On this day in the Great War (1914-1918)

[Vassili Zaitzev]

Hey guys,

Been doing this on my Facebook; it would be good to do it here. Found a website that I find credible and has a timeline of major events:A guide to the WW1 battlefields and home to the Poppy Umbrella

I'll be doing a day by day account of the war. First post or two will be playing catch up.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

JUNE 1914
28th June
The Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated at Sarajevo.
JULY 1914
5th July
The Kaiser receives at Potsdam special envoy from Austrian Emperor and promises "the full support of Germany" in the event of Austrian action against Serbia. He consults his military and naval advisers before leaving for a cruise in northern waters.
14th July
Council of Austro-Hungarian Ministers finally determine on action against Serbia.
19th July
Council of Austro-Hungarian Ministers approve of draft ultimatum to Serbia.
23rd July
Austro-Hungarian Government send ultimatum to Serbia (see 25th).
24th July
German Government submit note to Entente Governments approving Austrian ultimatum to Serbia (see 23rd).
British Foreign Minister (Sir E. Grey) initiates proposals for an international conference in order to avert war (see 27th and 28th).
Belgian Government declare that, in the event of war, Belgium will uphold her neutrality "whatever the consequences" (see 31st).
25th July
Serbian Government order Mobilisation (see 23rd ).
Austria-Hungary severs diplomatic relations with Serbia. Austro-Hungarian Minister leaves Belgrade (see 26th).
Serbian Government transferred from Belgrade to Nish (see November 3rd, 1915).
26th July
Austro-Hungarian Government order Partial Mobilisation as against Serbia (see 28th and 31st).
Montenegrin Government order Mobilisation (see August 5th).
British Admiralty countermand orders for dispersal of Fleets (see 28th).
The Kaiser returns from the Baltic to Berlin (see 5th).
27th July
French and Italian Governments accept British proposals for an international conference (see 24th).
German High Seas Fleet recalled from Norway to war bases.
28th July
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia (see 25th and 26th).
German Government reject British proposals for an international conference (see 24th and 27th).
British Fleets ordered to war bases (see 26th).
29th July
Russian Government order Partial Mobilisation as against Austria. (Evening) Russian Minister for War orders General Mobilisation without the knowledge of the Tsar (see 30th and 31st).
Hostilities commence between Austria-Hungary and Serbia: Belgrade bombarded by Austrian artillery (see 25th, and December 2nd).
German Government make proposals to secure British neutrality (see 30th).
British Admiralty send "Warning Telegram" to the Fleets.
British War Office send out telegrams ordering "Precautionary Period" (2:10pm).
30th July
The Tsar signs order at 4pm for mobilisation of Russian army (see 29th and 31st).
British Government reject German proposals for British neutrality (see 29th).
Australian Government place Australian Navy at disposal of British Admiralty.
31st July
Belgian Government order Mobilisation (see 24th).
Russian Government order General Mobilisation (see 29th and 30th).
Austro-Hungarian Government order General Mobilisation (see 26th and 28th).
German Government send ultimatum to Russia (presented at midnight, 31st-1st) (see August 1st).
State of "Kriegsgefahr" proclaimed in Germany - (see August 1st).
Turkish Government order Mobilisation (to commence August 3rd). (see (October 29th).
London Stock Exchange closed (see January 4th, 1915).

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

1st August
British Government order Naval Mobilization.
German Government order General Mobilization and declare war on Russia (see July 31st).
Hostilities commence on Polish frontier.
French Government order General Mobilization.
2nd August
German Government send ultimatum to Belgium demanding passage through Belgian territory (see 3rd, and July 24th).
German troops cross frontier of Luxembourg (see November 20th, 1918).
Hostilities commence on French frontier.
Libau bombarded by German cruiser "Augsburg" (see November 17th).
British Government guarantee naval protection of French coasts against German aggression way of the North Sea or English Channel.
Moratorium proclaimed in Great Britain (see November 4).
General von Moltke [Chief of the Great General Staff since 1906.] appointed Chief of the General Staff of the German Field Armies (see September 14th).
3rd August
Belgian Government refuse German demands (see 2nd and 4th).
British Government guarantee armed support to Belgium should Germany violate Belgian neutrality.
Germany declares war on France.
British Government orders General Mobilization.
British Government issues Proclamation authorizing requisition of shipping.
Italy declares neutrality.
The Grand Duke Nicholas appointed Commander-in-Chief Russian armies (see 14th).
4th August
British Government sends ultimatum to Germany.
Great Britain declares war on Germany at 11 pm (midnight 4th-5th by Central European time).
Belgium severs diplomatic relations with Germany (see 2nd and 3rd).
Germany declares war on Belgium.
German troops cross the Belgian frontier and attack Liège (see 3rd and 7th, and November 26th, 1918). Battle and Siege of Liège begins (see 16th).
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

