About the talk :- In popular history Douglas Haig will perhaps always be cast as the ‘arch butcher and bungler’ of the BEF. Some historians have done much to revise his reputation however others remain critical of his actions.
During the Great War, Haig successively commanded 1st Corps (1914), 1st Army (1915), then the BEF itself and at each of these stages Haig’s generalship attracted controversy.
Haig served at the War Office in 1909 when the Field Service Regulations (FSR) 1909 – Parts One (Operations) and Two (Organisation and Administration) were published. The FSR could have been regarded as the British Army’s doctrine and guidance for senior commanders, and the talk will explore the extent of Haig’s involvement and support for FSR and to what extent and effect he subsequently applied them in his respective operational roles with the BEF.
About the Speaker :- Phil Watson joined the 9/12 Lancers in 1976, was commissioned from the ranks in 1988. He left the army in 2012 as a Major after 35 years serving his country.
Since then Phil has served as Assistant Regimental Secretary, as a volunteer with the Army Cadet Force and as chair of the charity SSAFA Leicestershire and Rutland region.
He completed the Wolverhampton MA course in First World War Studies and is currently engaged in Doctoral research into the development of British Army doctrine from 1870 to 1914. This subject leads him nicely into the talk that he will present to us on Haig.
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