South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-15
The Generals Who Led the British Amy to Victory

military aspects the great struggle have been dis
dimly conscious OF the achieve
OF the French commanders. each IN turn en-
tered city the head of victorious army and
the batons OF French marshals we're bestowed upon
Petain CssteInau they had already been be-
slowed upon Jofre and FOch. Pershing has had his
generous praise. his country will continue
10 demonstrate it's satisfaction In achievement
But the whole. probably with absolute justice,
the honors OF the celebration OF victory
the French army AMI the British fleet
and while French troops reoccupied Metz and Stras-
boure amid the acclaim OF the world the same au-
witnessed incredible spectacle OF the
battle approaching the British coasts and
surrendering without shot 1ivipg itself up still un-
damaged By battle spectacle that has parallel
And so between these two wonderful and contempt
events. have forgotten almost completely
the achievements and the individual claims upon our
praise OF the who made and led the British army
ultimate victory after period equal in length TO
OF Civil War. and filed with the same dis
appointments which the North suffered through that
and terrible time Yet for Haig and his subordi-
nate army commanders there Is due some nehton IT
the present moment. when the achievements Of
Foch Petain. Castelnau. Mangin and Gouraud still
TOO recent to be duh memories And in this article
mean to reew briefly the achievement Of the most
conspicuous Of the British generals
uATG BORE
GREAT BURDEN
Haig It is perhaps hardest write, because all
the burden was his and no man knows now exactly
how great Politicians interfered with
him. Last spring when the heavy blow fell upon his
armies. bringing temporary disaster. II was pohtcal
which compelled him stretch his line
such extent that thiny held at vital points
political influence which had deprived him
necessary much
Aside from controversial points, however certain
facts all Allied commanders Haig
Oldest in point OF service chief. he is be-
lieve the youngest in years He came to command in
1915. French went home after LOos. when the
British army had only begun 10 come to France
and the organization Of victory still to be
The army that fought the First Somme in
1916. ArtOis Picardy and Flanders in 1917, at the
somme Flanders defeat and then in victory.
supreme victory in the present year, was of his
making.
Before he commanded armies the reputation of
Douglas Haig was made in battle He was the
figure OF m First viii
mainly under his immediate direction. When French
went home there was no one else thought of to
coed veteran In the great Somme campaign
the British army. under Hag's direction.
learned it's business II was a costly lesson the
many but the end OF the campaign the
army believed itself superior to the German it felt
that IL had learned it's job.
The next year the opening victory complete,
Arras real achievement. vimy Ridge genuine
military triumph. But after'vard Haigs campaign was
Inanifestly impeded Loyalty endeavored to aid
NvelIe who had failed and falling. The British
campaign sacrificed delayed; the blow in Flanders
late although II began with the
OF Plumer About this Flanders campaign men talk
they talked about Grants campaign from the
2apidan Cold HarbOr 1t terribly costly; it did
bring immediate success.
Appeal Is OBEYED;
HUN NAYE HATED.
Then Russia collapsed and the Germans west
Picardy with the road easy for them by politi-
cal interference. Haig defeated and Foch came
10 command. one day we heard memorable appeal
Hafs his army. lighting with their backs to the
wall; the appeal of general to his men heard and
Obeyed The halted
Men said then that Haig should come home. but the
politicians.
blame rested permitted him TO stay; and after that
came on Aug. 8. the victory which
back from Amiens; next the success Of BynE,
which forbade the a stand behind the
per Then the blow Of Horne which broke
portion the Hindenburg line. Finally. the great
OF oct s. OF the farshining achievements
whole war. which smashed the Iindenburg line
began the last phase OF the the rapid
collapse Of resistance.
YOU achievement OF the British
between Aug sand Nov II, when IL forced its
from the outskirts Of Amiens TO Mons you will find
examination IT is one of the most splendid rec
all military history
I am seeking to apportion praise. do not
tend % know what Foch did what Ha1g did, but
under Foch's command the British raj
living terrific losses heavy defeat in March
April. In three glorious months Smashed its way
forward innumerable obstacles which included
the far famed Hinjenburg clear that II Hag
had Loyalty cooperated with victory would
not have possible. It clear that however brill
the strategy Of FOch, II II had not been tntelt-
gently efficiently interpreted such success would
therefore II the great glory is to Foch as
our Civil in the North and Lee in the
south seems that Haig deserve the praise
which we the North to sherman which France
gves to the present hour That the British
reckon their commander in chief with Wellington
and Marlborough likely certainly they have
other names which permit comparison But by com
parison Hag's task gigantic: he took the huge
"A mob and fashioned out OF effective instrument;
lac suffered disappOint-
uents in il. but he ultimately led IL 10
victory. which would have been totally fmpos-
sibe had the British army unable do all that
70 did accomplish Haigs problems far different
diHicut than those OF Jonre Petain; they
Rad armies their hands organized for contemporary
warfare provided with STATS trained in the tasks
before them. Hag had nothing two-thirds OF his
work was construction and II had he done in the
heat IL battle the campaigns
Ia the face OF an obstacles brought victorious
British army back Mons Nov. H. and believe
Is achievement win rather than diminish in the