John Bull identifies excessive optimism and difficulty accepting sunk costs as weaknesses in Haig's conduct. Alex compares that persistence with the fictional Frieren repeatedly trusting apparent treasure chests because a rare exception has rewarded her before. The analogy concerns a command habit, rather than evidence about Haig's decisions. Foch's overall authority supplied a way to halt one effort and direct another force against a different part of the line. Repeated limited advances denied German units opportunities to rest, replace losses, or reorganize. Attacks on railways, including fire from railway guns, further disrupted movement behind the front.
Notable Point · 1:24:20-1:27:27
Foch coordinated repeated attacks and restrained Haig's persistence
Haig's optimism, Foch's authority, and pressure on German movement form an explanation of the final Allied method.