Newspaper cutting of a review of From Private Soldier to Field Marshal (Constable and Co, London, 1921) by FM Sir William (Robert) Robertson, 1st Bt, in The Morning Post, written by Alan Ian Percy, 8th Duke of Northumberland. 1p.
Newspaper cutting from The Times, announcing the decision of the French Chamber to publish full reports of sittings during the war, and giving a detailed description of claims relating to disagreements between the French and British higher commands made in the book Pages de Verité: L'Offensive de 1917 et le Commandement du Général Nivelle (Paris et Bruxelles, 1919), by Maj de Civrieux. Annotated in Kiggell's hand. 1p.
Notes written by Kiggell, prompted by an article in The Times of 13 Oct 1919 relating to disagreements between the French and British higher commands during 1917, giving his recollections of events surrounding the planning for the Nivelle offensive of 1917, notably agreements made between French Gen Joseph Jacques Cesaire Joffre, Commander in Chief of the French army, FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief of the British Armies in France, and other Allies at the Chantilly Conference, 15 Nov 1916; changes in plans following the appointment of French Gen Robert Georges Nivelle as Commander in Chief of the French army, Dec 1916, including discussions as to the date of the Allied offensive, the British role in the proposed attack and negotiations concerning the takeover by the British army of large sections of the French line; reasons for Haig's reluctance to agree to Nivelle's plan of campaign with relation to the above negotiations; commentary on the attitude of Nivelle and the French higher command to the prospect of British domination of the offensive. 9pp.
Letters from Gen Sir Douglas Haig, General Officer Commanding in Chief, British Armies in France, and Gen Sir Herbert Charles Onslow Plumer, General Officer Commanding 2 Army, concerning planning for the Somme offensive, Jul-Nov 1916, notably a brief examination by Haig of the strategic situation prior to a meeting with French Gen Joseph Jacques Cesaire Joffre, Commander in Chief of the French Armies on the Western Front, and French Gen Nöel Joseph Edouard de Curières de Castelnau, his Chief of Staff, May 1916; his meeting with the British War Council and negotiations with the French concerning the start date of the coming offensive, Jun 1916; discussion between Haig and Plumer through Kiggell concerning recent operations by 2 Army on the Ypres Salient (Battle of Mount Sorrel), Jun 1916, and the proposed move of 3 Div to 4 Army in preparation for the Somme Offensive. 4 items, 11pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, giving reasons why he wishes Kiggell to succeed him as Director of Staff Duties at the War Office. 3pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, notably his desire that Kiggell succeed him as Director of Staff Duties at the War Office, and that they work together in their respective posts to create the beginnings of an Imperial General Staff. 3pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, Chief of General Staff, India, notably on the importance of Kiggell remaining as Director of Staff Duties at the War Office, in order to aid the development of the General Staff; forwarding a paper prepared by Maj Gen Alexander Hamilton Gordon, Director of Military Operations, General Staff, India, on the need for field howitzers as opposed to heavier guns. 2pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, informing Kiggell that the Chief of General Staff has put his name down as Haig's successor as Director of Staff Duties at the War Office. 3pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, wishing Kiggell luck in the post of Director of Staff Duties at the War Office, and informing him of salary and promotion prospects. 3pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, notably Kiggell's recommendation of Lt Col Colin (John) Mackenzie as a replacement for Haig in the post of Director of Staff Duties at the War Office; Haig's views on the likelihood of war within 3 years, and the need therefore to organise India's resources for Imperial needs. 3pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Sir Douglas Haig, on Haig's forthcoming appointment as Chief of General Staff, India, and his request of Kiggell to recommend a good officer to replace him in his present post as Director of Staff Duties, War Office. 4pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Henry Hughes Wilson, Assistant Chief of General Staff, notably his reservations concerning the 'new armies' being raised and trained by FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War; a brief description of fighting on the right bank of the River Aisne. 4pp.
Letter from Maj Gen Henry Hughes Wilson, Assistant Chief of General Staff, giving a very brief summary of the war so far. 1p.
Letter from temporary Lt Gen Sir William (Robert) Robertson, Chief of General Staff, British Armies in France, suggesting possible staff appointments for Kiggell in France, and giving a general overview of the difficulties of attacking and command in trench warfare. 4pp.
Letter from Lt Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, General Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Command, concerning a paper he was asked to write for the British War Cabinet on the present situation and future development of the war, and denying any personal criticism of FM Sir Douglas Haig, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France. 8pp.
Letter from Lt Gen Sir Henry Hughes Wilson, Chief Liaison Officer to French General Headquarters, enclosing a copy of a note to Gen Sir William (Robert) Robertson, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, giving Wilson's opinions on the promotion of French Gen Henri-Philippe Benoni Omer Pétain to Commander in Chief of the French army, with French Gen Ferdinand Foch as his Chief of Staff; comment on a Convention being held in Dublin between the opposing sides in Ireland. 4pp.