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Outbreak of War - The First World War - 1914

1st August. The German ultimatum to Russia expires at noon. With no end to Russian mobilisation the German Kaiser declares war at 12.52pm. The Russian Tsar, Nicholas II responds by declaring war on Germany the following day.

2nd August. German ultimatum to the Belgians. British cabinet meets to discuss options. It agrees to go to war should Belgian neutrality be broken.

3rd August. The British cabinet learn of Belgium's refusal to accept the terms of the German ultimatum. Germany in the meantime declares war on France and asks Britain what her intentions are.

4th August. German forces invade Belgium shortly after 8am. British government issues ultimatum to Germany stating that they must withdraw by midnight. The British learn that the Germans considered themselves to be at war with Britain once the ultimatum was sent. The Canadian cabinet, then a dominion of Britain, dispatches troops to Britain.

6th August. Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. Britain declares war on Germany

10th August. Britain and France declare war on the Austro-Hungarian empire.

WAR

The fighting began almost straight away on the Western Front. The British Expeditionary Force arrived in France on the 14th and soon met the advancing German army outside of Mons. The British, under Sir John French, were forced to blow up the bridges over the River Aisne. After further attacks from the much larger German force, the British force withdrew to the River Marne: very close to Paris!

Click here to view the BBC's fantastic animation illustrating the movement of forces at the beginning of the First World War.

On the Eastern Front there was a disastrous start to the war for the Russian army. At Tannenburg the Germans managed to stop the advance, surround the Russians and then destroy the 150,000 strong armed force. Only 10,000 Russians escaped the Germans, with over 92,000 being captured.

At sea there was also an early clash. The British sent a small fleet to attack German ships near the port of Heligoland. The intention was to draw the main German fleet out into the North Sea where the British Fleet was waiting for them. The Germans were drawn out and the First sea battle of the First World War occurred. The Germans lost 3 cruisers and one destroyer, the British navy suffered no losses other than a badly damaged ship.