Hubert Gough facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough
Born	(1870-08-12)12 August 1870 London, England
Died	18 March 1963(1963-03-18) (aged 92) London, England
Buried	Camberley, Surrey, England
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army
Years of service	1888–1922
Rank	General
Commands held	Fifth Army I Corps 7th Division 3rd Cavalry Brigade 16th (Queen's) Lancers
Battles/wars	Tirah Campaign Second Boer War Siege of Ladysmith Relief of Ladysmith First World War Battle of Loos Battle of the Somme Third Battle of Ypres Operation Michael
Awards	Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Relations	Sir Charles Gough (father) Sir Hugh Gough (uncle) Sir John Gough (brother)

General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough (born August 12, 1870 – died March 18, 1963) was a very important officer in the British Army during the First World War. He was a favorite of the main commander of the British forces on the Western Front, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig.

Gough quickly moved up the ranks during the war. He eventually led the British Fifth Army from 1916 to 1918. This included major battles like the Battle of the Somme in 1916 and the Third Battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendaele) in 1917. He also led during the German spring offensives in 1918, after which he was removed from his command.

Early Life and Family

Family History and Childhood

The Gough family name likely comes from the Welsh word coch, meaning "red." Before settling in Ireland in the early 1600s, Gough's ancestors were church officials and clerks in England. By the 1800s, they were a wealthy Anglo-Irish family (meaning they were British settlers in Ireland) living in County Waterford, Ireland. Gough himself said he was "Irish by blood and upbringing."

Hubert Gough was the oldest son of General Sir Charles J. S. Gough, who was a brave soldier. His uncle, General Sir Hugh H. Gough, and his brother, Brigadier General Sir John Edmund Gough, were also famous soldiers. The Gough family is the only family to have won the Victoria Cross, Britain's highest award for bravery, three times.

Hubert was born in London on August 12, 1870. As a baby, he went to India with his family. In 1877, he and his brother John were sent back to England to a boarding school while their father was fighting in the Second Anglo-Afghan War.

Starting a Military Career

Gough went to Eton College, a famous school. He was not good at Latin but loved sports like football and rugby. After Eton, he joined the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in 1888. He became a second lieutenant (a junior officer) in the 16th Lancers cavalry regiment in 1889.

Even though he wasn't as rich as some other cavalry officers, he was a very good rider and polo player. He was promoted to lieutenant in 1890 and captain in 1894, which was quite young for his age.

He served in the Tirah Campaign in India from 1897 to 1898, working on the Northwest Frontier. He returned to England in 1898, got married, and then started at the Staff College, Camberley in 1899.

Fighting in the Boer War

Gough did not finish his course at Staff College. Instead, he was sent to South Africa in October 1899. He first worked as an instructor for local volunteer units.

He then became an aide to Lord Dundonald, who led mounted troops. In January 1900, Gough became a brigade intelligence officer, which meant he did a lot of scouting. He was involved in the Battle of Spion Kop (January 23–24), where he met Winston Churchill, who was then a message-carrying officer.

On February 1, Gough was made a local major and put in charge of a special regiment. He led the first British troops into Ladysmith on February 28, 1900, even though his orders said it was "too dangerous." There, he met his brother Johnnie, who had been trapped inside the town.

His regiment fought in the Drakenberg Mountains. The main part of the war ended in late 1900, leading to a period of guerrilla warfare (small, surprise attacks).

In September 1901, Gough and his entire force were captured by larger Boer forces after a poorly planned attack. He later escaped. The commander-in-chief, Kitchener, expressed sympathy, and Gough's reputation was mostly saved because his overconfidence was seen as better than being too timid. He was wounded in November and sent home in January 1902. He was mentioned in official reports four times for his bravery.

Between the Wars (Edwardian Era)

After returning from South Africa, Gough became a regular captain in the 16th Lancers. He was soon promoted to major and then lieutenant-colonel in 1902. He worked on re-equipping army units returning from South Africa.

He taught at Staff College from 1904 to 1906. He became a colonel in 1906 and took command of the 16th (Queen's) Lancers in 1907. Based on his experience in South Africa, Gough believed cavalry soldiers should use their own judgment and ride in small groups, using the land for cover.

