August 1914

August

• 01

  • Britain mobilises the fleetOn the evening of 1 August 1914, on news that Germany had declared war on Russia, Winston Churchill ordered the mobilisation of the Royal Navy.
  • Key eventGermany mobilises and declares war on RussiaOn 1 August 1914 Germany ordered general mobilisation and in the evening declared war on Russia. The war ceased to be a Balkan conflict.
  • First fighting on the border of the Kingdom of PolandOn 1 August 1914 the German-Russian border, running through Polish lands, became a front line. In the following days the Germans took Kalisz and Częstochowa.
  • France orders general mobilisationOn the afternoon of 1 August 1914 France proclaimed general mobilisation. By mid-August nearly three million men had been called to arms.
• 02

  • Germany delivers an ultimatum to BelgiumOn the evening of 2 August 1914 Germany demanded that Belgium allow its troops to pass through, giving it 12 hours to reply.
  • German troops enter LuxembourgOn the morning of 2 August 1914 German troops occupied neutral Luxembourg despite the protests of Grand Duchess Marie-Adélaïde and the government.
  • First fighting on the French borderOn 2 August 1914 the first soldiers on the Western Front were killed at Joncherey, the Frenchman Jules-André Peugeot and the German Albert Mayer.
  • German cruisers shell LibauOn 2 August 1914 the German cruisers Augsburg and Magdeburg attacked the Russian port of Libau (Liepāja). These were the first shots of the war in the Baltic.
  • Britain guarantees protection of the French coastOn 2 August 1914 the British government promised France that the Royal Navy would defend its coasts against the German fleet in the North Sea and the Channel.
  • Britain declares a moratoriumOn 2 August 1914 Britain declared a moratorium on the payment of bills of exchange to save the City of London from a wave of bankruptcies.
  • Moltke becomes Chief of the General Staff of the Field ArmyOn 2 August 1914 General Helmuth von Moltke, Chief of the Great General Staff since 1906, took charge of the staff of Germany's field army.
• 03

  • Belgium rejects German demandsOn the morning of 3 August 1914 Belgium rejected the German ultimatum. It held that allowing troops to pass through would mean the loss of the nation's honour.
  • Britain pledges to defend Belgian neutralityOn 3 August 1914 Sir Edward Grey set out Britain's obligations to Belgium and France in the Commons. London promised support for the Belgians.
  • Key eventGermany declares war on FranceOn 3 August 1914 Germany declared war on France, citing invented French air raids. The war on two fronts had begun.
  • Great Britain orders the mobilisation of the armyOn 3 August 1914 the British government decided to mobilise the army. Proclamations calling up the reservists and the Territorial Force were issued on 4 August.
  • Britain authorises the requisitioning of shipsOn 3 August 1914 a royal proclamation authorised the government to requisition British merchant ships for the needs of the war.
  • Italy declares neutralityOn 3 August 1914 Italy declared its neutrality, holding that the Triple Alliance did not oblige it to join a war started by Austria-Hungary.
  • Grand Duke Nicholas becomes commander-in-chief of the Russian armyAt the beginning of August 1914 Tsar Nicholas II entrusted the supreme command of the Russian army to Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich.
• 04

