What is meant by the term lions led by donkeys?

What is meant by the term lions led by donkeys?

“Lions led by donkeys” is a phrase popularly used to describe the British infantry of the First World War and to blame the generals who led them. The contention is that the brave soldiers (lions) were sent to their deaths by incompetent and indifferent leaders (donkeys).

Was Haig a donkey?

David Lloyd George’s view sums up the attitude of many people towards Haig and other British generals of World War One. They were, supposedly, ‘donkeys’: moustachioed incompetents who sent the ‘lions’ of the Poor Bloody Infantry to their deaths in futile battles.

Why did they use donkeys in WW1?

Many donkeys were brought ashore at Gallipoli to help with transport. They would haul ammunition, supplies and water from Anzac Cove up the steep hillsides to the men in the trenches. They also became walking ambulances. Simpson would lead a donkey to carry wounded men from the front line to the beach for treatment.

What did Lions do in the war?

They were incompetent and didn’t take care of their soldiers, the ‘lions’. They sat in safety behind the lines while they sent their troops charging against machine guns and barbed wire. Their men resented them and only obeyed because they would be shot otherwise.

Why was Haig bad?

Haig was the Commander-in-Chief of all British forces by 1916. He had been promoted several times during 1914 and 1915 for his leadership and competence. His reputation suffered very badly as a result of the Battle of the Somme. He was blamed for the heavy losses and accused of not caring about them.

What did the donkeys do in the war?

They can travel quickly over rough country, even when weighed down with a heavy load. Many donkeys were brought ashore at Gallipoli to help with transport. They would haul ammunition, supplies and water from Anzac Cove up the steep hillsides to the men in the trenches. They also became walking ambulances.

What was the most important animal in WW1?

Dogs and pigeons played a crucial a role in World War I, but horses and mules are perhaps the animals most commonly associated with the Great War. Sketches from the American Expeditionary Forces show both animals constantly in the background, and even the foreground, of American military activity.

What does the phrase Lions for Lambs mean?

LONDON — The title of Robert Redford’s “Lions for Lambs” comes from a comment made by a German officer in World War I about the bravery of British soldiers compared to the criminal stupidity of their commanders. …

Was the Somme a failure?

So, while the Somme was not an Allied victory in the traditional sense, it did amount to a significant strategic success for the British and French. In this respect, it was no failure.

Why were donkeys used in ww2?

Donkeys, like mules, were essential in the transport of food, supplies, ammunition and the wounded, during WWI and WWII. A donkey’s sure-footedness on rocky crags and ability to carry up to a third of its body weight proved to be extremely beneficial on rough terrain.

What does the expression Lions led by donkeys mean?

“Lions led by donkeys” is a phrase popularly used to describe the British infantry of World War I and to condemn the generals who commanded them. The contention is that the brave soldiers (lions) were sent to their deaths by incompetent and indifferent leaders (donkeys).

What is the origin of the expression “the donkeys of war”?

It is widely thought that this expression originated as a reference to the British infantry of WWI (the lions), who were remorselessly sent to their deaths by their incompetence and remoteness of their generals (the donkeys). The British politician Alan Clark alluded to this when he wrote a history of the war entitled The Donkeys.

Where did the title of the donkeys come from?

,”Alan Clark based the title of his book The Donkeys (1961) on the phrase. Prior to publication in a letter to Hugh Trevor Roper, he asked “English soldiers, lions led by donkeys etc. – can you remember who said that?” Liddell Hart, although he did not dispute the veracity of the quote, had asked Clark for its origins.

What is the origin of the phrase a lion and a deer?

Origin of the phrase. The origin of the phrase pre-dates the First World War. Plutarch attributed to Chabrias the saying that “an army of deer commanded by a lion is more to be feared than an army of lions commanded by a deer”. An ancient Arabian proverb says “An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep”.