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The Russians and Austria-Hungary had long been rivals in the Balkans. This was all about empire, religion and ethnic ties. The heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. Austria gave the Serbs an ultimatum which they knew they could not accept and this led to Austria declaring war on Serbia. The Austro-Hungarian emperor, Franz Josef, expected German support and got it. Russia mobilised for Serbia. Germany demanded that Russia should de-mobilise. Russia refused and Germany declared war. Italy declared neutrality as did Belgium and the Netherlands. Germany issued an ultimatum and declared war on France. Germany invaded Belgium despite its neutrality and it was at this stage that Britain felt she could not stay out of it and declared war on Germany on August 4th.

Admiral Fisher

ADMIRAL JOHN "JACKIE" ARBUTHNOT FISHER (1841-1920), First Baron Fisher of Kilverstone

• Born in Ceylon
• A life-long naval man
• Joined the navy at the age of 13
• Served in the China Wars, the Egyptian War, in North America and the West Indies and in the First World War
• Became a lord of the admiralty in 1892 and First Sea Lord in 1904
• Resigned in 1915 over the Dardanelles expedition
• Remembered for the introduction of the Dreadnought and his successful restructuring of the service

Lord Kitchener's pointing portrait was used on the famous Word War I recruiting poster with the slogan "Your country needs you".

Battles In The First World War
•	Mons
•	Marne
•	Ypres
•	Second Battle of Ypres
•	Loos
•	Neuve-Chapelle
•	The Somme
•	Jutland
•	Vimy Ridge
•	Passchendaele