Were British WWI soldiers REALLY "lions led by donkeys"?

The phrase "lions led by donkeys" was said to have been coined by the German military strategist General Erich Ludendorff, who served as the Chief of Staff of the German Army during the latter stages of World War I.

According to one author, Ludendorff criticized the British army's leadership, describing them as "donkeys" who sent their brave soldiers to their deaths.

He argued that the British generals were out of touch with the reality of the battlefield and that they lacked the necessary skills and knowledge to lead their troops effectively.

However, there is very little evidence that this story actually happened.

An alternative origin of the phrase could be attributed to the British politician Alan Clark.

He wrote a history of the war entitled 'The Donkeys'.

However, the origin of the phrase actually pre-dates the First World War. The ancient Roman biographer, 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".

Regardless, the phrase gained widespread usage in the years following the war, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, when many people were critical of the leadership of the British army during the war.

It became a popular way to criticize the British generals who were perceived as incompetent or out of touch with the realities of modern warfare.

Eventually, the phrase also played a role in shaping the public's perception of the war.

Many people used it to argue that the war was a futile and senseless tragedy that could have been avoided if the leadership had been more competent.

While it is true that some British generals made costly mistakes, it would be unfair to suggest that all British generals were incompetent.

The challenges they faced were enormous, and the realities of the battlefield were unprecedented.

It is also worth noting that other armies, including the German army, also suffered significant casualties and setbacks during the war.

In reality, World War I was the first major conflict in which industrialized nations deployed modern technology and tactics.

It was a war that was fought in a stalemate in the trenches, with neither side making significant advances for extended periods.

The British army, in particular, was faced with numerous challenges, including shortages of supplies, manpower, and equipment.

However, it would be unfair to suggest that the British army was entirely incompetent or that its leaders were donkeys.

British generals faced a unique set of challenges on the Western Front. The terrain was difficult to navigate, and the Germans had a particularly well-fortified defensive line.

Often, the British army had to contend with an enemy had the upper hand in terms of tactics and technology.

Furthermore, the British army had to rely on inexperienced troops, as conscription only came into effect in 1916.

As a result, it was not easy to plan and execute effective offensives.

However, some British generals did make mistakes that cost the lives of many soldiers.

For instance, the Battle of the Somme in 1916 was a catastrophic disaster, with almost 60,000 British casualties on the first day.

Almost 20,000 of which were killed.

Also, the battle was poorly planned, and the British army's tactics were significantly outdated. 

Similarly, the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 was also a disaster, with over 300,000 casualties.

While it is fair to say that some British commanders were competent, others were clear not so.

The British Army had a huge number of generals, and their abilities varied widely.

Some generals were experienced and competent, while others were inexperienced or out of touch with the realities of modern warfare.

For example, General Douglas Haig, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front, has been criticized for his leadership during the war: particularly for his decisions during the Battle of the Somme.

However, it is also worth noting that Haig was responsible for a number of successful offensives, such as the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge.

On the other hand, General Henry Rawlinson, who commanded the Fourth Army during the Battle of the Somme, is one example of good leadership.

Rawlinson worked closely with his staff to develop a new strategy for the battle, which included a more gradual approach to the offensive and the use of creeping barrages.

While the Battle of the Somme was still a costly and devastating battle for the British Army, Rawlinson's leadership helped to minimize the losses and make some significant gains.

Ultimately, the performance of the British Army during the war was not simply a matter of "lions led by donkeys," but a complex and multifaceted story of successes and failures, bravery and sacrifice.