100 years ago today

[gregM]

I like this thread

[muzrub]

I'm happy to add major events involving Australia. If others could volunteer or attempt to update for other nations on a day by day basis, we could have something good here.

Australia's next big event isn't until August 10.

[pzrwest]

WW1 was called "a tangle of alliances"
Austria declares war on Serbia, Russia allied to Serbia declares war on Austria, Germany allied to Austria declares war on Russia, France allied to Russia declares war on Germany, and England allied to France declares war on Germany

[Wilhelm]

The beginnings of WWI are strange. All the old alliances and relationships were not ready for 20th century weapons. It is like they all sleep walked the whole summer of 1914 to war. Little did they know that millions would die and that much of the continent would become a moonscape.

Over the last couple days Lt. von Richtohofen and his men were still in Kielce Russia. He had sent out numerous patrols and runners but none had returned. He was down to 2 troopers when a detachment of Cossacks entered the village. Time to go. When He and his men returned they had returned "from the dead". He was thought to have been KIA. His mother was overjoyed. He thought the war was rather funny. "No shooting-no hunting; just a schoolboy game of robbers and policemen." Within 24 hours he and his unit were on a troop train headed west.
Wilhelm

[muzrub]

August 10, 1914.

Australia calls for recruits and by the end of 1914 over 52,000 had enlisted (by the end of 1915 244,000).
Australian forces remained the only volunteer force of the war, and provided 9,500 reinforcements per month.

Over 63,000 never returned.


At the Armistice conference in 1919 Australia demanded and received some of Germany's territory in the Pacific.
When asked by Woodrow Wilson, "what gives a country of five million the right to intervene in international affairs?"
Billy Hughes replied, "I speak for over 60,000 dead. For how many do you speak?"
The signing of the Treaty was the first international agreement to be signed by Australia.

[muzrub]

August 13, 1914.

The Australian Redcross is established to raise money for comfort supplies for the AIF overseas.
Patriotic funds organizations are created in each state to help with the war efforts.

[Scott Powell]

August 12 1914
Great Britain declares war on Austria-Hungary
-Russian troops take East-Prussia & occupy Marggrabowa

[Adler 1]

August 12 1914

The Battle of Haelen, also known as the Battle of the Silver Helmets, was a cavalry battle at the beginning of World War I. Haelen (Halen in Dutch) was a small market town along the principal axis of advance of the German imperial army and provided a good crossing point over the River Gete. The battle took place on 12 August 1914 between German forces, led by Georg von der Marwitz, and the Belgian troops led by Léon de Witte and resulted in a tactical victory for the Belgians.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Haelen_(1914)

Adler 1

[damien C.]

August 13 1914.

The 1st Battalion Irish Guards landed at Le Harve as part of the 2nd British Division.The first Irish Infantry unit to do so.
Ireland as part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland provided men and materiel for the war effort.Men volunteered from all parts of Ireland and from amongst the Irish diaspora in Canada,Austalia,New Zealand,South Africa,USA and the UK.

Precise figures for Irish participation in WW1 are still being collated but approx 200,000 volunteered from the island of Ireland(there was no conscription in Ireland) and c.35,000 died.
Inscription from the 16th Irish division memorial.
"Do chum glóire Dé agus Ónora na hEireann" (For the Glory of God and the Honour of Ireland)

http://www.1914-1918.net/16div.htm

[Scott Powell]

13 August 1914: At Liege, three forts fall to the German shelling including Fort Pontisse

[Scott Powell]

1914.org has some very interesting podcasts entitled Voices of WW1.They contain WW1 veterans talking about their experiences,and I ahve enjoyed very much listening to them
http://www.1914.org/podcasts/

[Wilhelm]

By this time Lt. Ricthofen and his Uhlans had arrived on the Western front in Luxemburg. The war was about to heat up for young Manfred.
Wilhelm

[Seigfried]

I will be in Mons on 23rd August and Le Cateau on 26th! Would this be a place to put the photos, although it will be after my return on 27th? Yes good thread, gives a good sense of the build up.

[Wilhelm]

Yes, photos would be great!
Wilhelm

[Scott Powell]

I will be in Mons on 23rd August and Le Cateau on 26th! Would this be a place to put the photos, although it will be after my return on 27th? Yes good thread, gives a good sense of the build up.

I would certainly love to see your pics!!