Uploads from National Library of Scotland, tagged generals, with geodata

Watching loggers at work in a French forest

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:42:55 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

This photograph shows King George V of Britain (1865-1936) and Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928), with a number of other officers, watching loggers unloading timbers from a cart. The two loggers are slowly releasing ropes to slide a large tree trunk down poles to the ground. A chain attached to a tree behind the cart acts as the other part of the pulley system being used.

Much of the timber needed in the war effort was cut by the Canadian Forestry Corps who worked in Scotland, England and France.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT. Watching loggers at work in a French Forest.']

digital.nls.uk/74548922

Liut. General Sir John Cowan, Q.M.G., of the British Army (on right)

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:37:34 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Lieutenant General Sir John Cowans, France, during World War I. This posed but informal shot shows two senior officers talking. They are leaning on wooden rails outside a building. The original caption identifies the man on the right at Lieutenant General Sir John Stevens Cowans (1862-1921). The other man is unidentified but also bears the shoulder insignia of a Lieutenant General.

Lieutenant General Sir John Cowans was Quartermaster-General from 1912 until 1919. He was responsible for much of the logistical organisation of the vastly increased army of World War I. He was also a member of the Army Council throughout the war.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. Lieut. General Sir John Cowan, Q.M.G., of the British Army (on right).']

digital.nls.uk/74548858

Earl Haig inspecting the guard of honour

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:15:23 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

General Haig inspecting troops, Messine, Belgium. The image is framed by two rows of soldiers down either side, angling away from the camera. Between them General Haig and his staff are approaching the photographer. The group is moving with a determined and purposeful air. There are buildings just visible in the background.

The propaganda value of this formal and ceremonial moment would have been immense. Inspiring pride and patriotism as well as intimating a bond between royalty and soldiers, this image would have made for classic propaganda.

[Original reads: 'UNVEILING OF THE MEMORIAL CROSS OF THE LONDON SCOTTISH REGIMENT BY H.M. THE KING OF THE BELGIANS AT MESSINES, BELGIUM. Earl Haig inspecting the Guard of Honour.']

digital.nls.uk/74548570

General Smuts inspecting a South African native labour unit in France

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 09:45:43 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

This rather formal scene is thought to have been captured by the war photographer John Warwick Brooke. This is one of the proportionally few images of Black South Africans involved in the war effort. Due to South Africa's domestic policies at the time, Black South Africans were not allowed to bear arms and were instead involved in supporting roles.

General Jan Christian Smuts (1870-1950), was born in Malmesbury, South Africa and enjoyed an active political and military career in South Africa. After the declaration of war by the British Empire, Smuts founded the African Defence Force. After accepting a position in the British War Cabinet in 1917, he played a vital role in establishing the RAF.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT. General Smuts inspecting a South African native labour unit in France.']

digital.nls.uk/74548224

Staff of General Sir Athus Sloggett who until quite recently occupied the post of D.G.M.S. with B.E.F. France

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 08:31:51 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

This photograph shows senior officers of the Royal Army Medical Corps in a group photograph. It was possibly taken on the retirement of General Sir Arthur Sloggett (1857-1919), who is named in the original caption and who may be the grey-haired general in the centre.

Sir Arthur Sloggett was the Director General of the Medical Services for the British Expeditionary Force during the earlier part of the war.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. Staff of General Sir Athur Sloggett, who until quite recently occupied the post of D.G.M.S. with B.E.F. FRANCE.']

digital.nls.uk/74547670

Prince Arthur of Connaught decorating a French sergeant

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:53:36 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Prince Arthur of Connaught (1883-1938) is decorating a French sergeant. General Emile Fayolle (1852-1928), commander of the French 6th Army in the Battle of the Somme, is standing to one side. This is probably taking place after the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

This photograph would have been taken to emphasise good relations between the British and French troops. Prince Arthur of Connaught was a grandson of Queen Victoria.

[Original reads: 'PRINCE ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT PRESENTS DECORATIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT. (Official Photograph.) Prince Arthur of Connaught decorating a French sergeant. With him is General Fayolle, commanding 6th army.']

digital.nls.uk/74547408

Prince Arthur of Connaught decorating a French General

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 07:54:31 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Prince Arthur of Connaught ( 1883-1938) is pinning a medal on a French General. The commander of the French 6th Army at the Somme, General Emile Fayolle (1852-1928) is just visible behind the prince. This event probably took place after the Battle of the Somme.

Prince Arthur of Connaught was a grandson of Queen Victoria. As official photographer, it would have been important for John Warwick Brooke (who probably took this photograph), to record ceremonies of this sort.

