The Great War (1914-1918) in real time

[lordroel]

Day 65 of the Great War, September 30th 1914

Western Front: French Tenth Army Formed

As the sweeping offensives in the Somme region continued, the French needed more men. The French Second Army had now dug in on a line from Lassigny to Bray-sur-Somme, their Bavarian opponents of Prince Rupprecht’s 6th Army occupying the ground north of the Somme. On the 27th a German cavalry attack drove back portions of the French line, and General Maud-huy of the Second Army’s XVIII Corps called for reinforcements to stop a larger German breakthrough.

Maud-huy got more than just men, he received a new command. Joffre pieced together a cavalry corps and two infantry corps and placed Maud'huy in command of them as leader of the new Tenth Army. Maud-huy’s first role as commander was to lead the attack that began the Battle of Arras the very next day.

Asian and Pacific Theatre of the Great War: Siege of Tsingtao

At Tsingtao, IJNS WAKAMIYA is damaged by a mine and forced to return to Japan for repairs. Her three Henri Farman biplanes and their support crew are transferred to a shore base at Shazikou, in Laoshan Harbor.

CHATHAM at Koma Island

Cruising down the coast of German East Africa HMS CHATHAM is passing Koma Island when her lookouts spot a party of white men in khaki uniforms, accompanied by armed natives. Captain Drury-Lowe anchors his ship nearby and fires a few rounds from the cruiser's three-pounder guns. The men ashore all run into the woods. Drury-Lowe sends a landing party, which destroys the wireless station they find there and capture the small sailing craft used for supply runs to the shore.

One German does not run away. He claims to be a planter, but his papers reveal that he is a German intelligence officer. Among the items abandoned by the fleeing Germans is a diary containing information on the signalling system used by Königsberg for advanced warning of British activity in the area. This involves the use of white flags, which Drury-Lowe has already seen along the shore from time to time. He telegraphs the governor at Dar es Salaam that any party seen using the white flags should be fired at without warning.

Drury-Lowe is now convinced that Königsberg is hiding somewhere in the area.

Western Front: Belgian forts Waelhem and Lierre get German attention

At Antwerp the forts of Waelhem and Lierre to the south of the city are the focus of German bombardment. In addition, the main waterworks for Antwerp, located behind Fort Waelhem, are destroyed, inundating the Belgian trenches in the and greatly reducing water supply for those civilians remaining in the city.

Meanwhile, the Belgian Prime Minister issues a formal request for military assistance to the British and French. While Joffre is willing to send a small force of territorials and marines, he is unwilling to part with any of his regular divisions, and views the Belgian request through the lens of the ongoing battle in France - his hope is that the Belgians will retreat to extend the Entente line north of Arras. The British response is to offer to land the 7th Infantry Division and 3rd Cavalry Division on the Belgian coast to reinforce the western flank of the Belgian defenders along the Scheldt River. These divisions are composed of Regular Army battalions that had been scattered around the Empire at the outbreak of war garrisoning points such as Gibraltar, Malta, and Egypt. These units had been recalled in August and assembled in Britain in preparation for dispatch to the continent, and the two divisions together formed IV Corps, under the command of General Henry Rawlinson.

EMDEN says goodbye to the MARKOMANNIA

At Minicoy in the Maldives SMS EMDEN says goodbye to her long-time companion SS MARKOMANNIA. At dawn SS BURESK ties up alongside MARKOMANNIA and starts taking on all the spare oil and water needed for EMDEN'S operation. At 1400 EMDEN starts taking in the last of MARKOMANNIA'S coal supply. The men of EMDEN are allowed to write letters home, which will travel on the collier. At 1930 the coaling is done, and at 2030 MARKOMANNIA is sent on her way. The plan is for the collier to rendezvous with PONTOPOROS and take the last of her coal and pay off her captain, finally freeing the Greek ship to be on her way; then proceed to some neutral port to take on provisions, and finally meet up with EMDEN again around the first of November.

After MARKOMANNIA is out of sight EMDEN and BURESK set a course for the Chagos Archipelago, roughly 300 miles south of the Maldives.

Eastern Front: Germany bails out Austria

German troops have served a sound thrashing to Russian forces who tried to invade East Prussia. The Austro-Hungarian army has been less fortunate, suffering a series of defeats in battles in Galicia. German leaders are concerned that its ally is on the brink of collapse. To prevent such a disaster, they despatch a large force to aid Austria-Hungary. This 9th German Army will form the nucleus of a combined counter offensive into Russian Poland. Now they are in place and ready to strike.

[lordroel]

Day 66 of the Great War, October 1st 1914

von Spee reduces his supply train

While his crews are enjoying R&R in the Marquesas, Maximilian von Spee reduces his supply train by sending SS HOLSTIA and O.J.D. AHLERS to Honolulu, each ship carrying a full set of reports for Berlin. They also carry messages to be forwarded to the German Consulate at San Francisco, giving his coal requirements for his planned stops at Juan Fernandez and Valparaiso, where he intends to refuel on his way to South America. He then sends SS TITANIA to Easter Island to make sure the area is safe for his planned rendezvous with his light cruisers. His only remaining support ships are the fast 14-knot transports YORCK and GOTTINGEN.

Western Front: 3 German Corpses arrive east of Arras

Three German corps - from south to north the Guard, IV, and I Bavarian Reserve - arrive east of Arras today, and encounter Maud-huy's forces still preparing for their own offensive. Rupprecht's objective is to fix Maud-huy's forces in front of Arras while outflanking them to the north.

LEIPZIG gets new orders

Naval Command at Berlin sends a message to Captain Johannes Haun of SMS LEIPZIG, ordering him to give up his patrol off Peru and join SMS DRESDEN at Easter Island.

Western Front:  Fort Wavre fall into German hands

Though his artillery is progressing as expected in the destruction of the Belgian forts south of Antwerp, General Bessler believes that the fall of Antwerp needs to be hastened - he does not want the British or French to either reinforce the city or, of greater concern, push forces from the west against his eastern flank. Thus at 4pm today assaults are ordered by German infantry on the southern forts, and by nightfall the ruins of Fort Wavre are in German hands, though resistance continues elsewhere. At midnight the British military representative at Antwerp sends a telegram to his government emphasizing the seriousness of the situation and stating that the arrival of even a small detachment of British forces would raise Belgian morale.

KARLSRUHE finds nothing to hunt

SMS KARLSRUHE is having no luck prowling the Brazilian coast, so Captain Köhler sends his supply ship CREFELD to search forty miles to the east.

EMDEN heads towards Diego Garcia

In the Indian Ocean SMS EMDEN will spend more than a week cruising slowly through the Maldives toward Diego Garcia. Her boilers and engines are in need of repair, and until they can find a safe shelter for a complete overhaul she will alternate her engines, running on one while what repairs can be made at sea are performed on the other. The gun crews are in constant training, and the boiler stokers are also trained in gunnery while half the boilers are down for servicing.

Eastern Front: Battle of Augustowo

The German 8th Army, so successful in August and September, advanced into Russian territory after the Battle of the Marsurian Lakes. Rennekampf of the Russian First Army retreated before the Germans to behind the Nieman River.

With the Russian forces reassembling after the first two months of war, Joffre aired his favourite idea to them, suggesting an atack into Silesia or Pomerania to divert German strength from France. Stavka, the Russian high command, its chief Yanushkevitch ordered “preparation of an offensive, of the greatest possible weight, with a view to deep invasion of Germany, proceeding from the middle Vistula to the upper Oder.”

The Southwest Russian armies under General Ivanov prepared for this assault. However, overall commander of the forces to the north General Ruzski felt annoyed. He thought such operations could only succeed if the northern flank in East Prussia was securely held. He too began planning an offensive, and neither front communicated with the other. In fact, as Ivanov’s troops moved north in preparation, Ruzski ignored their requests for supplies. Dysfunction ran deep within the Russian high command.

As the Russians abandoned the Vistula region, the Austro-Hungarians were granted a reprieve. About 30 Russian divisions had left the fight to maneuver elsewhere, a grace period for the Central Powers. Retreating since September 11th, now their Chief-of-Staff Conrad could turn back to the attack, heading towards the San, as well as hoping to relieve Przemysl.

The German Ninth Army advanced to the Vistula, bombarded any Russians they saw, and then for lack of anything better to do Ludendorff dispatched von Mackensen with three corps towards Warsaw. While this was going on the Russian troops were mired in mud trying to march northwards. In truth, October 1914 was a very confusing time on the Eastern Front. A minor battle did take place at Augustowo in north-east Poland (the Russians claiming victory) but both sides now had a brief period of calm.

Germany: in need of nitrogen

As Germany becomes increasingly isolated from the world market by the British naval blockade, perhaps the most important industrial shortage was fixed nitrogen, produced from saltpetre, vital not only for the production of explosives but also for agricultural fertilizers key to the maintenance of Germany's domestic food supply. Pre-war, saltpetre had been imported from Chile, but this supply was interrupted by the war, and there was no available alternative. Thus, if Germany wanted to be able to fight a war of any significant duration, it was essential to develop processes to produce artificial fixed nitrogen. Today, Emil Fischer, Germany's leading chemist, discusses the issue at the War Ministry, where he explains two recently developed methods for producing nitrogen - lime nitrogen, a byproduct of gasworks and coking plants, and synthesized ammonia. Both methods had evolved out of Germany's chemical industry, which was the most advanced in the world, and Fischer's meeting will jump-start the production of artifical nitrogen, illustrative of the vital links between the academic community, industry, and the military in the conduct of modern war. As a result of this relationship, Germany will produce two and a half times as much nitrogen in wartime as it had produced in peacetime - the war will not be lost for a lack of explosives.