  • Great Britain issues an ultimatum to GermanyOn 4 August 1914 London demanded that Germany respect Belgian neutrality by midnight. The chancellor called the treaty a "scrap of paper".
  • Key eventBritain declares war on GermanyAt 11 p.m. London time on 4 August 1914 the ultimatum expired. Britain and its whole empire found themselves at war with Germany.
  • Belgium breaks off diplomatic relations with GermanyOn 4 August 1914, after German troops crossed the border, Belgium broke off relations with Germany and handed the German minister his passports.
  • Key eventGermany declares war on BelgiumOn 4 August 1914 Germany announced to Belgium that it would use force and entered its territory. The chancellor admitted he was breaking international law.
  • German troops enter Belgium and attack LiègeAt 8.02 a.m. on 4 August 1914 German troops crossed the Belgian border at Gemmenich and advanced on the fortress of Liège. The battle for Liège had begun.
  • German airships over BrusselsContemporary chronicles state that on the night of 4 August 1914 two German airships flew over Brussels. For the first time the war took to the air.
  • Goeben and Breslau bombard ports in AlgeriaOn the morning of 4 August 1914 the German warships Goeben and Breslau shelled the French ports of Philippeville and Bône in Algeria, flying Russian colours.
  • Secret alliance between Germany and the Ottoman EmpireContemporary chronicles record the secret alliance of Germany and Turkey under 4 August 1914. The treaty had in fact been signed in Constantinople on 2 August.
  • Admiral Jellicoe takes command of the Grand FleetOn 4 August 1914 the main force of the Royal Navy was renamed the Grand Fleet, and Admiral Sir John Jellicoe became its commander.
  • British Expeditionary Force headquarters appointedOn 4 August 1914 the command of the British Expeditionary Force was appointed. Field Marshal Sir John French became its Commander-in-Chief.
  • Britain publishes a list of contraband of warOn 4 August 1914 a British proclamation defined the goods to be treated as contraband of war. It was the first step towards the blockade of Germany.
  • Auxiliary cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sails for the AtlanticOn 4 August 1914 the converted liner Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse sailed from Bremerhaven as a German auxiliary cruiser to attack merchant shipping.
• 05

  • Key eventMontenegro declares war on Austria-HungaryOn 5 August 1914 Montenegro declared war on Austria-Hungary, siding with Serbia. Guns on Mount Lovćen threatened the fleet base at Kotor.
  • Germans lay mines in the open sea. The sinking of the Königin LuiseOn 5 August 1914 British destroyers sank the German minelayer Königin Luise off Suffolk. A day later her mines sank HMS Amphion.
  • First British war councilOn 5 August 1914 Prime Minister Asquith called a war council of politicians and generals. It decided to send the Expeditionary Force to France.
• 06

  • Key eventAustria-Hungary declares war on RussiaOn 6 August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian ambassador in St Petersburg handed over the declaration of war. The monarchy's main front shifted to Galicia.
  • Key eventSerbia declares war on GermanyOn 6 August 1914 Serbia declared war on Germany, ally of Austria-Hungary. The two states had no common border, but the declaration was a political statement.
  • Key eventBattle of the Frontiers beginsIn early August 1914 the Battle of the Frontiers began, a series of clashes between French and German armies that lasted until the Battle of the Marne.
  • Lord Kitchener becomes Secretary of State for WarOn 6 August 1914 Field Marshal Lord Kitchener took over the British War Office, replacing Prime Minister Asquith, who had headed it since March 1914.
  • HMS Amphion sunk by a mineOn the morning of 6 August 1914 the cruiser HMS Amphion struck German mines off the English coast and sank. She was the first Royal Navy ship lost in the war.
  • Franco-British naval conventionOn 6 August 1914 France and Britain concluded a naval convention in London. A French admiral took command of the Allied forces in the Mediterranean.
  • HMS Bristol clashes with the cruiser Karlsruhe in the West IndiesOn 6 August 1914 the British cruiser Bristol fired on the German cruiser Karlsruhe in the West Indies. The faster German ship managed to escape.
  • Auxiliary cruiser Prinz Eitel Friedrich sails from TsingtaoIn early August 1914 the armed liner Prinz Eitel Friedrich left the German base of Tsingtao in China to join Admiral von Spee's squadron.
  • Admiral von Spee's squadron leaves PohnpeiOn 6 August 1914 Admiral von Spee's German East Asia Squadron sailed from Pohnpei in the Carolines. Its odyssey across the Pacific had begun.
• 07

