Haig's hand-written comments on Winston Churchill's "The World Crisis" (transcript) Reference: Churchill Papers, CHAR 8/167/13. Reproduced with the permission of Lord Haig.
"Read the orders issued to Gough in Feb! .. The Péronne position was assigned to him to hold: and he was directed to fall back from his extended front in case of attack in force, to that position.
"Plans for counter attack were also worked out by Gen. Hamilton Gordon for the British and Gen. Humbert for the French. Troops were also ear-marked for the task & placed in suitable billets.
"Petain did not use these troops though they were at hand, because he expected to be attacked in Champagne!! The British Div[is]ions were drawn into the Battle in direct support.