Was General Haig Successful in Terms of Strategy and Tactics?

Generally, the debate as to whether Haig was successful in terms of strategy and tactics is considerable. Certainly, Haig was seen as a successful commander in chief and this is suggested by the huge attendance at his state funeral. In hindsight, Haig can be seen to have made some good and improved changes, such as the improved co-ordination in 1917 opposed to 1914 and 1915. However, Haig also made some tragic mistakes, especially on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Whether Haig was successful in terms of strategy and tactics or not is debateable. With Haig in charge, some see WW1 as a the ”Greatest military tragedy” and others see it as the ”Greatest military victory”. 

Source G, is very much anti-Haig but it is important to note that the author of this source is looking at the war in hindsight as a Historian, but also focuses more on the amount of deaths for the ‘army of innocents’ rather than assessing tactics and strategy, so unlike Source L and S which focuses more on tactics and strategy (such as captures), there is a restricted limit to gain a view on the success of strategy and tactics in source G. However, saying that, because the war is seen as the ‘greatest military tragedy’ of national military history, it can be assumed that obviously strategy and tactics were poor, especially as there is references directly to the Battle of the Somme which ”marked the end of vital optimism” so whilst specific details are not given, there is a general outline of failure implied. On the other hand, it is difficult to just assume strategy and tactics were unsuccessful because of the failure which is emphasises through the amount of innocent lives lost. Source G generally gives a very skewed perspective of failure.

Source L suggests, that on the whole, tactics and strategy had been successful. ”Much has been achieved” and there is details which suggest good tactics as there have been lots of captures. ”24,035 prisoners, 74 guns, 941 machien guns, 138 trench mortars”. There is also adamance and clear certainty to being successful. ”The enemies losses considerably exceeded ours” suggests success and good strategy as the armies are capable of ”meeting and beating the enemies best troops” and ”once again” suggests consistency so it can be assumed that Haig and his generals are doing something right with strategy and tactics. (especially as there is ”endurance, determination and heroism”). However, this source was written by Haig himself so most likely is very bias and as it is a review, it would have been very easy to have missed out the negative aspects regarding strategy and tactics. Also whilst this source shouts success at the reader, the review is only reviewing recent events in Filanders, which means good tactics and strategy were not consistent throughout the ENTIRE war.