In Haig’s defence, it was not Haig’s fault that over 30% of artillery shells were unreliable at the time of the WW1. During the war the Germans and the British were counting on the new technology of the artillery, throughout the 4 years at war over 50% of deaths were caused by artillery and only 30% of deaths were caused by bullets. Because of the unreliable British artillery shells, the Germans had an advantage and Haig had to make drastic decisions to beat the Germans, putting a lot of pressure on Haig, with many lives at risk in his responsibility.
It is Unfair to call Haig a Butcher. For a start the in a ability to deliver 150 tanks to the Somme thwarted the British Plans. They wouldn't have the cover they so very needed. Instead they relied on shear body power to infiltrate the trenches. This is evident as the tanks were a turning point and the British won. It wasn't his fault.
Field Marshal Haig was pressured then forced to fight at the Somme by the British government meaning he didn’t have a choice but to try to apply tactics he knows to have succeeded in the past.
In defence of Haig, he asked for 40 divisions to assist him while carrying out an attack but he only received 4 from the French which put him at a great loss.
It can be unfair to call Haig the butcher of the Somme for many reasons. One reason could be that the British didn't have the technology to destroy the German Barbed wire. They didn't have bombs that would detonate on impact with the ground or object. Thus the British thinking they had achieved this and pressing only to be caught in the wire and be shot down by German artillery and gunfire.
Haig was told the attack would begin in September but the date was brought forward to July. This sever loss of planning was not his fault; meaning it could be said he is not responsible for the losses since others in his position also would have lacked time.
Haig was let down on the day of the battle, he was promised additional troops from the french amassing 800,000 infantrymen. Not only that but he did not always have communication to give an order because the com lines were being destroyed by artillery. Since he could not adapt to a new development in the battle instantly and was cut back a month in planning for the battle, it would be unfair to call Haig a butcher
It is unfair to call Haig the butcher of the Somme as he was expecting more divisions than what he received so that already put him on a loss. He also wanted more tanks which was a good idea but he was not given them so he only had 49 and they were late on arrival. Also it was not Haig's idea to even begin the war it was the Frenchs, so if it weren't for them the war wouldn't have even existed
Haig doesn't deserve to be called the butcher of the Somme. He can't have been blamed because his communications with command was dependant on carrier pigeons. Which means he had to make most of the decisions himself. The general was cut off from command and made the choices based on holding the line and advancing, no matter the casualties.
Despite what historians accuse Haig of doing or being, absolutely no one can disagree that he, despite all the hardships and the failures, eventually led the British army to one of, if not, the greatest victory in the most gruelling war in its history. Not until recently, historians now tend to blame the horrific casualties more on the nature of trench warfare and by the British Army’s inherent shortcomings rather than the mistakes of a commander, which is Haig in this case.
Haig did not deserve to be named 'the butcher of the somme' because the situation was completely out off his control. The French were in control of the British troops in this battle and Haig had barely any influence on what his troops did. Therefore I do not think Haig deserves the title 'butcher of the Somme'.
450,000 British lost there lives for the 4 month battle of the Somme.
ReplyDeleteNot enough links to the question here Sam. This doesn't explain to me why he wasn't a butcher
DeleteIn Haig’s defence, it was not Haig’s fault that over 30% of artillery shells were unreliable at the time of the WW1. During the war the Germans and the British were counting on the new technology of the artillery, throughout the 4 years at war over 50% of deaths were caused by artillery and only 30% of deaths were caused by bullets. Because of the unreliable British artillery shells, the Germans had an advantage and Haig had to make drastic decisions to beat the Germans, putting a lot of pressure on Haig, with many lives at risk in his responsibility.
ReplyDeleteHaig didnt do anything wrong because it was the frenches fault because it was under there comm\nc
ReplyDeleteIt is Unfair to call Haig a Butcher. For a start the in a ability to deliver 150 tanks to the Somme thwarted the British Plans. They wouldn't have the cover they so very needed. Instead they relied on shear body power to infiltrate the trenches. This is evident as the tanks were a turning point and the British won. It wasn't his fault.
ReplyDeleteField Marshal Haig was pressured then forced to fight at the Somme by the British government meaning he didn’t have a choice but to try to apply tactics he knows to have succeeded in the past.
ReplyDeleteIn defence of Haig, he asked for 40 divisions to assist him while carrying out an attack but he only received 4 from the French which put him at a great loss.
ReplyDeleteIt can be unfair to call Haig the butcher of the Somme for many reasons. One reason could be that the British didn't have the technology to destroy the German Barbed wire. They didn't have bombs that would detonate on impact with the ground or object. Thus the British thinking they had achieved this and pressing only to be caught in the wire and be shot down by German artillery and gunfire.
ReplyDeleteHaig was told the attack would begin in September but the date was brought forward to July. This sever loss of planning was not his fault; meaning it could be said he is not responsible for the losses since others in his position also would have lacked time.
ReplyDeleteHaig was let down on the day of the battle, he was promised additional troops from the french amassing 800,000 infantrymen. Not only that but he did not always have communication to give an order because the com lines were being destroyed by artillery. Since he could not adapt to a new development in the battle instantly and was cut back a month in planning for the battle, it would be unfair to call Haig a butcher
ReplyDeleteIt is unfair to call Haig the butcher of the Somme as he was expecting more divisions than what he received so that already put him on a loss. He also wanted more tanks which was a good idea but he was not given them so he only had 49 and they were late on arrival. Also it was not Haig's idea to even begin the war it was the Frenchs, so if it weren't for them the war wouldn't have even existed
ReplyDeleteHaig doesn't deserve to be called the butcher of the Somme. He can't have been blamed because his communications with command was dependant on carrier pigeons. Which means he had to make most of the decisions himself. The general was cut off from command and made the choices based on holding the line and advancing, no matter the casualties.
ReplyDeleteHaig doesn't deserve the title as he was put under pressure from his superiors to make the decisions he did so it wasn't all his fault.
ReplyDeleteHaig was under the command of a French genneral
ReplyDeletepoor effort compared to others Keiron - not a full assessment of the point
DeleteDespite what historians accuse Haig of doing or being, absolutely no one can disagree that he, despite all the hardships and the failures, eventually led the British army to one of, if not, the greatest victory in the most gruelling war in its history. Not until recently, historians now tend to blame the horrific casualties more on the nature of trench warfare and by the British Army’s inherent shortcomings rather than the mistakes of a commander, which is Haig in this case.
ReplyDeleteHaig did not deserve to be named 'the butcher of the somme' because the situation was completely out off his control. The French were in control of the British troops in this battle and Haig had barely any influence on what his troops did. Therefore I do not think Haig deserves the title 'butcher of the Somme'.
ReplyDelete