Dogfighters.......ive created this thread to post one news article per day, this will be a daily news bulletin from 100 years ago so as to inform and enlighten all of us as to the events of the war as they unfolded play by play. Please dont comment but just read so that this stays as a reminder to us all of the great men and women of ww1.

Thankyou

Countdown to War

Russia says as Austria will not consent to interchange of view, Great Britain must take initiative; but she cannot let Austria get ahead of her, and has decided therefore to mobilise Southern Corps on Austrian frontier.

Russia officially informed by Germany (but not as a threat) that partial (Russian) mobilisation must be followed by war with Germany. Russia therefore decides on general mobilisation.

Great Britain again pressed Germany again re: mediation, but warns her that she (Great Britain) could not stand aside in all circumstances.

Council at Potsdam.

Germany makes out that she may not be able to prevent Austria going too far: makes "infamous offer" that if Great Britain would remain neutral Germany would annex no French territory.

Austrians bombard Belgrade in afternoon.

Unsuccessful Austrian attempt to cross Danube between Belgrade and Gradishte (the first of 18 vain efforts prior to 12 August).

MM. Poincare and Viviani reach Paris.

German patrols cross French frontier.  Extensive German and Austrian preparations.

Tsar tries to stop general Russian mobilisation 11 p.m.

Russia proposes to Germany at 2 a.m. to stop mobilising if Austria would eliminate clauses in ultimatum damaging Serbian sovereignty.  Last chance of peace.

Lokal Anzeiger announces German mobilisation.  Contradicted officially after time allowed for Russian Ambassador to wire it to St. Petersburg.  Germany wires temporisingly to Vienna, but does not forward Russia's "last chance" proposal.

Russia learns of general Austrian mobilisation.

Prince Henry of Prussia wires to King George asking him to secure neutrality of France and Russia.  The King says he is trying to persuade them to cease preparations, if Austria will not go beyond Belgrade.  Hopes Kaiser will influence Austria.

Austria a little nervous, but refuses to alter the Note.

Russia decides definitely on general mobilisation.

German troops close to French frontier: French troops kept 10 km behind it.

Sir Edward Grey repudiates Bethmann-Hollweg's "infamous proposal" with scorn, but holds out olive branch.  No notice taken by Germany.

Mr. Asquith's speech in House of Commons.

Russia still complaisant, but as Austria is not responsive she announces her general mobilisation.

Austria also announces general mobilisation.

Germany declares Kriegsgefahrsustand (i.e. imminent-danger-of-war situation), and tells Russia (definite threat not delivered till midnight) that she proposes to mobilise unless Russia stops all military measures within 12 hours.  She also informs France of her intention towards Russia, and demands to know within 18 hours whether France will remain neutral.  (In that case she would have demanded the temporary cession of Toul and Verdun.  M. Viviani, however, merely replied that France would act according to her interests.)

France notifies her Ambassadors that Germany, whilst protesting peaceful intentions, has throughout by her dilatory or negative attitude caused all attempts at agreement to fail.

Sir Edward Grey goes to the furthest possible limit in endeavouring to persuade Germany to assist him in squaring matters between Austria and Serbia.  Asks France and Germany whether they intend to respect Belgian neutrality; France says, "certainly", Germany refuses to reply.  British Cabinet not yet prepared to give France definite pledge of assistance.

Financial crisis in London.  Stock Exchange closed.

Belgian mobilisation decreed for following day.

M. Jaures (Socialist leader) assassinated in Paris.

Mobilisation commenced in Turkey.

King George wires to Tsar that Germany recommended British proposals to Austria on 30 July, but that Russian mobilisation was reported during Austrian Cabinet meeting.

Russia does not reply to German ultimatum expiring at noon.

French mobilisation ordered 3.40 p.m.

Germany, having ostensibly ordered general mobilisation 5 p.m., declares war on Russia 7.10 p.m.; makes out that Russians had crossed frontier in afternoon and begun war.  (Declaration drafted before noon.)