  • German troops occupy LiègeOn 7 August 1914 a brigade led by Erich Ludendorff entered Liège and took the citadel. The forts surrounding the city, however, continued to resist.
  • First units of the British Expeditionary Force in FranceOn 7 August 1914 the first British units landed in France. The main body of the expeditionary force crossed the Channel over the following days.
  • French cross the border into AlsaceOn 7 August 1914 the French VII Corps crossed the border into German Alsace. The troops took Altkirch and Thann and the next day entered Mulhouse.
  • HMS Gloucester attacks Goeben and Breslau off GreeceOn 7 August 1914 the British cruiser Gloucester shadowed the German ships Goeben and Breslau and opened fire on Breslau off the coast of Greece.
• 08

  • Montenegro breaks off relations with Germany and is at war with itOn 8 August 1914 Montenegro broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, and a state of war began between the two countries.
  • Key eventFrench troops take MulhouseOn 8 August 1914 French troops entered Mulhouse in Alsace. France celebrated, but within two days a German counter-attack forced the French to retreat.
  • British troops enter Togoland and occupy LoméIn early August 1914 British troops from the Gold Coast entered German Togoland and occupied its capital, Lomé.
  • Switzerland mobilises its armyAt the beginning of August 1914 neutral Switzerland mobilised its army to guard its borders. General Ulrich Wille was placed at its head.
  • Hostilities begin in East AfricaOn 8 August 1914 the British cruiser Astraea shelled Dar es Salaam in German East Africa. A war began there that lasted until November 1918.
  • Defence of the Realm ActOn 8 August 1914 the Defence of the Realm Act received royal assent. The British government could now restrict citizens' freedoms by regulation.
• 09

  • British air patrol over the English ChannelOn 9 August 1914 the British began air patrols over the English Channel to protect the troop transports sailing to France.
  • Belgium proposes the neutralisation of the Congo BasinOn 9 August 1914 Belgium proposed that colonies in the free-trade zone of Central Africa should remain neutral. The proposal was not accepted.
  • HMS Birmingham sinks the submarine U-15On 9 August 1914 the British cruiser Birmingham rammed and sank U-15 off Fair Isle. It was the first U-boat sunk by a warship.
• 10

  • British air coastal patrolOn 10 August 1914 British naval aviation began regular patrols over the east coast of England, watching for German warships and mines.
  • France breaks off diplomatic relations with Austria-HungaryOn 10 August 1914 France broke off diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary. The two ambassadors left Vienna and Paris, and war soon followed.
• 11

  • Goeben and Breslau enter the DardanellesThe German warships Goeben and Breslau, pursued by the British, took refuge in the Dardanelles. Their arrival drew Turkey closer to war on Germany's side.
  • Germans retake MulhouseAfter a German counter-attack the French withdrew from Mulhouse, which they had taken only two days earlier. The town was back in German hands.
  • France publishes its first contraband listOn 11 August 1914 the French government published its lists of war contraband. Aircraft and balloons were classed as absolute contraband.
• 12

  • Key eventBritain and France declare war on Austria-HungaryOn 12 August 1914 Britain and France declared war on Austria-Hungary. From then on the Entente powers were at war with both Central Powers.
  • The Austrians cross the Sava and take ŠabacOn 12 August 1914 Austro-Hungarian troops crossed the Sava and occupied the Serbian town of Šabac. The first invasion of Serbia had begun.
• 13

  • Austrians cross the Drina and begin the first invasion of SerbiaIn mid-August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Fifth Army crossed the Drina and struck Serbia from the west. The first invasion of Serbia had begun.
  • Royal Flying Corps flies to FranceOn 13 August 1914 British air squadrons flew from Dover to France. They were the first units to cross the Channel by air.
  • Allies advance on Kamina in TogolandOn 13 August 1914 British and French troops set out from Lomé into the interior of Togoland. Their objective was the German radio station at Kamina.
• 14

