100 Years ago.

[Mr Grumpy]

It is 23.00 in Britain and exactly 100 years since Britain declared war on Germany.

British policy in Europe intended that no country in Europe should become completely dominant. If Russia, France, Germany and Austria-Hungary worried about each other, then they would be less of a threat to Britain. By about 1907 it was becoming clear to Britain that the greatest potential threat to Britain was going to be Germany. The strong economy, large population and powerful armed forces of Germany seemed to be capable of dominating Europe. As a result, Britain began to support Russia and France. Britain joined the Triple Entente.

Despite being part of the Triple Entente, Britain was not committed to going to war in 1914. The Foreign Secretary, Sir Edward Grey, spent much of the summer of 1914 furiously trying to reassure Russia and Germany and prevent a war happening. Even when German troops invaded France and Belgium as part of the Schlieffen Plan, Britain did not have to go to war.

Germany hoped Britain would stay out of the war altogether. However, the Germans knew that Britain had promised to defend Belgium under the Treaty of London of 1839. The Germans wanted the British government to ignore the Treaty of London and let the German army pass through Belgium. The British government made much of their duty to protect Belgium. Belgium's ports were close to the British coast and German control of Belgium would have been seen as a serious threat to Britain. In the end, Britain refused to ignore the events of 4 August 1914, when Germany attacked France through Belgium. Within hours, Britain declared war on Germany. The Kaiser said how foolish he thought the British were. He said that Britain had gone to war for the sake of a "scrap of paper".

And so the carnage began...........

[Ricky B]

Thanks for the perspective Grumpy, especially putting in the time that it happened. Really lends a feel for what was happening at 2300 when people would normally be sleeping. But I bet many people weren't sleeping much at this point in time, all over Europe.

Rick

[Witblitz]

Great info thx

[bdtj1815]

A very moving series of programmes on the BBC at different commemorative events last night. The best from Commonwealth War cemetery near Mons where the first and last war dead are buried, The last, a Canadian infantryman, died only minutes before 11.00am 0n the 11th!

Two interesting facts though, both pointed out in letters to today's Times newspaper. British Summer Time was not used in 1914 so the time then was actually 10.00 pm two not one hour behind Berlin, and Austro-Hungarian troops were already fighting in Serbia having invaded on the 23rd of July.

[Mr Grumpy]

The best from Commonwealth War cemetery near Mons where the first and last war dead are buried, The last, a Canadian infantryman, died only minutes before 11.00am 0n the 11th!

Yes, there was an informative programme that focused just on the many men on both sides who were killed on that last morning in 1918, over the next four years we have a number of dates that will mark famous and infamous events from the "Great War".