1 00:00:08,920 --> 00:00:14,689 The First World War was always seen as a war in black and white. 2 00:00:14,880 --> 00:00:20,967 It was the only way on which the front could be filmed. 3 00:00:22,240 --> 00:00:24,641 But in real life it didn't work out that way. 4 00:00:26,280 --> 00:00:29,124 In real life everything was done in color. 5 00:00:32,840 --> 00:00:34,205 The massacre. 6 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:36,764 The innovations. 7 00:00:38,120 --> 00:00:39,406 The shock. 8 00:00:40,200 --> 00:00:42,965 The political upheavals. 9 00:00:43,160 --> 00:00:46,642 Victories and defeats. 10 00:00:49,120 --> 00:00:51,202 The lawns were green. 11 00:00:52,200 --> 00:00:53,725 The mud was brown. 12 00:00:54,560 --> 00:00:57,211 The flames were bright. 13 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:03,446 With the help of computers is the black and white of WWI... 14 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:09,568 accurately and with great attention converted into color for detail. 15 00:01:11,360 --> 00:01:16,241 This series shows for the first time see the First World War... 16 00:01:16,440 --> 00:01:20,047 as stated by those involved was polite. 17 00:01:54,120 --> 00:02:00,048 There has never been a war before been of such magnitude. 18 00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:08,651 They moved between 1914 and 1918 some 65 million men to war. 19 00:02:09,840 --> 00:02:12,446 10 million of them died. 20 00:02:13,920 --> 00:02:19,211 20 million men were forever mentally or physically mutilated. 21 00:02:27,960 --> 00:02:33,524 90 years later the couple arrives remaining veterans gathered... 22 00:02:33,720 --> 00:02:38,726 at the Menin Gate, part of the old one city ​​walls of Ypres, Belgium. 23 00:02:41,040 --> 00:02:46,251 They survived and are never their fallen comrades forgotten. 24 00:02:47,800 --> 00:02:51,521 A lot of men who had to deal with... 25 00:02:51,720 --> 00:02:58,046 with all the dangers and horrors, didn't survive, did they? 26 00:02:59,520 --> 00:03:02,729 Their bones are often still there on the battlefield. 27 00:03:06,480 --> 00:03:13,523 The millions were eventually killed a statistic for historians. 28 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:19,487 Only your friends were important, the men around you. 29 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:24,641 The men next to you in the trench. The men of your regiment. 30 00:03:25,920 --> 00:03:31,165 The five of us formed up a small group. 31 00:03:31,360 --> 00:03:34,762 I was really starting to worry... 32 00:03:34,960 --> 00:03:39,522 then three of us were killed. 33 00:03:41,280 --> 00:03:44,602 I can only be myself remember their nicknames. 34 00:03:44,800 --> 00:03:48,850 Baldy Alan, Jack and Jill. 35 00:03:49,040 --> 00:03:53,045 Unfortunately I can't remember anything more. 36 00:03:55,200 --> 00:03:58,329 WWI was a real world war. 37 00:03:58,520 --> 00:04:02,684 The battle raged from the American coast to that of Asia. 38 00:04:05,200 --> 00:04:11,048 This battle between empires heralded the end of an era. 39 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:19,363 Dynasties disappeared. A royal one family did not survive the revolution. 40 00:04:23,320 --> 00:04:27,450 This war changed the nature of war. 41 00:04:27,640 --> 00:04:32,089 A feared phenomenon arose: Getting out of the trenches. 42 00:04:32,600 --> 00:04:38,562 I always prayed beforehand, even though some boys would laugh at me. 43 00:04:38,760 --> 00:04:44,483 I asked god for me if to make a real man fight... 44 00:04:44,680 --> 00:04:47,411 and me unscathed to return. 45 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,843 If someone says to you... 46 00:04:51,040 --> 00:04:55,728 that he was not afraid when he came out of the trench... 47 00:04:55,920 --> 00:04:58,082 then he is a liar. 48 00:05:00,520 --> 00:05:04,923 This cruel war left nothing of the landscape intact. 49 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:10,528 All trees are down. The entire landscape has been destroyed. 50 00:05:10,720 --> 00:05:14,202 Have the grenades gaping craters left behind. 51 00:05:14,400 --> 00:05:18,803 Many of them contain bodies of the fallen. 52 00:05:20,600 --> 00:05:25,003 There were fearsome weapons, like huge mines. 53 00:05:27,400 --> 00:05:31,485 Artillery salvos that have never been seen before had experienced before. 54 00:05:34,560 --> 00:05:39,521 I'm sometimes surprised by it how much a person can take. 55 00:05:39,720 --> 00:05:46,729 Day and night there falls every few a grenade near you in minutes. 56 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:50,163 The impact almost knocks you out. 57 00:05:52,760 --> 00:06:00,087 A barrage of grenades was truly horrible. 58 00:06:00,280 --> 00:06:04,285 I really don't understand how anyone can survive something like that. 59 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:09,201 Not just on the Western Front it was bad. 60 00:06:09,400 --> 00:06:13,928 In the east the Russians asked be the first to wonder... 61 00:06:14,120 --> 00:06:16,566 what the point of this war was. 62 00:06:18,840 --> 00:06:21,161 What are we doing? 63 00:06:21,360 --> 00:06:25,126 I already have hundreds in my platoon saw new faces. 64 00:06:25,320 --> 00:06:30,884 At least half of that is during the were killed or injured in battle. 