[lordroel]

Day 67 of the Great War, October 2nd 1914

YouTube (Dying In The Mud - Autumn Is Taking Its Tol)



Eastern Front: Confusing battles in Poland

The Germans and Austro-Hungarians are attacking the Russians in Poland. The Austro-Hungarians have previously been shattered by the Russians, but the German presence is giving them back some spirit.

Germany’s Hindenburg is the overall commander of the offensive. He and Ludendorff, his chief of staff, hope to capture Łódź and Warsaw and win another great victory over the Russians. But although the Germans and Austro-Hungarians are making gains, this round of fighting is less decisive. Whether because of more careful action by the Russians or the difficulty of fast movement on Poland’s poor roads, Hindenburg and Ludendorff are finding it impossible to surround or smash the Russians as they had at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes.

Western Front: Castlenau informs Joffre

General Castlenau of 2nd Army informs Joffre today that, under growing German pressure north of Arras, XXI Corps will not be able to detrain as close to Lille as had been planned, implying that the city cannot be held. Joffre's response is that retreat is not acceptable and Lille must not be yielded.

LEIPZIG gets a message from Spee

Captain Haun of SMS LEIPZIG has heard nothing of Graf Spee's main squadron for almost two months. On her way to Easter Island to renezvous with DRESDEN, late in the evening they recieve a message from that very ship: "My position Mas a Fuera Island. Intend to proceed to Easter Island to get in touch with the Cruiser Squadron." Haun now knows that his appointment is not just with a fellow light cruiser, but with Spee himself. The message is very faintly heard by the wireless operator aboard SCHARNHOST, so Spee also knows that his two Pacific cruisers are still at large.

Western Front: forts of Waelhelm and Boschbeck fall to the Germans

At Antwerp the forts of Waelhelm and Boschbeck fall to the Germans this afternoon. With a substantial gap now having opened in the outer line of fortifications, the Belgian army to the south of the city withdraws to the north bank of the Nethe River, running between the outer and inner forts. A meeting of Belgian ministers and military leaders decides that given the German advance, the King and government should depart Antwerp tomorrow. While King Albert agrees, he states he will only leave after the population of the city have been warned.

At 10pm a telegram from the British Minister in Antwerp arrives in London, reporting the decision of the Belgian government to leave the city tomorrow, and also erroneously reporting that the Belgian army was also to abandon Antwerp. With Prime Minister Asquith in Cardiff at a recruiting rally, it is Sir Edward Grey who receives the telegram, and rushes to Lord Kitchener's house in Carlton Gardens to discuss the note. They also recall Churchill, who had just boarded a train at London for Dover and Dunkirk, and he races from Victoria Station to Carlton Gardens. There the three agree that Antwerp must hold out as long as possible - if it falls immediately, the German forces besieging it could sweep through northern France before the Entente line is extended to the Channel. Thus, even a week's delay in its surrender could be of vital importance. Churchill recommends the immediate dispatch of the Marine Brigade, two thousand strong, to reinforce the defenses of the city. He also volunteers to go to Antwerp himself, to encourage the Belgians to hold out as long as possible. Grey and Kitchener agree, and at midnight Churchill departs London en route to Antwerp.

Romania: neutrally enforced

In neutral Romania, King Carol I is sympathetic to Germany and Austria-Hungary, and indeed had signed a secret treaty to support the latter if war broke out. His ministers, however, insisted on remaining out of the war in August, citing the plight of the Romanian population of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania, a territory which many in government covet. During the first weeks of the war, Romania acquiesced to the German desire to ship supplies by rail to the Ottoman Empire via Austria-Hungary and Romania, though the shipments were limited to eight freight cars per day. Now, with the King ailing, the government is able to enforce a stricter interpretation of neutrality today by halting all German shipments through its territory. With the naval blockade in the Mediterranean, the Ottomans are now completely isolated from Germany and Austria-Hungary, and while options such as Zeppelin flights will be considered, ultimately the only way to allow large-scale shipments to reach the Ottomans is through the conquest of Serbia.

[lordroel]

Day 68 of the Great War, October 3rd 1914

Western Front: Antwerp’s Outer Defences Fall

The British had been right to fear a quick end to the siege of Antwerp. The five German reserve divisions with their 173 guns were making quick work of the Belgian defences. The Germans bombarded the southeast forts and redoubts guarding Antwerp, and by the second of October two had fallen to infantry attack.

Antwerp was surrounded by four defensive lines, the first being a line of forts 10 - 15 km outside of the city, followed by another 5km outside. A smaller group of coastal batteries menaced any attacker who made it past the first two lines of forts, and the area to the west of the city was flooded (the ancient defensive strategy of Lowlanders). Fortunately for the city’s defenders the Germans did not seem to realize that the water was not very deep.

On the third, even more Belgian forts and redoubts surrendered or fell back, running out of ammunition and pounded mercilessly by German artillery. Also on the third sees Churchill arriving in Antwerp, meets with King Albert and the Belgian Prime Minister, and at 635pm telegrams London that the Belgians have agreed to continue resistance at Antwerp for at least ten days, provided that within three days definitive assurances had been received from the British that substantial reinforcements were en route to support the Belgians. With the Royal Marine Brigade already en route, Churchill suggests the deployment of two naval brigades, which together with the Marines made up the Royal Naval Division. These two naval brigades were composed of those sailors of the Royal Fleet Reserve who were surplus to requirements when the Royal Navy was mobilized on the outbreak of war. The men of these two brigades had no practical experience as soldiers, and none had had more than two days of training with rifles. Among the officers were the poet Rupert Brooke and Arthur Asquith, son of the Prime Minister. To say the two naval brigades were unprepared for combat would be a colossal understatement, but in the moment of crisis were the only immediately-available units in Britain.

Meanwhile, south of the city the Germans have turned their guns on Fort Kessel, but the Belgian defenders continue to hold out through the day.

Western Front:British Expeditionary Force begins its redeployment northwards to Flanders

Along the Aisne River, II Corps and 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions of the British Expeditionary Force have left the front line and begin their redeployment northwards to Flanders, the first units of the BEF to do so. II Corps is marching to Compiègne where it will board trains heading north, while the two cavalry divisions will move by road.

South Africa: Smuts calls for Maritz of Force B to come to Pretoria

In South Africa, Defense Minister J. C. Smuts has requested Lieutenant-Colonel Maritz of Force B to come to Pretoria for consultations. Smuts is increasingly concerned about the loyalty of Maritz, while the latter, expecting arrest, refuses the summons of Smuts. Instead, Maritz moves Force B from Upington to Kakamas, which not coincidentally is closer to the border with German South East Africa.

Western Front: German pressure around Arras is beginning to tell

The German pressure around Arras is beginning to tell. North of the city the French are being pushed back as Rupprecht sends reinforcements to I Bavarian Corps as they attack towards Vimy, and IV Cavalry Corps is sent northwards in the direction of Lille. French lines south of Arras, manned by territorial divisions, are also buckling.

[lordroel]

Day 69 of the Great War, October 4th 1914

British intercept message from Spee

As the German East Asiatic Squadron crosses the Pacific, it hears the signals of the German light cruiser DRESDEN, which has passed through the Straits of Magellan from the Atlantic and is now off the Chilean coast. Admiral Spee today signals DRESDEN to meet his squadron at Easter Island. This message, however, is intercepted by a British wireless station at Suva in the Fiji Islands, and when relayed to London gives the Admiralty concrete evidence that the German squadron is bound for South America

Western Front: British Royal Marine Brigade Arrives in Antwerp

“It is most necessary,” telegraphed Secretary of State for War Lord Kitchener to Winston Churchill, “that the Belgians should not give way before the forces now on the sea arrive for their support." On the fourth, the first British Royal Marines arrived, having landed at Dunkirk yesterday and traveled to the city by train, and later this morning takes up position along the front line to the southeast of Antwerp. At the same time, the British Cabinet approves the dispatch of the two naval brigades to augment the British contribution to the defense of Antwerp. The Cabinet also receives a remarkable request from Churchill. He has remained in Antwerp, and for the past twenty-four hours has taken to directing the defense of the city, touring the trenches, repositioning units, etc.. He has displayed an almost boyish enthusiasm for war - sitting in the open watching the action as artillery shells fall around him. He feels to be in his element, and at this moment wants nothing more than to continue to have a direct hand in the ongoing struggle for Antwerp. His request to the Cabinet is that he resign his position as First Lord of the Admiralty and instead be appointed commander of the forces at Antwerp, with the full authority of a general in the field. The reaction of the Cabinet can be best described as nervous laughter - Churchill has already gained a reputation as a figure whose enthusiasm often outruns his judgement, and the idea that the head of the most important military office in the country should race off to command forces in the field is incomprehensible. Churchill’s request is politely denied, and he is informed that General Henry Rawlinson will be arriving shortly to assume command of the British contingent. For now, though, Churchill remains at Antwerp, play-acting the role of general.