In 1911, he was made a temporary brigadier-general and led the 3rd Cavalry Brigade in Ireland.

The Curragh Incident

In 1914, a law called Irish Home Rule was about to pass, which would give Ireland more self-government. Many people in Ulster (northern Ireland) did not want this and formed volunteer groups. The British government considered using the army against these groups.

On March 20, 1914, the commander in Ireland, Arthur Paget, told senior officers that "active operations were to commence against Ulster." He said officers who refused to serve would be fired. Gough, whose family had ties to Ulster, said he would not obey such an order. He and 60 other officers threatened to resign.

Gough was suspended and called to London. He demanded a written promise that the army would not be used against Ulster. The government agreed to a statement that they had "no intention of using force 'to crush opposition to the Home Rule Bill'." However, when the Prime Minister, H.H. Asquith, found out about this extra promise, he rejected it. This led to the resignations of the Secretary of State for War and the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

First World War Service

Early War Battles

Cavalry Brigade: Mons to the Marne

When the war started in August 1914, Gough took his 3rd Cavalry Brigade to France. They were part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). His brigade saw action on August 22, and his artillery was the first British battery to fire on the Germans. During the Battle of Mons (August 23), Gough's brigade was on the left side of the British line.

During the retreat that followed, Gough sometimes acted on his own, connecting with other British commanders using civilian telephones. He helped the 5th Infantry Division during the Battle of Le Cateau (August 26). By September 1, his brigade had retreated 180 miles, finally linking up with other British forces.

By the time of the First Battle of the Marne (September 5), Gough's 3rd and 5th Cavalry Brigades were combined into "Gough's Command," a special cavalry force.

Leading a Cavalry Division

On September 15, Gough's Command became the 2nd Cavalry Division, and he became its commander. This division was the western edge of the BEF. Gough believed he could outflank the Germans (attack them from the side).

His division defended an area around Messines and Wytschaete. Gough made sure to rotate his units quickly through the front lines to prevent them from being too damaged. He also kept the front lines thinly held to have a larger reserve.

Gough was promoted to major-general on October 26, 1914. His division, with some help from other units, was heavily attacked by German forces trying to capture Messines-Wytschaete Ridge. He successfully held off the attack. He later said that the fighting at First Ypres was his "trade test" as a commander.

In February 1915, Gough was offered a command for an expedition to Salonika, but he declined. His brother Johnnie was wounded and died that month. Haig, the overall commander, liked Gough and he became a trusted advisor, somewhat replacing his brother.

Leading an Infantry Division

Gough was appointed commander of the 7th Division on April 18, 1915. This division was part of Haig's First Army. Gough commanded the 7th Division at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in May. He showed initiative by canceling a difficult relief operation on his own authority.

His division was then moved to assist the French. Gough and his artillery officer planned a surprise attack on May 16. The 7th Division was the only part of the British attack to succeed in its sector. After the battle, a captain described Gough as "very smart and keen looking" and able to make soldiers laugh.

At the end of June, Gough was recognized for his services in 1914.

Corps Commander: The Battle of Loos

Planning the Attack

Gough was promoted to temporary lieutenant-general on July 13, 1915, and became commander of I Corps. He was known for visiting front-line units, which sometimes annoyed his senior officers.

Gough was present at a meeting with Kitchener (the War Minister) in August. Gough argued that conscription (forced military service) was needed.

Haig asked Gough to plan attacks on German positions. Gough proposed a surprise attack using gas just before dawn. He later called gas "a boomerang ally" because it could blow back on their own troops. He was also worried about the lack of guns and ammunition.

The Initial Attacks

On September 25, the order came to release the gas, even though the wind was not favorable. On Gough's left, British troops suffered heavy losses. In the center, his 9th Division captured the Hohenzollern Redoubt, a strong German fort.

Gough was very aggressive and impatient. He ordered attacks to be renewed even when they were not making progress, leading to heavy losses. He later made little mention of these difficult episodes in his memoirs.

On September 26, Gough fired a brigadier-general, showing his ruthless side. He was concerned that the brigade might not hold its position against German counterattacks.

Later Attacks and Changes

Haig visited Gough on September 27 and was "visibly worried" and "cross." Gough later admitted he might have passed this behavior down to his officers.