65 00:06:31,080 --> 00:06:33,481 What do they gain from this war? 66 00:06:35,640 --> 00:06:41,682 The discontent caused a revolution which shocked the whole world. 67 00:06:43,040 --> 00:06:46,931 Our capital has turned into a cesspool. 68 00:06:47,120 --> 00:06:52,570 Nobody works, the streets are dirty. There are stinking piles of garbage everywhere. 69 00:06:52,760 --> 00:06:56,765 It pains me to say how bad things have gotten here. 70 00:06:59,480 --> 00:07:02,848 There was a new war zone: the air. 71 00:07:03,040 --> 00:07:06,965 It was just as horrible there as in the trenches. 72 00:07:09,720 --> 00:07:12,405 People died every day. 73 00:07:12,600 --> 00:07:16,810 My best friend disappeared from one day to the next. 74 00:07:17,000 --> 00:07:21,164 You were on your own. You fought alone, and died alone. 75 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:26,531 I kissed my mother, grabbed my things and said: 76 00:07:26,720 --> 00:07:31,408 Goodbye, mother. I don't think so that we will ever see each other again. 77 00:07:34,920 --> 00:07:38,049 There were stunning ones technological innovations. 78 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,484 Airplanes that took off from a ship. 79 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:48,170 The aircraft carrier made its appearance. 80 00:07:49,960 --> 00:07:54,045 We had to learn Irish first take off and land. 81 00:07:54,240 --> 00:07:59,804 The captain said: You might as well shoot you in the head with a gun. 82 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:08,770 Despite the huge warships there was only one major sea battle. 83 00:08:12,200 --> 00:08:18,082 Instead, the submarine, or U-boat as the Germans said... 84 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:23,969 widely used for the first time, with all the disastrous consequences that entails. 85 00:08:28,320 --> 00:08:33,167 But especially the number of deaths was surprisingly high. 86 00:08:34,200 --> 00:08:38,046 The names of the battlefields are etched in memory: 87 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:43,849 Ypres, Verdun, Somme, Passchendaele. 88 00:08:44,040 --> 00:08:49,444 Those involved still saw misery had never been this big before. 89 00:08:51,200 --> 00:08:54,090 We saw a Cornish man lying there. 90 00:08:54,280 --> 00:09:01,482 It was from his shoulder to his middle of the shrapnel. 91 00:09:01,680 --> 00:09:07,403 His intestines were next to him in a pool of blood. 92 00:09:07,600 --> 00:09:11,286 When we were with him, he said: Shoot me. 93 00:09:14,640 --> 00:09:20,488 When we wanted to shoot him, it turned out he had already died. 94 00:09:20,680 --> 00:09:25,561 The very last thing he said was 'mother'. 95 00:09:29,320 --> 00:09:34,770 That word has been with me all my life remembered. Mother. 96 00:09:37,280 --> 00:09:44,607 On November 11, 1918, at the eleventh minute of the eleventh hour... 97 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:46,882 they stopped shooting. 98 00:09:47,840 --> 00:09:51,162 Everything stopped. 99 00:09:51,360 --> 00:09:56,002 Suddenly it was everywhere a deathly silence. 100 00:09:56,200 --> 00:10:00,569 We were all silent and looked at each other... 101 00:10:00,760 --> 00:10:06,608 because we realized that we had nothing left to do at all. 102 00:10:09,440 --> 00:10:14,810 People had the most horrible event of all time... 103 00:10:15,000 --> 00:10:20,325 where every decision had consequences for someone's life. 104 00:10:21,520 --> 00:10:25,491 A German was coming my way. 105 00:10:25,680 --> 00:10:31,164 But I couldn't kill him. I wasn't allowed to kill him. 106 00:10:31,360 --> 00:10:36,491 I still remember, When I first joined the army... 107 00:10:36,680 --> 00:10:42,687 that I solemnly promised to to fight for king and country. 108 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:47,488 But suddenly it shot through my head... 109 00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:51,321 that Moses came down from the mountain... 110 00:10:51,520 --> 00:10:57,721 and the sixth commandment which he had with him, read: Thou shalt not kill. 111 00:10:57,920 --> 00:11:01,481 So I couldn't kill him. 112 00:11:01,680 --> 00:11:06,971 I had five seconds to make a decision. 113 00:11:09,800 --> 00:11:15,569 I hit him above the ankle, and above his knee. 114 00:11:15,760 --> 00:11:19,287 I shot him, without killing him. 115 00:11:23,280 --> 00:11:27,842 They will not grow old, as we will become. 116 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:33,126 Time will not tire them, nor condemn. 117 00:11:33,320 --> 00:11:39,282 At sunset and dawn of the day, we will think of them. 118 00:11:40,080 --> 00:11:42,401 I often wonder... 119 00:11:42,600 --> 00:11:46,446 or the sacrifices we made would have been worth it. 120 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:50,042 Has time condemned us? 121 00:11:53,160 --> 00:11:55,401 How could it get to this point? 122 00:11:55,600 --> 00:12:01,528 A huge world war even though the reason was so slight. 123 00:12:01,720 --> 00:12:07,170 An assassination attempt would eventually change the whole world. 124 00:12:14,160 --> 00:12:20,167 June 28, 1914 in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia. 125 00:12:21,440 --> 00:12:23,886 There will be a bomb thrown at a car. 126 00:12:24,080 --> 00:12:30,770 The Austrian heir to the throne Franz Ferdinand and his wife are unharmed. 