915 until the armistice of November 1918, Sir Douglas Haig was commander-in-chief of the largest army his country had ever put into the field. He has been portrayed as both an incompetent 'butcher and bungler' and a clear-sighted, imperturbable 'architect of victory'. However, in this magisterial account, J. P. Harris dispels such stereotypes. A dedicated military professional, Haig nevertheless found it difficult to adjust to the unprecedented conditions of the Western Front. His capacity to 'read' battles and broader strategic situations often proved poor and he bears much responsibility for British losses 1915–17 that were excessive in relation to the results achieved. By late 1917 his own faith in ultimate victory had become so badly shaken that he advocated a compromise peace. However, after surviving the German spring offensives of 1918, he played a vital role in the campaign that finally broke the German army.

Introduction
1. Boyhood and early career
2. South Africa to the Curragh crisis
3. Anxiously to war
4. From the Marne to the Salient
5. Army commander
6. Aubers Ridge to Givenchy
7. The Battle of Loos
8. Commander-in-Chief
9. The Battle of the Somme (1)
10. The Battle of the Somme (2)
11. Lloyd George and Nivelle
12. The Battle of Arras and the Nivelle Offensive
13. Flanders Fields
14. The third Battle of Ypres
15. The Battle of Cambrai
16. The last war winter
17. The German March offensives
18. The turn of the tide
19. The final campaign
20. The post-war years
Conclusion.

Subject Areas: First World War [HBWN], Military history [HBW], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW]