<– Part 1 – August 2, 1914  | Part 2 – August 9, 1914 |  Part 3 – August 16, 1914 –>

The War Explodes

The last week has been a flurry of declarations of war, general mobilizations, and military actions around the world. Germany invaded Luxembourg on August 2, and has begun a siege of Longwy, which, should it fall, will open the way into France for the German Empire. Further to the south, the French town of Joncherey, just across the border from German Elsaß-Lothringen, saw the first shots fired in the west when a French soldier attempted to place an invading German squad under arrest. He was shot and later died of his injuries, one of two deaths. Perhaps this war will wind down soon and see a minimum of deaths. Reports from the German Empire indicate that Helmuth von Moltke has been appointed Chief of the General Staff of the German Field Armies, following in the footsteps of his uncle, victor of the Austro-Prussian and Franco-Prussian wars.

Battle of the Frontiers. German moves in red, Entente in Blue. From Wikipedia.

The next day, German declared war on France, and demanded military access from Belgium. Britain began general mobilization of her armies. With the demand refused, Germany declared war on Belgium on the 4th, in order to flank the French army (as the Schlieffen plan dictates). However, according to the Treaty of London of 1839 (75 years ago), the Great Powers of Europe – including Prussia, leading the German Confederation (the precursor to the modern German Empire), have guaranteed the sovereign independence of Belgium. The German chancellor has dismissed this as a “scrap of paper.” However, Britain disagreed, and declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. Canada and the members of the British Empire have followed suit.

The President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson, has declared a policy of neutrality.

On the 5th, the German army reached Liège; however, while the Schlieffen plan called for a swift advance up the Meuse valley into France, it has been held up and is now laying siege to the extensive fortifications in the region. Across the world, the Germans met another obstacle in Fort Nepean, just south of Melbourne, Australia. It opened fire upon the SS Pfalz, which surrendered. Perhaps German naval forces in the Pacific may not be as strong as previously thought. Montenegro declared war on Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire closed the Dardanelles. The following day, declarations of war continued: Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia, and Serbia on Germany.

On the 7th, in France, the British Expeditionary Force landed to render aid to France and Belgium, beginning the “Battle of the Frontiers”, which currently includes nearly 1.5 million Entente troops against 1.3 million Germans. The primary French offensive is at Mulhouse, where 45,000 French troops face 30,000 Germans.

On the 9th, Montenegro declared war on Germany, and British troops entered German Togoland in Africa and occupied Lome. In the north sea, HMS Birmingham sank the German sub U-15.