127 00:12:32,240 --> 00:12:35,961 The royal couple continues the visit. 128 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:43,604 A few hours later the car has to go again stop. This time there is a shot. 129 00:12:43,800 --> 00:12:48,442 The Austrian Crown Prince and Princess Sophie dies. 130 00:12:50,760 --> 00:12:54,287 The killer is a member of a terrorist organization... 131 00:12:54,480 --> 00:12:57,643 that is supported by neighboring country Serbia. 132 00:13:00,680 --> 00:13:04,890 Austria is mourning and determined to punish the Serbs. 133 00:13:06,440 --> 00:13:11,571 Few people realize it, but the countdown has begun. 134 00:13:13,520 --> 00:13:19,687 The attack made little impression. It was always restless in the Balkans. 135 00:13:19,880 --> 00:13:23,885 It was quite shocking, but from a British point of view... 136 00:13:24,080 --> 00:13:32,044 they were all picturesque barbarians with epaulettes and complicated names. 137 00:13:34,960 --> 00:13:38,601 The attack in Sarajevo seemed like a short break... 138 00:13:38,800 --> 00:13:42,441 in Britain's golden age. 139 00:13:42,640 --> 00:13:47,646 Queen Victoria had in 1897 celebrated its diamond jubilee. 140 00:13:49,200 --> 00:13:52,363 How the queen was applauded. 141 00:13:52,560 --> 00:13:58,249 I was extremely grateful and happy that I, my husband and our sons... 142 00:13:58,440 --> 00:14:02,764 on this wonderful occasion had been present. 143 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:11,969 Victoria's empire spanned one sixth of the world. 144 00:14:17,840 --> 00:14:21,287 The English were masters in the colonies... 145 00:14:21,480 --> 00:14:25,166 and a peaceful trading people on home soil. 146 00:14:27,680 --> 00:14:34,131 Queen Victoria died in 1901. It was the end of an era. 147 00:14:36,560 --> 00:14:40,042 London looks like a ghost town. 148 00:14:40,240 --> 00:14:45,371 It looks like a magician has made life force disappear... 149 00:14:45,560 --> 00:14:48,723 that runs through the veins of this great city. 150 00:14:51,240 --> 00:14:58,408 The marching soldiers Chopin's death march and the drums. 151 00:15:00,000 --> 00:15:04,244 It was like any Englishman had lost his parents. 152 00:15:07,240 --> 00:15:10,528 British supremacy did not appear to be in danger. 153 00:15:10,720 --> 00:15:15,408 There was only one minor threat for the Pax Brittanica: 154 00:15:15,600 --> 00:15:16,965 Germany. 155 00:15:19,040 --> 00:15:24,444 The country that had been united since 1871 increasingly a European superpower... 156 00:15:24,640 --> 00:15:28,326 led by the ambitious Emperor Wilhelm II. 157 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:35,248 After being crowned emperor in 1888 became, the Kaiser was determined... 158 00:15:35,440 --> 00:15:40,480 with the help of Germany's industry to create a global empire. 159 00:15:40,680 --> 00:15:45,971 To implement this plan he had to have a war fleet. 160 00:15:47,600 --> 00:15:50,171 The English became alarmed... 161 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:55,161 and both countries started to an arms race. 162 00:15:56,600 --> 00:16:00,844 In an interview with the Daily Telegraph in 1908... 163 00:16:01,040 --> 00:16:05,762 the Kaiser stated that he only imitated other great powers. 164 00:16:07,040 --> 00:16:12,922 Germany is getting bigger and bigger conducts a growing trade worldwide. 165 00:16:13,120 --> 00:16:18,570 Patriotic Germans want them ambitions are not curbed. 166 00:16:18,760 --> 00:16:22,651 A strong fleet is needed to protect that trade. 167 00:16:25,000 --> 00:16:28,925 The arrival of Germany had changed the map of Europe. 168 00:16:29,120 --> 00:16:33,569 Germany was an ally of the older Austria-Hungary. 169 00:16:33,760 --> 00:16:38,482 Together these two dominated major powers the heart of Europe. 170 00:16:42,680 --> 00:16:46,287 But the Austrian Habsburg dynasty was on the wane. 171 00:16:46,480 --> 00:16:50,280 Even members of the royal family knew this. 172 00:16:50,480 --> 00:16:54,724 The importance that the Habsburgs always exhibited... 173 00:16:54,920 --> 00:17:00,051 weighs heavily on Austria and is the cause of moral decay. 174 00:17:03,160 --> 00:17:07,688 Opposite Germany and Austria the Triple Entente stood... 175 00:17:07,880 --> 00:17:11,089 of Great Britain, France and Russia. 176 00:17:16,760 --> 00:17:23,166 After all the revolutions, France lost the war of 1870 against Prussia. 177 00:17:23,360 --> 00:17:27,160 Yet Paris was the most attractive city of the world. 178 00:17:28,480 --> 00:17:34,647 It is a beautiful city where you can enjoy every... years, have to stay for a few months... 179 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:40,882 so that you can develop in the intellectual and artistic sphere. 180 00:17:43,840 --> 00:17:49,529 Russia was ruled by the autocratic Tsar Nicholas II. 181 00:17:52,800 --> 00:17:57,522 The Russians had the war lost against Japan in 1904-1905... 182 00:17:57,720 --> 00:18:01,964 and that was the reason for a first attempt at revolution. 183 00:18:03,120 --> 00:18:08,331 The bitterness of many Russians came put forward in this petition to the Tsar: 184 00:18:10,320 --> 00:18:14,211 We are beggars, we are oppressed. 185 00:18:14,400 --> 00:18:19,406 We don't become like people, but treated like slaves. 