“Haig’s Command Philosophy and Style – Teacher or Tyrant?”

Haig, while being a firm believer in the use of subordinate initiative, equally expected his orders and intent to be followed. However, this was complicated by an ever-changing command structure. The nature of the BEF's command structure was never stable. The Army expanded in size, while at the same time officers were also killed or promoted, and on occasion, Haig had to decide which officers needed to be sent home if they were not up to the required standard. This required Haig to command his team as a group of individuals, balance potential against ability, and in doing so, historians have interpreted him as being inconsistent, lacking in compassion, interfering and a martinet. The presentation will examine how Haig at times was both teacher and tyrant.

Major (Retd) Phil Watson. Phil Watson joined the Army as a boy soldier in 1977 and served with the 9th/12th Lancers for the whole of his military career. In 1998, he was commissioned from the ranks and eventually commanded HQ Squadron as a major, before leaving the Army after 35 years. Like many soldiers of his generation, he conducted his fair share of operational tours, which included the Gulf War. Phil’s interest in military history stems from being a boy collecting medals with his father to delivering Battlefield Study periods for his Regiment for over 20 years. When Phil left the Army, he was appointed the Assistant Regimental Secretary, where he continued to support his Regiment, totalling 48 years of service. Phil has published three works: The Last Charges, Audregnies: The Flank Guard Action and the First Cavalry Charge of the Great War, and Their Greatest Hour: The Rearguard Action of the 12th Lancers. In 2019, he studied for his MA in military history at Wolverhampton, winning The Western Front Association’s ‘Derek and Esther Smith Award’ for his dissertation. Phil has returned to Wolverhampton for a PhD in the development of British military doctrine and its implementation by Douglas Haig and is supervised by Dr Spencer Jones. Phil is a member of the Western Front Association, the Douglas Haig Fellowship, the Great War Group and the British Commission for Military History

Members and non-members of The Western Front Association are equally welcome. Any new members are guaranteed a friendly atmosphere and a warm welcome from a group of like-minded enthusiasts