Fighting continued for another week. Gough's I Corps was criticized for not sending reserve units forward, which caused attacks to fail.

Gough started an inquiry into the battle's lessons. He found that British attacks failed due to a lack of grenades but nearly succeeded where British chlorine gas had reached German lines.

Gough was one of several senior officers who spoke to the King and other important people about removing Sir John French from command of the BEF. French was soon forced to resign.

Gough believed that limited attacks were more sensible and criticized Haig for trying to win decisive victories with too few resources.

The Battle of the Somme

Preparing for the Offensive

Haig wanted to launch a major offensive in Flanders but decided on the Somme instead. Gough was appointed commander of the Reserve Corps on April 4, 1916. His job was to lead troops through any breakthrough achieved on the Somme. He spent two months training cavalry divisions.

Gough was very optimistic. He believed that if the Germans collapsed, cavalry could be used to exploit the breakthrough. He suggested using an entire cavalry division to help roll up the enemy's second line, but Haig disagreed.

Reserve Corps was renamed Reserve Army on May 22, 1916. By now, it had three infantry and three cavalry divisions. Gough was expected to push northeast to Bapaume and then turn north to attack German positions from the side.

The Battle of Albert

On July 1, the first day of the Somme, Gough visited Rawlinson, the commander of Fourth Army, several times. In the afternoon, Haig ordered Gough to move his troops up. However, there was no breakthrough, so Gough ordered his cavalry to return to their camps.

Gough was given command of the northern sector of the Somme front, where the worst losses had occurred. He found that communication trenches were blocked with dead and wounded soldiers. He was ordered to attack towards Schwaben Redoubt.

Gough launched an attack on July 3, which was described as a "complete shambles" due to poor preparation and communication. He later regretted launching it. Reserve Army was formally made independent of Fourth Army that day.

Gough was promoted to temporary general on July 7, 1916. He believed that frequent small attacks would keep German casualties low, but this was a mistake, as these attacks allowed Germans to concentrate their fire, leading to massive British losses.

Summer Fighting: Pozières and Mouquet Farm

The German positions in the northern sector were too strong for frontal attacks. Gough's efforts focused on attacking the Pozières sector, which was handed over to him on July 15. This was a very important attack for Gough.

Gough had to be convinced not to launch the 1st Australian Division into an attack on Pozières with only 24 hours' notice. The Australian commander, Maj-Gen "Hooky" Walker, argued with Gough until Gough gave in. Walker later called it "the very worst exhibition of Army commandship."

The attack on Pozières was delayed until July 22/23 and was successful, partly because tired German troops were being replaced. After German counterattacks failed, the Germans heavily shelled the village for weeks.

Gough often clashed with his subordinate commanders. He centralized artillery control and planning, which annoyed his corps commanders. He was seen as "very loveable in many ways" but also "quite a child" and "not quite sane."

Gough ordered more attacks to capture Mouquet Farm. These attacks were often small and not coordinated, allowing the Germans to focus their fire. The BEF suffered about 20,000 casualties in these attacks.

Gough was criticized for the "Mouquet Farm fiasco." He later changed his mind and decided to attack Thiepval directly. He hoped for a decisive victory on the Somme, writing that they "must not stop until we have made the gap."

Autumn Battles

A conference was held on August 23 to plan the attack on Thiepval. Gough's Reserve Army attacked on September 3, but these attacks failed. Gough blamed the failure on a lack of "martial qualities" and "poor spirit in the men."

Gough's plan for the Battle of Thiepval Ridge was his most ambitious operation. The attack on September 26 showed improvements in British tactics. Mouquet Farm finally fell. Thiepval was surrounded and captured by September 27. By September 30, British forces had gained 5 square miles, advancing between 1,000 and 2,000 yards. This fighting showed that British volunteer soldiers could fight as well as the Germans.

Gough believed in deep advances into enemy positions, with troops attacking multiple objectives. He wanted commanders to stay as far forward as possible. He also believed that the Germans were weakening, so a barrage (heavy artillery fire) was not needed once a position was captured.

