Sir Douglas Haig

Sir Douglas Haig was the commander of the British forces in World War I. He was a stubborn Scot, inflexible and intolerant, especially of the French. He was religious and attended a Church of Scotland service every week, no matter where he was stationed. He attended Clifton College as a youth. He realized the shortcomings in the method of attack the British had historically used, and believed that any successful attack had to be broader and stronger. This is what he and his staff spent six months planning in 1916. This attack was to take place at the Somme. It became known among the troops as the Great Fuck-up. It was the largest engagement in the history of the world and it was a disaster for the British. There was no element of surprise. The Germans were dug in and waiting for them. The event marked the...