HAIG, SIR Douglas, British soldier, com mander-in-chief of the British Expedition ary Forces in France and Flanders: b. 19 June 1861. The youngest son of Mr. John Haig, of Cameronbridge, Fife, Scotland, he was educated at Clifton College and Oxford University. He passed the Staff College at Camberley and joined the 7th Hussars in 1885. He saw his first active service under Kitchener in the Nile Expedition of 1899. For merito rious conduct in the battles of Atbara and Omdurman he was mentioned in dispatches and promoted to major. His previous steps were—lieutenant, 1885; captain, 1891. In the South African War (1899-1902) he earned great distinction as a cavalry leader, serving throughout the whole of that arduous cam paign both on the staff and in command of columns. As deputy-assistant-adjutant-general he was present at nearly every important ac tion, including the battles of Elandslaagte, Rietfontein, the relief of Kimberley, Paarde berg and Diamond Hill. He was thrice men tioned in dispatches, established a reputation for dash and courage and held the record for rapidity of promotion among officers in the cavalry branch of the service. He was also chief of staff to Sir John French, and espe cially distinguished himself in the fighting round Colesberg.
After the war he rose to colonel; major general in 1904, and later, inspector-general of cavalry in India. From 1907 to 1909 he was director of staff duties at army headquarters, and in 1909 returned to India as chief of staff. In 1910 he became lieutenant-general and in 1912 received the honor of being appointed colonel (i.e., commander) of the 17th Lancers, the °Death or Glory Boys,° one of the most historic and °crack° regiments in the British army, dating back to 1759.
From 1912 to the outbreak of the war in 1914, Sir Douglas was general officer command ing-in-chief at Aldershot. He accompanied Field-Marshal Sir John (now Viscount) French and the first small expeditionary force as commander of the First Army Corps, in that feverish struggle when every available ship was crammed with troops and rushed across the Channel to the aid of France and Belgium Every nerve and sinew was strained to check the German avalanche. It is now no secret
that in those dark days of the early stages of the war, when the fate of the Allies hung in the balance, the imperturbable confidence and cheerful optimism of Lieutenant-General Haig exerted a stimulating influence over the British troops. °When our officers wore long and solemn faces clouded with gloom,* wrote an eye-witness, ((it was a holy inspiration to look at Haig. Never for a moment, in the blackest hour, did his faith in our ultimate success waver." He played a chief part in the most hotly-contested battles of the campaign at the first Ypres, at Neuve Chapelle, at Festu bert and at Loos. A scientific soldier after the most modern plan, chary of speech, bold in de sign and resolute in execution, he raised the first army under his command to a foremost place among the British forces. He had the confidence of his men and earned the admira tion of all who worked with him. In his dispatches Sir John French frequently paid glowing tribute to Haig's able and determined leadership. When the former asked to be• re lieved of his command after 16 months of severe and incessant strain, it was almost a foregone conclusion that Haig would succeed him. His appointment as commander-in-chief was announced 15 Dec. 1916, and two weeks later he was created field-marshal.
Among the numerous honors that have been conferred upon him are— K.C.V.O., 1909; CB., 1900; K.C.I.E., 1911; K.C.B., 1913 ; G.C.B., 1915; G.C.V.O., 1916; Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor; Grand Cross of the Order of Leopold (Belgium) ; Grand Cross, Saint Maurice and Saint Lazarus (Italy) ; Obilitch Medal and Order of Danilo (Montengro). At the time of his high appointment he was a young man, too, as modern generals go — only 55— the youngest, except the French General Gouraud, of all the great army chiefs in the West. Sir Douglas married, in 1905, the Hon. Dorothy Vivian, daughter of the 3d Lord Vivian; they have one daughter. In 1907 he published Cavalry Studies.' See WAR, EUROPEAN ; MISERY ; MARNE ; MONS ; NEUVE CHAPELLE ; SOM ME ; YPRES, ETC.