Two German airships pass over Brussels by night (first hostile act in the air).
German warships Goeben and Breslau bombard Philippeville and Bona respectively (see 7th and 11th).
Secret Alliance between Germany and Turkey signed at Berlin.
British Grand Fleet constituted under Admiral Sir John Jellicoe (see November 29th and December 4th, 1916).
Staff of British Expeditionary Force appointed [Commander-in-Chief: Field-Marshal Sir John French (see December 15th, 1915). Chief of General Staff: Lieut.-General Sir Archibald Murray (see January 24th, 1915). Adjutant-General: Lieut.-General Sir Nevil Macready (see February 21st, 1916). Quartermaster-General: Lieut.-General Sir William Robertson (see January 24th, 1915)].
British Government issue Proclamation specifying articles to be treated as contraband (see 20th. and September 21st).
German armed merchant cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse leaves Bremen (see 26th).
5th August
Montenegro declares war on Austria-Hungary (see July 26th).
Minelaying in the open sea commenced by the Germans (east of Southwold) (see October 3rd). German mine-layer Königin Luise sunk.
First meeting of British War Council (see May 14th, 1915). [Formed to exercise the functions of the Committee of Imperial Defence, but with additional executive powers.]
6th August
Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. (Declaration presented at St. Petersburg).
Serbia declares war on Germany (see July 28th).
Battle of the Frontiers begins in France. [General name covering all operations of the French armies up to the Battle of the Marne of 5th - 9th September 1914.]
Field-Marshal Earl Kitchener succeeds Mr. Asquith as Secretary of State for War, Great Britain. (Mr. Asquith held the appointment from March 31st, 1914.) (See June 5th, 1916.)
H.M.S. "Amphion" sunk by mine off Yarmouth.
Naval Convention between France and Great Britain concluded in London. French Admiral to command Allied Naval Forces in the Mediterranean. (See November 9th.)
Action between H.M.S. Bristol and German cruiser Karlsruhe in the West Indies (see November 4th).
German armed merchant cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich leaves Tsingtau (see January 28th and April 8th, 1915).
Admiral von Spee's squadron leaves Ponape (Caroline islands) (see, September 22nd). [Scharnhorst (flag), Gneisenau, Nürnberg. Dresden and Leipzig joined on October 12th and 14th respectively]

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

7th August
City of Liège occupied by German forces (see 4th and 16th).
First units of British Expeditionary Force land in France (see 16th).
French troops cross the frontier of Alsace (see 2nd).
Action between H.M.S. Gloucester and the Goeben and Breslau off the coast of Greece (see 4th and 11th).
8th August
Montenegro severs diplomatic relations with Germany.
"State of War" commences between Montenegro and Germany (see 5th).
Battle of Mulhouse. Mulhouse (Alsace) occupied by French forces (see 7th, 11th, 19th and 25th).
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

British forces cross frontier of Togoland and occupy Lome (see 13th and 26th).
Swiss Government order Mobilisation.
Hostilities commence in East Africa (see 15th). H.M.S. Astræa bombards Dar es Salaam (see September 4th, 1916).
9th August
British aerial cross-Channel patrol for the protection of transports instituted.
Belgian Government proposal for neutralisation of African free trade zone formulated (see 22nd).
H.M.S. Birmingham sinks German submarine U-15 in the North Sea. (First submarine destroyed.)
10th August
British aerial coast patrol established.
France severs diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary (see 12th).
11th August
German warships Goeben and Breslau enter the Dardenelles (see 4th and 7th).
Mulhouse retaken by German forces (see 8th and 19th).
French Government issue first list of contraband (see 25th and November 6th).
12th August
Great Britain and France declare war on Austria-Hungary (see 10th).
Austrian forces cross the Save and seize Shabatz (see 25th).

