Lord Haig, full name Douglas Haig, was a British Army officer during World War I. He is best known for his role as the commander of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front. Haig led British forces during significant battles, including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Passchendaele, which were marked by heavy casualties and controversial tactics. Born in 1861, Haig was educated at Oxford University and joined the army in 1885. He rose through the ranks and became a key military leader during the war, often facing criticism for his strategies and the high loss of life among soldiers. Haig was promoted to Field Marshal in 1917 and continued to serve until the war's end in 1918.