Douglas Haig: Controversial Commander and Champion of Veterans
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Hidden away on a second floor gallery of the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Edinburgh’s Queens Street, is a portrait, painted in 1922, of Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig. This painting is a study for a large group portrait by the American artist John Singer Sargent called 'Generals of the Great War'. The artwork captures Haig in his military uniform, reflecting both his stature and the gravity of his leadership in the conflict. Haig was described as tall and ramrod straight, maintaining a stiff, upright posture throughout his life. This physical discipline was a hallmark of his identity as a cavalry officer. He possessed a fine, strikingly handsome appearance, punctuated by a neatly groomed, thick moustache that was characteristic of the British military elite of his era. He was known for being immaculately turned out in his uniform, reflecting a rigid adherence to
military standards and professional diligence. Haig was famously silent, humourless, and reserved and he cultivated a mask of command — a self-controlled, calm exterior designed to project stability during the immense crises of the Western Front. While he was a man of few words and often a poor conversationalist, he was also described as shrewd, ambitious, and possessed of great self-confidence. He had a dour and undemonstrative nature often attributed to his Lowland Scottish roots and his contemporaries described him as resolute, patient, and somewhat cold, suggesting he was unlikely to be shaken by either disaster or success. This stoicism earned him the nickname ‘The Chief’ among his troops, whom he respected, though he rarely inspired the personal magnetism or love associated with more charismatic leaders. Haig held a deep, almost religious belief that he was ‘chosen by God’ to lead his country to victory, which contributed to his unshakeable optimism even in the face of staggering casualties.
Born in Edinburgh in 1861 Haig’s early military career began after his education at Clifton College and Brasenose College, Oxford, where he developed a keen interest in cavalry tactics. In 1884, he was commissioned into the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars, embarking on a professional path that would see him serve in a range of imperial campaigns. He quickly distinguished himself during the Sudan campaign of 1898, notably at the Battle of Omdurman, and later in the Second Boer War in South Africa, where his organisational
skills and ability to manage logistics were recognised. These formative experiences shaped Haig’s approach to leadership and modern warfare, and by the outbreak of the First World War, he had risen steadily through the ranks, earning appointments that set the stage for his command on the Western Front. Haig was appointed Commander-in-chief of the BEF by Asquith on 10 December 1915 and formally took command and served as the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front from 19 December1915, when he replaced Field Marshal Sir John French, who was sacked by the government on 4 December, until the end of the war in 1918. It should be remembered that Haig had political masters who appointed him and could have removed him. They didn’t. As a constitutional democracy it is the War Cabinet and the Prime Minister who have the ultimate authority of the direction of any conflict and who commands. Haig was not the commander of the British army, even in an operational sense, he was the commander of British forces in France and Flanders and only for so long as the Prime Minister, as the ultimate political authority, chose to retain him. He was appointed a Field Marshal by King George V on 1 January 1917 sending a note to Haig ‘New Year's gift from myself and the country’. This promotion came after the conclusion of the Battle of the Somme.
Haig played a pivotal role in the First Battle of Ypres in the autumn of 1914. His command of the battles of the Somme and Passchendaele in particular have been heavily scrutinised, as many believe his strategies were inflexible and led to staggering casualty rates. Detractors often refer to him as 'The Butcher of the Somme,' suggesting that he failed to adequately adapt to the realities of trench warfare and modern technology. Haig was not a technophobe he encouraged the development of and use of the tank, aircraft, and gave the experts in artillery accuracy full encouragement. He saw the need for an effective military police force and for the construction of logistical support and supported the reorganisation of the railways in France by the British businessman Sir Eric Geddes without which the successes of 1917/18 would never have taken place. Haig’s armies were also greatly assisted by the development of the model 106 artillery fuse and in the words of Haig ‘Enabled wire entanglements to be easily and quickly destroyed and so modified our method of attacking organised positions. By bursting the shell the instant it touched the ground and before it had become buried, the destructive power of the explosion was greatly increased.’ Some historians contend that Haig was operating under immense pressure and that the challenges he faced were unprecedented. The debate over his legacy continues, with some viewing him as a symbol of outdated military thinking, while others argue he played a crucial role in the eventual Allied victory.
After the war, Haig devoted himself to supporting ex-servicemen, notably helping to establish the Royal British Legion. He was created Earl Haig in 1919 and received a significant number of honours from towns and cities across Britain and he remains a significant, if controversial, figure in British military history. Historians, such as those listed in the further reading section, offer a range of perspectives—some critical, others sympathetic—highlighting that Haig’s legacy cannot be reduced to simple condemnation or praise. Ultimately, whether he deserves the bad image depends on which aspects of his command and the broader historical context are emphasised.