Meanwhile, the continuing bombardment of Fort Kessel finally forces the evacuation of its Belgian garrison today. The Germans also begin to bombard the north bank of the Nethe River, in preparation for an attempt to force a crossing and pierce the line of defense established along the river after the first forts had fallen.

Photo: Sailors of the Royal Naval Division during the defence of Antwerp in 1914



Serbian campaign: second invasion of Serbia is called of

General Potiorek officially calls off the second invasion of Serbia today. Though the effort has at least secured a small bridgehead in northwestern Serbia, it has overall been another dismal failure. Desperate to deflect blame from himself, he argues that a lack of shells has been to blame.

South Africa: Smuts dispatches new units to Upington

Under the guise of reinforcing Maritz, Smuts dispatches new units to Upington under the command of Coen Brits, whose loyalty is unquestionable - the latter is said to have told Botha, 'My men are ready; who do we fight - the English or the Germans?' Brits' force is positioned to fight Maritz if the latter rebels.

Western Front: German advance at Arras continues

The German advance at Arras continues today. North of the city the Bavarians push through Lens and, at 10pm, occupy the heights of Vimy Ridge. The French 70th Division, on the line north of the city, is pushed back almost to the Scarpe River northwest of Arras. To the south, the Prussian Guards Division shatters the 81th Territorial Division, killing its commander, and a gap begins to open between the territorial divisions and X Corps. The French at Arras are threatened with encirclement, and General Maud-huy declares that his detachment is facing another 'Sedan', referencing the disastrous envelopment and surrender of a French army in 1870 during the Franco-Prussian War. The Kaiser, meanwhile, arrives at Rupprecht's headquarters at St. Quentin to observe the anticipated victory.

When Castlenau asks Joffre which direction Maud-huy should retreat in, the latter's response is swift. He has become convinced that Castlenau is plagued by excessive pessimism, and decides on a reorganization. First, Maud-huy's detachment is formed into a separate command as 10th Army. Second, Ferdinand Foch is appointed Joffre's 'deputy' with responsibility to co-ordinate the 2nd and 10th armies and the territorial divisions in northern France. Castlenau thus finds himself under the command of a former subordinate, but on balance is likely pleased to have retained his command at all. With Foch moving to northern France, his 9th Army along the Aisne is suppressed, its corps being absorbed by the neighbouring 4th and 5th armies. Joffre also informs Castlenau that under no circumstances is he to retreat, as the reinforcements en route to the north will allow the Entente line to hold.

Map: The German advance at Arras, October 1914





Western Front: German XVI Corps launches another offensive against the French lines in the Argonne

West of Verdun, General Mudra's XVI Corps launches another offensive against the French lines in the Argonne. The German attackers make widespread use of Minenwerfers, or trench mortars, for the first time. Such small mortars, firing a small projectile in a high arc, are well-suited for use against trenches, as the trajectory allows the shell to plunge into trenches before detonation. The Germans have also prioritized Minenwerfers as they use less powder, an important consideration given the economic blockade of the country. Despite the use of such weapons, the Germans make little progress, facing fierce French resistance.

Eastern Front: desperate fighting near Augustow

The past few days have seen desperate fighting near Augustow just east of the German-Russian frontier as the Russians attempt to push into the rear of the German 8th Army retreating from the Niemen River. While the Germans opposing the Russian advance suffer grievous losses, they succeed in slowing the Russians sufficiently to allow the remainder of 8th Army to evacuate Suwalki and withdraw to the border.

Eastern Front: Austro-Hungarian 1st Army takes up position on the southern flank of 9th Army

As the German 9th Army continues its movement northeastwards from Krakow, the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army takes up position on the southern flank of 9th Army and joins the advance, with the Austro-Hungarian 4th and 3rd armies to the south moving westward towards the San River. Despite bad weather and roads being reduced to mud, the Germans are able to maintain a marching rate of thirty miles a day, making using of requisitioned Polish carts better able to cope with the deep mud. With the withdrawal of three Russian armies from Galicia to Poland to participate in the proposed offensive against German Silesia, the remaining Russian armies in Galicia fall back to avoid being outflanked to the north by the advance of the German 9th Army.

[lordroel]

Day 70 of the Great War, October 5th 1914

Western Front: General Foch orders that Arras be held at all cost

General Maud-huy this morning plans to order the 31st Infantry Division to cover a withdrawal from Arras. At 930am, however, General Foch arrives at Maud-huy's headquarters at Aubigny, and orders that Arras be held at all cost. On both flanks French resistance is stiffening. To the north, heavy French artillery bombardment prevents the Bavarians from exploiting their seizure of Vimy Ridge, while to the south the Prussian Guards are held up short of Arras. Disappointed, the Kaiser departs Rupprecht's headquarters.

More cruisers join CHATHAM

Off the coast of German East Africa the new light cruisers DARTMOUTH and WEYMOUTH, along with the old protected cruiser FOX, join HMS CHATHAM in the search for SMS KONIGSBERG.

Admiralty convinced that Spee plans to round Cape Horn

Following the interception of a wireless transmission giving Graf Spee's destination as Easter Island the admiralty is finally convinced that Spee plans to round Cape Horn and move to the Atlantic. For more than a month Rear Admiral Christopher 'Kit' Cradock has been trying to get the ships together to move into the Pacific after Spee. He had been promised the use of the old battleship CANOPUS Canopus and the newer armored cruiser DEFENCE. At the last minute the decision was made to keep DEFENCE at Malta. Cradock is waiting on CANOPUS to make her slow way to Port Stanley in the Falklands.

Western Front: German I, II, and IV Cavalry Corps receive orders

North of the fighting of Arras General Marwitz issues orders for an offensive by I, II, and IV Cavalry Corps. They are to sweep through the open space around the northern flank of the French line at Arras-Lens, forcing their retreat.

Western Front: Germans secure a crossing of the Nethe River

Early this morning two German battalions secure a crossing of the Nethe River a mile southwest of the village of Lierre. They are supported by heavy artillery fire, and are reinforced by two further battalions by nightfall. German forces also occupy Lierre itself up to the river line and begin the bombardment of Fort Broechem, but elsewhere the Belgian defensive line remains intact. Meanwhile, the two British Naval Brigades land at Dunkirk during the night, and entrain for the journey to Antwerp.

KARLSRUHE catches the FARN

Off the Brazilian coast SS CREFELD sights a smoke column in the distance, and signals SMS KARLSRUHE, some forty miles to the west. Captain Köhler rushes his ship to investigate, and after a two-hour chase catches SS FARN, carrying 6,000 tons of 1st-class Welsh coal. Since he has plenty of coal already Köhler puts a prize crew aboard FARN and sends her to join his supply ship ASUNCION.

[lordroel]

Day 71 of the Great War, October 6th 1914

Western Front: Rupprecht turns his attention northwards

Realizing that the enemy line at Arras will hold, Rupprecht turns his attention northwards, hoping to accomplish the desired envelopment through Flanders. The French have held Arras, though at great cost - the Alpine Division, for instance, has suffered 75% casualties over the past week fighting to hold the city.

KARLSHURE captures the NICETO DE LARRINAGA

Off the coast of Brazil, SMS KARLSHURE has more success. SS NICETO DE LARRINAGA, 5018 tons, is en route from Buenos Aires to London with a cargo of wheat. She is stopped by KARLSHURE, her crew put aboard the supply ship CREFELD and the ship scuttled.

British go hunting for KONIGSBERG

In his quest to find SMS KONIGSBERG captain Drury-Lowe assigns his newly-arrived ships to four different search areas covering more than 1,500 miles of East African coastline. In an effort to fool any Germans who might see them, Drury-Lowe has all numbers, funnel stripes and names painted over, to make it hard to tell how many ships are in what area.

Western Front: Germans keep up the pressure on Antwerp 

Early this morning Belgian units attack the German bridgehead over the Nethe River. After initial progress, the Germans counterattack, and the Belgians are pushed back. At the same time, Fort Broechem is put out of action and is evacuated by its Belgian defenders. With the Nethe River line breached, the Belgians and the British Marine Brigade withdraw to a second defensive position half-way between the Nethe and the inner ring of forts around Antwerp. The new line to the south and southeast is only five to six miles outside of the city, which means that once the Germans bring their heavy artillery across the Nethe, they will be able to bombard the city itself.

Meanwhile, the two British Naval Brigades take up defensive positions between several of the inner forts protecting Antwerp. The trenches in these positions were shallow and rudimentary - their proximity to the Schelde River prevents digging any deeper due to the risk of flooding.

To the west of Antwerp, two German brigades attempt to force the crossing of the Schelde River. Termonde itself has been captured, but the Germans have failed to secure bridgeheads have been beaten back by the Belgian 4th Infantry Division, which has been reinforced by 6th Infantry Division sent from Antwerp itself. Despite the successes, it is clear that German pressure against the Schelde line will only increase.

