1914 Timeline
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The document summarizes key events from June to August 1914 that led to the outbreak of World War 1. It describes the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand which increased tensions between Austria-Hungary and Serbia. Austria-Hungary issues an ultimatum to Serbia and declares war after Serbia orders mobilization. Germany promises support for Austria-Hungary and demands an end to Russian mobilization. Germany declares war on Russia and invades neutral Belgium, bringing Britain into the war against Germany. Over the course of a few weeks in August, the major European powers declare war on each other and the first battles of WWI begin across Europe and colonies.
1914 Timeline
- 1. 1914 JUNE 28 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for supporting this terrorist attack in Bosnia- Herzegovina. JULY 5 23 25 26 28 31 Germany promises to Austria-Hungary issues Serbia orders mobilization Austria-Hungary begins Austria-Hungary declares As Austria-Hungary’s ally, support Austria-Hungary in ultimatum to Serbia to of its army mobilization of its army, war on Serbia Germany demands an end to its confrontation with Serbia accept its terms or face including along the Russian Russian mobilization over the assassination recrimination border In self-defence and in support of Serbia, Russia London stock market closes orders partial mobilization due to European crisis of its army AUGUST 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Germany declares war Germany invades Germany declares war on Germany declares war on German mine layer Königen Austria-Hungary declares British Expeditionary Force on Russia and begins Luxembourg and demands France Belgium and invades the Luise becomes the first naval war on Russia (BEF), under the command of mobilization permission to move through country. Over 1 million casualty of the war when Field Marshal Sir John French, neutral Belgium against refugees flee the country sunk in the North Sea by begins to land in France. France Belgium refuses Germany over the coming weeks, three British ships British parliament gives Disembarkation completed on permission to cross its mostly to the Netherlands approval for the recruitment 16 August. territory to reach France but also to France and Britain. of half a million men to and asserts its neutrality begin a rapid expansion of under international treaty the British Army The first ‘call to arms’ issued by Britain declares war on the British Secretary of State Germany for War, Field Marshal Lord Britain promises to defend Battle of the Frontiers. Kitchener Belgian neutrality Fighting begins between French and German troops along the border linking the British forces enter the German two countries. Continues protectorate of Togoland in until early September with West Africa. Hostilities also heavy casualties. begin in East Africa. 8 12 13 15 20 22 23 The First Defence of the Britain and France declare Austro-Hungarian forces Japan sends Germany an Battle of Gumbinnen. Battle of the Sambre. Battle of Mons. Fighting begins for Realm Act (DORA) is passed war on Austria-Hungary begin their first invasion of ultimatum demanding the Advancing Russian troops French troops try to block British troops around the Belgian by the British parliament, Serbia evacuation of its naval base drive back German forces in the German advance town of Mons. The BEF begins to giving the government at Tsingtau in China East Prussia. north-west of the Ardennes. retreat alongside its French allies. widespread new powers over people’s lives Russian Army invades East German troops occupy European war becomes global Prussia in a quick strike Brussels, the Belgian capital when Japan declares war on against Germany Germany Battle of the Ardennes. Intense fighting as the General Max von Prittwitz French attempt to advance replaced in command of the into Germany. French driven German Army in East Prussia by back after suffering severe General Paul von Hindenburg, losses. Continues until 25 with General Erich Ludendorff as August. his chief of staff 24 26 28 30 First Indian Army contingent Battle of Tannenberg. 100,000 British men already First German aeroplane raid leaves India to serve in German armies in East recruited by Kitchener. on Paris France Prussia defeat Russian Immediate calls follow for a forces. Battle lasts until second hundred thousand. 