Douglas Haig and the First Battle of Ypres
During the First Battle of Ypres in autumn 1914, Douglas Haig commanded the British I Corps and played a pivotal role in defending the Allied lines against repeated German assaults. His leadership was marked by determination and resilience, as he coordinated the defence of critical positions under intense pressure and difficult conditions. Haig’s I Corps helped to hold the line, contributing significantly to the eventual Allied success in preventing a German breakthrough into the Channel ports. The battle was characterised by heavy casualties and the onset of trench warfare, but Haig’s direction ensured that British forces maintained their ground despite being outnumbered. The ferocity of the fighting and the high casualties foreshadowed the type of warfare that would dominate the Western Front in the years to come. Haig’s experience at Ypres shaped his understanding of both the difficulties and necessities of large-scale, attritional battles, influencing his command in later major engagements.
Second Battle of Ypres
During the Second Battle of Ypres in April–May 1915, I Corps, commanded by Lieutenant-General Douglas Haig, played a crucial part in supporting the British line after the initial German chlorine gas attack. As the situation rapidly deteriorated, Haig’s I Corps was called forward to reinforce the embattled Canadian and French positions, helping to stabilise the front and prevent a complete breakthrough. Haig’s leadership was instrumental in organising counterattacks and defensive measures, though the Corps faced intense shelling and the unprecedented horrors of chemical warfare. Despite heavy casualties and challenging conditions, I Corps contributed significantly to maintaining Allied control of Ypres, albeit at a great cost.
Third Battle of Ypres
The Third Battle of Ypres was one of the most futile campaigns ever waged by the British army. Haig’s involvement in the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as Passchendaele, in 1917 was a defining moment of his military career. As Commander-in-Chief, he orchestrated the offensive, aiming to break through German lines and capture strategic ridges surrounding Ypres. The battle became infamous for relentless rain, deep mud, and staggering casualties, with British and Allied forces enduring harsh conditions for months. Haig’s determination to continue the attack, despite mounting losses and difficult terrain, has fuelled ongoing debate about his leadership and decision-making at Passchendaele. While some view the campaign as an example of costly attrition, others argue it reflected the immense challenges faced by commanders during the Great War. Haig made several errors during this campaign, including a long delay between offensives and choosing Gough to command the Fifth Army instead of Plumer. While previous successes had relied on bite-and-hold tactics and innovations like the creeping barrage and tanks, these advantages depended on dry weather, and Flanders’ wet conditions undermined operations. Despite limited gains and heavy rain from 31 July onward, Gough persisted with repeated attacks and blamed the troops for failures until Haig replaced him with Plumer. Plumer then led more effective battles at Menin Road, Polygon Wood, and Broodseinde. However, the War Cabinet and Prime Minister Lloyd George failed to halt what became a futile campaign; ultimate responsibility lies with them for allowing it to continue despite clear signs of failure.
Haig and the Battle of the Lys, Spring 1918
The Battle of the Lys, fought in April 1918, formed a critical part of the German Spring Offensive. The British faced immense pressure as German forces sought to break through the Allied lines in Flanders. Haig's leadership was pivotal in organising defensive measures, directing reserves to threatened sectors, and maintaining morale during a period of considerable uncertainty. Despite initial German successes, Haig's resolve and the resilience of British and Commonwealth troops helped to stabilise the front. His now-famous order, ‘With our backs to the wall and believing in the justice of our cause, each one of us must fight on to the end,’ issued on 11 April 1918, encapsulated the determination of the Allied defence. The eventual halting of the German advance at the Lys contributed to the failure of the Spring Offensive and set the stage for the Allied counterattacks later that year.
Hundred Days Offensive
Haig played a pivotal role during the Hundred Days Offensive, the final series of Allied attacks which led to the end of the First World War. Beginning in August 1918, Haig commanded British and Commonwealth forces in a relentless advance against the German lines, employing innovative tactics and close coordination with French and American armies. The offensive saw significant gains, with the Allies recapturing large swathes of territory and forcing the German Army into retreat. Haig’s leadership during this period was marked by adaptability and an increased emphasis on combined arms warfare, including the use of tanks, aircraft, and artillery to break through entrenched positions. The Hundred Days Offensive is widely credited with hastening the end of the war, culminating in the signing of the Armistice on 11 November 1918. While Haig’s earlier wartime decisions remain the subject of debate, his role in orchestrating the successful final Allied push has been recognised as a significant achievement in military history.