  • Grand Duke Nicholas issues a proclamation to the PolesOn 14 August 1914 the Russian commander-in-chief urged the Poles to fight Germany, promising to unite the Polish lands under the Tsar with autonomy.
  • Key eventBattles of Morhange and Sarrebourg beginOn 14 August 1914 the French armies launched a great offensive in Lorraine. It began a series of battles that ended in defeat at Morhange and Sarrebourg.
• 15

  • Japan issues an ultimatum to GermanyOn 15 August 1914 Japan demanded that Germany withdraw its warships from Far Eastern waters and hand over the Kiautschou lease with the port of Tsingtao.
  • Germans occupy Taveta in British East AfricaOn 15 August 1914 a German detachment under Tom von Prince crossed the border of British East Africa and took Taveta at the foot of Kilimanjaro.
  • British and French squadrons join forces at the entrance to the AdriaticOn 15 August 1914 British and French warships joined forces at the entrance to the Adriatic to blockade the Austro-Hungarian fleet together.
• 16

  • British Expeditionary Force completes its landing in FranceOn 16 August 1914 the landing of the original British Expeditionary Force in France was completed. The crossing was made without loss.
  • Last forts of Liège fallOn 16 August 1914 the last forts of Liège, wrecked by heavy artillery, capitulated. The road into the heart of Belgium lay open to the Germans.
  • Austro-Hungarian cruiser Zenta sunkOn 16 August 1914 an Allied fleet surprised the Austro-Hungarian cruiser Zenta off the coast of Montenegro and sank her. 173 sailors were killed.
• 17

  • Battle of Cer and the Jadar beginsIn mid-August 1914 the Serbian army struck the invaders on Cer mountain and in the Jadar valley. A battle began that brought the Allies their first victory.
  • Belgian government moves from Brussels to AntwerpOn 17 August 1914, with the Germans approaching, the Belgian government left Brussels and moved to Antwerp, the country's strongest fortress.
• 18

  • Key eventBattle of the GeteOn 18 August 1914 the Belgian army faced the Germans on the Gete. Threatened with encirclement, King Albert I ordered a retreat to the fortress of Antwerp.
  • Persian foreign minister Vosugh od-Dowleh resignsChronicles of the time record that on 18 August 1914 Persia's foreign minister Vosugh od-Dowleh resigned. The country faced a choice of stance towards the war.
• 19

  • Belgian army withdraws from the Gete to AntwerpOn 19 August 1914 the Belgian army withdrew from the Gete to the fortress of Antwerp. In the towns it left, German troops committed crimes against civilians.
  • French retake MulhouseOn 19 August 1914 General Paul Pau's Army of Alsace re-entered Mulhouse after heavy fighting. This time the French held the town for a week.
  • First Indian unit sets out for East AfricaOn 19 August 1914 the 29th Punjabis left India, the first unit of an Indian expeditionary force sent to the front. Its destination was East Africa.
  • Change of government in PersiaOn 19 August 1914 the Persian Prime Minister Ala al-Saltaneh stepped down and took the foreign ministry. Mostowfi ol-Mamalek became head of government.
• 20

  • The Germans occupy BrusselsOn 20 August 1914 German troops entered Brussels, which had been declared an open city. An occupation began that lasted until November 1918.
  • End of the battles of Morhange and SarrebourgOn 20 August 1914 a German counter-attack in Lorraine shattered the French offensive. The French armies fell back towards Nancy with heavy losses.
  • Germans besiege the fortress of LongwyOn 20 August 1914 German troops closed the ring around the French fortress of Longwy. The garrison held out under heavy fire until 26 August.
  • Battle of Gumbinnen in East PrussiaOn 20 August 1914 Rennenkampf's Russian First Army repulsed the German Eighth Army at Gumbinnen. It was the first major battle on the Eastern Front.
  • Death of Pope Pius XOn 20 August 1914, in the first weeks of the war, Pope Pius X died. Witnesses said the outbreak of war had deeply shaken him. He was succeeded by Benedict XV.
  • Britain modifies the Declaration of LondonOn 20 August 1914 Britain announced it would apply the Declaration of London on naval warfare, but with changes that tightened control of trade.
• 21

