President Wilson ponders a role for the US Special to The Great War Project (10 August) On this day, precisely one century ago, Woodrow Wilson, President of the United States, buries his wife Ellen, who died of kidney disease four days earlier. His personal grief makes it hard for him to concentrate on the widening…
Monthly Archives: August 2014
WHAT KIND OF WAR WILL THIS BE?
by Mike Shuster
A war of flags and drums, and regimental colors? Hardly. Special to The Great War Project (8 August) Most political and military leaders from all the great powers believe it will be a short war, over by Christmas. Many believe cavalry will be the decisive factor, thus the hundreds of thousands of horses initially brought…
ALL IS NOW HASTE
by Mike Shuster
War fervor grips Europe as millions join up. Special to The Great War Project (7 August) The British army is too small. To expand its ranks quickly Lord Kitchener, the British Minister for War, launches an appeal for 100,000 volunteers. But still, Kitchener believes that Britain can only contribute 50,000 men at most for the…
THE RAPE OF BELGIUM
by Mike Shuster
German atrocities almost from the first hour Special to The Great War Project (6 August) Belgian snipers effectively target German soldiers from the first day the Germans enter Belgian territory. The Belgians do not intend to give the Germans free passage into northern France. Troops from Belgium’s small army – including those on horseback and…
MILLIONS ON THE MARCH
by Mike Shuster
The first real battles Special to The Great War Project (5 August) Millions of soldiers are moving this morning a century ago. Russian troops are taking their first steps toward Berlin. German soldiers are moving into Belgium, with Paris in their sites. France is moving its forces across the border into Germany intent upon returning…
IT’S NOW A WORLD WAR
by Mike Shuster
Germany strikes at Belgium and Britain declares war Today an apology from Germany’s president Special to The Great War Project (4 August) On this day a century ago, Germany invades Belgium. Germany insists the Belgian government refrain from destroying bridges and railways along the invasion route. And the Germans demand that Belgium open a fortress…
THE CRISIS DEEPENS; IT’S WAR WITH FRANCE
by Mike Shuster
Germany puts its two-front war into action. Special to The Great War Project (3 August) On this day precisely a century ago, Germany declares war on France and sends it troops into Belgium. Now it’s serious. Germany is putting its two-front war plan – against both Russia and France – into motion. German troops also…
GERMAN ULTIMATUM TO BELGIUM; BRITAIN MOBILIZES
by Mike Shuster
Germany demands safe passage across Belgian territory. Special to The Great War Project (2 August) With German troops now active on Luxemburg soil, the question facing Europe is will Germany invade Belgium. The Belgian government demands to know which European powers will pledge not to violate Belgian neutrality. France says yes to the pledge. Germany…
THIS TIME IT REALLY IS WAR!
by Mike Shuster
The first skirmish. “Is there no one to break the spell?” Special to The Great War Project (1 August) Now Germany moves swiftly and decisively to force the issue. Berlin delivers an ultimatum to Russia: reverse your own mobilization, by noon on this day a century ago. If you refuse, we Germany will mobilize. At…
BBC “Live” Blogs 1914 Assassination
by Barrett Golding
The BBC applied their modern news reporting techniques to “live” blogging the century-old assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, with on-the-scene videos and minute-by-minute updates.