At noon today General Rawlinson arrives at Antwerp, and with Churchill surveys the new defensive position taken between the Nethe and the inner forts. They conclude that the position cannot be held - the trenches were only partially prepared, and its flanks were open - and that it would be better to simply pull back further and defend at the line of the inner forts. They bring this conclusion to a meeting of the Belgian Council of Defense, held at 4pm and presided over by King Albert. The Council concurs with the British advice, and further Albert concludes both that the three-day period agreed to on the 3rd has passed without sufficient reinforcement, and that the defensive line along the inner forts does not require the full Belgian army to hold. As such, it is agreed that most of the Belgian field army will withdraw across the Schelde, where they can co-ordinate with any potential relieving force, while the inner forts and the lines between them will be held by the Belgian garrison and fortress troops, the Belgian 2nd Infantry Division, and the three British brigades. Both Rawlinson and Churchill depart Antwerp this evening, the former to meet with his 7th Infantry and 3rd Cavalry Divisions landing on the Belgian coast, and the latter en route to London.

Asian and Pacific Theatre of the Great War: Siege of Tsingtao

Japanese and British warships attempt the first bombardment of Tsingtao today, but achieve little due to the range from ship to shore being too great.

Kamerun Campaign: Senegalese soldiers seize the bridge at Japoma

In German Kamerun, though the British have seized the principal port of Duala, the proximity of German forces nearby leaves their hold on the town insecure. As a result, British forces push out from Duala towards Edea to the southwest, Jabassi to the northeast, and Dschang to the north. Today, Senegalese soldiers seize the bridge at Japoma along the railway to Edea, overcoming German resistance.

[lordroel]

Day 72 of the Great War, October 7th 1914

Western Front: I and II Cavalry Corps advance is brought to a halt

The advance of the German I and II Cavalry Corps between Lens and Lille is brought to a halt by the French XXI Corps, which has detrained at Béthune.

KARLSHURE captures the LYNROWAN

In the mid-South Atlantic SMS KARLSHURE comes upon her second victim in as many days. This ship is the British ship SS LYNROWAN, 3,384 tons, carrying a mixed cargo consisting mainly of wheat and oats, bound from Buenos Aires to Liverpool. The ship's master, Arthur Jones, and his crew are put aboard CREFELD and LYNROWAN is sent to the bottom.

Sir Christopher Cradock receives a message from the Admiralty

At Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands Sir Christopher Cradock is still waiting for Canopus to arrive when he recieves a message from the Admiralty. The message intercepted on the 4th was in code and had to be decyphered. On the 5th the news was sent to Cradock, and only now arrived. The decoding was possible because of the Australian capture of SS Pfalz back on August 5th.

The Admiralty message includes these instructions: "It appears that SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU are working across to South America. You must be prepared to meet them in company, possibly with a 'DRESDEN' scouting for them. CANOPUS should accompany GLASGOW, MONMOUTH and OTRANTO, the ships to search and protect trade in combination. If you propose Good Hope to go, leave MONMOUTH on east coast."

Cradock replied: "Have ordered CANOPUS to Falklands where I intend to concentrate and avoid division of forces. Have ordered GLASGOW, MONMOUTH and OTRANTO not to go north of Valparaiso until German cruisers located. Does DEFENCE join my command?" It seems the Admiralty had not yet informed Cradock of their decision to keep DEFENCE on the east side of the Atlantic.

Western Front: Germans begin bombardment of the City of Antwerp

Early this morning, two German battalions of the 37th Landwehr Brigade succeed in crossing the Schelde River at Schoonaerde, nine miles west of Termonde. Despite counterattacks by the Belgian 6th Division during the day, the bridgehead hold, and during the evening the rest of the brigade crosses the Schelde. The distance between Schoonaerde and the Dutch border is a mere twelve miles, through which any forces that wish to escape Antwerp must pass. The Belgian army decides that it must now pass through the corridor before it closes, and plans on taking up position along the Terneuzen Canal, running from Ghent to the Dutch border. The Belgian 1st and 5th divisions are sent westwards first, while 3rd and 6th divisions act as a flank guard along the Schelde. King Albert also moves his headquarters today from Antwerp to Selzaete along the Terneuzen Canal.

The focus of the German effort against Antwerp today is bringing heavy artillery across the Nethe River. Though the movement is delayed by difficulties with bridging equipment, just before midnight 6-inch howitzers begin the bombardment of the city itself.

Photo: Men of the British Naval Brigades in trenches at Antwerp



Within Antwerp itself, proclamations are posted throughout the city announcing that German bombardment of the city is imminent, and advised those who wish to leave Antwerp must do so at once. Appropriate to the mood of the civilian population, Antwerp is covered by a dense cloud of black smoke, emanating from oil-tanks to the west of the city which had been set on fire to prevent their capture by the Germans. Thousands flock to the docks, attempting to crowd aboard every available ship in the hope of departing the city. Others flee to the nearby Dutch border at Bergen-op-Zoom. This town of 16 000 inhabitants finds itself in a matter of a few days hosting 200 000 refugees from Antwerp.

Western Front: British 7th Division arrives in Bruges

This morning the disembarkation of the British 7th Division is completed at Zeebrugge, and by 5pm, after travelling by train, has arrived in Bruges. Despite the pleadings of the Belgians, however, the division does not immediately march to Antwerp - prior to departing Britain, the divisional commander was given specific instructions by Kitchener not to allow his force to be shut in and captured at Antwerp. Further, reports reach 7th Division of large German cavalry concentrations north of Lille, which could potentially threaten the corridor to Antwerp. Meanwhile, a brigade of French marines is dispatched from Paris by rail towards Antwerp, the one significant French contribution to the defence of the city.

Western Front: III Corps of the British Expeditionary Force begins its march to Compiègne

III Corps of the British Expeditionary Force, having handed over its trenches to the French last night, today begins its march to Compiègne where it will entrain for Flanders.

South Africa: Lieutenant-Colonel Maritz makes contact with Germans

Lieutenant-Colonel Maritz makes contact with Germans along the border between South Africa and German South-West Africa. Such contacts may be vital if Maritz goes into rebellion.

Kamerun Campaign: British advance on Jabassi

In German Kamerun, the British advance on Jabassi to the northeast of Duala. Taking advantage of the heavy rains, they mount a 6-inch gun on a boat that could be floated up the river to support the attack. However, the West African units became disorganized as they moved through the bush adjacent to the river, and when they reached open ground at Jabassi they were cut down by German machine-gun fire. The attack defeated, the British are forced to retreat back in the direction of Duala.

[lordroel]

Day 73 of the Great War, October 8th 1914

Western Front: the Evacuation of Antwerp

At Antwerp, the German heavy artillery is brought over the Nethe River today, and the bombardment intensifies, both of the city itself and the inner forts. Fires rage uncontrolled in Antwerp, as the destruction of the waterworks means they cannot be contained. At 5pm reports arrive at the headquarters of the Belgian commander of the garrison that Forts No. 1 and 2 have been abandoned under intensive German fire. With the inner line of forts breached, all that remained was to withdraw to the city itself. In such circumstances, only a portion of the Belgian fortress troops would be required, and thus at 530pm orders were issued for the Belgian 2nd Division and the Royal Marine Division to retreat from Antwerp and move westward to the line of the Terneuzen Canal. By 1130pm the Belgians were across the Schelde and marching west.

The conveyance of the orders for the retreat of the Royal Naval Division, however, were botched. Officers were sent to the headquarters of the Royal Marine Brigade and the 1st and 2nd Naval Brigades, and in the case of the Royal Marine Brigade and the 2nd Naval Brigade the orders arrived between 630pm and 7pm. However, the officer dispatched to 1st Naval Brigade headquarters delivered his order to the Drake Battalion, one of the battalions belonging to the Brigade. Thus while the Drake Battalion marched out of the line as ordered, the remaining three battalions of the 1st Naval Brigade remained in absolute ignorance of the decision to retreat. The Royal Marine Brigade (less a rearguard battalion), 1st Naval Brigade, and the Drake Battalion have crossed the Schelde by 10pm, and are marching to Beveren Waes where they are told to expect trains waiting to convey them to Ostend.

Painting: Belgian and British soldiers trying to reach the Netherlands by boat



Western Front: XIV Corps comes to the rescue

This morning the German I and II Cavalry Corps, under increasing pressure north of Lens, is rescued by the arrival of XIV Corps, which had entrained at Metz on October 4th and had marched from Mons. As the German XIV Corps and French XXI Corps grapple to a standstill, the two cavalry corps are redeployed between La Bassée and Armentières.

Falklands: pondering a Admiralty signal

Admiral Craddock is at Port Stanley in the Falklands today, pondering an Admiralty signal he had received yesterday. It had informed him of the wireless intercept of the 4th indicated that the German East Asiatic Squadron is likely en route to the South American coast, and that he must prepare to 'meet' them with GLASGOW, CANOPUS, OTRANTO, and either GOOD HOPE or MONMOUTH, the other to remain in the South Atlantic to protect trade. He sends a reply to the Admiralty today, questioning the assumption that SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU are accompanied only by a single light cruiser, and inquiring about the deployment of the armoured cruiser DEFENCE. The Admiralty's message of the 7th had made no mention of DEFENCE, implying (though not outright saying) that they feel the existing ships under Craddock's command are sufficient to engage the German squadron.