  • Germans attack the fortress of NamurOn 21 August 1914 German siege artillery began shelling the forts of Namur. The fortress, held by the Belgian 4th Division, fell after five days.
  • Key eventBattle of Charleroi beginsOn 21 August 1914 the French 5th Army and the German 2nd Army clashed on the Sambre. The Germans seized the river crossings before the French could occupy them.
  • End of the Battle of Cer. Austrians withdraw from SerbiaAt the end of August 1914 the beaten Austro-Hungarian armies withdrew from Serbia across the Drina and the Sava. The first invasion of Serbia had failed.
  • Germans cross the border of the Union of South AfricaIn August 1914 a detachment from German South West Africa took up positions on the South African side of the border, near Nakob.
  • Kitchener's first New Army is formedOn 21 August 1914 the British War Office ordered the formation of the first New Army, six divisions strong, from volunteers.
• 22

  • Key eventAustria-Hungary declares war on BelgiumContemporary chronicles date Austria-Hungary's declaration of war on Belgium to 22 August 1914, but the Belgians received the note only on 28 August.
  • Key eventBattle of the Ardennes beginsOn 22 August 1914 French armies advancing through the Ardennes ran into strong German forces. It was the bloodiest day in the history of the French army.
  • Germany accepts the proposal to neutralise the Congo BasinOn 22 August 1914 Germany agreed to Belgium's proposal to neutralise the African free trade zone. Britain and France did not support it.
  • Polish volunteers join the Foreign LegionOn 22 August 1914 the first Polish volunteers were accepted into the Foreign Legion at the Invalides in Paris. Trained at Bayonne, they became the Bayonne men.
• 23

  • Key eventBattle of MonsOn 23 August 1914 the British Expeditionary Force fought its first battle at Mons. It inflicted heavy losses on the Germans but had to begin a retreat.
  • Zeppelin Z VIII shot down in the VosgesOn 23 August 1914 the German army airship Z VIII, hit by ground fire while flying over French troops, came down in a forest near Badonviller.
  • Battle of Tannenberg beginsOn 23 August 1914 Samsonov's Russian Second Army clashed with the Germans in southern East Prussia. Fighting began that would end in its encirclement.
  • The Battle of Kraśnik beginsOn 23 August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian First Army and the Russian Fourth Army clashed in the Lublin region. The great Battle of Galicia had begun.
  • Germany breaks off diplomatic relations with JapanOn 23 August 1914, after the Japanese ultimatum expired, Germany broke off relations with Japan. Ambassador Arthur von Rex left Tokyo.
  • Key eventJapan declares war on GermanyOn 23 August 1914 Japan declared war on Germany. The war spread to the Far East and the Pacific, and Japan reached for Germany's possessions in Asia.
  • General Dobell to command the Kamerun expeditionOn 23 August 1914 General Charles Dobell was appointed commander of the Allied land forces against German Kamerun.
  • Hindenburg takes command of the Eighth ArmyOn 23 August 1914 General Paul von Hindenburg, recalled from retirement, took command of the Eighth Army in East Prussia, with Ludendorff as chief of staff.
• 24

  • The British retreat from MonsOn 24 August 1914 the British Expeditionary Force began its retreat from Mons. Rearguards fought heavy actions at Elouges and Audregnies.
  • End of the Battle of CharleroiOn 24 August 1914 the French Fifth Army was retreating from the Sambre towards the French border. The Battle of Charleroi ended in a French defeat.
  • Battle of the Ardennes endsOn 24 August 1914 the French Third and Fourth Armies, beaten in the Ardennes, fell back behind the Meuse on Joffre's orders. A bloody frontier battle was over.
  • Austria-Hungary breaks off diplomatic relations with JapanOn 24 August 1914 Austria-Hungary broke off relations with Japan. The Emperor ordered the cruiser Kaiserin Elisabeth to defend Tsingtao alongside the Germans.
  • Indian Expeditionary Force sets out for FranceOn 24 August 1914 the first units of Indian Expeditionary Force A sailed from India. They were sent first to Egypt and then on to France.
• 25

