Haig: Master of the Field

by John P. Davidson

Overview

A distinguished soldier who had served in South Africa, the Author was selected to be Haigs Director of Operations in 1915, a key position he held until the end of the War. This book concentrates on the dramatic events of 1917 and 1918 and covers Third Ypres, the German onslaught (Kaiserschlacht), and the victorious 100 Days. We learn of the parlous state of the French Army, their loss of morale and the widespread mutinies.Tavish Davidsons viewpoint on the conduct of operations was unique and we learn of the factors at play in Haigs HQ. The German U-Boat fleets ports became a high priority as losses of shipping mounted, threatening the whole war effort. We get the German perspective Passchendaele 1917 was even more costly for them than the Allies.Davidson comes down wholeheartedly on Haigs side but this should not be a surprise as Haig was revered by his officers and men. It only became fashionable to pillory him much later.This is an important addition to the bibliography of the Great War.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781473814783
Publisher:	Pen & Sword Military
Publication date:	01/31/2020
Sold by:	OPEN ROAD INTEGRATED - EBKS
Format:	eBook
Pages:	192
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

John P. Davidson is a writer from Austin who is publishing a major undercover story in the January issue of Harper'smagazine.

John P. Davidson is a writer from Austin who is publishing a major undercover story in the January issue of Harper’smagazine.

Table of Contents

Introduction by Marshall of the Royal Air Force the Viscount Trenchard, GCB, OM, GCVO, DSO vii

Foreword by the Author xiii

Postscript to the Foreword xxiii

Preface to the 2010 edition Douglas Montagu-Douglas-Scott xxv

Chapter

I Events Leading Up to the Crisis in 1917 1

II Conditions of the Allied Armies-French, Russian and Italian-in 1917 13

III Operations in Northern Flanders, Passchendaele, First Phase-31st July to 31st August 26

IV Operations in Northern Flanders, Passchendaele, Second Phase-1st Setember to 7th October 41

V Operations in Northern Flanders, Passchendaele, Third Phase-7th October to 13th November 57

VI Organization and Preparation to Meet German Offensive 1918 74

VII The German Offensives of 21st March and 9th April 1918 84

VIII British Offensive 8th August to Armistice 11th November 1918 97

IX Comments 109

X Review 124

Appendix 1 An Article from Blackwood's Magazine, January 1944, 'The Bent Sword' A.M.G 139

Appendix 2 The Preface to the Official History France and Belgium, Vol. II, 1917, By kind permission of its author, Brigadier-General Sir James Edmonds, CB, CMG, RE, Hon D. Litt (Oxon), and with the authority of the Controller H. M. Stationery Office 148

Map 1 Passchendaele 1917 160

Map 2 Kaiserschlact, 21st March, 1918 161

Map 3 Victory 1918 162