Abstract
Naturally, the growth of the BEF increased the burden of its commanders-in-chief. Sir John French’s BEF of two corps initially totalling five infantry divisions and a cavalry division became two armies of several corps. Haig’s BEF of 1916 had five armies of 19 corps and 53 British divisions, two ANZAC corps and a Canadian Corps. Co-operation with the French was an inescapable political as well as a military task for both men. After Kitchener died at sea in June 1916 and Asquith ceased to be prime minister at the end of that year, the political dimensions of Haig’s operations increased with the military importance of the BEF relative to the French.1
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© 1999 Dominick Graham
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Graham, D. (1999). Politicians, Commanders and Battles. In: Against Odds. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-27147-4_5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-27147-4_5
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London
Print ISBN: 978-0-333-66859-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-27147-4
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