The Battle of the Ancre Heights (October 1 – November 11) was fought further to Gough's left. These costly small attacks sometimes involved only a single battalion. Gough discussed with Haig the possibility of the war continuing into 1917.

Gough was seen as "the best hated & most useless & most dangerous General we have got" by some. Reserve Army was renamed Fifth Army on October 30, 1916.

The Battle of the Ancre

Gough led the last major British attack on the Somme at the Battle of the Ancre, starting on November 13. This was considered "perhaps Gough's finest hour." Its success was partly due to delays caused by bad weather, which allowed more time for planning.

Haig wanted the attack to pin down German troops, impress the Russians, and strengthen his position at an Allied conference. Gough consulted his corps commanders and visited divisional and brigade commanders to assess conditions.

The Ancre attack used many heavy guns and a creeping barrage (a moving wall of artillery fire). A mine was blown at Beaumont Hamel, which was very successful. The attack succeeded in the southern sector, with British divisions capturing key villages.

Gough ordered further attacks the next day, leading to fierce fighting for Munich and Frankfort Trenches. Haig, who was in Paris, initially wanted no more large-scale attacks, but Gough decided to proceed, and Haig approved it later.

These later attacks were similar to the costly small attacks around Pozières, made worse by terrible weather. One officer said it was a "cruel useless sacrifice of life" due to the mud. Haig eventually called off the battle.

Gough fired several senior officers of the 32nd Division after an attack failed. He was awarded the KCB in 1916.

Gough's Command Style

Gough used a "top-down" command style, which was unusual for the British Army at the time. He gave very specific orders, unlike Rawlinson, who allowed more discussion. Some historians believe Gough's hands-on approach was due to Haig's dissatisfaction with other commanders.

Gough's reputation for checking dirty rifles showed he struggled to adapt to commanding large armies. The BEF had grown from 7 to 70 divisions, and officers were not trained for such large-scale command or for trench warfare.

Some of Gough's ideas, like his prescriptive approach to artillery, were adopted by other armies.

Spring 1917 Operations

Advance on the Ancre

On January 1, 1917, Gough was promoted to permanent lieutenant general. He conducted small operations to improve British positions. Some officers were unhappy serving under him again.

In February, Gough ordered a general advance after hearing that German trenches were weakly held. Fifth Army occupied several villages.

Gough was known for "terrorizing" those under him, making them afraid to express their opinions.

Arras and Bullecourt Battles

Haig ordered Gough to prepare a major offensive to break the German front. Gough commanded the southern part of the Arras offensive.

Gough launched an attack at (First) Bullecourt (April 10–11), which was described as "hasty, ill-prepared and ultimately disastrous." The 4th Australian Brigade lost three-quarters of its men. Bullecourt became known as the "Blood Tub."

The Second Battle of Bullecourt (May 3–15) was also "memorably bloody and ill-rewarded." These battles further damaged Gough's reputation with the Australians.

Haig told Gough in April that he would command the proposed Flanders Offensive.

Third Ypres (Passchendaele)

Planning the Offensive

Haig chose Gough to lead the main attack at Third Ypres (Passchendaele) because of his aggressive style. Some historians and other generals later believed this was "Haig's greatest and most fatal error." Gough himself later agreed that another general, Plumer, should have led the attack.

Gough's headquarters moved to Lovie Chateau near Poperinghe in May 1917. The discussions focused on how far British infantry should push. Gough wanted to advance further than initially planned, hoping to reach Passchendaele Ridge itself on the first day. Haig did not stop him.

Failure to Exploit Messines

After the British victory at Messines in June, Plumer wanted to exploit the German disorganization. However, when his patrols met resistance, Haig pushed Plumer to attack immediately. Plumer refused to be rushed. Haig then put two of Plumer's corps under Gough's command. Gough did not launch an immediate attack, preferring to attack the Gheluveld Plateau at the same time as his main offensive. This decision had negative consequences later.

Gough was given many divisions and much of Plumer's artillery and tanks for the offensive.

Final Plans for the Attack

The Germans had strong defensive lines, which they had strengthened since mid-June. Gough planned a four-phase attack across an 8-mile front. He aimed for a deep advance, hoping to reach Passchendaele Ridge itself on the first day if resistance was weak. Haig wanted to reach the Belgian coast within weeks.

