Archduke Franz Ferdinand was next in line to the Austro-Hungarian throne. A group called the Black Hands wanted independence of Bosnia from the Austro-Hungarian Empire. So, when the group heard Ferdinand was making a visit to Bosnia, and assassination plan was born, to be exacted on Sunday 28th June 1914 . Franz Ferdinand survived the initial assassination attempts, from 7 members of the Black Hand. Hours later he desired to visit his injured colleagues in hospital his driver accidentally took a wrong turn. Ironically Gavrilo Princip , a member of the Black Hand, was on that street corner, and as the driver reversed Princip shot at Ferdinand, killing him and his wife. It is desperately unfortunate thinking that the War may have never started if Ferdinand’s driver hadn’t taken that wrong turning
(Gavrilo Princip)
(Archduke Franz Ferdinand)
The following events, as a consequence to Ferdinand's death, were the beginning of World War One...
1914
6th July: The German government announces its full support for Austro-Hungary if it decides to take reprisals against Serbia
23rd July: The Austro-Hungarian government makes fifteen demands on the Serbian government. This includes the demand they arrest the leaders of the Black Hand group based in Serbia and send them to face trial in Vienna.
25th July: Nikola Pasic tells the Austro-Hungarian government that he is unable to accept their fifteen demands, as it "would be a violation of Serbia's Constitution and criminal in law".
26th July: Russia promises that it will help Serbia if it is attacked by Austro-Hungary.
28th July: Austro-Hungarian declares war on Serbia
1st August: Germany declares war on Russia
3rd August: Germany declares war on France. Belgian neutrality was guaranteed by Britain under a treaty signed in 1839. Sir Edward Grey, Britain's foreign secretary, warns Germany that Britain would go to war if Belgium was invaded.
4th August: The German Army marches into Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany.
5th August: Austro-Hungary declares war on Russia.
10th August: France declares war on Austro-Hungary.
Battle Of Ypres
15th October- Ypres, a medieval town in Belgium, was taken by the German Army at the beginning of the war. However, by early October, 1914, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) was able to recapture the town. The first major German attempt to regain Ypres took place on 15th October. Experienced BEF riflemen held their positions but suffered heavy losses.German attacks took place for the next four weeks but with the arrival of the French Army the line was held. With the weather deteriorating, the Germans decided to abandon the Ypres offensive on the 22nd November. It is estimated that about 135,000 Germans were killed or badly wounded during the offensive. The BEF lost around 75,000 men.
25th December 1914
This date remains almost legendary in this war, and is significant as human kindness prevailed, and a ceasefire was declared on Christmas day, with troops from all sides uniting. It is said a football match occurred, and Diary Entries are evidence of this peaceful day:
Captain P. Mortimer, diary entry (26th December, 1914)
The enemy came out of their trenches yesterday (being Christmas Day) simultaneously with our fellows - who met the Germans on neutral ground between the two trenches and exchanged the compliments of the season - presents, smokes and drinks - some of our fellows going into the German lines and some of the Germans strolling into ours - the whole affair was particularly friendly and not a shot was fired in our Brigade throughout the day. The enemy apparently initiated the move by shouting across to our fellows and then popping their heads out of their trenches and finally getting out of them altogether.
1915
Gas!Gas!Gas!
The German Army first used chlorine gas cylinders in April 1915 against the French Army at Ypres. A new war was now being thought, with more sinister weapons, and signalled the future of modern warfare.
23rd May- Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
31st May- First Zeppelin raid on London
1916
Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was planned as a joint French and British operation. The idea originally came from the French Commander-in-Chief, Joseph Joffre and was accepted by General Sir Douglas Haig, the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) commander, despite his preference for a large attack in Flanders. Although Joffre was concerned with territorial gain, it was also an attempt to destroy German manpower.
On the 18th November, with the winter weather deteriorating Haig brought an end to the Somme offensive. Since the 1st July, the British had suffered 420,000 casualties. The French lost nearly 200,000 and it is estimated that German casualties were in the region of 500,000. Allied forces gained some land but it reached only 12km at its deepest points.
6th December, 1916- Lloyd George becomes British Prime Minister
1917
6th April, 1917-
America declares War on Germany, partly due to anger at German submarine programmes, and also in fear that Germany would aid Mexico in regainig Texas.
1918
9th November- Kaiser Wilhelm II was forced to abdicate on 9th November, 1918. He fled the country with the rest of his family and lived in Holland for the rest of his life.
11th Hour, 11th Day, 11 Month
On this day, the ARMISTICE was agreed, and the "Great War" was finished. Germany had been defeated, but worse was to come. The Treaty Of Versailles signed in summer of 1919 led to accepting war guilt, and economic meltdown for Germany, due to excessive reparations (debt to allies for the War)...
War In Africa
The war continued to affect the whole world, thus Africa soon became mixed up in the war and all its terrible conflicts.
Places of Africa most affected by the WW1 occupation:
German South West Africa: This region of Africa was easily occupied, many of the troops who fought in this area were white Africans’ and the black Africans were used as support labour. There were few German troops so fighting in this area ended quickly.
Kamerun and Togo: These regions of Africa were also taken over quickly, as there were few settlers against few numbered troops.
German East Africa was much more difficult to take control over. Indian troops on there way to Egypt were ordered to invade from the coast this did not go to plan and as a result of, a new route had to be devised. This route involved travelling over hard terrain and due to temperatures and diseases, transportation became very difficult and troops had to travel on foot rather than horse back.
British forces in East Africa used the native Africans not for combat but to work in maintaining supply lines. The native Africans were not working the hard labour voluntarily but instead they were forced by the British forces.
Disease in Africa became a problem for all troops that invaded the country and even native Africans’ fell ill and morality rates increased dramatically.
The German troops in East Africa were actually African natives controlled by German officers. This was very difficult for the native troops, as they had to work against their friends and families in their villages and had to work to restrain locals to their villages under German subjection. However they had no choice but to obey the authorities that paid them their wages. For the German officers it was an advantage as they had no loyalties to the troops they controlled; as far as the German officers were concerned, the African German troops were disposable and were best suited for highly dangerous missions.
The fighting in Africa ruined the international trade links Africans had made. Inflation rates also had a damaging effect on Africans; as the cost of living substantially increased, many people ended up worse off than before the war. Increased taxes also left many Africans in poverty.
The War was over, and history is only capable of telling us the raw facts. War Literature offers a true insight into the lives of the men fighting, and truly details the horrific nature of the "Great War".
