Douglas Haig Biography and Timeline — Page 3

Flanders Offensive Planning Renewed

Haig renews planning for a major offensive in Flanders after the Somme campaign ends.

Role range: 1914-1918

Winter Defensive Programme Ordered

Haig orders winter strengthening of trenches, communications and reserve systems across the British front.

Role range: 1914-1918

Ypres Planning

Haig considers future offensives around Ypres.

Role range: 1914-1918 – 1915-1918

Field Marshal

Public announcement of Haigs promotion to Field Marshal

Field Marshal

Public announcement of Haigs promotion to Field Marshal

Role range: 1914-1918

Winter Operations on the Somme

British troops advance east of Beaucourt and take German prisoners.

Role range: 1914-1918

Winter Operations on the Somme

British troops capture two German posts near Beaumont-Hamel.

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

Directs continued pressure on German positions north of the Ancre after the 1916 Somme battle.

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British troops capture German posts on a 600 yard front north of Beaucourt-sur-Ancre.

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British troops take a position near Le Transloy and capture a German garrison.

Role range: 1914-1918

Capture of Ancre

The British capture Ancre

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British operations continue on the Ancre front after the winter pause following the 1916 Somme battle.

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British troops repulse German counter-attacks on the Ancre front.

Role range: 1914-1918

Agreement of Calais

Nivelle travels to London to sell his project to Lloyd George, the French would attack on the Oise, he wanted Haig to attack from Arras and then the French would smash the enemy on the Aisne at the Chemin des Dames

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Passchendaele

The idea of a Flanders offensive had been in the mind of British commander Sir Douglas Haig for some time before the Battle of Passchendaele began. Orders plans to be drawn up for an attack in the area, and this attack might well have happened had the Germans not launched the Battle of Verdun

Role range: 1914-1918

Offensive

Haig orders the Arras Offensive for Eighth April

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British troops capture positions around Sailly-Saillisel ridge and Hill 153.

Role range: 1914-1918

Programme-Alberich

The Alberich programme for German retreat to the Siegried Line is accelerated

Role range: 1914-1918

Agreement of Calais

The Haig-Nivelle plan is put in the command of the French C-in-C. Lloyd George & the French War Committee agree the Haig-Nivelle plan

Role range: 1914-1918

Calais Subordination Terms Challenged

Haig objects to arrangements placing British operations under Nivelle's direct authority during the spring offensive.

Role range: 1914-1918

Operations on the Ancre

British troops capture Le Barque and Ligny as German forces fall back on the Somme front.

Role range: 1914-1918

Plan-Haig-Nivelle

Lloyd George & the French War Committee agree the Haig-Nivelle plan

Role range: 1914-1918

Hindenburg Line

The main German retreat to the Hindenburg line begins

Role range: 1914-1918

German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line

British troops occupy St Pierre Vaast Wood during the German withdrawal toward the Hindenburg Line.

Role range: 1914-1918

Arras Preparatory Bombardment Opened

Haig's armies begin intensive artillery preparation before the planned Arras offensive.

Role range: 1914-1918

Pursuit to the Hindenburg Line

Allied troops face the outer defences of the Hindenburg Line after the German withdrawal.

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Arras

Launches the Arras offensive to support wider Allied operations on the Western Front.

Role range: 1914-1918

First Scarpe Offensive Opened

Haig directs the opening First Army attack along the Scarpe during the Arras offensive.

Role range: 1914-1918

Vimy Ridge Assault Supported

Haig supports the Canadian Corps assault that captures most of Vimy Ridge.

Role range: 1914-1918

First Bullecourt Failure Reviewed

Haig reviews the failed British-Australian attack against the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt.

Role range: 1914-1918

Battle of Arras

British Fifth Army advances against villages near the Hindenburg Line during the wider Arras operations.

Role range: 1914-1918

Second Scarpe Attack Continued

Haig continues Arras operations despite stronger German resistance and mounting casualties.

Role range: 1914-1918

Arleux Operations Supported

Haig supports British and Canadian attacks around Arleux during the later Arras fighting.

Role range: 1914-1918

British Expeditionary Force (BEF)

During April the BEF loses 120,070, the heaviest since July 1917

Role range: 1914-1918

Casualties

During April the BEF loses 120,070, the heaviest since July 1917

Role range: 1914-1918

Second Bullecourt Assault Continued

Haig continues operations at Bullecourt against heavily fortified Hindenburg Line positions.

Role range: 1914-1918

Third Scarpe Attack Ordered

Haig orders another Scarpe attack as the Arras offensive approaches its final phase.

Role range: 1914-1918

Arras Offensive Ended

Haig ends the Arras offensive after tactical gains but no strategic breakthrough.

Role range: 1914-1918

Messines

Decides to distract the Germans from rebellion amongst French soldiers around Reims

Role range: 1914-1918

Offensive

Orders an Allied offensive to distract the Germans from French mutinies

Role range: 1914-1918