[Original reads: 'PRINCE ARTHUR OF CONNAUGHT PRESENTS DECORATIONS ON THE WESTERN FRONT. (Official Photograph.) Prince Arthur of Connaught decorating a French General.']

digital.nls.uk/74547410

General and Staff in charge of the American engineers who are constructing railways on the British Front

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:33:23 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

The men in this photograph are all wearing the same uniform, which includes a very distinctive hat. It is a beautiful sunny day, but their faces are shielded from the sun by their hats. All of the men are standing in front of a railway engine, behind which there is a building with a corrugated iron roof. The ground underfoot is strewn with rocks and rubble.

[Original reads: 'BRITISH OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH FROM THE WESTERN FRONT. The General and Staff in charge of the American Engineers who are constructing railways on the British front.']

digital.nls.uk/74547264

Sir Douglas Haig with the C.-in-C. of the Portuguese Expeditionary Force waiting to receive the President of Portugal who is making a visit to France

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:32:26 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

General Haig and, to his left, the Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese Expeditionary Force. It is very likely that the Commander-in-Chief in this case is General Tamagnini. Both men are holding canes and are smartly dressed in their uniforms. They appear to be waiting on a platform. A number of uniformed men can be seen milling around in the background.

During the war, visits to the Front by heads of state, members of royalty and dignitaries were frequent. It was an important way of maintaining good relations between those countries involved, and also of boosting morale amongst the troops.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGESE REPUBLIC. Sir Douglas Haig with the C.-in-C. of the Portuguese Expeditionary Force waiting to receive the President of Portugal who is making a visit to France.']

digital.nls.uk/74547256

Sir Douglas Haig saying goodbye to the President of Portugal - the latter is making a visit to the Portuguese Expeditionary Force in France

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 06:32:38 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Visit of the President of Portugese Republic to the Portuguese Expeditionary Force in France.

[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHS TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE. VISIT OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PORTUGESE REPUBLIC. Sir Douglas Haig saying goodbye to the President of Portugal - the latter is making a visit to the Portuguese Expeditionary Force in France.']

digital.nls.uk/74547258

H.R.H. the Prince of Wales with General Currie and the Canadian divisional general whose men captured Denain, standing outside the Church of that town

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:41:53 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Edward Prince of Wales and General Sir Arthur Currie, Denain, France, 1918. In this photograph, His Royal Highness, Edward Prince of Wales (1894-1972), later to become Edward VIII, is standing between General Sir Arthur Currie (1875-1933) and another Canadian general. They are outside the church at Denain, which was captured by the Canadian troops in October, 1918, as part of the Cambrai offensive.

The photograph appears to have been taken after a thanksgiving service as there is a guard of honour beside the door and military, civilians, and ecclesiastics can be seen coming out of the church.

[Original reads: 'H.R.H. The Prince of Wales with General Currie and the Canadian Divl. General whose men captured Denain, standing outside the Church of that town.']

digital.nls.uk/74549242

Duke of Connaught and General Sir Herbert Plumer about to inspect troops on road side

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:22:43 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Duke of Connaught and General Sir Herbert Plumer, Western Front, during World War I. HRH Arthur, Duke of Connaught (1850-1942) and (to his right) General Sir Herbert Plumer (1857-1932). They appear to have just got out of the cars parked behind them. According to the caption they are about to inspect the troops. As today, this type of official function was perceived to be a major role for the monarchy and its offshoots and would have been photographed accordingly.

Plumer, as commander of the 2nd Army, was well-regarded by his men who nicknamed him, 'Daddy'. Haig, however, was often frustrated by Plumer's cautious approach and detailed planning.

[Original reads: 'Duke of Connaught and General Sir Herbert Plumer about to inspect troops on road side.']

digital.nls.uk/74549492

Mal. Douglas Haig salue le drapeau des fusiliers marins [Field Marshal Haig salutes the flag of the French Navy Riflemen]

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:00:20 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Haig saluting French Navy Fusiliers, Bergues, France,1917. This photograph, which has a French press stamp, shows Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) and two French officers saluting the flag as they inspect a line-up of troops. The troops are the Fusiliers Marins, who were regarded as the elite of the French Army.

The photograph shows the distinctive uniform of the Fusiliers Marines. Their badge of crossed anchors can be seen on one soldier's shoulder.