 

[davebender]

Only two German army corps in Ardennes.
.....VIII AK at Luxembourg.
.....XVIII AK at Aumetz. (Almost right. XVI AK was actually at Aumetz.)
.....Plus two German cavalry divisions.

 

[davebender]

French preparations for attack into Lorraine. This was expected to be the main attack. 16 army corps plus two groups of reserve divisions. 38 to 40 divisions total. About 60% of the French field army.

German 5th Army alerted to prepare for attack into French left flank via Metz fortress complex.
German 4th Army alerted to guard right flank of 5th Army.

.....This intelligence estimate was wrong, which OHL would determine by 16 August 1914. Only French 1st and 2nd Armies would attack into Lorraine. French army main attack by 3rd, 4th and 5th Armies would be in Belgium.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

13th August
Austrian forces cross River Drina and begin first invasion of Serbia (see 25th).
Four squadrons Royal Flying Corps fly from Dover to France. (First units to cross by air.)
Allied advance on Kamina (Togoland) from Lome begins (see 8th and 26th).

PS: DaveBender, do you mind sharing your info?

 

[davebender]

Final two (of 12 total) Liege forts would not surrender until 16 August 1914. However the remaining forts were neutralized (i.e. no offensive capability) by 13 August 1914. Hence it was no longer an obstacle to German military movement.

 

[davebender]

Germany was first major nation to make economic preparations for a long war. Discussions for establishment of K.R.A. (War Raw Materials Section) began 8 August 1914 and the deal was done five days later.

At first only metals, wool and chemicals were managed. Later expanded to include most of the wartime German economy.

 

[davebender]

Romanian Government declines Russian proposals to enter the war.

 

[davebender]

Admiral von Spee held a council of war aboard his flagship SMS Scharnhorst on this date. Decision was reached to detach CL Emden and one collier on the following day for purpose of commerce raiding in Indian Ocean.

 

[davebender]

Lt. Erwin Rommel and his platoon on outpost duty in vicinity of Bollingen (north of Metz).

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

14th August
Proclamation issued by Russian Commander-in-Chief (The Grand Duke Nicholas) promising autonomy to Poland (see April 3rd, 1915).
Battles of Morhange and Sarrebourg begin (see 20th).

 

[davebender]

Belgium Ardennes.
German 3rd Calvary Division pushes French 4DC elements out of Etalle. This allows 3rd Cavalry Division to send recon squadrons to Carignan and Montmedy, where it was established that the French were digging in on the Chiers.
.....Part of ongoing effort to conduct recon while denying recon information to the enemy. Vital stuff rarely mentioned in popular history books.

Belgium. North of Meuse River.
Neutralization of Liege fortress system the previous day allows German Army to build a pontoon bridge over Meuse River east of Huy. German 9th Cavalry Division crosses on the newly built bridge to continue their recon mission.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

15th August
Japanese Government send ultimatum to Germany demanding evacuation of Tsingtau (see 23rd, and September 2nd).
German troops cross frontier of British East Africa and occupy Taveta (see 8th. November 2nd, and March 10th, 1916).
Junction of British and French squadrons effected at entrance to the Adriatic.

 

[imalko]

15th/16th August
On the night between 15th and 16th August elements of the Serbian 1st Combined Division encountered Austro-Hungarian outposts that had been established on the slopes of Cer Mountain. The clashes that followed escalated into full scale battle for control over several towns and villages near the mountain, especially Šabac.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

16th August
Landing of original British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) [4 Divisions and 1 Cavalry Division] in France completed (announced August 18th) (see 7th).
Last forts of Liège captured by German forces (16th/17th) (see 4th and 7th).
Naval action in the Southern Adriatic: Austrian light cruiser "Zenta" sunk by Allied squadron.

 

[imalko]

16th August
At midnight, fierce clashes between the Austro-Hungarians and the Serbs on the Cer mountain were underway and chaos ensued in the darkness. By the morning of 16 August and as the day progressed, the Serbs managed to completely drove the Austro-Hungarian 21st Infantry Division off the slopes of Cer to prevent it from linking with the their 2nd Army in Šabac. The Austro-Hungarians, who had suffered heavy casualties during the fighting, retreated in some disorder.

