Page 48 - They Also Served

Haig weathered the March 1918 German offensive, where mass German attacks swept the British defences aside. Prime Minister Lloyd George was on the verge of sacking Haig, rather unkindly referring to Plumer, the only obvious replacement, as ‘just as stupid’. However, by the middle of July, the offensive ran out of steam. Whatever critics may say of Haig, he recognised this as a critical moment and launched a series of counter-attacks which pushed the exhausted Germans back. With American troops arriving in great numbers, the withdrawal became a rout, and the Battle of Amiens was a masterpiece of mobile warfare. What became known as the Hundred Days Offensive was described by Historian Gary Sheffield as ‘by far the greatest military victory in British history’.
Post-war, Haig retired in January 1920 and campaigned ceaselessly for better welfare provision for ex-servicemen. He was a driving force behind the foundation of the British Legion and, indeed, the black centres of the poppy, which now display ‘Poppy Appeal’, had read ‘Haig Fund’ until 1994. He also started Haig Homes, a charity which is still thriving, providing social housing for veterans. Earl Haig died in 1926, his reputation shining in the immediate war years with his funeral designated a national day of mourning. However, by the 1960s, The Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele had become synonymous with pointless sacrifice, and he was lampooned in productions such as Oh! What A Lovely War. However, modern historians cite that there was no obvious replacement and that he trod a careful path between politicians and the French. Mass casualties were also features of every other army’s tactics during the Great War. Finally, when the moment was right, Haig adapted his tactics to utilise tanks and aircraft in what we now call combined arms warfare.
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