Western Front: Field Marshal Sir John French meets with General Ferdinand Foch

Field Marshal Sir John French meets with General Ferdinand Foch at the latter's headquarters north of Amiens to discuss the deployment of the British Expeditionary Force. It is agreed that the BEF will come into the Entente line to the north of General Maud'huy's 10th Army, with the road between Béthune and Lille dividing the two commands. The British II Corps, the first scheduled to arrive in Flanders, will take its position immediately to the north of the French 10th Army, and next in the line will be III Corps to the north of II Corps, followed by I Corps further north. In each case, the 1st and 2nd Cavalry Divisions will cover the left flank of the most recently-arrived corps until the next arrives. They also discuss future operations - the conclusion is that the enemy only has a few cavalry divisions in Flanders, and thus the opportunity exists for a general advance through Lille and for the German flank to be enveloped.

KARLSRUHE meets her third British victim in three days

In the mid-Atlantic SMS KARLSRUHE meets her third British victim in three days. SS CERVANTES, 4,635 tons. She was headed from Callao to Liverpool with a general cargo, under the command of Master E.J. Holton. Like LYNROWAN before her the crew of Cervantes is put aboard CREFELD and the ship scuttled.

Western Front: German bridgehead secured

The German bridgehead secured yesterday by 37th Landwehr Brigade over the Schelde River at Schoonaerde is reinforced today by two further brigades, and in spite of Belgian resistance is able to advance nearly to Lokeren, approximately halfway between the Schelde and the Dutch frontier. The escape corridor for the soldiers at Antwerp is slowly closely.

Western Front: British 3rd Cavalry Division disembarks at Ostend

The British 3rd Cavalry Division, commanded by Major-General Sir Julian Byng, disembarks at Ostend over the course of the day. To cover the landing, the British 7th Division has marched from Bruges to form an arc around Ostend. Further east, the bulk of the Belgian army has reached the line of the Terneuzen Canal between Ghent and the Dutch frontier, while the French marine brigade is at Ghent itself. At 5pm General Rawlinson receives instructions from Lord Kitchener ordering his force to cover the anticipated retreat of the British brigades at Antwerp.

[lordroel]

Day 74 of the Great War, October 9th 1914

YouTube (Back For Christmas? - The Illusion Of A Short War)



Western Front: Fall of Antwerp

As the Royal Marine Brigade, the 2nd Naval Brigade, and the Drake Battalion march westwards, word reaches the British at 230am that the nearest trains are at Gilles Waes, six miles to the northwest. After an arduous overland journey undertaken in unfamiliar terrain in darkness, the first troops reach Gilles Waes at daybreak, and by 9am the last train leaves the village, with omnibuses picking up stragglers. Thus were the bulk of the British forces at Antwerp evacuated through the corridor north of the Schelde. The Belgian 2nd Division also manages to escape, reaching the rest of the Belgian army this evening after a thirty-mile march.

However, the three battalions of the 1st Naval Brigade who had not received the original orders to retreat would have a much more difficult time evacuating the city. By the early morning hours, finding that adjacent units had disappeared, realized that a retreat was under way. After marching through the nearly-abandoned city, they arrived at the Schelde to find that most of the bridges has been destroyed to prevent their usage by the Germans. Through the requisition of barges and steamers, the battalions are able to get across the Schelde by 4am and arrive at Zwyndrecht, the supposed rendezvous for British forces, to find it abandoned. Finally learning that the others had gone to Gilles Waes, the three battalions join the refugee columns streaming west, and arrive at the village between 1130 and 345. A train then arrived to take them west, but at 415 it was learned that the advancing Germans had cut the rail line at Moerbeke. At this point, the three battalions were exhausted, lacked both food and ammunition, and were in no condition to attempt to fight their way out. In consequence they took the only other option available to them - they marched north and crossed the Dutch frontier, where they were disarmed and interned for the remainder of the war. Thus of the three thousand men of the 1st Naval Brigade that arrived at Antwerp, only one thousand escaped.

Photo: The last military train to leave Gilles Waes




At Antwerp itself, the Germans discover this morning that the inner forts have been abandoned. General Beseler thus sends a representative into the city under a white flag to demand its surrender. Simultaneously, the Military Governor of Antwerp had concluded that further resistance was pointless. This evening, the Governor signs the surrender of the city and its remaining fortifications.



YouTube (the Fall of Antwerp (Anvers) 9th October 1914. Allies White. Germany Black')



Western Front: 7th Division send to Ghent

To cover the retreat of the British brigades at Antwerp, Rawlinson dispatches part of 7th Division to Ghent, while the remainder, plus 3rd Cavalry Division, concentrates at Bruges. The two divisions are also brought under Sir John French's direct command, integrating them into the BEF as IV Corps under General Rawlinson's command. This illustrates that in future the corps will join up and co-operate with the BEF, as opposed to remaining effectively an independent command along the Schelde.

South Africa: start of a rebellion

In South Africa S. G. Maritz goes into open rebellion today, declaring South Africa independent and announcing war with Britain (and coincidentally, promoting himself to general). Force B is personally loyal to him, and he threatens to attack Upington unless he is allowed to contact other Boer leaders from the abortive coup attempt of September 15th, including Christian De Wet, C. F. Beyers, and J. C. G. Kemp.

Eastern Front: Hindenburg reaches the Vistula

In Galicia the advancing Austro-Hungarian armies have reached the San River, and though further progress is inhibited by stiffening Russian resistance, they have reached the fortress at Przemysl, lifting the Russian siege. The Russians had lost forty thousand soldiers attempting to storm Przemysl before it could be relieved, and the Austro-Hungarian units that reached the city today have as their first responsibility the clearing of tens of thousands of Russian corpses from the fortress perimeter.

Further north, as the German 9th Army continues its advance, a detailed Russian order of battle is found on the body of a dead Russian officer. This reveals that the Russians are massing three entire armies east of the Vistula River around Warsaw. This intelligence coup comes as a complete surprise to Ludendorff - to this point he believed that most of the Russian armies were still in Galicia. Instead, he realizes that 9th Army is advancing directly into the main enemy concentration. The straightforward response would have been to simply call off the offensive; indeed, the ostensible aim of the operation - saving the Austro-Hungarian army - had already been achieved, though more from the Russian redeployment from Galicia to Poland than anything the Germans themselves had done. However, Ludendorff was hardly one for the straightforward, commonplace solution. Instead of retreating, he decides that the Germans will attempt to defeat the Russians south of Warsaw before the three Russian armies are fully assembled. To this end, Ludendorff requests Conrad to extend his line northwards to Ivangorod, to free 9th Army from having to cover southern Poland, and allow it to maneouvre freely.

SMS KARLSRUHE encounters her fourth victim in a row

In the Atlantic ocean, at 0100 hours, SMS KARLSRUHE encounters her fourth victim in a row. SS PRUTH is another British steamer, rated at 4,408 tons, bound from Argentina to St. Vincent with a cargo of 2,800 tons of barley and 8,800 tons of nitrate. At 0600 the crew are transfered to CREFELD, then at 0800 the prisoners aboard SS RIO NEGRO are also sent to CREFELD. Two separate scuttling charges are detonated at 1030 and 1045, and PRUTH sinks by the stern at 1120.

At 1500 Karlsruhe stops a Spanish cargo ship, examines her papers and cargo, an lets her go.

Western Front: General Falkenhayn issues orders

General Falkenhayn issues orders today for a major new deployment of German forces on the Western Front. The corps of the existing 4th Army are reassigned to the adjacent 3rd or 5th armies, and 4th Army headquarters, including is commander Duke Albrecht, are brought north to Flanders. General Beseler's XIII Reserve Corps is assigned to this army, but the main fighting strength of the new 4th Army are XXII, XXII, XXVI, and XXVII Reserve Corps, each of which consist of two Reserve Divisions. These four corps were among six whose formation was authorized on August 16th. They consisted in part of older men who had never been conscripted in their youth (in peacetime Germany had only needed to conscripted 50% of each age cohort to fill the army), in part of older men who had completed prior military service, and volunteers. It is the latter group who would come to dominant the popular perception of these corps - they are among the hundreds of thousands of young men, many coming straight from the classroom, who, fully imbued with patriotism and romantic notions of a quick and glorious war, had volunteered in the first weeks of the war. They had had no prior military training, and have had barely any time to learn over the past two month. It is hoped that what they lacked in martial ability would be compensated by enthusiasm, perhaps the ultimate expression of the pre-war belief that any enemy position could be taken, any task completed, if only the soldiers are sufficiently willing. The older men were added to give leadership and experience, but many of them are unfit for duty and had been trained in prior decades, before the rise of the machine gun and the other accouterments of twentieth-century warfare. They are also under-equipped, with fewer artillery batteries as compared to regular corps and lacking field telephones to direct the fire of those artillery pieces they do have.