Some generals disagreed with Gough's deep advance plan, preferring shorter, more concentrated attacks. Gough later falsely claimed he had wanted a shallower advance but was overruled by Haig and Plumer.

Pilckem Ridge (First Day)

The bombardment began on July 16. The battle, Pilckem Ridge, started on July 31. It was relatively successful on the left flank, with French and British troops taking their objectives. However, it was less successful on the Gheluveld Plateau, where German artillery was not silenced.

The attack captured 18 square miles and two German defensive lines on the left, at a cost of 27,000 casualties. However, the Gheluveld Plateau was not captured, and infantry who pushed too far ahead were vulnerable to counterattack. It began to rain on July 31.

Early August Fighting

Gough ordered more attacks, but the ground was bad due to rain. The August 10 attack on the Gheluveld Plateau was heavily shelled and gained little ground.

The August 16 attack was carried out across a wide front after two days of heavy rain. The French on Gough's left succeeded, but Gough's attacks in the center were largely unsuccessful, suffering 15,000 casualties. Gough later claimed he advised Haig to abandon the attack due to conditions, but Haig insisted on continuing to wear down German strength.

Gough blamed some failures on his Irish troops, saying they "were Irish and did not like the enemy's shelling," but Haig disagreed, noting the troops were exhausted and the bombardment was ineffective. Gough later regretted these comments.

Plumer Takes Over

Haig decided to give the lead in the offensive to Plumer's Second Army, which would use a more cautious approach. Gough was to undertake supporting attacks.

By August 26, the rain was torrential. Gough's attacks continued to fail, and his troops were exhausted. Haig ordered Gough to hand over command of II Corps to Plumer.

Haig later stopped Gough from making "little attacks" which he thought were "wasteful." Gough's staff work was also criticized.

Sidelined and Supporting Role

Plumer then successfully captured the Gheluveld Plateau in September and October, using intense artillery fire and new tactics. Fifth Army played a supporting role in Plumer's victory. Some divisions new to Fifth Army succeeded, while others, possibly worn out, did not. Soldiers often preferred serving in other armies than Gough's Fifth Army.

Haig still hoped for a breakthrough and ordered forces to be ready to exploit towards Roulers. Gough protested that the date was unrealistic but was overruled.

The rain continued. Some historians claim Gough and Plumer urged Haig to stop the campaign, but there is no clear evidence for this. Gough continued to push for further attacks.

Gough became unpopular, and some officers formed a group called "Gough Must Go." Haig was advised not to send Canadian troops to Gough's Army because Gough had "drove them too much" on the Somme. The Secretary of State for War warned Haig about Gough's growing unpopularity.

Spring 1918: German Offensive

Preparing the Defense

In January 1918, Gough's Fifth Army was moved back to the Somme, the southern part of the British line. Haig had concentrated his reserves further north, leaving Fifth Army to face the main German attack, Operation Michael.

Gough was ordered to prepare defensive zones. He had only eleven divisions, far fewer than the seventeen he requested. He was holding 42 miles of front, compared to Third Army's 14 divisions holding 28 miles.

Gough warned his corps commanders that a major German attack was coming. He asked for reinforcements, but his requests were often refused by GHQ staff, who may have been personally unsympathetic to him.

The German Attack (March 21)

The German attack began at 4:40 am on March 21. The Germans had a huge advantage in guns and troops (8:1 on Gough's front). Their bombardment focused on British headquarters and communications.

Gough ordered two reserve divisions to move up. He spent the morning at his headquarters, listening to reports. He quickly made the "brave decision" to order a fighting retreat. Haig approved this withdrawal.

The Retreat and French Support

On March 22, Gough issued written orders for corps to retreat. One corps commander, Maxse, withdrew immediately without artillery cover, which caused problems for other units.

Rumors spread in London that Fifth Army had broken. Haig visited Gough on March 23 and was dismayed that Fifth Army had fallen back so far. Haig and the French commander, Petain, met and agreed that Gough's Fifth Army would be placed under French command. Gough was ordered to hold the line "at all costs."

Gough's forces were reinforced by British and French units. He organized rear-echelon troops into fighting units, known as "Carey's Force," to help hold the line.

