von Knobelsdorf | Iringa | 21 Aug 1916
Nyasalanders in Tanzania Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Nyasalanders’ campaign in the south-west of Tanzania is proving to be rather a Continue reading von Knobelsdorf | Iringa | 21 Aug 1916
Nyasalanders in Tanzania Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but the Nyasalanders’ campaign in the south-west of Tanzania is proving to be rather a Continue reading von Knobelsdorf | Iringa | 21 Aug 1916
Siege of Kut Today sees the final, desperate throw of the dice for relieving the Siege of Kut. A large paddle steamer, the Julna, has Continue reading Julna | Easter Rising | 24 Apr 1916
Battle of Verdun The first phase of the Battle of Verdun is over. The Germans have poked the hornet’s nest and stirred it up real Continue reading Ripples from Verdun | 1 Mar 1916
It’s time for another split day. This is about today at the Battle of Verdun. For everything else today, see this post. Petain’s dirty weekend Continue reading General Petain’s rise | Fort Douaumont’s fall | 25 Feb 1916
Battle of Verdun The Germans continue relentlessly turning the screw at Verdun. Without their long autumn and winter of trench-digging, the French would now be Continue reading Air superiority at Verdun | Samogneux | 23 Feb 1916
Piraeus We begin the day in Greece. Piraeus is a large port city seven miles from the centre of Athens. The Greek government has issued Continue reading Piraeus | Sugar | 15 Jan 1916
Germany declares war Russia continues general mobilisation. Germany now genuinely does have no choice; general Russian mobilisation can only be aimed at invading Germany. At Continue reading Germany declares war | 1 Aug 1914
Austria-Hungary News has reached Vienna that a Russian general mobilisation is underway. Their army must now attempt to transition from their War Plan B (for Continue reading Austro-Hungarian railways | 31 July 1914
The downward spiral continues. SMS Bodrog The Austro-Hungarian monitor (a naval ship with large guns designed to operate in rivers rather than at sea) Bodrog Continue reading Belgrade | 29 Jul 1914
Diplomacy has failed. The July Crisis is coming to its head. These are melodramatic times, and it’s hard to talk about them without sounding somewhat Continue reading Austria-Hungary declares war | 28 July 1914
Serbia As the Army continues to mobilise, telegrams continue arriving from Russia. The latest report is that Russia plans “immediately to commence an energetic offensive Continue reading War becomes inevitable | 27 July 1914
President Poincare continues with his helpful contributions to peace and diplomacy, and Count Berchtold finally gets round to showing his German allies the content of Continue reading France and Serbia | 22 July 1914
The ultimatum to Serbia is having the finishing touches put to it. In a moment, we’ll go and see exactly what it says. Wilhelm II Continue reading Finalising the ultimatum | 19 July 1914
On a quiet day, we’re investigating the precise position of the President of France, Raymond Poincare, one of the few heads of state to take Continue reading President Poincare | 15 July 1914
Today is a day of men sitting behind desks or around tables, considering the situation. The German Army is reassured that the French are in Continue reading Leaking from the top | 14 July 1914
The Kaiser is persuaded to return to his sailing holiday today, as Germany assures Austria-Hungary of its support. The meeting The events of yesterday are Continue reading The Blank Cheque | 06 Jul 1914
The Austro-Hungarian mission arrives in Berlin to see the Kaiser, full of beans and bluster. It finds an extremely favourable reception. Kaiser Wilhelm II The Continue reading Hoyos and the Kaiser | 05 Jul 1914