 

[Vassili Zaitzev]

22nd August
Austria-Hungary declares war on Belgium (see 28th).
Battle of the Ardennes begins (see 24th).
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

German Government agree to Belgian proposal, made through Spanish Government, re African free trade zone (see 9th, and November 20th).
23rd August
Battle of Mons (see 24th).
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

German airship "Z.-8" shot down in the Vosges.
Battle of Tannenberg begins (see 31st).
First Battle of Krasnik (Poland) begins (see 25th).
Germany severs diplomatic relations with Japan (see 15th).
Japan declares war on Germany (see 15th).
General C. M. Dobell appointed to command Allied land forces operating in the Cameroons.
General von Hindenburg takes over command of German Eighth Army (see September 18th).
24th August
British Army retreats from Mons (see 23rd, and September 5th).
Battle of Charleroi ends (see 21st).
Battle of the Ardennes ends (see 22nd).
Austria-Hungary severs diplomatic relations with Japan (see 25th).
First units of Indian Expeditionary Force "A" leave India for France (in first place for Egypt) (see September 26th).
25th August
Namur captured by German forces (see 21st, and November 21st, 1918.)
Battle of the Meuse begins (see 28th).
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

Battle of Malines begins (see 27th).
Valenciennes taken by German forces (see November 3rd, 1918).
Maubeuge invested by German forces (see September 7th).
Battle of the Mortagne (Vosges) begins (see September 3rd).
Mulhouse again retaken by German forces (see 19th, and November 17th, 1918)
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

First use of aircraft for patrol purposes (over retreating British forces in France).
First Battle of Krasnik (Poland) ends (see 23rd).
Shabatz (see 12th) retaken by Serbian forces. Last Austrian forces recross the Drina (see 13th). End of First Austrian invasion of Serbia (see September 8th).
Japan severs diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary (see 24th).
Japan declares "State of War" with Austria-Hungary.
Nigerian frontier of the Cameroons crossed by British forces.
Affair of Tepe. Chad frontier crossed by French forces.
French Government issue new decree defining contraband (see 11th, and November 6th).
26th August
Louvain sacked by German troops.
Battle of Le Cateau.
Battles of the Western Front: First Encounters and Battles of the Frontiers

Noyon taken by German forces (see September 21st).
Longwy capitulates to German forces (see 20th).
Cambrai occupied by German forces (see November 20th, 1917, and October 9th, 1918).
Douai occupied by German forces (see October 17th, 1918).
First Battle of Lemberg (Galicia.) begins (see 30th).
Battle of Zamosc-Komarow begins (see September 2nd).
Naval action off the Aaland Islands. German cruiser "Magdeburg" destroyed by Russian squadron.
German forces in Togoland capitulate to the Allied forces (see 8th, 13th and 31st).
Action between H.M.S. "Highflyer" and German armed merchant cruiser "Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse" off the Rio de Oro: latter sunk (see August 4).
General Galliéni appointed Governor of Paris (see October 30th, 1915).
M. Messimy, French Minister for War, [Appointed June 14th, 1914.] resigns (see 27th).
M. Delcassé succeeds M. Doumergue [Appointed August 3rd, 1914.] as French Foreign Minister.

 

[nuuumannn]

Great thread guys. Some additional info. On possibly 28 August, the first time a single-seat scout brought down an enemy aeroplane took place. 2nd Lt Norman Spratt of 3 Sqn RFC flying a Sopwith Tabloid chased and harrassed a German two-seater that had been dropping bombs on the 3 Sqn airfield at Compiegne. The German aircraft force landed and its crew were captured, according to eye witnesses, including James McCudden a 3 Sqn mechanic and later fighter ace and VC holder. The event was witnessed by many on the ground at Compiegne, but the exact date this took place has been lost. Spratt doesn't mention it in his log book, having marked that on several dates in late August and early September that he had been 'Chasing Germans'. Incidentally, the Sopwith Tabloid was the first single-seat scout put into production.

One account puts the date on the 25th August and that the unit was 2 Sqn, but Spratt flew with 3 Sqn.

On 26 August, the first aeroplanes to be destroyed by deliberate ramming in combat, an Austrian two-seater flown by Lt Baron von Rosenthal was rammed by Capt P.N. Westeroff, of the Russian air service flying an unarmed Morane Saulnier monoplane over Galicia. Both pilots killed.