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Sir Brodie Haig
Born (1886-01-31)31 January 1886
Kensington, London
Died 9 February 1957(1957-02-09) (aged 71)
Buried
La Croix Cemetery, Grouville, Jersey
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Indian Army
Years of service 1905–1942
Rank General
Service number 191075
Commands held Southern Command, India (1941–42)
Staff College, Quetta (1937–40)
7th Dehra Dun Brigade (1933–35)
4th Battalion 14th Punjab Regiment (1930–32)
Battles/wars First World War
Second World War
Awards Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
Military Cross & Bar
Mentioned in Despatches
Spouse(s) Marguerite Theodora Hyde Wadley
Gen Sir Brodie Haig gravestone in Grouville, Jersey
Haig's resting place in Grouville, Jersey

Sir Arthur Brodie Haig (born January 31, 1886 – died February 9, 1957) was a very important officer in the British Indian Army. This army was part of the British forces that served in India.

Before the First World War, he was a regular soldier. He served in India and then in the Middle East during the war. He was hurt in a battle and was praised for his bravery twice. He also received a special award called the Military Cross. Later, he was captured by the Ottoman Empire during a long battle called the Siege of Kut. But he was very brave and managed to escape in August 1918! Because of his escape, he received another award, a "Bar" to his Military Cross.

After the war, Haig went back to India. He held many important jobs and led a group of soldiers called a brigade. When the Second World War started, he became a top officer in charge of supplies for the army in India. He was promoted to a very high rank, lieutenant general. Later, he became the main commander of the Southern Army in India before he retired in 1942.

Brodie Haig's Early Military Career

Joining the Army

Brodie Haig started his military journey at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. This is a famous school where people train to become army officers. On January 18, 1905, he officially became a second lieutenant. This was his first officer rank in the British Indian Army.

He first spent a year with a British Army regiment in India. Then, on March 19, 1906, he joined the 24th Punjabis. This was an Indian Army regiment. He quickly moved up the ranks. He became a lieutenant on April 18, 1907. Then, he was promoted to captain on January 18, 1914.

Serving in the First World War

Battles and Bravery

During the First World War, Brodie Haig served in different places. He was in Egypt from November 1914 to March 1915. Then, he moved to a region called Mesopotamia (which is now part of Iraq). He served there from April 1915 until April 1916.

He was wounded in battle on April 14, 1915, during the Battle of Shaiba. Being "wounded" means he was injured. He was also "mentioned in despatches" twice. This means his bravery and good work were officially noted in reports by his commanders. He received the Military Cross for his courage. This is a special award for bravery in battle.

Captured and Escaped

On April 29, 1916, a big event happened. Haig was taken prisoner during the Siege of Kut. This was a long and difficult battle. He became a prisoner of war.

But Brodie Haig was not one to give up! In August 1918, he successfully escaped from his prison camp. This was an amazing feat. Because of his daring escape, he received a "Bar" to his Military Cross. A "Bar" means he earned the award a second time. This second award was given to him on June 10, 1920.

Life Back in India

Important Army Jobs

After the war, Brodie Haig returned to India. He took on many important jobs in the army. These were often "staff appointments," meaning he worked in planning and organizing roles.

From September 1919 to September 1920, he was a temporary major. He worked as a General Staff Officer. He held this type of role again from April 1922 to February 1923.

Teaching and Leading Soldiers

On February 21, 1923, Haig became an instructor. He taught at the Staff College in Quetta. This is a place where army officers learn advanced military skills. He taught there until August 1926.

In 1929, Haig attended the Imperial Defence College. This is a very high-level course for senior military leaders. After this, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. On February 10, 1930, he became the commanding officer of the 4th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment. He was now leading a large group of soldiers.

Rising Through the Ranks

Brodie Haig continued to rise in the army. On June 4, 1932, he became a temporary brigadier and a full colonel. He worked as a Deputy Director. This meant he helped plan army duties.

He then commanded the 7th Dehra Dun Brigade from October 1933. He kept his temporary brigadier rank. On February 28, 1936, he became a Deputy Adjutant and Quartermaster General for the Eastern Command. This involved managing soldiers and supplies.

On June 6, 1936, he was promoted to major general. This is a very senior rank. He also received another honor, becoming a Companion of the Order of the Bath on February 1, 1937. In July 1937, he became the colonel of his old regiment, the 4th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment. In the same year, he became the commandant (leader) of the Quetta Staff College.

Second World War Service

Top Leadership Roles

When the Second World War began, Brodie Haig took on even bigger roles. On March 16, 1940, he became the Quartermaster General for the Army Headquarters in India. This meant he was in charge of all supplies, equipment, and logistics for the entire army in India. He was also made an acting lieutenant general, a very high rank. This rank was made permanent on April 1, 1940.

He reached the highest rank of full general on May 10, 1941. Shortly after, on May 15, he became the Adjutant-General of India. This role involves managing the army's personnel and administration.

From October 1941 to June 1942, he was the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command. This meant he was the top commander of a huge part of the army in southern India. On June 11, 1942, he received another major honor: he was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath. This is a very prestigious award. He retired from the army on August 16, 1942, after a long and distinguished career.

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