Given the poor quality of these corps, why are they to be employed in battle two months after their formation? Indeed, Britain was also mobilizing hundreds of thousands of volunteers, but Kitchener has insisted that it would take a year's training before they were fit for combat. Their use speaks to the extent that, despite the dismissal of Moltke and the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, Falkenhayn and the General Staff remain enthralled by the vision of rapid victory in the west. Of these six reserve corps, only one is sent to the Eastern Front, at a time when Hindenburg and Ludendorff are screaming for thirty divisions. One is sent to help hold the line at Metz, while the remaining four all go to Flanders. Falkenhayn believes that the Western Front continues to be the place where a decisive, war-winning victory can be achieved, though instead of Schlieffen's sweep around Paris, he perceives that the opportunity exists to outflank the Entente line from the north, advancing to the Somme River and occupying the Channel ports. Such a success, Falkenhayn believed, would cripple France and ensure ultimate victory. Further, the only way to achieve the vital margin of superiority to ensure success is to use these four reserve corps - a force of equivalent size cannot be redeployed from the rest of the Western Front, and it would take too much time to send the reserve corps to relieve four more experienced corps and redeploy the latter to Flanders.

Thus 4th Army is to be the hammer behind Falkenhayn's major offensive on the Western Front - with the French line holding south of Arras, they are to punch through between Arras and the Channel coast, an area that for much of the war has been held only by a small number of French territorial and cavalry divisions. But even as Falkenhayn's orders go out, Entente forces are gathering, and in particular the British Expeditionary Force is redeploying into precisely the same stretch of the front that the Germany 4th Army is to storm through. Indeed, today also marks the first arrival of BEF units in Flanders: II Corps completes its detraining at Abbeville, while 2nd Cavalry Division arrives between St. Pol and Hesdin. Thus by coincidence, just as in August at Mons, the BEF is moving into the path of the most important German advance.

EMDEN at Diego Garcia

SMS EMDEN and SS BURESK enter the harbor at Diego Garcia at 0700 local time. EMDEN is badly in need of cleaning, but since there are no facilities for this activity she is careened in the harbor by the flooding of storage compartments on one side and then the other. Weeks of collected barnacles are scraped from her bottom, and a fresh coat of paint is applied to her upper works. This is done by 1400 hours, and from then until midnight coal is taken aboard from BURESK.

While all this is taking place a native boat rows out to EMDEN carrying the assistant manager of the local oil company. After some whiskey and soda the man informs them that this is the first he has heard that there is a war on. There is no wireless and the only regular shipping is a sailing vessel which brings them supplies from Mauritius once every three months. The have had no news of the outside world since July. The officers of EMDEN casually lie to the manager, telling him that they are part of a unified maneuver involving the navies of England, France and Germany, and that they will be on their way in two days.

At this point the manager himself comes aboard with the same questions. Captain von Müller tells him that they have just survived a severe storm, and the manager replies that he suspected as much from the cruiser's appearance. The oil company manager then asks von Müller if it would be possible for EMDEN'S mechanics to take a look at his motorboat. The captain obliges and Maschinistmaat Kluge and his crew quickly have the boat running. The manager then asks von Müller to have dinner ashore. When the captain politely refuses the manager sends EMDEN a gift of a large pig, a pile of fish and another load of fresh fruit. Not wishing to be indebted to someone who is technically an enemy, von Müller sends the oilmen some whiskey, wine and cigars in return.

Due to the tropical heat EMDEN is only able to take aboard 400 tons of coal, so the operation is scheduled to continue in the morning.

[lordroel]

Day 75 of the Great War, October 10th 1914

DRESDEN at Easter Island

SMS DRESDEN, along with her collier SS BADEN, is the first of Spee's cruisers to arrive at Easter Island.

In the western South Atlantic SMS KARLSRUHE turns back towards San Roca, where Asuncion and Farn are waiting with coal. Crefeld and Rio Negro are becoming overcrowded with prisoners, and it's time to send at least one of those ships to a neutral port. At 0300 hours Emden stops a merchant ship that turns out to be Italian, and neutral. By 0400 the process of examining papers and cargo is complete, and the ship is allowed to proceed on its way. At 0930 Crefeld is sent to scout the area. At 1745 she returns and the little group is on its way again.

At 0600 hours at Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean SMS Emden resumes her coaling from SS Buresk. The task is completed at 1000, and at 1100 the ships are underway again. They head northwest until out of sight of land, then turn north toward the Australia-Aden trade route.

Western Front: orders for the British II Corps

The orders for the British II Corps is to advance to cover Béthune, placing it on the left flank of the French 10th Army. By today, II Corps is in the area Diéval-Pernes between St. Pol and Béthune, with 2nd Cavalry Division to its north and 1st Cavalry Division, having just arrived today, to its south. To the east, two French cavalry corps have prevented the German I and II Cavalry Corps from advancing beyond a line Béthune-Armentières.

Map: The advance of British units in Flanders to October 15th, 1914



Western Front: German forces begin to occupy Antwerp

This morning German forces begin to occupy Antwerp. They are surprised by how few prisoners they take - all that remained of the Belgian defenders were the Military Governor, his staff officer, and a few stragglers in the surviving forts. To the end of the siege the Germans had expected to capture the entire Belgian army at Antwerp, and so the realization that it has escaped mars the German victory.

n Britain the fall of Antwerp leads to sharp criticism being directed at Winston Churchill by the press. Not only is he, by virtue of his 'trip' to Antwerp, the most prominent minister associated with the defeat at Antwerp, and in particular the loss of several thousand men from the Naval Brigades, but his judgement is questioned regarding his presence at Antwerp at all, seen as an amateur interfering with army operations in the field and that he had cast aside his responsibilities as First Lord of the Admiralty to do so. There is an undertone of distrust regarding Churchill, whether he can sufficiently restrain his famous enthusiasm for whatever catches his fancy at the moment.

Western Front: a conference at Ostend

A conference is held today at Ostend between King Albert, General Pau, the representative of Joffre, and General Rawlinson. The conclusion is that the present position around Ghent cannot be held for long, considering that the nearest significant Entente force is the BEF beginning to arrive west of Lille, and that retreat is necessary. Given the battered state of the Belgian army, King Albert wonders if they should not withdraw behind the front lines to southwest of Calais, to allow for rest and recovery.

By nightfall most of the Belgian army has pulled back towards Ostend while the British and French remain at Ghent to cover the withdrawal. The Germans to the east, however, do not immediately move on Ghent, instead turning eastward in the belief that there is still a substantial Belgian force at Antwerp that needs to be contained.

Eastern Front: Mud and supply shortages delay redeployment

In Poland the initial plan regarding the Russian offensive was that the armies committed to the operation - the 2nd, 5th, 4th, and 9th, arrayed north to south from Warsaw to Sandomir - would be prepared to advance today. Mud and supply shortages, however, have delayed their redeployment, and some units have yet to arrive along the east bank of the Vistula River. General Ivanov, in command of the offensive, is concerned by the German and Austro-Hungarian advance, and does not wish to engage the enemy until his armies are at full strength. Grand Duke Nicholas, however, is eager to attack, wanting the armies to cross the Vistula immediately. However, he has no direct line of communication with Ivanov today, so cannot influence the latter's operations.

Romania: a king dies

King Carol I of Romania dies today, and is succeeded by his nephew Ferdinand I, who is more favourably inclined to the Entente, and who also is willing to give greater leeway to Prime Minister Ion Bratianu, whose primary foreign policy aim is the acquisition of Austro-Hungarian Transylvania.

Austria-Hungary: a decree is published

In Austria-Hungary a decree is published today authorizing the Austrian Board of Trade to direct the flow of raw materials and organize industrial production in support of the war effort. While the decree is a step forward in mobilizing the economy for war, it also reflects a key hindrance to the Austro-Hungarian war effort - the decree applies only to the Austrian portion of the empire, as the Hungarian portion insists on controlling its own wartime economy. The lack of co-ordination between the two halves of Austria-Hungary is demonstrative of the extent to which the divisions of peacetime persist into the war itself.

[lordroel]

Day 76 of the Great War, October 11th 1914

Western Front: Albert orders the Belgian army to retire to the Yser River between Dixmude to the south and Nieuport and the Channel coast to the north

When General Pau reported to Joffre King Albert's thoughts on the Belgians retiring past Calais, the French Commander-in-Chief was appalled. He desperately wants the Belgians to take up position along the Entente front line, in order to cover part of the gap that remains north of Arras. Joffre's concerns, however, are for naught - the Belgian king has had a change of heart. He feels it is essential both for the Belgian war effort and the morale of the Belgian army for them to hold on to at least a small portion of Belgian territory, to emphasize that they are still an active participant, not only helping their allies but defending their homeland. Albert thus orders the Belgian army today to retire to the Yser River between Dixmude to the south and Nieuport and the Channel coast to the north.

Eastern Front: Austrian forces relieve besieged Przemysl

The crown jewel of Austrian fortresses had been enduring a Russian siege since early October. Originally intended as the key supply depot for the Austro-Hungarian armies, the fortress ended up on the front lines of the fight in August. Several divisions intended to guard the position had been transported to Serbia at the beginning of the war, then sent back by a very uncertain and indecisive General Staff.

The Dual Monarchy did not have competent logistics system. (Nor a very competent military. Indeed, German general Max Hoffman commented that: “They have saved money over their army for twenty years, and now they are paying for it.”) The troops were detrained far at Prsemysl and then forced to walk their way to the front. In an encounter battle along the way, the divisions were pushed back in the general Austrian rout beginning on September 11th.