186 00:18:19,600 --> 00:18:25,528 We have no more strength, your highness. The hour is near... 187 00:18:25,720 --> 00:18:30,965 that we would rather die than live to suffer continuously. 188 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:37,884 But six years later the tsar was convinced... 189 00:18:38,080 --> 00:18:41,163 that things were going in the right direction again. 190 00:18:41,360 --> 00:18:47,242 Peace is not only good for... Russia from a military point of view... 191 00:18:47,440 --> 00:18:51,570 but also from an economic perspective and financial point of view. 192 00:18:51,760 --> 00:18:57,563 Although the call for power from the to restrict the tsar became louder and louder... 193 00:18:57,760 --> 00:19:00,969 Russia was stronger than ever in 1914. 194 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:08,971 On the other side of the ocean was the new world: America. 195 00:19:11,440 --> 00:19:14,922 It was democratic, bold, optimistic... 196 00:19:15,120 --> 00:19:19,205 and miles away of all conflicts in Europe. 197 00:19:21,040 --> 00:19:24,010 In his inaugural speech of 1905... 198 00:19:24,200 --> 00:19:30,207 explained President Theodore Roosevelt why his country was blessed. 199 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:38,447 Dear fellow citizens, there is no nation here The world is as affected as we are. 200 00:19:38,640 --> 00:19:45,569 Our people have been granted a livelihood to build on a new continent. 201 00:19:46,680 --> 00:19:52,084 We are the heirs of the past, but don't have to pay the price... 202 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:59,562 imposed on older countries by a vanished civilization. 203 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:05,803 In 1914, America was far away... 204 00:20:06,000 --> 00:20:09,721 of the conflict that Europe was waiting. 205 00:20:13,640 --> 00:20:19,170 On July 28, exactly one month After the assassination of Crown Prince Ferdinand... 206 00:20:19,360 --> 00:20:23,649 by, according to the Austrians, Serbian nationalists... 207 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:27,731 declared Austria the war on Serbia. 208 00:20:29,440 --> 00:20:33,889 The Austrians celebrated. But the many alliances in Europe... 209 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:37,766 would be an inevitable disaster result. 210 00:20:40,440 --> 00:20:43,569 People feared that something was going to happen... 211 00:20:43,760 --> 00:20:48,288 that will put Europe on its foundations would shake. 212 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:53,725 International relations began now play an important role. 213 00:20:53,920 --> 00:20:58,960 Russia was an ally of France, just like us. 214 00:20:59,160 --> 00:21:02,607 Germany and Austria-Hungary were allies. 215 00:21:02,920 --> 00:21:06,606 However, these relationships lasted not against the war... 216 00:21:06,800 --> 00:21:11,283 but made the war in a sense almost inevitable. 217 00:21:14,280 --> 00:21:16,886 As Austria invaded Serbia... 218 00:21:17,080 --> 00:21:21,563 the Russians received the warning that if they came to Serbia's aid... 219 00:21:21,760 --> 00:21:25,242 then Germany would have them declare war. 220 00:21:30,040 --> 00:21:36,491 The bombardment began on July 30 from the Serbian capital Belgrade. 221 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:40,410 The Serbs asked the Russians for help. 222 00:21:41,920 --> 00:21:46,448 Russia was the patron of the Serbs... 223 00:21:46,640 --> 00:21:48,961 and other Slavic Balkan peoples. 224 00:21:49,160 --> 00:21:54,405 They could not stand by passively while Austria threatened Serbia. 225 00:21:54,600 --> 00:21:58,650 That's how it hit Russia involved in the international crisis. 226 00:21:58,840 --> 00:22:03,926 The Russian soldiers were like the Austrians are extremely motivated. 227 00:22:04,120 --> 00:22:10,969 The morale of the soldiers is ideal. They fight for the right cause... 228 00:22:11,160 --> 00:22:14,926 and are therefore not at all nervous or worried. 229 00:22:17,520 --> 00:22:23,402 The Germans declared Russia the war, but had other motives. 230 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:29,482 They were hemmed in by the alliance between Russia, France and England. 231 00:22:29,680 --> 00:22:32,081 The war was very timely. 232 00:22:37,200 --> 00:22:43,003 People started to think about what happened was coming. There were reservists everywhere. 233 00:22:43,200 --> 00:22:47,683 Everyone seemed completely ready to be for the fight. 234 00:22:47,880 --> 00:22:54,684 I wondered if all this fighting spirit had to hide our fear. 235 00:22:54,880 --> 00:22:59,090 No one knew exactly how the war would end for us. 236 00:23:00,520 --> 00:23:05,526 decided by the German provocations also to mobilize France's army. 237 00:23:05,720 --> 00:23:10,851 Their commander-in-chief Joseph Joffre prepared his men. 238 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,362 But some felt confused. 239 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:20,886 It's going to be war. Everyone says it. Only a fool can deny this. 240 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:26,007 A great European war. That can't be true. 241 00:23:31,000 --> 00:23:34,447 The German troops left to the border with Belgium. 242 00:23:34,640 --> 00:23:39,851 According to German strategists it would via Belgium is the easiest... 