Without mentions
of the underlying reasons,
Came changes of
command in the British
Army - by resignation
of Sir John French.
The war office
announcement made just
Prior to Midnight
15 December 1915.
Officially, the
lines read Field Marshall
Sir John French to be given Viscount title,
While General Sir
Douglas Haig became
Leader of the
Army, in France and Flanders.
Time had been
building for some months
That had raised
criticism at French’s actions,
Among many Military
whispers - Haig blamed
French's lack of
command over reserves,
To lose his loyalty and the battles of Loos.
Haig had
confessed to figures of Haldane
And General
Rawlinson, as the King arrived
In France to
annoy French - who had to leave
For London talks, with Dardanelles committee.
Generals Gough
and Haking took opportunity
To see the King,
to say all had lost confidence
With Commander in
Chief - who had become
A weakness within
the British Army - despite
Their prior loyalties to
methods of sir French.
A build up had
progressed through October
To make strained
relation with Marshall Joffre
Of the French
Forces - with suggestions of how
John Frenchs' reckless
mind frequently altered.
Supporters of
French played a card, to say
Asquith wanted
him in post - although no
Official word
played out in the war council -
For a potential
dismissal, politicians were
Overheard
discussing such a possibility.
Fully aware of
growing criticisms at him,
French felt that
Kitchener’s departure away
To the Mediterranean
front, meant he would
Be safe - yet talks dwelled on reserves delays.
Despite the
arguments and indignities, praise
was made
for French, who had set out to halt
The very first attempts of German invasions,
The very first attempts of German invasions,
from August
1914 - the end still came with
Cheers of 19th Hussars as French went home.
Cheers of 19th Hussars as French went home.
With French's policies
criticized in House
Of Lords in early
November, field Marshall
Robertson
continued against French - firstly
To tell the King, Haig should take command.
By November's end
it was a matter of time -
In the fallout at
holding back reserves at Loos.
French and Asquith
met, with minister's advice
He should take
the first steps to give resignation -
Despite resistance,
insistence became a must.
In Haig’s tales
of a reckless French - reserves
Being close
enough to the front as agreed - he
Ignored communication delays and release
Of men, leading Haig to feel him unreasonable.
With his words of
resignation completed, French
Recommended
Robertson - as was Government
Intention - but
the official announcement told Sir
Douglas Haig was to take role of Field Marshall.
by Jamie Mann.
Anon.,1915. New
British Commander. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 17 December. P.12. Col.3-5. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/12052385/Daily-Telegraph-December-17-1915.html
[Accessed: 17 December 2015].
Source: File:
Douglas Haig, 1st Earl Haig. Online Available at:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Haig,_1st_Earl_Haig#Haig_replaces_French>
Accessed 17 December 2015
Source: File:
John French, 1st Earl of Ypres. Online Available at:
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_French,_1st_Earl_of_Ypres#Criticism_after_Loos>
Accessed 17 December 2015
Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication,
17 December 2015).
#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone
#worldwaroneremembered #WW1London
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