By such small things are the events of history decided

Looking back on the events of 91 years ago we know the defeat of Germany was inevitable by Sep. 18th, 1918. Their army was on its last legs, their economy was shattered, their morale was non-existent...but to the people on the ground at the moment, it seemed much different. They still had the Hindenburg/Siegfried Line ahead of them, they were facing an army that had experienced a few local successes...it was in no way certain in their eyes. There were still thousands of casualties ahead before the end of World War I.

Thus it made sense for Haig to over rule Rawlinson and initially reject plans for the attack. The Hindenburg Line was the greatest defensive position in the World at that time and penetrating it was no walk in the park.

I can only imagine the fear...scratch that, the outright terror the German soldiers must have felt as 1500 artillery pieces rolled their fire. If you are unaware of what that represents, let me paint a bit of a picture for you.

1500 big guns hurled shells in predesignated patterns. They would fire, reload, and adjust their aim a few yard ahead, then fire again. Rinse, repeat. Occasionally back a few guns up to a previous aiming point to keep the defenders from going into the safety of a shell hole from a previous shot.

So as a defender, you have an unbelievably huge amount of ordnance falling in a random pattern meant to saturate the ground and leave nothing alive where it is falling approaching you. There is nowhere to go. You can't stay where you are because this rolling fire is approaching. You can't wait for it to hit in front of you, then charge to where it just landed because either a shell fired backwards in the pattern will get you...or the 300 machine guns waiting for you to do that will...or you will be all but alone in the face of the forthcoming charge by the British.

And going backwards takes you away from cover and into the sights of those same machine guns.

How did any soldier stay sane under those conditions?

As a side-note...these were the practices of "civilized" warfare, unlike those rebellious nations using gas and submarine warfare.

Anyhow, Haig finally authorized it, Rawlinson made progress, and the line was soon broken. What would have happened had Haig not allowed the attack? We don't know...because the path history took was he reversed his decision and the attack was made at Epehy.