Earl Haig

Was dragged up by the request of my 3 year old to Edinburgh Castle and we explored a different bit. And here we found Earl Haig.

After yesterday's jaunt on who you should put on a pedestal a friend pointed out that boom and bust cycles and contention on who should be lauded is not unusual but is in fact the norm. As, historically, being involved in wars has been.

Is Haig a hero or a despot?

He was commander during the Battle of the Somme.

A hero for sure?

He sent two million working class soldiers to their deaths by ordering them to climb out of their trenches and march towards machine gun fire and tanks. Charging tanks with men with swords on horse back was a brave order to make. Well, maybe less brave for a Commander so far away from the front line.

Some claim he just didn't "get" modern warfare.

He has also been called "Butcher Haig" for his role in the deaths of 2 million allied soldiers.

He was born in Charlotte Square in Edinburgh so he does have a very local Edinburgh connection.

Hero or Villain? History is full of such quandries. And recent history seems to be no different.