Haig As a Leader

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Haig As a Leader I think Haig was a bad leader who made many critical mistakes

during the battle of Passchendaele. From looking at the sources I can

see many bad views of Haig as a war leader, although some good views

can also be detected. In source A it is evident that Haig always

ensured that his army was well equipped by asking the War Cabinet for

more ammunition. I also know that Haig was one of the first generals

to pay attention to aerial intelligence, this was very good for

Britain as it put them at an advantage over many countries. Also from

my studies I have found out that Haig had always managed to hold enemy

advances back. It is also know that Haig had good leadership qualities

being strong willed and often ruthless. Haig was also committed when

attacking by always going out in all out attack. The reputation of

Haig and the fact that his chain of command was very much under his

control was also a factor that can be said to make Haig a good war

leader. All these reasons and the fact that Haig was also very

religious to some made Haig a good war leader. This is because he was

willing to sacrifice the lives of his men and himself for the cause in

which he believed in. however there are many factors that may make

Haig a bad war leader. For example source b, an extract from an

account of the battle of Passchendaele published in 1931 and written

by General Gough. This is a primary source as general Gough was a

British general during the battle. The source tells of how Haig

ignored the advice from others, including knowledgeable commanders.
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...ater goes on to say about Haig and the Battle of

Passchendaele. "A weaker man might have given in but then the outcome

would have been unimaginable". This shows that not everyone agrees

with Lloyd George's view that Passchendaele was a senseless campaign.

Dr Gerard De Groot also says, "Some have suggested that is another man

had been in charge they could have saved thousands of lives. I simply

don't think this would have been the case". Many other historians have

also echoed this feeling about Haig and Passchendaele and its worth as

a whole.

Overall most of the sources agree with Lloyd George that Passchendaele

was a senseless campaign. The fact that one of these sources was also

from generals also involved in the war also supports Lloyd George and

his view that the Battle of Passchendaele was 'A senseless campaign'.

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