243 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:43,567 to invade France and conquer Paris. 244 00:23:45,320 --> 00:23:51,089 On August 3, the English received to hear the incredible news. 245 00:23:52,520 --> 00:23:58,163 This morning we heard that France and Germany are at war with each other. 246 00:23:58,360 --> 00:24:03,605 If Belgium leaves the Germans undisturbed pass through their territory... 247 00:24:03,800 --> 00:24:07,521 then Germany will reward that after the war. 248 00:24:07,720 --> 00:24:13,682 Belgium has categorically refused this and asks King George for help. 249 00:24:14,880 --> 00:24:20,091 The Belgians could do a lot sympathy in Great Britain. 250 00:24:20,280 --> 00:24:25,764 A lot of people liked it that something had to be done. 251 00:24:28,080 --> 00:24:32,688 fell on August 4 the German army enters Belgium. 252 00:24:35,960 --> 00:24:38,247 I finally got my orders. 253 00:24:38,440 --> 00:24:43,844 Dear mother, please keep this in mind what I recently thought about. 254 00:24:44,040 --> 00:24:47,726 If we now to ourselves and our loved ones think... 255 00:24:47,920 --> 00:24:50,890 then we are small-minded and weak. 256 00:24:51,080 --> 00:24:56,325 We must now turn to our people, our homeland and thinking about God. 257 00:24:58,520 --> 00:25:04,801 Britain declared Germany on August 4 the war. 258 00:25:05,000 --> 00:25:09,801 All major European states were now involved in the conflict. 259 00:25:10,000 --> 00:25:14,608 But everyone expected it would be over by Christmas. 260 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:23,808 A situation like this has arisen never happened before. 261 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:30,326 According to estimates, there will be 14 million men participate in the war. 262 00:25:35,720 --> 00:25:42,285 They had no choice. They were a European superpower. 263 00:25:42,480 --> 00:25:46,121 They couldn't keep aloof... 264 00:25:46,320 --> 00:25:50,086 and just watch how Europe collapsed. 265 00:25:50,280 --> 00:25:53,807 There was prevailing at that moment kind of... 266 00:25:55,720 --> 00:26:01,409 jubilation. Like this: We're going to fight and do something useful. 267 00:26:03,040 --> 00:26:06,965 We didn't know what a war was really like. 268 00:26:07,600 --> 00:26:11,525 They were the enemy of England... 269 00:26:11,720 --> 00:26:16,169 and that was the only thing a boy of that age. 270 00:26:16,360 --> 00:26:19,091 He went to fight for England. 271 00:26:22,800 --> 00:26:26,521 The German army went on a rampage in Belgium. 272 00:26:28,520 --> 00:26:33,651 On August 14, the Germans withdrew into the Belgian capital Brussels. 273 00:26:35,120 --> 00:26:39,967 When the civilian population resisted, German reprisals followed. 274 00:26:40,160 --> 00:26:44,563 There were even 600 innocent Belgians executed. 275 00:26:46,000 --> 00:26:50,403 Some Germans were afraid of this what they had gotten themselves into. 276 00:26:51,440 --> 00:26:56,082 It was horrible to see all those scared people men, women and children to be seen. 277 00:26:56,280 --> 00:27:02,049 The German soldiers were also afraid and looked around anxiously. 278 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:07,683 Many Belgians fled. 279 00:27:07,880 --> 00:27:12,488 There are families, sometimes as many as seven or eight children along the road. 280 00:27:12,680 --> 00:27:15,081 The railways are their last hope. 281 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:22,004 The little ones don't understand and ask where they go. It's a mess. 282 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:27,970 As the Germans advanced, England was about to... 283 00:27:28,160 --> 00:27:32,051 after 99 years a big one again to participate in the European war. 284 00:27:37,800 --> 00:27:44,809 Since the Battle of Trafalgar in 1807 the English fleet was lord and master. 285 00:27:46,160 --> 00:27:50,643 In July 1914 the fleet assembled near the Isle of Wight... 286 00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:53,730 for an inspection by King George V. 287 00:27:59,640 --> 00:28:05,682 The army was impressive, but much less important than the Navy. 288 00:28:05,880 --> 00:28:09,885 It was also much smaller than other European armies. 289 00:28:10,080 --> 00:28:17,362 In the fall of 1914, Prime Minister said Herbert Asquith against the British people... 290 00:28:17,560 --> 00:28:21,406 that's the biggest emergency ever stood at the door. 291 00:28:21,600 --> 00:28:25,400 All men and women had to do their duty. 292 00:28:27,120 --> 00:28:31,921 I still remember a Scottish regiment wearing kilts. 293 00:28:32,120 --> 00:28:38,969 It was beautiful about that regiment marching with bagpipes. 294 00:28:39,160 --> 00:28:40,844 And I... 295 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:48,003 The way their kilts moved, was delightful to watch. 296 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:56,762 Lord Kitchener had to raise an army of Get 100,000 volunteers together. 297 00:28:56,960 --> 00:29:02,126 By the end of 1914 they had already one million men registered. 298 00:29:02,320 --> 00:29:07,406 I signed up as a volunteer... 299 00:29:07,600 --> 00:29:13,767 on September 2, 1914. 300 00:29:13,960 --> 00:29:17,601 Myself... 