Article: Was stalemate on the Western front the fault of the generals? Andy Lawrence insists that we must think for ourselves to unravel one of the great historical conundrums.(Talking Points)(World War I)

VERDICT: YES. THE LIONS WERE INDEED LED BY DONKEYS--EVIDENCE OF MILITARY INCOMPETENCE.

1. Allowing personal grudges and ambition to influence military decisions. The British Army that went into the trenches was riven by intrigue, faction and personal rivalries. The tragedy for the ordinary Tommies was that the divisions within the High Command were to play themselves out on the front line. Examples are legion. At the battle of Loos Sir John French wanted personal control of reserves. He therefore did not allow Haig, commander on the spot, to have them until it was too late, and the attack consequently failed causing thousands of casualties. Sir John French also ...

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