Haig, Douglas (1861-1928)

Scottish army officer, commander-in-chief in World War I, born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His Somme offensive in France in the summer of 1916 made considerable advances only at enormous cost to human life, and his Passchendaele offensive in Belgium from July to November 1917 achieved little at a similar loss. He was created field marshal in 1917 and, after retiring, became first president of the British Legion in 1921.

He served in the Omdurman and South African campaigns, and in World War I commanded the 1st Army Corps 1914-15, and the 1st Army in 1915 until he succeeded John French as commander-in-chief the same year. He then loyally supported the French marshal Foch in his appointment as supreme commander of the Allied armies and in his victorious 1918 offensive, and it was Haig's foresight that persuaded Foch to extend his attack north, so breaking the Hindenburg Line.