Teribus, This thread is like an annoying itch I keep coming back to it.

Firstly I do understand you are well versed on matters regarding WW1 and would normally defer to your far greater knowledge.

You state (17 Dec 14 05.31)that Britain had an army of 2.6 million in 1916 all of them volunteers.

I understood that conscription was introduced in January 1916 for single men aged between 18 and 41. Again I understand that this was extended to cover married men in May 1916 and that over the whole period of the war slightly more men were conscripted than had volunteered (2.77 million conscripts as opposed to 2.67 million volunteers)

One other matter. The argument regarding Haig will run and run, there will never be a consensus of opinion regarding his abilities but Guest yesterday mentioned that at the first Battle of Ypres Haigs 1 Corps were reduced from 18,000 to 3,000 over the course of the action (about a month). This indicates that 5/6ths of his force were killed or wounded slightly over 83%.

It is figures like this which makes people question his ability. You said we won that battle. Thank God we didn't lose.