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ROBERTSON, FM Sir William (1860-1933)
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Correspondence, Sep-Nov 1914, about changes to the British line of communications

Correspondence and papers relating to changes to the British Line of Communications during the transfer of the bulk of the British Army to Flanders in Oct 1914, notably comprising negotiations between the French and British Higher Commands concerning the appointment of new Bases in France, the eventual decision being to have Havre as a main sea-base, Bologne as a subsidiary base, and Rouen as a regulating station; correspondence between Maj Gen Ronald Charles Maxwell, Inspector General of Communications, BEF (British Expeditionary Force), and Robertson, mainly details of the evacuation of present bases at Nantes, St Nazaire, Le Mans and Ostend, and the build-up of the new sites, and the move of the General Headquarters to Abbeville, including collaboration with the French authorities concerning the use of railways; Robertson's comments on the military situation, the possibility of its affecting the progress of the move, and the danger to the new line of communication afforded by the German build-up in the North-West. 32 items, 73pp.

Draft letter from Robertson to Lieutenant Colonel Lord Stamfordham, [1915], on subjects including relations between Field Marshal Sir John French and Field Marshal Lord Kitchener

Incomplete draft private letter from Robertson to Lt Col Arthur John Bigge, Baron Stamfordham, Private Secretary to HM King George V, notably on the poor relations between FM Sir John Denton Pinkstone French, Commander in Chief, British Armies in France, and FM Horatio Herbert Kitchener, 1st Earl Kitchener of Khartoum and Broome, Secretary of State for War; the character of French, the lack of confidence of the French Higher Command in his abilities, and his failure to provide adequate information concerning events on the Western Front to the British Government; enclosing information on ammunition requirements on the Western Front, and a General Staff assessment of the situation (not included); possible remedies for the problems outlined, notably the use of the Imperial General Staff provide adequate military advice to the Government, popular and trusted commanders on the Western Front, good relations between the War Office and the British General Staff in France, and greater Anglo-French cooperation. 8pp.

Draft memo by Robertson for Prime Minister David Lloyd George, 8 Dec 1916, on the present situation, including the likelihood of protracted war on the Western Front

Draft of memorandum by Robertson given to the Rt Hon David Lloyd George upon his election as Prime Minister, giving his views on the present situation, and emphasising the need to reorganise manpower at home, improve railways in France, gain more control over the conduct of the war, and prepare for a lengthy conflict based mainly on the Western Front. 6pp.

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