Gough's Dismissal

Gough was not invited to a key meeting on March 26 where Haig ordered that Amiens be held "at all costs." At the Doullens Conference that afternoon, Petain falsely claimed that Gough's Fifth Army "no longer really exists" and had "run like the Italians."

Gough met with Foch, who was appointed generalissimo (overall commander of Allied forces). Foch was rude to Gough, demanding to know why he wasn't in the front line and why Fifth Army was retreating. Gough complained to Haig that Foch was "most impertinent."

On the evening of March 26, Gough told Lawrence that the Germans were weakening and that with fresh divisions, he could push them back. Lawrence laughed and said no reinforcements could be sent.

On March 27, Gough was surprised to be told he was to be relieved of command and hand over to Rawlinson the next day. Haig defended Gough to Prime Minister Lloyd George, saying he had handled a difficult situation well. However, Lloyd George demanded Gough's dismissal, blaming him for not holding the Somme bridges. Haig refused to sack him unless given a direct order.

On April 4, Haig received a telegram ordering Gough's dismissal due to "having lost the confidence of his troops." Gough handed over command on March 28. His forces had retreated over 40 miles, but he had prevented a complete disaster.

After the War

Becoming a Scapegoat

Lord Derby, the Secretary of State for War, demanded a full report on the Fifth Army's retreat. Lloyd George refused to rule out a court martial for Gough and praised other generals, unfairly blaming Gough.

Gough was furious that he was being blamed. He felt that none of the other Army Commanders could have handled such a massive German attack. He resisted the urge to speak publicly about his views, which would have been against military rules.

Haig later admitted that Gough's treatment was "harsh and undeserved" but that "public opinion at home... demanded a scapegoat."

In May 1919, Gough received a letter from Winston Churchill, the new Secretary of State for War, praising the "gallant fight of the Fifth Army" and promising to consider him for a new command. Gough was initially angry that it wasn't a full exoneration, but he accepted it because of the praise for his army.

Baltic Mission and Retirement

Gough was appointed Chief of the Allied Military Mission to the Baltic in May 1919. He worked to support White Russian forces against the Bolsheviks and to encourage independence for the Baltic states. He was successful in getting German troops to leave the Baltic region. However, he was again fired at the Prime Minister's insistence in October 1919 and did not receive further military employment.

Gough retired from the Army as a full general on October 26, 1922.

Later Life and Memoirs

Gough tried farming and became a company director. He also helped manage hospitals. He remained chairman of Siemens Brothers until he was eighty.

He wrote his own account, The Fifth Army (1931), to defend his actions. He argued that he had often stopped attacks by his subordinates if they were not prepared. The book was a great success.

The official history of the war contained some criticism of Gough. However, Lloyd George later admitted that Gough had been "let down" and that "no General could have won that battle."

In 1937, Gough was given the GCB award, which was seen as an official recognition of his good reputation. He was also honorary colonel of the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers.

In 1940, Gough joined the Home Guard (a defense force for Britain during World War II) and commanded the Chelsea Home Guard. He was very efficient and was promoted to Zone Commander. He retired in 1942 due to his age and arthritis.

Death and Legacy

Gough died in London on March 18, 1963, at the age of 92. He was interviewed on television shortly before his death, where he criticized his old rival, Henry Wilson.

Gough was a man who inspired strong opinions. He was the youngest of the Army Commanders and was known for his "peppery" (fiery) personality. He was the only senior general who regularly visited forward trenches.

However, by late 1917, many divisions did not want to be sent to Fifth Army, preferring other armies. Gough believed this was because some officers lacked boldness. His long fight to clear his name after his dismissal helped to shift attention from his generalship in 1916 and 1917.

Images for kids

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  The Relief of Ladysmith. Sir George White greets Lord Douglas Hamilton on February 28, 1900. Painting by John Henry Frederick Bacon.

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  Hubert Gough (left) and King Albert I of Belgium.

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  General Sir Hubert Gough, commanding the Fifth Army, presenting officers to Albert I of Belgium, at Albert, May 16, 1917. Lieutenant-General William Birdwood, GOC I ANZAC Corps, on the right. Field Ambulance sign in background bears the 34th Divisional mark.