How Important was Haig & Foch for winning the First World War? (AQA GCSE History): Revision Note

How important was Haig & Foch for winning the First World War? - Summary

Field Marshal Douglas Haig and Marshal Ferdinand Foch were two important generals during the First World War, but they remain controversial figures. Haig, the British commander, and Foch, the French commander-in-chief, played major roles in key offensives such as the Battle of the Somme. These battles led to high casualties, with thousands of soldiers killed or wounded. Often, this destruction was only for small gains on land.

Many historians argue that their strategies were outdated, relying too much on large-scale attacks despite the new challenges of trench warfare, machine guns, and heavy artillery. However, other historians defend Haig and Foch, saying that they could not be fully incompetent as they won the war. The First World War introduced a new kind of warfare, and commanders had little experience or understanding of how to fight in these conditions.

Despite the heavy losses, their leadership eventually brought victory. By coordinating Allied efforts and maintaining pressure on Germany, Haig and Foch played key roles in ending the war in 1918.

Haig's contribution to the First World War

• Field Marshall Sir Douglas Haig commanded the British armies from 1915 to the end of the First World War

• During the First World War, Haig was responsible for many British offensives

  • These included the Battle of the Somme and Passchendaele

• Haig's reputation after the Battle of the Somme was tarnished

  • Haig's battle strategies created high casualties

    • Haig continued to use these tactics in other battles which frustrated many

    • High casualties gave Haig the nickname 'The Butcher of the Somme'

  • Haig told the British politicians that they should tell the public to prepare for high casualties

    • This attitude toward large loss of life made him unpopular

• The Battle of Passchendaele did little to improve his reputation

  • Haig's ambitious plan failed

  • Haig continued to use similar tactics that he used at the Battle of the Somme

    • This resulted in high casualties

• However, Haig is noted by some historians to have been fundamental to the Allied victory in the First World War

  • The overall strategy which Haig adopted was successful in 1918

  • He promoted new strategies and technologies which helped the Allied forces

    • Haig initially doubted the use of new technology such as the tank

    • However, he authorised the use of them in many of his battles, such as the Battle of the Somme

  • Haig led the offensive against the Germans during the Spring Offensive

  • Under the command of General Foch, Haig led the British army in the Hundred-Day Allied Advance

    • Approximately 3,000 guns and 200,000 prisoners were captured

• At the end of the First World War, Haig was a decorated war general

Foch's contribution to the First World War

• Marshal Ferdinand Foch was the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces in the First World War

• At the start of the war, Foch commanded the French soldiers at the Battle of the Marne and the Battle of the Somme

  • At the Battle of Marne, the French stopped the German advance on Paris

• Like Haig, Foch was criticised for his role in the high amount of casualties during the Battle of the Somme

• In 1916, Foch was removed from his position as the French commander of the Army Group North

  • This was due to a series of failed offensives, including the Battle of the Somme

  • However, in 1917, he became the Chief of the General Staff

• By the Spring of 1918, Foch was appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied forces

• Foch led the Hundred-Day Allied Advance against Germany in 1918

  • It is argued that Foch's appointment and his coordination of British, French and American soldiers was essential in stopping the German Spring Offensive in 1918

• After the First World War, Foch retired and received war decorations from France and other Allied countries