SIR DOUGLAS HAIG.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 235, 15 December 1916, Page 2 (Supplement)

SIR DOUGLAS HAIG.

A PEN PICTURE OF "D.H."

The map at which the German Chancellor told the world to look as evidence of German victory is altering very rapidly to-day under the briliiant Jeader.smp of General S'ir Douglas Haig, whose reduction of the Homme fortresses of Thiepval and 1 Comhles ;s assuredly one of the greatest feats .if arms in history. It s a strange--an almost 'incredible —thing that the man who has written this shining page of history should J)<3 so very littl'3 known to the British pubhe. When, in succession to Lord .trench, Sir Douglas Haig assumed command of the British Army on the Western front he was mainly familiar to the public through his exploits as a dashing leader of cavalry. Except to those in military authority his knowledge of the scientific aspects of modern warfare was scarcely known at all. But cavalry work has never been an obsession with the Commander-in-Chief. All aspects of warfare have always fascinated 'him, and whether it be in organisation, tactics, or strategy, there is no problem that wDI find him unprepared or unready. Cool, patient, gifted in a high degroo with the power of concentrating that will find him unprepared or unready. Cool, patient, gifted in a high degree with the power of concentrating on the problem immediately at hand, fired with a passionate enthusiasm for the splendid spirit of the Armfcs under his command, imperturbable as is the way of men of his race, the occasion created by the retirement of Lord French plainly found 'in him the man for whom it called.

NO DETAIL TOO SMALL. Sir Douglas Haig had already been severely tested in the war. Appointed to command the Fifth Army Corps, he was instantly tried—and tried very highly indeed— before Mons, where he got his corps away with comparatively small losses. From then until the time of his appointment as Commander-in-Ch'ef, in every grave emergency on the british front lie bore the brunt of most of the fighting, and invariably exhibited the highest qualities of leadership. The strain of those days had told upon him very little. To-day, surrounded by a group of the best experts our Empire can provide, most of whom have had twenty-five months' war experience, he is in dairy conference with them from morning until late at night. H'is fingers are never far awav from every button in the wonderful system of communication which his genius has established throughout the length and breadth of the war zone to link up the whole, vast military machine. Even on his daily exercise rid'.? he has one or other of his staff by his side. Xo detail is too small for his personal attention; no crisis too great for an immediate decision. Swift in decision, >esolutc in action, unerring in his judgment, yet sparing of words withal, ho is an ideal leader for our new Armies under the new conditions. Born in 1861, Sir Douglas Haig is a member of an ancient family of the Kingdom of Fife. From Clifton lie. proceeded to Branzonose, Oxford, and joined tho 7th Hussars in He also passed the Staff College with dis-tinct-ion. Hss first war service was in the Sudan in where lie obtained promotion. Tn the South African War lie earned instant- fame as a cavalry leader, and was in the-battle of Elandslaagte. the operations round Colesberg, the relief of Kimborley, and at Paardeberg. He returned from that counri v with t-!ie brevet rank of lieutenantcolonel. and was twice mentioned in despatches. He .was promoted majorgeneral in HtO-l. Subsequently he held various important Commands at home and in India. In the latter country he ! was Clvief of Staff from 1909 until 1912. when he was transferred to the Aldershot command, which he occupied until mobilisation took place in ir*l4.

NO WORDS WASTED. The personality of the Commander-in-Chief has a marked appeal for our French Allies. H.> is, says the writer ( f a recent glowing tribute, 4 'the man of the 'Push,' a general who believes in the. advance, in dealing blows, and 111 the offensive. He is a. tough custcuner. He i.s the <p!erf'i/ :t of cavalry soldier, the kind that in our soldiering days the regiment used to call 'the Tronside' —strapping, broadchested, with splendid calves, apparelled in perfectly polished brown leather top boots, on which clink si!v. r spur chains. He is a stern leader, but his decision is remarkable. Under Sir Douglas ITaig the Uritisli Army will never go to sleep."