301 00:29:17,800 --> 00:29:25,048 and 30 colleagues from work... 302 00:29:25,240 --> 00:29:28,130 we all registered at the same time. 303 00:29:32,240 --> 00:29:36,370 The young soldiers went to the front... 304 00:29:36,560 --> 00:29:41,327 and their families had no choice do then wait and hope. 305 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:46,048 Dear mother, take courage and trust in god. 306 00:29:46,240 --> 00:29:50,723 It is a huge honor to fight for England. 307 00:29:50,920 --> 00:29:57,201 Please stay cheerful and forget me not writing regularly. 308 00:29:59,360 --> 00:30:03,809 Husbands and wives had a hard time say goodbye to each other. 309 00:30:04,000 --> 00:30:09,882 I'm staring at his luggage when he takes a book out of his pocket. 310 00:30:10,080 --> 00:30:16,087 'You see, I have Shakespeare with me. Shall I read a passage to you?' 311 00:30:16,280 --> 00:30:21,320 He looks serious and his mouth trembles, but his voice is calm and calm. 312 00:30:21,520 --> 00:30:27,721 I sit between his knees and he puts his hand on my shoulder. 313 00:30:27,920 --> 00:30:33,643 We talk and cry, and fall asleep in each other's arms. 314 00:30:38,760 --> 00:30:43,971 A British expeditionary force had to to stop the advance of the German army. 315 00:30:44,160 --> 00:30:49,769 It arrived at Mons on August 23 to a meeting with the Germans. 316 00:30:51,000 --> 00:30:55,210 What they saw on that first day amazed them. 317 00:30:55,400 --> 00:30:59,121 They fell in droves. 318 00:30:59,320 --> 00:31:03,166 Reinforcements kept coming... 319 00:31:03,360 --> 00:31:08,685 who in turn fell as soon as they did arrived at the dead and wounded. 320 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:14,967 Our barrage was absolutely horrible. We didn't know such tactics before. 321 00:31:15,160 --> 00:31:20,769 It initially shocked us to see how all those men died... 322 00:31:20,960 --> 00:31:26,808 but after that it gave us a feeling of power and pleasure. It was so easy. 323 00:31:28,600 --> 00:31:33,401 Although the British held out and many victims at Mons... 324 00:31:33,600 --> 00:31:36,649 became the French troops pushed back. 325 00:31:36,840 --> 00:31:41,164 The Allies had to withdraw forced to withdraw. 326 00:31:41,360 --> 00:31:46,844 The German army marched on and invaded France. 327 00:31:48,800 --> 00:31:53,010 Meanwhile, at the French-German border... 328 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:58,570 the French army began an attack to conquer German territory. 329 00:31:58,760 --> 00:32:01,650 This would become known as the Battle of the Borders. 330 00:32:03,600 --> 00:32:08,003 Debray and I watched the imposing hills in the east... 331 00:32:08,200 --> 00:32:11,090 that stood between us and our fate. 332 00:32:11,280 --> 00:32:17,447 Behind it were men who were us would kill if we didn't kill them. 333 00:32:18,480 --> 00:32:22,451 The French soldiers were running towards the German guns. 334 00:32:25,920 --> 00:32:33,441 Shrapnel and bullets flew around our ears continuously. 335 00:32:33,640 --> 00:32:37,087 Death seemed inevitable. 336 00:32:37,280 --> 00:32:43,447 When the French retreated, the Germans counter-attacked. 337 00:32:43,640 --> 00:32:48,123 The Battle of the Borders turned out disastrously for the French. 338 00:32:48,320 --> 00:32:53,611 France lost 200,000 men in the first month of the war. 339 00:32:53,800 --> 00:32:57,122 This is what the French army looked like at the time. 340 00:32:57,320 --> 00:33:00,927 With blue uniforms and white gloves... 341 00:33:01,120 --> 00:33:07,082 they were slaughtered by the guns and German machine guns. 342 00:33:11,160 --> 00:33:14,448 There were thousands French prisoners of war... 343 00:33:14,640 --> 00:33:18,770 while the Germans continue to advance entered France. 344 00:33:20,320 --> 00:33:22,402 They were not far from Paris. 345 00:33:22,600 --> 00:33:29,131 At the beginning of September they crossed the Marne about, 50 km east of Paris. 346 00:33:31,720 --> 00:33:35,008 The French Commander-in-Chief General Joffre... 347 00:33:35,200 --> 00:33:40,730 received a desperate call from the Parisian Governor, General Gallieni. 348 00:33:40,920 --> 00:33:44,561 Our artillery is outdated, there is not enough ammunition. 349 00:33:44,760 --> 00:33:51,041 The troops are not good enough. We can hardly resist. 350 00:33:54,400 --> 00:33:59,327 Gallieni then did something incredible. Due to a lack of army vehicles... 351 00:33:59,520 --> 00:34:04,321 he let his troops through the taxis from Paris to the front... 352 00:34:04,520 --> 00:34:06,602 to help Joffre. 353 00:34:09,240 --> 00:34:15,088 Joffre launched a counterattack which overwhelmed the German army. 354 00:34:17,680 --> 00:34:24,040 We had chased away the Germans. We now had much more experience. 355 00:34:24,240 --> 00:34:28,040 Many of us already had three battles behind us. 356 00:34:29,320 --> 00:34:34,611 The Battle of the Marne was a turning point in the first year of the war. 357 00:34:34,800 --> 00:34:38,646 The German advance was brought to a standstill. 358 00:34:38,840 --> 00:34:42,845 The German commanders realized that this was a heavy blow. 359 00:34:43,880 --> 00:34:48,204 The German offensive on the Western Front failed. 360 00:34:48,400 --> 00:34:52,325 The miracle of the Marne saved France. 361 00:34:52,520 --> 00:34:57,890 It was called a miracle because it was so well disguised... 