On 30th June, 1916, the day before the attack began. Haig writes “the men are in splendid sprits” the men he means here are the commanders and not the soldiers. I know this as he would not have seen the frontline soldiers because his headquarters were 40 miles behind the frontline, “Montreuil.” He also writes “the barbed wire has never been so well cut nor the artillery preparation so thorough” we know this is not true because the men were fighting in the war therefore the women were called in to make the shells. Some shells were the wrong type others just did not explode. Haig would not have been told the truth because he was so far behind the frontline.
On the 1st July 1916, Haig writes “very successful attack this morning” and “the Germans are surrendering freely.” We know this is false because the Charters, Haig’s communications officer misleads him because he is scared of him. Many historians ask whether a skilled commander would go into a battle for one hundred and forty two days and gain nothing in reward? We know that he was not fighting for nothing but was fighting for the French in bid to keep their support during the war. Historian, Wilson says that Haig interferes too much we know this is true because Haig made the Rawlinson’s plan twice as big therefore quartering the effect.
F is from “Great Battles of World War 1” which is specifically about World War One therefore would go into detail, it is written by Anthony Livesey who could be an expert in WW1. The book was published in 1989 as a result there could have been a lot of time to re-search and write an accurate book. F is mainly against Haig. Livesey puts “often misplaced optimism” this suggests that Haig always thought that Britain were on top in the war. He also writes “inability to recognise defeat” many historians say this and that Haig kept continuing attacks.
G is from the Memoirs of Lloyd George who did not get on with Haig because Lloyd George put Haig under the command of Nivelle. This was published after the war. The memoirs are against Haig. Lloyd George writes “they as leaders should admit – even to themselves – that they were blunderers…” this suggests that Haig made mistakes in the war however he cannot admit to these. This source however is bias as the two men did not get on with each other.
H is from official biography of Haig therefore is specifically about him however it was asked to be written by his family therefore no negative images would be portrayed. This source writes “to have refused to fight then and there would have meant the abandonment of Verdun to its fate and the breakdown of co-operation with the French” we know this is true as this is the reason Haig fought the Battle of the Somme. J was first published in Amsterdam from a German newspaper saying Haig is “one of the ablest generals,” “he is a serious and persistent worker” and “energy and eagerness to attack” this suggests that the Germans thought that Haig was a good soldier however they write “not proved equal to the German art of defence” suggesting that he isn’t a match for the Germans which is German propaganda in itself. When published in England this is used as propaganda saying that Britain has a good General and he is being respected in Europe.
K is written by S.Warbutron who has no apparent to be bias, it comes from “GCSE Modern History review” which would have a purpose to educate therefore excluding all bias. K says “Haig was the product of his time, of his upbringing, education, training and previous military experience.” We know that this is true as Haig had a privilege upbringing with traditional military training.
In the sources there is not enough evidence to say Haig was a highly efficient soldier as most of the sources criticise him. However we know that from our own knowledge as the war went on Haig became a better soldier and learnt from his mistakes. This is backed up by the new plan at the Battle of Amion which had small co-ordinated steps and was an allied attack on German troops. He also used planes and tanks later in the war example Battle of Amion to bring the war to an end.
