On April 18, 1918, during a critical juncture of the First World War, Alfred Lord Milner was appointed Secretary of State for War by Prime Minister David Lloyd George. Replacing the Earl of Derby, a staunch supporter of Field-Marshal Haig, Milner was seen as the right choice to manage a war of industrial output and to foster greater cooperation between the civil government and military high command.
Following the German spring offensive, which caused significant Allied concern, Milner played a pivotal role in the Allied unified command structure. Just prior to his appointment, during a visit to France in March 1918, Milner was instrumental in the Doullens Conference, where he helped facilitate the appointment of Ferdinand Foch as Supreme Allied Commander on March 26. This decision was crucial in uniting the British and French armies, stopping the German advance, and initiating the Hundred Days Offensive that led to victory.
As War Secretary, Milner brought his experience from the War Cabinet (1916–1918) to lead the Army Council, fostering closer coordination between military operations and the War Cabinet’s “Garden Suburb” advisors. His appointment marked a shift toward a more aggressive, coordinated approach, often aligning with Lloyd George in prioritizing Allied cooperation over the independence of British generals. Milner held the position until January 1919, after which he became Colonial Secretary to handle the post-war peace negotiations, attending the Paris Peace Conference as a signatory of the Treaty of Versailles. Milner’s tenure as War Secretary is widely viewed as pivotal in the final, successful push of the war, consolidating power and ensuring a unified Allied strategy.
Lord Milner.
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