30 August. Naval action between British Battle of Le Cateau. Part of and German ships off the the BEF fights a rearguard Heligoland Bight in the action against the Germans North Sea. Four German to allow the main retreat ships sunk. to continue. German forces surrender in Togoland SEPTEMBER 3 5 6 13 14 16 17 Second Battle of Lemberg Pact of London signed by Battle of the Marne. French Battle of the Aisne. German General Helmuth von Moltke First battalion of British part- Known as the ‘Race to the (or Lvov). Russian forces the Allied powers of France, forces, with British support, armies stop Franco-British replaced in command of the time territorial troops, the Sea’, the German, French capture the fourth largest Britain and Russia, in which stop the German advance counter-attack astride German armies in France 1/14th Battalion, London and British armies move city in Austria-Hungary. all three agree not to sign a through northern France the River Aisne. The first and Belgium by General Regiment –known as the north from the Aisne and Battle lasts until 11 separate peace only a short distance from trenches begin to appear in Erich von Falkenhayn London Scottish– lands in try to outflank each other. September. Paris and launch a counter- France. The battle lasts until France Continues to 16 October attack. Battle continues 15 September. when the lines reach the Battle of the Masurian until 10 September. Belgian coast. Benedict XV elected Pope Lakes. German armies in East Prussia defeat Russian forces. Battle lasts until High point of British 15 September. voluntary recruitment. 33,204 men enlist on this day, almost the entire number of men recruited in a year before the war (35,000). 22 26 First British aeroplane raid on First Indian Army troops land Germany against Dusseldorf in France and Cologne airship sheds Three British cruisers, HMS Aboukir, Hogue and Cressy sunk by a German submarine off the German coast OCTOBER 3 10 14 16 19 29 31 First troops leave Canada German forces take the First Canadian and An Indian Army force leaves First Battle of Ypres. French Turkey joins the war on the The London Scottish and Newfoundland to Belgian city of Antwerp Newfoundland troops Bombay to secure British and British troops stand side of Germany and Austria- become the first battalion of continue their training arrive in Britain interests in the Persian Gulf firm around the Belgian city Hungary. Turkish warships British Territorial troops to in Britain by landing in Mesopotamia, of Ypres, preventing the shell Russian coastal towns go into battle at Messines in part of the Ottoman Empire German armies breaking in the Black Sea. Belgium (Turkey) through to the Channel ports. Continues to 22 November. NOVEMBER 1 2 3 5 6 7 22 Battle of Coronel off the Russia declares war on Turkey British ships blockading the Britain and France declare Indian Army troops land in Japanese troops, with British British troops enter Basra in coast of Chile. British Dardanelles bombard the war on Turkey Mesopotamia to protect support, capture the German Mesopotamia at the head of squadron of ships defeated Turkish forts guarding the British oil interests in naval base of Tsingtau the Persian Gulf by German East Asiatic Britain declares the North entrance to the Straits neighbouring Persia, and Squadron. Sea to be a ‘military zone’, encourage an Arab revolt effectively beginning a against Turkish rule distant blockade of Germany First Australian and New Zealand troops leave Australia, expecting to Battle of Tanga. The first continue their training action of a long-running in Britain campaign in East Africa. German forces led by Colonel Paul von Lettow- Vorbeck defeat British and Indian troops. Fighting continues until 5 November. The campaign lasts until November 1918. DECEMBER 2 3 8 15 16 17 21 Capture of Belgrade, the Troops of the Australian and Battle of the Falklands. In the Recapture of Belgrade by Bombardment of Turkish forces launch First German aircraft raid on Serbian capital, by the New Zealand Army Corps South Atlantic, a reinforced Serbian forces Scarborough, Hartlepool attacks on the Russians in British south coast towns Austro-Hungarians (ANZAC) disembark in Egypt British naval squadron and Whitby on the British the Caucasus. In difficult to complete their training defeats the German East east coast by German conditions, the Russians after it is decided conditions Asiatic Squadron. battlecruisers. 137 civilians initially do badly but soon in Britain are unsuitable are killed. recover. Fighting continues until 18 January 1915. 29 Battle of Sarikamish in the Caucasus. Russian troops initially pushed back by the Turks before the situation is reversed. Battle continues until 2 January 1915. Military events Naval events Aviation events Political events Social events