It required thirteen years to demonstrate the truth of Haig's
predictions, and then the blow fell. The Kaiser viewed his strong
hosts and boasted that he would soon wipe out England's "contemptible
little army." He very nearly did so, and would certainly have
succeeded, had it not been for the fighting spirit of such men as Haig.
During the intervening years since the South African campaign he had
risen by fairly rapid stages to Inspector-General of the Cavalry in
India--a situation which he handled with great skill for three
years--then Major General, and Lieutenant General.
At the outbreak of the World War, he was hurriedly sent to France,
under the command of Sir John French, his old leader in Africa. French
was generosity itself in his praise of Haig in these early days of
disaster.
In the retreat from Mons it was "the skilful manner in which Sir
Douglas Haig extricated his corps from an exceptionally difficult
position in the darkness of the night," that won his laudation. At the
Aisne, on September 14, 1914, "the action of the First Corps on this
day, under the direction and command of Sir Douglas Haig, was of so
skilful, bold, and decisive a character, that he gained positions which
alone have enabled me to maintain my position for more than three weeks
of very severe fighting on the north bank of the river.
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