51388: Haig and his Army Commanders on 11th November 1918

The film opens with a very brief portrait shot of Haig, taken by a French official cameraman in August 1917. II. The Army Commanders arrive by car at Haig's temporary headquarters at Cambrai for their final conference, shortly before 11am. General Birdwood (Fifth Army) arrives first, then Byng (Third Army), Plumer (Second Army) then Byng with Horne (First Army), Rawlinson (Fourth Army) and Haig. At 11am General Plumer is pictured in close-up left profile with General Byng next to him, trying to make him laugh. A posed group on a flight of steps: Plumer, Haig and Rawlinson in front, Byng, Birdwood and Horne behind, with staff officers to the rear, including Lieutenant-Generals Sir John 'Tavish' Davidson, Montgomery, and Sir Louis Vaughan. The next scene shows Haig back at his command train near Iwuy at 12.50pm, greeting Prince Fushimi of Japan, Prince Arthur of Connaught, and Count Inouye. The Prince of Wales arrives at 2.15pm and Haig also greets him. Finally, Haig's departure from Cambrai at about 11.30am following his Army Commanders' conference. The Army Commanders, except Plumer, are visible saying goodbye, and the troops cheer him. The other generals then leave.