Haig Pretty Good Analysis

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Do you agree with the view that, as far as strategy and tactics were concerned, Haig and his generals were ‘pretty good’? Use sources 6 and 7 and your own knowledge. Sir Douglas Haig was regarded as one of the most significant generals during the First World War. He faced a number of problems that were difficult to overcome, but his strategies and tactics helped him to get through them, and soon enough he created the most sophisticated and massive artillery corps that was to crack the German lines. Despite Haig’s successes, he had a fair bit of opposition against him. Source 6 is a firsthand diary extract from Corporal W H Shaw, who is recalling his experiences at the Battle of the Somme. This source is strongly against Haig and his use…show more content…
This Source is taken from a textbook about the First World War. Straight away, we are told that Haig and his generals were ‘pretty good’, although they weren’t the greatest team that has come out of the British Army, they still had a number of positives. We are told that Haig used the resources that he was given the best ways he possibly good, a strong sign that he is a good general. Also, the British Army never mutinied, unlike the French, Russian and German armies, therefore highlighting the trust that Haig had created between him and his soldiers. Therefore, the strategy of which him and his soldiers having a common trust did help them to win the war. Furthermore, this source has hindsight, something which the previous source greatly lacked in, and it is also well researched. However, because this is a textbook, it may be slightly exaggerated, and could be missing out on some of Haig’s failures in his strategies and tactics. Along with Haig’s tactics, there were also a number of weaknesses that came with them. For example, the artillery had to be silenced. Without the silencing, the enemy could simply listen out for the artillery and then hide deep in the trenches, one of the main reasons why the initial artillery bombardment attempts were failed. Although Lawrence Bragg didn’t come up with a solution for Haig to use until 1917, the silent artillery bombardments were deadly against the
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