362 00:34:58,080 --> 00:35:00,651 that it took the Germans completely by surprise. 363 00:35:03,320 --> 00:35:08,042 Suddenly all their plans were in tatters. 364 00:35:08,240 --> 00:35:12,040 That's when the war changed... 365 00:35:12,240 --> 00:35:16,131 in a war that is still would take a very long time. 366 00:35:20,360 --> 00:35:24,331 On the Eastern Front, on the other side of Germany... 367 00:35:24,520 --> 00:35:29,401 existed at the beginning of the war from attacks and counter-attacks... 368 00:35:29,600 --> 00:35:35,004 carried out by Germany and Austria, and their enemy Russia. 369 00:35:37,080 --> 00:35:43,008 It started with the Austrian invasion of Serbia, the cause of the war. 370 00:35:44,160 --> 00:35:48,848 That didn't go so smoothly as the Austrians had hoped. 371 00:35:49,040 --> 00:35:54,206 The Austrians were like: We're teaching those Balkan monkeys a lesson. 372 00:35:54,400 --> 00:35:57,847 Our army will to smell a poop. 373 00:35:58,040 --> 00:36:01,840 But those Balkan monkeys have been at war for a while... 374 00:36:02,040 --> 00:36:05,726 and had much more experience than those poor Austrians. 375 00:36:05,920 --> 00:36:11,051 They had them a generation before had a small war in Bosnia. 376 00:36:11,240 --> 00:36:16,451 They were maneuvering quite a lot shit when they attacked Serbia. 377 00:36:16,640 --> 00:36:19,325 And they knew that too. 378 00:36:24,360 --> 00:36:29,400 Within six weeks the Serbs had expelled the Austrians from Serbia. 379 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:35,046 The other half of it Austrian army was also active. 380 00:36:35,240 --> 00:36:41,646 They fought together with Germany against a much bigger enemy: Russia. 381 00:36:43,800 --> 00:36:48,089 When war broke out, Russia had... the largest army in Europe. 382 00:36:48,280 --> 00:36:51,284 It was almost one and a half million soldiers. 383 00:36:53,080 --> 00:36:58,086 Despite the modern armored cars which they proudly showed to the Tsar... 384 00:36:58,280 --> 00:37:01,363 his army was quite cumbersome. 385 00:37:01,560 --> 00:37:05,326 According to an English witness it was more like... 386 00:37:05,520 --> 00:37:11,766 'a heavyweight boxer who is so slow due to its enormous size... 387 00:37:11,960 --> 00:37:17,126 that he can be easily defeated by a tough and smart opponent.' 388 00:37:19,200 --> 00:37:25,242 But the Russians surprised everyone when they invaded Austria. 389 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,489 The Austrian soldiers were scared to death. 390 00:37:28,680 --> 00:37:32,526 We were amazed that the Russians could get that far. 391 00:37:32,720 --> 00:37:36,247 But the initial desperation... 392 00:37:36,440 --> 00:37:42,209 soon gave way to excitement: we would soon see the enemy. 393 00:37:42,400 --> 00:37:46,200 Fritz Kreisler soon made it a fight. 394 00:37:46,400 --> 00:37:52,248 Flying not that far from us men screaming into the air... 395 00:37:52,440 --> 00:37:58,447 only to land seriously injured again. Then I felt a cold wind... 396 00:37:58,640 --> 00:38:05,285 caused by shrapnel that screamed through the air. 397 00:38:05,480 --> 00:38:11,965 We lay exhausted on the ground. My heart was beating like crazy. 398 00:38:13,680 --> 00:38:19,050 During the heavy attack, the Austrians lose 350,000 men... 399 00:38:19,240 --> 00:38:22,926 that dead, injured or were captured. 400 00:38:24,640 --> 00:38:29,931 Meanwhile, the Russians were also falling into eastern Germany. 401 00:38:30,920 --> 00:38:34,481 The German commanders Hindenburg and Ludendorff... 402 00:38:34,680 --> 00:38:39,561 gathered their troops to stop the Russian advance. 403 00:38:39,760 --> 00:38:43,560 Met on August 26 the Russians and the Germans each other. 404 00:38:43,760 --> 00:38:47,685 This would be known later like the Battle of Tannenberg. 405 00:38:48,960 --> 00:38:54,205 An English eyewitness described the sheer scale of the fighting. 406 00:38:55,600 --> 00:39:02,245 The front was very wide. Three million Russian soldiers took action. 407 00:39:03,680 --> 00:39:09,164 Never before has there been so much talk of hand-to-hand combat... 408 00:39:09,360 --> 00:39:11,681 even on the open fields. 409 00:39:13,000 --> 00:39:16,482 Tannenberg became a victory for the Germans. 410 00:39:16,680 --> 00:39:19,251 The commanders were overjoyed. 411 00:39:20,440 --> 00:39:24,331 This was one of the biggest battles of all time. 412 00:39:24,520 --> 00:39:29,401 It was a wonderful victory for the soldiers and the whole country. 413 00:39:29,600 --> 00:39:34,845 Germany and Austria celebrated. The rest of the world was silent. 414 00:39:37,800 --> 00:39:42,761 Nearly 100,000 Russian soldiers were captured. 415 00:39:42,960 --> 00:39:48,364 Another 50,000 men were killed or injured. 416 00:39:48,560 --> 00:39:52,645 After a few weeks Germany had repulsed the Russian attack. 417 00:39:52,840 --> 00:39:58,006 Now they were determined to do it again trying to break through in the west. 418 00:40:07,160 --> 00:40:09,811 On October 19, 1914... 419 00:40:10,000 --> 00:40:16,121 the Germans attacked the French-English troops to Ypres, Belgium. 420 00:40:16,320 --> 00:40:20,803 The first Battle of Ypres was decisive in several respects... 421 00:40:21,000 --> 00:40:24,641 before the war on the Western Front in 1914. 422 00:40:24,840 --> 00:40:27,889 It was last maneuvered... 423 00:40:28,080 --> 00:40:31,641 and it was Germany's last chance to break through. 