General+Haig


 * General Haig by Matt**

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__ **Early Years** __ · Douglas Haig was born on June 19 in Edinburgh, Scotland. · Haig may be the most controversial of war generals. · He first studied at Brasenose College, Oxford. · Then Haig attended Royal Military Academy (Sandhurst) which he passed in under 1 year. · He started as a Cavalry Officer. · Haig took part in Second Boer War (1899-1902) and Omdurman campaign (1897-1898). · In 1906 he was the Director of Military Training entrusted with construction of BEF (British Expeditionary Force) for coming war with Germany.

__ **World War I** __ · In August 1914 Haig commanded 1st Army Corps within BEF as Lieutenant General. · Haig commanded (with Smith Dorrien) at Mons and at First Battle of Ypres. · He was made the Commander of the British Home Forces in 1915. · The Battle of Somme (1916) is most associated with Haig. · He was forced to attack early due to heavy casualties experienced by French due to German bombers. · The first day of the Battle of Somme is the highest British casualty count in history (60,000). · David Lloyd George, wartime Prime Minister, was a critic of Haig. · George believed that Haig was reckless and thought he wasted soldiers in battles. · Haig was a highly decorated soldier.

__ **Post-War** __ · After armistice (1919), Haig served as Commander in Chief of British Home Forces until 1921, when he retired. · Haig was awarded a grant of £100,000 from government. · Made an earl in 1919 then Baron Haig of Bemersyde in 1921. · Haig is a dedicated reminder of his service in Royal British Legion (helped establish) and his care for his troops. · Douglas Haig died on January 28, 1928. He was 66 years old

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__ **Quotes** __ · //“Bullets have little stopping-power against the horse.”// Ø Haig was more of a Semi- automatic, cavalry kind of soldier.

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· //“The machine gun is a much over rated weapon.”// Ø Haig made similar remarks about tanks.

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__ **Miscellaneous** __ · Haig unveiled the National War Memorial in St. John's, Newfoundland. · Haig loved golf; he was the captain of the Royal and Ancient golf club. · Founder of the Haig fund which made sure that ex-soldiers were properly housed and financially secure. · He was also Lord Rector and, eventually, Lord Chancellor of the University of St Andrews.