Prezemysl had been cut off and besieged since then by Russian General Selivanov’s Eleventh Army. However, the diverse garrison of 120,000 men proved sterner stuff then some of their compatriots. The Russians could not take the fortress. In October the German Ninth Army was formed and sent to reinforce its Austrian allies. The Austrian Chief of the General Staff, Franz Conrad von Hotzendorf, marched on Przemysl immediately. Seliavanov lifted the siege and retreated for the time being.

Conrad immediately evacuated the civilian population of the town. But Przemysl’s woes were not over. Within weeks it would face a second, much more grueling siege.

Drawing: The Austro-Hungarian garrison sallies out to fight



U-26 sinks PALLADA

Kapitanleutnant Egewulf Freiherr von Berckheim, commanding U-26 out of Kiel, has been stalking a Russian Armored Cruiser squadron. The previous day he attempted an attack but the ships turned away and he was unable to give chase. On the 11th they were again in his vicinity and this time they came close enough for another try. Berckheim fired a single torpedo at PALLADA, 7,775 tons, which exploded under one of her magazines, destroying the ship completely in a matter of seconds.

Western Front: German units are approach Ghent

Aware now that the bulk of the Belgian army has escaped Antwerp, General Beseler's III Reserve Corps is ordered westward, advancing to Ostend via Ghent and Bruges. By this afternoon, advance German units are approaching Ghent, prompting the Entente forces defending the town to fall back. The British are the last to retire from Ghent at 10pm this evening. The British 3rd Cavalry Division, meanwhile, is in the vicinity of Thourout clearing the route for the Entente forces.

Map: The Entente retreat to the Yser, October 10th to 15th, 1914.



KARLSRUHE captures the CONDOR

Off the coast of Brazil the British freighter SS CONDOR, 3,053 tons, is making her way south. She departed Fernandina, Florida, on September 25th with 4,000 tons of mixed cargo, bound for several South American ports. At 1515 she is sighted by SS FARN, one of KARLSRUHE'S captured supply ships. FARN approaches CONDOR flying the Red Ensign of the British merchant service. About six miles away is KARLSRUHE'S other supply, ship, ASUNCION, flying no flag at all. CONDOR'S master, a mister S. Purdy, sends a signal to FARN asking if she has seen any British cruisers. The head of FARN'S prize crew responds that he didn't receive the signal properly, and asks CONDOR to come closer, as they are having engine troubles. Suddenly FARN lowers her British flag and raises the German naval ensign.

At this point KARLSRUHE appears in the distance. The prize crew aboard ASUNCION, thinking the cruiser is British, tries to flee. it takes a few minutes to realize their mistake and return to the scene. At 1545 KARLSRUHE is alongside CONDOR and a boarding party discovers that the freighter's cargo includes 800 barrels of engine oil, 2,000 cases of condensed milk, and a quantity of dynamite. There is some question as to whether the ship can be sunk, as the cargo is mostly neutral. It is finally decided that the bulk of the cargo is necessary to KARLSRUHE'S continued operation, and it will be offloaded and the ship scuttled the next day. By 2200 hours the crew of CONDOR are aboard the already crowded CREFELD and operations cease for the night.

Western Front: German 179th Infantry Division of XIX Corps approaches the city of Lille

Today the German 179th Infantry Division of XIX Corps approaches the city of Lille, one of the largest cities in France and a key industrial centre. It is garrisoned by a territorial brigade, and it had been hoped by Joffre that the ongoing effort to outflank the Germans at and north of Arras would link up with the city. However, the Germans have arrived in strength first. XIX Corps has been marching for a week, departing from the vicinity of Rheims with Lille as its objective. At 9pm, a note is sent to the garrison commander at Lille demanding the city's surrender. When no response is received, an artillery bombardment begins at 930pm.

HAMPSHIRE on the hunt for EMDEN

As SMS EMDEN proceeds northward along the west side of the Maldives the weather begins to pick up as monsoon season is beginning. HMS HAMPSHIRE is only a few hundred miles to the east heading toward Diego Garcia, as Captain Grant knows of the coaling station there and suspects that von Müller might make for there as a quiet, out-of-the-way place to replenish his supplies.

South Africa, Maritz rebellion: Defense Minister Smuts declares martial law

In response to Martiz's declaration of rebellion, Defense Minister Smuts today declares martial law. This forces the critical choice on the Boers of South Africa - do they rise with Maritz, or under the compulsion of martial law aid in his suppression.

Western Front: British II Corps has reaches Béthune

The British II Corps has reached Béthune, its first objective, and have deployed north-to-south. Tomorrow they are to relieve the French cavalry divisions screening them and advance northeast to a line running roughly between Estaires and la Bassée. The two British cavalry divisions of the Cavalry Corps are both operating to the north of II Corps, and, having swept aside advance patrols of the German IV Cavalry Corps, entered Hazebrouck. Further, since yesterday III Corps has been detraining at St. Omer, though delays on the railway result in part of 4th Division not having arrived today. Nevertheless, 19th Brigade is ordered forward to Hazebrouck thirteen miles to the east to cover the arrival of the rest of III Corps.

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Day 77 of the Great War, October 12th 1914

Maximilian von Spee arrives at Easter Island

Maximilian von Spee arrives at Easter Island with his armored cruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU, the light cruiser NURNBERG, and their supply ships YORCK and GOTTINGEN. The island is nominally a possession of Chile, but in practice is governed by the British subject Percy Edmonds, manager of the island's sheep and cattle ranch. The island has no wireless and its only contact with the outside world is a Chilean supply vessel that arrives only twice a year. As a result, Edmonds has no idea that the greatest war in human history is raging across the world, and thus is happy to supply the Germans with fresh meat and vegetables. He also gladly accepts payment in checks payable by a German bank in Valparaíso.

KARLSRUHE does some transferring

In the South Atlantic the crew of SMS KARLSRUHE are busy transferring stores from the captured SS CONDOR. The boats from CREFELD are needed for this operation, so the plan to send her to a neutral port with her prisoners is delayed yet another day.

EMDEN crosses the equator

In the Indian ocean the previous day's high winds have developed into a full-blown storm. In these conditions SMS EMDEN crosses the equator at 1800 hours.

MARKOMANNIA is captured

SS MARKOMANNIA had been sent on September 30th to meet the Greek ship PONTOPOROS and pay off her captain. They are just preparing to transfer the remaining coal when they run afoul of HMS YARMOUTH, under Captain Henry Lake Cochrane. At 0700 a boarding party takes MARKOMANNIA, with 1800 tons of coal aboard. After the German crew is taken aboard YARMOUTH and PONTOPOROS is checked for proper nationality, MARKOMANNIA is scuttled. At 1235 she recieves a few 6" rounds from YARMOUTH, and sinks at 1310. PONTOPOROS is sent to Singapore with 5,000 tons of coal still aboard.

Western Front: Ghent is occupied by the Germans

Finding the town abandoned by Entente forces, Ghent is occupied early this morning by General Beseler's III Reserve Corps. To the west, the Belgian army continues its retreat to the Yser, while the French Marine Brigade's objective is Dixmude. The British 3rd Cavalry Division continues to cover the movement of 7th Division, the latter arriving at Thielt this evening, the two having been ordered to link up with the rest of the British Expeditionary Force at Ypres.

Western Front: updates from the front

East of Béthune, General Smith-Dorrien's II Corps moves through a thick early morning fog, finding clustered in farmyards and along hedgerows the French cavalrymen they are to relieve. As the fog lifts late morning the British soldiers continue a cautious advance in the direction of La Bassée and Lille. They are opposed by the German 1st and 2nd Cavalry Corps, who harass the British with sniper fire and inflict significant casualties. The pace of the advance is slower than planned, and II Corps is also being pulled southward - a German attack last night forced French defenders back south of the line Béthune-La Bassée, forcing Smith-Dorrien to deploy a brigade south of the canal connecting the two towns and adjusted the line of march to be eastward instead of northeast in order to maintain contact with the French XIX Corps.

To the north, the British III Corps spends the day assembling at Hazebrouck, but the transportation problems that have plagued its redeployment continue - buses ordered to assist in bringing up the last forces from St. Omer do not arrive until midday. As a result, the corps is not able to begin its advance, intended to sweep north of Lille, today as originally ordered.

At Lille, the German artillery bombardment continues until 445am, at which point XIX Corps attacks. The French territorials offer spirited resistance, and it is only in the evening that 181st Regiment forces its way into the city itself. The situation now hopeless, the French garrison surrenders, and 4500 soldiers march into German captivity. The capture of Lille is a significant achievement, not only in advancing the front, but in subtracting the substantial manufacturing capacity of the city from the French war effort.

Photo: 129th Baluchis near Hollebeke



Eastern Front: XVII Corps, on the left of 9th Army, marches towards Warsaw

In Poland, General Mackensen's XVII Corps, on the left of 9th Army, marches towards Warsaw in an effort to aggressively secure the army's flank. The Russians fall back before Mackensen's advance, with the 2nd Army retreating to Warsaw itself. This sparks talk of the Germans occupying Warsaw, which ignores the distinct numerical superiority of the Russians throughout Poland.