424 00:40:33,880 --> 00:40:41,162 A great crowd of men ran towards us at full speed. 425 00:40:44,080 --> 00:40:50,850 One German after another died. I had never shot so many before. 426 00:40:53,880 --> 00:41:00,650 In three weeks time it was completed near Ypres caused unprecedented carnage. 427 00:41:02,240 --> 00:41:07,804 Thousands of our men were killed or injured. 428 00:41:08,000 --> 00:41:11,288 And all for one trench. 429 00:41:11,480 --> 00:41:16,122 What a waste of young lives. 430 00:41:19,360 --> 00:41:24,287 Ypres was an example of how the war in the coming years would look like: 431 00:41:24,480 --> 00:41:30,283 a stalemate with trenches where death and discomfort were rampant. 432 00:41:30,640 --> 00:41:34,770 During that period in question... 433 00:41:34,960 --> 00:41:41,684 there was no sewage system... 434 00:41:41,880 --> 00:41:43,962 in the trenches. 435 00:41:44,160 --> 00:41:51,726 You stood most of the time down to your knees, or even your thighs... 436 00:41:51,920 --> 00:41:56,209 in the water and mud. 437 00:41:59,240 --> 00:42:04,770 The trenches look bleak the drizzle and the falling darkness. 438 00:42:04,960 --> 00:42:07,964 I see mice everywhere while I'm doing my rounds... 439 00:42:08,160 --> 00:42:11,607 and a sandbag on top a rat comes out. 440 00:42:11,800 --> 00:42:16,931 There is much more work. There are more waiting, a group that arranges water... 441 00:42:17,120 --> 00:42:21,170 a working group that built the parapet improves, and so on. 442 00:42:25,200 --> 00:42:31,845 A few men woke up then a rat crawled under their blanket. 443 00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:36,921 It's choking. Some rats are almost as big as cats. 444 00:42:38,280 --> 00:42:45,528 You had to whenever possible trying to rest... 445 00:42:45,720 --> 00:42:49,611 because you were completely exhausted. 446 00:42:49,800 --> 00:42:53,725 Only to find out... 447 00:42:53,920 --> 00:43:00,485 that there are all starving rats running over you... 448 00:43:00,680 --> 00:43:05,447 and were gnawing on your things. 449 00:43:07,720 --> 00:43:11,122 Those rotten lice don't move when it's freezing. 450 00:43:11,320 --> 00:43:15,086 Once you're warm again, they bite you to pieces. 451 00:43:16,760 --> 00:43:23,291 You were itching everywhere. It was those damn animals to get your blood. 452 00:43:23,480 --> 00:43:29,044 You could turn your undershirt around to get rid of them... 453 00:43:29,240 --> 00:43:33,040 but the next morning you were under again. 454 00:43:33,240 --> 00:43:37,325 The eggs they laid had then come true. 455 00:43:37,520 --> 00:43:43,209 And then you were covered in lice again. You could have saved yourself the trouble. 456 00:43:45,040 --> 00:43:50,444 Only when you are here do you realize how it's all very useless. 457 00:43:50,640 --> 00:43:55,851 You are in danger every day, but otherwise little happens. 458 00:43:56,040 --> 00:44:01,171 It's unbelievable that a human can tolerate such bombardments. 459 00:44:01,360 --> 00:44:06,048 The officers sleep little constantly on guard... 460 00:44:06,240 --> 00:44:08,925 so that the enemy cannot surprise us. 461 00:44:12,080 --> 00:44:14,970 As winter slowly set in... 462 00:44:15,160 --> 00:44:21,361 it became clear that the men were working on it front would not come home soon. 463 00:44:23,440 --> 00:44:27,286 You don't know how boring and nerve-wracking it is here. 464 00:44:27,480 --> 00:44:30,723 The end of the war still seems far away. 465 00:44:30,920 --> 00:44:36,882 It goes on until the Germans are tired, and that may take some time. 466 00:44:37,080 --> 00:44:39,890 This is a horrible war, Flume. 467 00:44:40,080 --> 00:44:45,723 Now that they're using grenades and bombs, it has gotten even worse. 468 00:44:45,920 --> 00:44:52,849 The trenches are full of water and mud. It is cold and wet. 469 00:44:53,040 --> 00:44:59,161 None of the 10 million soldiers would be sorry if it became peace. 470 00:45:02,240 --> 00:45:05,881 During Christmas 1914 led this idea of peace... 471 00:45:06,080 --> 00:45:09,527 to a special one remarkable event. 472 00:45:09,720 --> 00:45:14,408 In some places all the soldiers laid down their weapons... 473 00:45:14,600 --> 00:45:17,490 around each other in no man's land to meet. 474 00:45:22,440 --> 00:45:26,240 English and Germans stood together in the searchlights. 475 00:45:26,440 --> 00:45:30,490 They were chatting together and smoking cigarettes. 476 00:45:32,400 --> 00:45:36,450 Everyone was cheering both friend and enemy. 477 00:45:36,640 --> 00:45:39,723 I couldn't hear what they were saying. 478 00:45:39,920 --> 00:45:45,689 But suddenly we heard: Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. 479 00:45:45,880 --> 00:45:49,441 Then everyone returned to the trenches. 480 00:45:51,280 --> 00:45:56,923 Then we sang all night songs with the enemy. 481 00:46:06,440 --> 00:46:11,685 The high command would ensure that such fraternization no longer occurred. 482 00:46:11,880 --> 00:46:18,240 The soldiers began to realize what their leaders had brought about. 483 00:46:21,280 --> 00:46:28,846 At that time our brains were not yet developed enough... 484 00:46:29,040 --> 00:46:31,884 to know what war was. 485 00:46:32,080 --> 00:46:37,246 Everyone said it at Christmas would be over again. 486 00:46:37,440 --> 00:46:41,001 But that turned out not to be true.