Sir douglas haig biography of albert hall

He has come to symbolise, fairly or unfairly — the popular impression of bungling generals responsible for sending troops to die in the bitter fighting of the First World War. From university he went to the Royal Military College, Sandhurst; he later gained a commission in the 7th Hussars. He was then assigned to service in India.

By , he was appointed as GOC Aldershot. In the early days of the war, the professional British army played a key role in checking the advance of the Germans who were striving to outflank the French and march on to Paris.

As a Hussar at age 23 in Haig was born in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh - he was not an aristocrat by birth, or even landed gentry.

He was given the task of trying to break the deadlock on the Western Front. By , the British army had been swelled by the ranks of volunteers. In fact, the army was now almost entirely composed of civilian volunteers. This left some generals uncertain of how capable the army could be. But, Douglas Haig had faith that with the right preparation, Britain could break the deadlock.

In the early months of , the Germans attacked the French stronghold of Verdun, leaving the French army severely tested. This placed increased pressure on the British to attack the German lines and relieve the pressure at Verdun.

Field Marshal Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig was a senior officer of the British Army.

Douglas Haig chose the line around the Somme region. The battle was preceded by weeks of heavy bombardment, which the British staff hoped would weaken the German defences. Before the battle, there were high hopes of swift success.