Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig was a Field Marshal of the British Army. He was ‘Commander-in-Chief’ of the British troops in France and Belgium during most part of World War I. He became a controversial figure because of his war strategy of ‘Attrition,’ which led to heavy casualties (around 2 million during 1916-1917). After joining the British army in 1884, he served in India and later served in Sudan and South Africa. He was considered a knowledgeable expert on cavalry warfare. Due to his industriousness and administrative abilities (and social contacts too) he commanded the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front. He led major offensives, including the ‘Battle of Somme’ and the ‘Third Battle of Ypres/Passchendaele,’ but both incurred huge losses without any significant victory. Though some consider him incompetent, stubborn, and outdated, he is praised for his determination and devotion to his duty.
