November 27

Field Marshal von Hindenburg

Sir John French's Fourth Despatch is published in the London Gazette. It covers the move of the BEF from the Aisne to Flanders, and the battles between La Bassee and Ypres (otherwise known as "First Ypres").

It is announced that the first British War Loan, launched on November 17, is over subscribed.

The Kaiser promotes General von Hindenburg a field marshal.

November 4

The Russian advance into Turkish territory in the Caucasus reaches Anzap, allowing the Russians to advance into Armenia within days.

The Russian invasion of the Ottoman Empire

The SMS Yorck, returning to port following the bombardment of Great Yarmouth (see 3 November),  accidentally steams into a German defensive minefield in heavy fog. The ship sinks quickly with heavy loss of life.

Punch publishes "The Excursionist", depicting Kaiser Wilhelm as a "tripper", desperate to go somewhere and anywhere. Note how his suitcase has labels identifying his conquests so far, and the exact location of the ticket office has been censored. Although Punch suggests all the Kaiser's preferred destinations would not fall ("Line blocked"), Warsaw was occupied by the Germans in due course.

THE EXCURSIONIST

TRIPPER WILHELM "First Class to Paris"

CLERK "Line blocked"

WILHELM "Then make it Warsaw"

CLERK "Line blocked"

WILHELM "Well, what about Calais?"

CLERK "Line blocked"

WILHELM "Hang it! I must go somewhere! I promised my people I would"

In Belgium, the 26th Brigade RFA, is ordered to economise on ammunition, and its war diary records "very little fired all day."

October 21 - Unconquerable Belgium

Punch publishes another fine cartoon by Bernard Partridge expressing perfectly Belgium's indomitable spirit.

UNCONQUERABLE

The Kaiser: "So you see - you've lost everything"

The King of the Belgians: "Not my soul"

It is announced that expenditure on the war, which in the first ten weeks averaged about five and a half million pounds a week, has risen to about eight and a quarter million pounds a week.

September 30

The Antwerp waterworks are destroyed by the Germans.

The 26th Brigade RFA remains in position, with no firing taking place.

Punch publishes a cartoon of the Kaiser entitled "The Great Goth". It shows a suggested "design for a strained-glass window in a neo-gothic cathedral at Potsdam". The Kaiser is shown as a grotesque angel holding the smoking ruins of Rheims Cathedral (see 20 September) on the left, whilst further battle "honours" are listed at his feet: Malines, Louvain (see 25 August) and Termonde.

August 18

This cartoon is another classic. It appeared in the Westminster Gazette in August 1914, although I have been unable to identify the exact date of publication. Drawn by Francis Carruthers Gould it shows the Kaiser caught in the act by PC John Bull. The Kaiser was officially referred to as the "All Highest", but here he is depicted as nothing better than a common thief. Furthermore the Kaiser is caught stealing the family (ie European) silver. The Germans are depicted as crooks, whilst Great Britain acts as Europe's friendly reliable policeman.

August 1

Sir John French

During the day, King George V telegraphed the Czar saying, "I cannot help thinking that some misunderstanding has produced this deadlock. I am most anxious not to miss any possibility of avoiding the terrible calamity which at present threatens the whole world."

Meanwhile the Czar sent another appeal to the Kaiser, whilst the Kaiser was now determined to honour his promise to help Austria. At 5pm the Kaiser ordered the mobilisation of all German forces.

In the evening, the German Ambassador to Russia, Count Pourtales, handed the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergius Sazonoff, the German declaration of war.

Italy and Denmark declare themselves neutral.

Sir John French is appointed Inspector-General of the Forces.

British naval reserves are called up.

During the night, a small German force entered Luxembourg to occupy a rail and telegraph junction, the first steps in the long-prepared Schlieffen Plan.

Further steps: 29 July

Czar Nicholas II

On this day the Russians began a partial mobilisation of their army; nevertheless even at this stage the Czar appealed to the Kaiser to, "try and avoid such a calamity as a European war". The Kaiser also contacted the Czar stating, "I am exerting my utmost influence to induce the Austrians ... to arrive at a satisfactory understanding with you."

Encouraged by this, the Czar attempted to cancel the partial mobilisation, but his Foreign Minister, Sergius Sazonoff, and the Chief of the Russian General Staff, persuaded him that this was not possible.

The Austrians bombarded Belgrade by monitors

Punch publishes an interesting cartoon on the increasing tension in Europe. Drawn by Leonard Raven-Hill, it shows Austria-Hungary (note the eagle is two-headed) bemused by plucky Serbia's attitude and suspects it is due to Russian support (represented by the bear hiding behind the rock).

July 28 - Austria-Hungary declares war

Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf

At 11am Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, confident of Germany's support.

Remarkably this could not lead to an immediate full-scale invasion. On 26 July Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf, Chief of the General Staff, had told Count Berchtold that this would be impossible for a number of weeks.

Even more remarkably, earlier that morning, the Kaiser had read for the first time the full text of the Austro-Hungarian ultimatum and the Serbian response. The Kaiser could see no reason for any declaration of war, commenting, "A great moral victory for Vienna; but with it every reason for war is removed."

This untimely incident remained secret until after the war. 

The Kaiser

Unfortunately it was too late, since Austria-Hungary's
declaration of war took place an hour or so later.

July 5 - The start of the "July Crisis"

Bethmann-Hollweg, German Chancellor

In early July, following the assassination of the Archduke, the Austro-Hungarians sent Count Hyos, Count Berchtold's principal aide at the Foreign Ministry, to find out what the Germans would do after Sarajevo. Count Hyos discussed this with the Austro-Hungarian Ambassador in Berlin, Count Szogyeny. On 5 July, Count Szogyeny was given a special audience with Kaiser Wilhelm II in the New Palace at Potsdam.

During the course of this audience, the Kaiser gave the assurances sought: that Austro-Hungary could count on Germany's support if Russia were to intervene in support of Serbia. That evening Szogeyeny cabled Count Berchtold that he had received "full German backing" in any action that Vienna decided to take, even if "serious European complications" resulted, requesting only that it would be done speedily.

The Kaiser's pledge was confirmed the following day by the German Chancellor, Bethmann-Hollweg and Arthur Zimmermann, the Under Secretary of State. The "July Crisis" had started.