Austria-Hungary: trial for 17 of the conspirators in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria begins

The trial for 17 of the conspirators in the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria begins in Sarajevo. Gavrilo Princip, the Serbian student who fired the fatal shots, admitted in court his motivation for assassination was purely political: "I am a Yugoslav nationalist and I believe in unification of all South Slavs in whatever form of state and that it be free of Austria ... By means of terror.

Photo: Gavrilo Princip (first row centre) appears before court in Sarajevo for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria.

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Day 78 of the Great War, October 13th 1914

CONDOR is scuttled

Having finally off-loaded all the supplies onto SMS KARLSRUHE, SS CONDOR is scuttled. At 1630 hours SS CREFELD, with 419 prisoners aboard, is dispatched to the Canary Islands, with orders not to put into Tenerife until the 22nd.

Western Front: Belgians continue their retreat to the Yser River

As the Belgians continue their retreat to the Yser River, tonight the British 7th Division is at Roulers, with the British 3rd Cavalry Division to the south covering its movement towards Ypres. Meanwhile, this morning the British III Corps completes its assembly at Hazebrouck, and begins its advance at 1030am. Though its objective is a line running north from Armentières, the corps encounters serious German opposition by elements of two cavalry divisions at the village of Meteren. It is not until nightfall that the village is captured, the Germans retreating in good order while inflicting 708 casualties on the British. Just to the north, the British Cavalry Corps clears German defenders off of Mont Noir.

On the German side, XIX Corps marches through Lille today on its way to the front, while the four reserve corps of 4th Army are detraining at Brussels.

Western Front: XVI Corps in the Argonne west of Verdun makes only painfully slow progress

The offensive by General Mudra's XVI Corps in the Argonne west of Verdun has made only painfully slow progress. Despite the use of new weaponry such as Minenwerfers and hand grenades, it is only today that the first line of French trenches has been taken. The inability of new technology to immediately transform the battlefield is a theme that will recur in the years to come.

Eastern Front: Grand Duke Nicholas reassigns 2nd and 5th armies to General Ruzski of North-West Front

In an effort to prod General Ivanov to attack, Grand Duke Nicholas reassigns 2nd and 5th armies to General Ruzski of North-West Front. All this accomplishes in practice is to divide command of the operation, and over the prior two months the Russians have shown themselves singularly incapable of co-ordinating the efforts of separate commanders.

South Africa, Maritz rebellion: 3 men discuss joining Maritz's revolt

In South Africa, in response to Maritz's declaration of rebellion, Christian de Wet, C. F. Beyers, and J. C. G. Kemp renew contact with each other, and discuss joining Maritz's revolt.

British Admiralty: Churchill and Prince Louis of Battenberg discuses the German East Asiatic Squadron

At the Admiralty, First Lord Churchill discusses the continued pursuit of the German East Asiatic Squadron with the First Sea Lord, Prince Louis of Battenberg. Their understanding is that Craddock will concentrate his ships at the Falklands Islands, and approve the formation of a second squadron. They also conclude that Craddock understands that if his squadron is not strong enough to engage the German East Asiatic Squadron by itself, he will endeavour to shadow them until reinforcements arrive. This is a crucial misunderstanding by the First Lord and First Sea Lord. Craddock had been given orders on September 14th to destroy the German cruisers, a directive that had never been countermanded and which Craddock felt bound to obey regardless of the strength of the warships under his command.

EMDEN still heading north for the Indian trade routes

Fighting monsoon winds and rain all the way, SMS EMDEN is still heading north for the Indian trade routes while HMS HAMSHIRE is still heading south for Diego Garcia.

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Day 79 of the Great War, October 14th 1914

LEIPZIG arrives at Easter Island

SMS LEIPZIG arrives at Easter Island along with the supply ships ABYSSINIA,AMASIS,ANUBIS and KARNAK. Spee's fleet is now complete except for the three cruisers operating independently.

EMDEN receives a wireless message

Still heading north in the Indian Ocean, SMS EMDEN receives a wireless message confirming the locations of the British cruisers HAMPSHIRE,DUKE OF EDINBURGH, CHATHAM and WEYMOUTH. Also received is news of the fall of Antwerp to German forces and of the Russians being driven back to Warsaw.

Western Front: Belgians reach the Yser River

Along the Channel coast, the retreating Belgians reach the Yser River, where they begin to entrench between Nieuport and Dixmude. To the east, the pursuing German III Reserve Corps occupies Bruges.

Western Front: British 3rd Cavalry Division makes contact with the British Cavalry Corps at Kemmel

The British 3rd Cavalry Division makes contact with the British Cavalry Corps at Kemmel, linking the British force retreating from Antwerp with the BEF deploying between Béthune and Ypres. By this evening Rawlinson's 7th Division has taken position just east of Ypres, covering the arrival of the French 87th Territorial Division in the town. To the south the Cavalry Corps has secured village of Messines, while III Corps takes Bailleul, abandoned early by the Germans.

Western Front: Falkenhayn orders Rupprecht's 6th Army to halt offensive operations

As the XXII, XXIII, XXVI, and XXVII Reserve Corps begin their march west from Brussels today, Falkenhayn orders Rupprecht's 6th Army to halt offensive operations, to give time for the reserve corps to reach the front and to avoid giving the Entente indications of the coming attack. Instead, 6th Army will hold on a line from Menin southwards, and today the XIII and XIX Corps take up position between Menin and Armentières.

Western Front: a convoy of Canadian volunteers arrives in Plymouth

The first ships of an important convoy arrive in Plymouth in southwest England. The ships had departed Quebec City on October 3rd, and contained twenty-five thousand volunteers for military service, as well as a further five hundred from the separate Dominion of Newfoundland. These soldiers comprised the Canadian Contingent, whose formation and organization had been agreed to in August. As in most other combatants, the onset of war had seen a rush of volunteers, and it was decided that, in addition to the existing militia, they would be sent to Britain for service on the Western Front. They will be a part of the British army, and initially Lord Kitchener wanted to scatter the Canadians throughout British divisions as replacements and individual battalions. This course of action was fiercely opposed by Sam Hughes, the Canadian Minister of Militia and a figure of considerable energy as well as controversy, in a meeting with Kitchener. After appeals to the British government the Canadians got their way - after several months training in England, the Canadian Contingent will be reformed as the 1st Canadian Division, and will operate as such in France.

Western Front: shells crisis in the French Army

Despite the usefulness of its 75mm artillery pieces, the French army has been hindered in its operations over the first months of the war by an overall relative lack of artillery as compared to the German army. Today Joffre outlines what will become known as the 'October 14th Programme', which establishes the requirements of the French army with respect to heavy artillery. Joffre also stipulates that henceforth all artillery rounds use smokeless rather than black powder, as the smoke that results from the latter gives away the position of guns that fire it. This illustrates that the 'shells crisis' that has and will afflict all of the major combatants in the first phases of the war is not simply about the number of shells available, but also their quality as well as the availability of the most effective types of artillery pieces.

Western Front: Admiralty release a thousand tons of cordite from its reserves to the army

In Britain, it was the navy that had priority on munitions, given the widespread assumption that in a future war it would be the fleet that would experience the most combat. Given the contrast between the continued commitment of the British Expeditionary Force to heavy fighting in France and the relative inactivity of the navy, the Admiralty reluctantly agrees to release a thousand tons of cordite from its reserves to the army for use in munitions production.

Kamerun Campaign: British forces undertake a second attempt to seize Jabassi

In German Kamerun British forces undertake a second attempt to seize Jabassi. This time, the advancing columns are directing along both sides of the river to divide the German defenders, and the British commander accompanies the advance by boat to supervise their coordination. The result is the capture of Jabassi after a brief fight.

Asian and Pacific Theatre of the Great War: Siege of Tsingtao

A closer bombardment attempt at Tsingtao sees the British pre-dreadnought TRIUMPH hit by a German shell during a bombardment, damaging a mast, and killing one crewman and wounding two more.

Asian and Pacific Theatre of the Great War: Japan captures German islands in the Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana island chains

In the Pacific Japanese forces have landed on and captured the undefended German islands in the Marshall, Caroline, and Mariana island chains, formerly attached to the German New Guinea colony. This leaves only Tsingtao as the sole German colony in the Pacific still under their control. The British position is that the final disposition of these German colonies will be decided after the war; in practice, the Japanese have no intention of yielding them. Indeed, the islands they secured without casualties or combat in 1914 will cost the Americans thousands of lives to take in the course of the Second World War.

Admiralty finally responds today to Rear-Admiral Craddock's

- The Admiralty finally responds today to Rear-Admiral Craddock's two telegrams of October 8th and 11th. They signal their agreement with his suggestion of forming a separate squadron to cover the South Atlantic, and among the ships to be assigned to the new squadron is the armoured cruiser DEFENCE. Crucially, this new squadron is to be a separate command, not under the direction of Craddock. By having the new squadron independent, and by assigning DEFENCE to it rather than Craddock's command, the implication appears clear to the Rear-Admiral - the Admiralty believes that his squadron as presently constituted, and with only the old pre-dreadnought CANOPUS en route as reinforcement, is sufficient to engage the German East Asiatic Squadron.