Q5: Do these sources agree or disagree in their verdicts on the result of Haig’s attack at Ypres in 1971? Explain your answer.
These sources both agree and disagree in their verdicts on the result of Haig’s attack at Ypres in 1971 however there are more differences than similarities. The sources are both written by Historians and at the same time so their verdicts are going to be based on many different views as highlighted by source I ‘The Myriad Faces of War’ therefor their verdicts have many similarities.
Sources I and J both contain several similarities they both largely emphasise the fact that the morale of the troops was low ‘severe fighting, was having a bad effect on morale of everyone concerned.’ This was due to the lack of success; between July and November only four miles were gained. Haig’s initial aim was to push ahead swiftly and get to the seaports in order to control the coast and stop attacks on merchant shipping however, this was not possible so Haig decided to continue to shake German morale however at the cost of loosing many of his own troops and smashing the British morale. ‘Increases among soldiers of drunkenness, desertion, and psychological disorders’ this shows that the men’s morale was so low they would rather desert and be shot than to carry on fighting. ‘French plight’ from source J is referring to the French mutinies that were happening, this is similar to source I because it further shows that morale was very low as further highlighted by ‘the British Army lost its spirit of optimism, and there was a sense of deadly depression among many officers and men.’ The morale was at such a low point because Haig was continuing to use the same attritional tactics, which resulted in ‘appalling casualties’. This is similar to source J in that Warner feels that Haig’s persistence was not justified, Haig was willing to sacrifice many men to eventually win the war.