THE GREAT WAR *VIRTUAL TOUR* Continued

THE BEGINNING OF THE GREAT WAR

Being a neighbour, and a close Ally of Austro-Hungary, the German Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg sent a telegram to their Government on the 6th July, showing backing for any repercussions they may take, along with the offer of a Blank Cheque in Military support. After considering the consequences, it was almost a month later when the Austro-Hungarian Government issued an ultimatum to Serbia, containing 10 instructions to be fulfilled, with a response required before 17:00hrs on the 25th July 1914. Serbia responded to the ultimatum by stating the instructions dishonoured its Country; however, it was delivered at 18:00hrs, one hour late, the Austro-Hungarian Government took this as being none-compliant. 

The Beginning  Of The Great War

Russian Attack On Germany

Therefore, on the 28th July 1914, Austro-Hungry declared War on Serbia. The Serbian Prince Regent send a telegram to their Ally, the Tsar of Russia, saying that they were unable to defend themselves, and appealed for Russian assistance. At that point in time, the conflict was a domestic War in Eastern Europe; although, Russia, seeing this as an opportunity for a land grab, issued orders for a general mobilisation of their Troops, and two days later, crossed the border into Austro-Hungarian and German Territory. It was the 1st Military assault in 1914. On the 1st August 1914, Germany retaliated, and declared War on Russia; they mobilise the majority of their Armies to the East, in defence of Austro-Hungary, and its own Eastern border. 

French Attack On Germany

Even though the War was raging in the East, it was contained on the Eastern Front, and it could be argued that it would have remained there if France had not decided to carry out their own selfish attacks. After all, Germany had no quarrel with the Western Powers, and the Keiser himself was adamant to avoid any provocation with the West. Nevertheless, since Germany had inflicted defeat upon France in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, France had systematically prepared plans for its next war; their Plan XVII included the reclamation of Alsace and Lorraine, both ceded to Germany during the Franco-Prussian War. 

Alsace and Lorraine were essential regions to France, as they contained coal and iron works which generated a great deal of revenue; therefore, it was a priority for the French to take back these regions at some point. When Russia and Germany became involved in the conflict in the East, the French began to mobilise their Armies, massing Troops along the German border near Alsace and Lorraine; waiting for an excuse to attack. Once the Germans were occupied on their Eastern Front, the French, seeing an opportunity to reclaim their land, sent Aviators over Belgium and into Germany; upon arrival, they threw bombs on railway sidings in the cities of Karlsruhe and Nuremberg. It could be argued that these air attacks were a diversionary tactic to get the German Command to deploy their Reserve Troops further North; thereby, allowing the French to carry out their primary Battle plan with little resistance. As a consequence, on the 3rd August 1914, Germany declared War on France for their blatant acts of aggression, and the aviator attacks mentioned explicitly in their Declaration of War; therefore, this identifies France as the aggressor who started the War on the Western Front.

On the 2nd August 1914, the day before Germany declared War on France, the German Government, attempting to keep the Theatre of War to a minimum, wrote to the Belgian Government requesting the right to free passage across Belgium for its Troops. They pointed out that reliable information had been received, suggesting that the French Forces intended to march along the line of the Meuse by Givet and Namur. The information left no doubt as to the intention of France to march through Belgian territory against Germany. Belgium declined the request; as a result, on the 3rd August, after their declaration of War against France, the German Army entered Belgium, attacking and capturing the fortified city of Liege, primarily to help secure the route to France. In the ensuing Battle of Mulhouse on the 7th August 1914, it is believed the French Army invaded the Western German regions of Alsace and Lorraine, in an attempt to recapture these territories, all the French Forces were convincingly evicted by the 10th August, following the arrival of the German Reserves. To this point, Britain had remained impartial, as they had close ties with Germany. However, Britain, being Belgium’s Ally, issued an ultimatum to Germany, requesting them to vacate Belgian territory. On the 4th August 1914, Britain had no alternative but to enter the War in defence of the Neutral Country of Belgium; therefore, they declared War on Germany. In August 1914, Britain started to prepare its British Expeditionary Force (BEF) to deploy to Europe. Within two days of France trying to take advantage of the Germans being occupied in the War on the Eastern Front, by unsuccessfully beginning the reclamation process of the German Western Territories of Alsace and Lorraine, the conflict escalated; starting the War on the Western Front. With Germany spreading their Armies out on 2 separate Fronts, and the British Army being dragged into the War; the conflict soon became the First World War or, as it was known then, The Great War.

German Declaration Of War Against France