British Legion
Following the end of the First World War in 1918, Haig was elevated to the peerage, becoming Earl Haig in 1919. During the ensuing decade until his death in 1928, he dedicated himself to public service, most notably advocating for the welfare of former soldiers. Haig was instrumental in founding the Royal British Legion in 1921, which provided vital support and representation for veterans returning to civilian life. Throughout the 1920s, Haig worked tirelessly to raise awareness and funds for ex-servicemen, travelling across Britain to promote the Legion's causes. Alongside the more
formal British Legion, there were numerous grassroots efforts by veterans themselves to secure better treatment. Local ex-servicemen’s associations sprang up across the country, organising marches, demonstrations, and petitions to Parliament. Working-class veterans of the First World War were particularly active in seeking redress for the challenges they faced upon returning home. Many found themselves economically disadvantaged, struggling to reintegrate into civilian life amid high unemployment and limited governmental assistance. These veterans often formed or joined local associations and informal committees, which became vocal advocates for improved pensions, job opportunities, and medical support. Unlike some more established organisations, these grassroots groups were frequently driven by direct experience of hardship and a strong sense of collective injustice. They organised marches, rallies, and petitions, sometimes employing more confrontational tactics such as sit-ins or public demonstrations to draw attention to their plight. Their persistent campaigning kept the concerns of working-class ex-servicemen in the public eye and contributed to gradual reforms in welfare policy and veterans’ benefits. These efforts highlighted the importance of solidarity and community action in shaping post-war society and underscored the ongoing struggle for recognition and fair treatment in Britain.
Honours
While Douglas Haig was widely recognised for his contributions after the First World War, numerous towns and cities across Britain awarded him the freedom of their boroughs in appreciation of his service. He received such acknowledgements in multiple locations, reflecting his prominence and the esteem in which he was held during the post-war years. When Douglas Haig received the Freedom of the City from various municipalities, he was typically presented with the Scroll of Freedom housed inside a bespoke, high-value casket made of gold or silver. Many of these caskets can be viewed in the Museum of Edinburgh located on the Royal Mile.
London (1919): Haig received a gold casket containing the freedom scroll. Historically, the City of London commissioned these unique vessels to reflect the recipient's life; Haig's would typically feature military motifs, the city's coat of arms, and scenes of his victories
Edinburgh (1919): As an Edinburgh native, he was presented with an ornate casket (often silver for Scottish burghs) during a ceremony at the Usher Hall.
Ornate casket presented to Haig by the Corporation of Edinburgh on display in the Museum of Edinburgh. Authors image Leeds (1920): Pathe newsreels capture Haig in full military attire receiving a decorative box or casket during the civic ceremony on British Pathe.
Stirling (1922): He was presented with a silver casket, a traditional gift for freemen of the Royal Burgh.
Other Notable Gifts & Honours
Beyond civic caskets, Haig received several significant national gifts:
Bemersyde House: Perhaps the most famous gift, this ancestral home in the Scottish Borders was purchased for him by a national subscription fund in 1921 as a gift from the nation.
Parliamentary Grant: In 1919, Parliament voted him a grant of £100,000 (equivalent to several million pounds today) to support his new status as an Earl.
Equestrian Statue: An equestrian statue of Haig, commissioned by Indian philanthropist Sir Dhunjibhoy Bomanji, was gifted and placed at Edinburgh Castle in 1923.
Haig remained a prominent figure in national life, attending remembrance events and maintaining links with military organisations. Despite ongoing debates about his wartime leadership, Haig’s post-war legacy is characterised by his commitment to those affected by the conflict. He died on 29 January 1928 and was buried at Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish borders, his simple grave is next to the tomb of Sir Walter Scott, leaving behind a lasting impact through his charitable efforts and dedication to veterans' welfare.
Further Reading
Douglas Haig: The Educated Soldier by John Terraine
Haig: Master of the Field by Tim Travers
Douglas Haig: War Diaries and Letters 1914-1918 edited by Gary Sheffield and John Bourne
Haig: A Reappraisal 70 Years On by Brian Bond and Nigel Cave
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig by Philip Warner
The Chief: Douglas Haig and the British Army by Gary Sheffield
The Forgotten Victory: The First World War Myths and Realities - Chapter 6 - Gary Sheffield
Passchendaele The Untold Story – Robin Prior and Trevor Wilson
These books provide a range of perspectives on Haig’s military leadership and post-war legacy, reflecting the ongoing debate about his place in British history.
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