This week 94 years ago the melting pot of tensions throughout Europe at the time came to a head, culminating in:
The Outbreak of War in Europe
On 28th June 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Hapsburg’s Austro-Hungarian Empire was in Sarajevo, Bosnia, accompanied by his wife, Countess Sophie. Bosnia with its volatile ethnic mix of Slavs, Serbs and Croats had been the scene of a number of rebellions by those who wanted Bosnia to join Serbia. A number of students conspired to assassinate the Archduke and one fired his revolver killing the Archduke with his first shot and Countess Sophie with his second shot.
The Austrians accused the Serb Government of being involved in the plot and on 23rd July Austria-Hungary sent an ultimatum to Serbia, which if agreed to would destroy Serbia as an independent state.
On 28th July Austria-Hungary broke off diplomatic relations with Serbia and declared war.
Russia had an alliance with Serbia and mobilised troops on 30th July.
On 31st July, Germany sent an ultimatum to Russia demanding demobilisation of its army. Germany, France, and Belgium each mobilised their troops.
On 31st July, Opposition Leader Andrew Fisher says, ‘Australians will stand beside the mother country to help and defend her to the last man and the last shilling’.
When the Russians refused to demobilise, Germany declared war on Russia on 1st August.
On 1st August, Australian Prime Minister Joseph Cook pledges support to Britain saying ‘if the old country is at war, so are we’.
On 2nd August, Germany demanded free passage through Belgium.
On 3rd August, Germany and France declared war on each other.
On 4th August Belgium refused Germany’s request followed by Germany declaring war on Belgium. Great Britain mobilised its forces and issued an ultimatum to Germany to guarantee Belgium neutrality by midnight (11pm London time) or the two countries would be at war.
4th August, the Australian Government offered 20,000 troops to the British Government. When the British ultimatum expired, Britain and her empire, including Australia, were at war with Germany.
94 years Ago – The Pfalz and the first “British” shot of the war
When the British Government’s ultimatum expired at 11pm in London on 4th August, it was midnight in Europe and 9am on 5th August in Melbourne, where the Australian Government was then located. Shortly thereafter the first “British” shot of the war was fired from Fort Nepean in Melbourne across the bow of the German ship Pfalz to prevent its escape from Port Phillip Bay.
The Pfalz was seized by Australia, renamed the SS Boorara and served as a troop transport. During July 1917, the Boorara’ was accidentally rammed by the French cruiser Klber and in July 1918 was torpedoed in the English Channel when transporting captured German war trophies from England to Australia. The SS Boorara survived the war and in June 1924 was transferred to the Commonwealth Government Line.
Source: Billett, R.S. War Trophies of the First World War, 1914-1918
