Views of Haig

8/3/2019 Views of Haig

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Lions Led by Donkeys

By Mr RJ Huggins2006

V


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Lesson Objectives

Examine the process by whichhistorians gather their evidence orfacts in order to make a judgement.

To assess John Laffins interpretationof General Haig in Source F, bycomparing it to Sources G & H.

Make a judgement on whether

Sources G & H prove Source F (Laffin)wrong.


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How do historians gather their evidencein order to make a judgement?

There are two ways ofwriting history. One is to

read and research,

gathering facts andeventually coming to aweighed conclusion basedon the burden of evidence.The other is to approach

the subject with an idea inmind, and then to look for

facts which prove the case.

Which one do you think is the best

method?


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e att e o t e omme,1916

In July 1916, the French

army was close tocollapse.

After the high casualty rateat the Battle of Verdunmany troops were refusingto fight.

If the Germans attackedagain then the FrenchArmy would be defeated

and the allies would losethe war.

General Haig was orderedto divert the Germansaway from Verdun bylaunching an attack on the

Why did Haig launch an attack on the Somme in

1916??


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Interpretation: Popular Image

Historians who criticize Haigs tactics

argue that he didnt care about sacrificingthe lives of his men. They argue that his tactics were poor and

that the Battle of the Somme was a wasteof lives.

The popular image is that the British army

only captured a few feet of soil and thatHaig continued his tactics even when itwas clear that they were not going to besuccessful.

However, these historians often do nottake into account the bigger picture or inthis case the Battle of Verdun, 1916.

By the end of the Battle of the Somme, theBritish Army had captured 70 square milesand the French had had just enough timeto reorganise their army.


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The Task / Question

Study Sources F, G & H. Do Sources G & H prove F wrongYou are going to look atthree historians views ofGeneral Haigs tactics atthe Battle of the Somme.

You are then going to lookat the origin, nature and

purpose of these sourcesto make a judgement on

Source F.


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Source F:

Haig was as stubborn as a

donkey and as unthinking as adonkey. The principle which

guided him was if he could killmore Germans than the

Germans could kill his ownmen, then he would at somepoint win the win. That is anappalling kind of strategy. Its

not a strategy at all, its

slaughter. The Somme wascriminal negligence. He knew

that he had no chance of abreakthrough, but he still sent

his men to their deaths.

From a recent book

called: Butchers andBunglers of WorldWar.

What is the authors view of Haigs tactics?

What does the

titleof the booksuggest about

the authorsaims?


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Origin, Nature & Purpose of SourceF

John Laffin

An Australiantour guide

Does not have a

history degree Butchers &Bunglers is

an eyegrabbing title

The book aims to exposethe guilt of the uncaring

and stupid generals

The authorsparents bothserved with

theAustralians inGallipoli and

France

Laffinpresents oneside only. He

does notdiscuss thesituation at

Vedun.


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Source G:

If the Battle of the Somme had no

great importance in the strategicsense, its consequences were great,

particularly regards morale. It gave theWestern Powers confidence. Their

armies had accomplished an

achievement that gave good promisefor the future. The confidence of theGerman troops in victory was no

longer as great as before. A great partof the best, most experienced and

most reliable officers and men wereno longer in their places. This was themore marked as the heavy losses hadmade it necessary to send to the front

a great number of young soldierswhose training was poor.

Taken from The

Official GermanHistory of the FWW

What is the aim

of an officialhistory?


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,G

The Official GermanHistory of the FWW

Written &

published inthe 1930s.

Based uponinterviews with

generals, soldiers andpoliticians.

Not written forcommercialreasons or

profit

Points outboth the good

and the badpoints of theBattle of the

Somme

Written to inform theGerman people. Does ithave a reason to lie or

exaggerate?

Understandsthe biggerpicture and

refersindirectly to

Verdun.


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Source H

Germanys spirit of resistance was

broken by the courage and resolution ofHaigs armies, which had completeconfidence in the leadership of their

Commander. They were inspired by hisdetermination, for he never wavered from

his purpose of breaking down the powersof resistance of the enemy, both morally

and physically. Had Haig not had themoral courage to shoulder the mainburden of the struggle in the Somme

battles of 1916, French resistance wouldhave crumbled. Haig was one of themain architects of the Allied victory.

What points does this historian make about Haigstactics?

Written by aBritish

General in1973. Hefought in

both worldwars.


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,H

British General

Written by a

British Generalin 1973

He had fought inboth world wars.

He had

witnessedHaigs tacticsat first hand.

As a militarycommander

he understoodthe problemsfacing Haig in

1916.

Takes into account whatwas happening at Verdun& points out that Haigs

tactics eventually won the

Was notwriting to

makemoney, just

wanted toset therecordstraight


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British General

Source F SourceG

Source H

Haig is a donkey

who slaughteredhis men

The Somme didnt

achieve very muchtactically, but itdamaged Germanmorale and helpedto boost the allies

morale hints theFrench - and winthe war.

The Somme wasan evil necessity.If Haig hadntattacked then theFrench wouldhave crumbled.

Haigs tacticswon the war.

ButcherBrilliant General


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Making a Judgement

DisproveProve

Do Sources G & H prove Fwrong?


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Mark Scheme

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Views of Haig