Ebook Sir Douglas Haig's Despatches (December 1915-April 1919)

These Despatches are republished as a tribute to the valour of the British soldier and the character of the British nation. They were written in the first instance with the object of telling, in plain and straightforward language, all that it was possible to make public at that time with the know ledge then available and without either lowering or exalting unduly the splendid spirit of the nation, or giving assistance to our enemies. By their means, I sought to convey to my countrymen in all parts of the Empire the information it was their right to possess concerning the progress and prospects of the war to make those at home understand the full nature of the difficulties with which our Armies in the field had to contend, and the magnificent spirit and deter mination by which all difficulties were overcome. That the account given in these Despatches is so frank and full speaks very highly for the steadfast patriotism, good sense, and equanimity of all classes of the people of our Empire, to whom at all times the truth could be told. The long series of glorious actions related all too brie?y in their pages bear equal testimony to the courage and devotion of all ranks of the British Armies, and therefore cannot be too widely known.