WHO WON THE WAR?

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16903, 30 November 1922, Page 7

WHO WON THE WAR?

Bitter Discussion at Home. British and French Strategy Contrasted. Telegraph Press Association—Copyright Australian and >.Z. Cable A.-’o-iation. (Received November 30, 9.35 a.m.) LONDON, November 29. Two volumes entitled fi Sir Douglas Haig,” by Mr. G. A. B. Dewar, editor of 44 The Nineteenth Century,” and LieutenantColonel John G. Boraston, who was Private Secretary to Lord Haig in France in February, 1919, have been given wide attention by the London Press. Colonel Repington, in the “ Daily Telegraph,” points out the frankly controversial character of the work. “ Mr. Dewar,” he says, ** lays about him with a whip composed of barbed wire and scorpions, and does not let anyone off, least of all Mr. Lloyd George. Colonel Repington summarises many questions dealing with the political errors of war-time statesmen, which, he says, the public should expect Mr. Lloyd George to answer on the first possible occasion. He asks: “ Why the War Cabinet, early in 1917, accepted General Nivelle’s crack-brained plan of campaign and subordinated Sir Douglas Haig to General Nivelle. “ Is it a fact that the French prediction of the German attack in March, 1918, was wrong as to place, date and time? on the other hand, was British Headquarters correct? “ Did the War Cabinet send Haig a warning and discouraging telegram in August, 1918, after he, and not Foch, had planned the final offensive, in which the Australasian troops figured in the Somme area, and which Ludendorff admitted was Germany’s day of doom. il Were Haig’s references to a shortage of men deleted from despatches, even after the war, in order to shield the War Cabinet from criticism? ” Colonel Repington also controverts Colonel Boraston’s vigorous attacks on the French command., because the French “ at no time were able to make good the full responsibility they assumed during the German offensive of March, 1918.” Mr. J. W. Sidebotham, in the “ Daily Chronicle,” says: “ Mr. Dewar points out that the actual plans of the final victories of the war were not Foch’s, but were British. After the victory of August 8, Foch wanted Haig to attack Roye, but Haig insisted on attacking further north, and the brilliant British victory at Bapaume followed. There were other instances in which the British were right and the French were wrong. It is useful to have some corrective disparagement qf the British Army, of which many French writers are guilty, but it is not the right way to correct by running down the work of the French.” Mr. Sidebotham also justifies the War Cabinet’s telegram to Haig declaring that the victories between August and November were almost as costly as the defeat between March and June, 1918.