Tsar wires to King George V that he had to mobilise on account of Serbia; but that though he had promised Kaiser he would not move troops during negotiations, Germany had suddenly declared war.

Austria at last moment appears accommodating to England.

Italy declines to take part in war, as being an aggressive one.

Sir Edward Grey protests against detention of British ships in Hamburg.

Belgium announces her intention of upholding her neutrality.

German troops invade Luxemburg very early.

France entered at four points.

Patrol kill French soldiers 10 km over frontier near Belfort.

Poland invaded by Germans, who occupy Kalish, Chenstokhov and Bendzin.

East Prussia entered by Russian raiders near Schwidden.

Libau bombarded by German light cruiser "Augsburg".

German Note to Belgium, 7 p.m. alleging that Germany must violate her soil in order to "anticipate" the French attack in Belgium; demands that latter should remain passive; answer required in 12 hours.

England assures France that British fleet will stop German fleet if latter attacks French shipping in Channel.

Moratorium proclaimed in England.

Belgian answer to German Note, refusing demands, 7 a.m.  King of Belgians appeals to King George for diplomatic intervention to safeguard Belgian integrity.

Luneville bombed by German airmen.

Skirmish between outposts near Libau.

Grand Duke Nicholas proclaimed Generalissimo of Russian forces.

German reports - proved untrue - as to French officers in Belgium and French aviators over Karlsruhe, Nurnberg, etc.

Germany declares war on France.

Order for British mobilisation.

Sir Edward Grey speaks in House of Commons.

Great Britain protests in Berlin against German violation of Belgian treaty.

Germany says French meant to invade Belgian territory, and she must take measures of defence.  Violates Belgium at Gemmenich, early morning; burns Vise and attacks Liege.

Germany declares war on Belgium.

Bona and Philippeville (Algeria) bombarded by German cruisers "Goeben" and "Breslau".

Trieux, near Briey (France). taken by Germans.  Speech by M. Viviani.

Chancellor's speech in Reichstag, acknowledging they are doing wrong.

Sir Edward Grey wires to Sir E. Goschen telling him that unless satisfactory German assurances re: Belgian neutrality are forthcoming, he is to ask for his passports.

British mobilisation orders issued.

Sir John Jellicoe takes command of British Fleet.

Sir E. Goschen's interview ("scrap of paper") with Chancellor in evening: British ultimatum and state of war at 11 p.m.


The following link contains photography of battlefields 100 years on..........
m.bbc.co.uk/news/in-pictures-28461026

N.B. tonight in Britain we are turning off all lights and lighting a single candle as part of the "lights out" rememberance of British war commencement 100 years ago on this day.

Western Front

Liege: Fort Fleron silenced.

"Konigin Luise", German mine-layer, destroyed.

"Goeben" and "Breslau" reach Messina.

Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.

Great Britain mobilises; Lord Kitchener made War Secretary.

Western Front

Liege: Forts Barchon, Chaudefontaine and Evequee silenced.

Longwy invested by the Germans.

Obrenovats (Serbia) vainly attacked by Austrians, who lose guns in the retreat.

H.M.S. "Amphion", British cruiser, sunk by German mine in North Sea.  "Goeben" and "Breslau" escape.

Great Britain: Mr. Asquith speaks in House of Commons on the War; Parliament votes



Finally for todays war diary, I include a wartime song with some images which I stumbled across on youtube.

*Western Front*
Liege: Germany infantry penetrate the city.
Alsace invaded by the French.
British Expeditionary Force begins to land in France.
*Eastern Front*
East Prussia: First Russian Army, under Rennenkampf, crosses the frontier in force.
*Southern Front*
Bosnia entered by the Serbians.
*Political, etc.*
Germany: Kaiser issues proclamation to his people.
Great Britain: Prince of Wales inaugurates National Relief Fund.