[Original reads: 'Aout 1917 - Bergues(?) Nord - Le Mal. Douglas Haig. Salue le drapeau des fusiliers marins.']

digital.nls.uk/74549722

Sur les marches de l'Hotel de Ville [On the steps of the Town Hall]

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:05:07 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Haig and Clemenceau, Cambrai, France, October 1918. This is a French press photograph of the French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau (1841-1929) standing between two other men on the steps of the town hall in Cambrai. Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) is standing to the left, slightly separate from the others.

This shows some of the considerable damage in Cambrai. The photograph was probably taken quite soon after Cambrai had been recaptured by the Allies on 9 October 1918.

[Original reads: 'October 1918 - Cambrai - Sur les marches de l'Hotel de Ville. Mr. Clemenceau et le Mal. Douglas Haig.']

digital.nls.uk/74549700

King with French President and Sir W Haig

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:42:42 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

King George V with the French President, Raymond Poincare, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, and two French generals, during World War I. This official photograph shows from right to left, King George V of Britain (1865-1936), the French President, Raymond Poincare (1860-1934), Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig (1861-1928) and two French generals. George V visited the Front on several occasions during the war.

[Original reads: 'King with French President and Sir W Haig.']

digital.nls.uk/74548920

Gal. Douglas Haig

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:03:07 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Inter-Allied Conference, Versailles, France, July 1918. This photograph, which has a French press stamp, shows Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) and other delegates at the Inter-Allied Conference at Versailles in July 1918. They are shown apparently chatting informally in a corridor. There are several photographs of this event in the collection.

Although these men did not know it at the time, July 1918 was the turning of the tide in the war. After the renewed German offensive on 15 July, plans were agreed for the successful Allied counter-attack which began in earnest in August.

[Original reads: 'Juillet 1918 - Versailles - Conference interallies - Le Gal. Douglas Haig.']

digital.nls.uk/74549716

Dfil des troupes devant le Mal. Douglas Haig [Procession of troops in front of Field Marshal Haig]

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:04:32 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Haig inspecting troops, Bergues, France, 1917. This shows Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) saluting as French troops march past on parade. Two French generals stand behind him. This is one of several photographs apparently taken during a parade to honour French troops. It probably relates to action during the early part of the Third Battle of Ypres. The photograph has a French press stamp.

Ceremonies of this sort were important to try to cement the often difficult relations between the different Allied armies.

[Original reads: 'Aout 1917 - Bergues(?) Nord - Defile des troupes devant le Mal. Douglas Haig.']

digital.nls.uk/74549710

Mal. Douglas Haig et le Gal. Anthoine [Field Marshal Douglas Haig and General Anthoine]

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:05:03 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Haig at Bergues, France, 1917. This photograph shows Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) talking to a French general identified in the caption as 'Anthoine'. The French general is wearing his sword and appears to be in dress uniform. Troops and aircraft hangars can be seen in the background.

It has a French press stamp. The location may be identified as Bergues, near Dunkirk, which had an airfield used by the Allies during the war. This is one of a series of photographs of Haig at Bergues; the others show him decorating French troops.

[Original reads: 'Aout 1917 - Bergus(?) Nord - Le Mal. Douglas Haig et le Gal. Anthoine.']

digital.nls.uk/74549702

Haig and others leaving a train, Western Front, possibly 1918

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:06:14 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) leaving a train to walk over a board path to his waiting car. Sir Philip Sassoon (1888-1939), Secretary to the British Prime Minister Lloyd George (1863-1945), is left of Haig and a French general, probably General Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) is in the background.

The photograph has no original caption. A similar photograph has been attributed to John Warwick Brooke. It is possible that this may be Foch's railway coach headquarters at Compiegne during the Armistice negotiations on 11 November 1918.

[Original reads: No original caption.]

digital.nls.uk/74549688

Le Mal. Douglas Haig [?] les decorations anglaises aux officiers de la Pr. [Field Marshall Haig decorating French officers ... ]

nobody@flickr.com (National Library of Scotland) — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 09:03:01 -0700

National Library of Scotland posted a photo:

Haig decorating French officers, Bergues, France, 1917. This photograph, which has a French press stamp, shows Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928) pinning a British military decoration on a French infantry officer. Other French officers appear to be waiting for their turn. Troops are lined up in the far background.

This is one of a series of photographs showing Haig inspecting and decorating French troops at Bergues, a village near Dunkirk. It is probably related to the Third Battle of Ypres.

[Original reads: 'Aout 1917 - Bergues(?) Nord - Le Mal. Douglas Haig (?unreadable) les decorations anglaises aux officiers de la Pr. (Division?) de (Infrie?) .']

digital.nls.uk/74549718