  • Germans capture NamurOn 25 August 1914 the last forts of Namur capitulated. The Belgian fortress at the confluence of the Sambre and the Meuse fell after a five-day siege.
  • Key eventBattle of the Meuse beginsOn 25 August 1914 the French Fourth Army, pulled back from the Ardennes, took post behind the Meuse from Mézières to Stenay. The fight for the crossings began.
  • Battle of Mechelen beginsOn 25 August 1914 the Belgian army sallied out of the fortress of Antwerp and attacked the Germans near Mechelen. It was the first Belgian sortie from Antwerp.
  • Germans occupy ValenciennesOn 25 August 1914 German troops entered Valenciennes in northern France. The town remained under occupation for more than four years.
  • Siege of Maubeuge beginsOn 25 August 1914 German troops began to encircle the French fortress of Maubeuge on the Sambre, left behind by the retreating Allies.
  • Key eventBattle of the Mortagne beginsOn 25 August 1914 the armies of Castelnau and Dubail halted the German drive on the Trouée de Charmes in Lorraine and went over to a counter-offensive.
  • Germans retake Mulhouse for the second timeOn 25 August 1914, after the French withdrawal, German troops occupied Mulhouse for the second time. The city remained in their hands until the end of the war.
  • First air patrol over the British retreatOn 25 August 1914 British airmen patrolled the skies over the retreating army and forced a German aircraft to land. It was one of the first air combats.
  • End of the Battle of KraśnikOn 25 August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian First Army took Kraśnik and the Russian Fourth Army fell back towards Lublin. It was Austria-Hungary's first victory.
  • End of the first invasion of SerbiaAt the end of August 1914 the Serbs recaptured Šabac and the last Austro-Hungarian units withdrew across the Drina and Sava. The first invasion ended in defeat.
  • Japan breaks off diplomatic relations with Austria-HungaryOn 25 August 1914 Japan broke off diplomatic relations with Austria-Hungary. The ambassador, Baron Ladislaus Müller von Szentgyörgy, left Tokyo.
  • Japan declares a state of war with Austria-HungaryOn 25 August 1914 Japan and Austria-Hungary found themselves at war. The reason was the Austro-Hungarian cruiser Kaiserin Elisabeth, stationed at Tsingtao.
  • British cross the Kamerun border from NigeriaOn 25 August 1914 British columns from Nigeria crossed the border of German Kamerun. The land campaign against the German colony had begun.
  • Skirmish at Tepe. The French enter Kamerun from ChadOn 25 August 1914 the British drove the Germans from the post at Tepe on the Benue, and French troops from Chad attacked the German fort at Kousséri.
  • France issues a new contraband decreeOn 25 August 1914 the French government issued a decree on applying the Declaration of London, tightening, like the British, the rules for seizing goods.
• 26

  • Germans destroy LeuvenOn the night of 25–26 August 1914 the Germans set fire to the Belgian city of Leuven and its famous university library. About 250 civilians were killed.
  • Key eventBattle of Le CateauOn 26 August 1914 Smith-Dorrien's II Corps stood and fought at Le Cateau against the wishes of GHQ. It paid a high price but halted the German pursuit.
  • Germans occupy NoyonA British chronology says the Germans took Noyon on 26 August 1914. French sources date the German entry into the town to 30 August.
  • Surrender of the fortress of LongwyOn 26 August 1914, after days of bombardment, the French fortress of Longwy surrendered. Its garrison under Lt Col Darche was taken prisoner.
  • Germans take CambraiOn 26 August 1914, after street fighting with French Territorial units, the Germans took Cambrai. The occupation of the town lasted more than four years.
  • Germans occupy DouaiA British chronology records the capture of Douai on 26 August 1914. The first occupation of the town was brief; the Germans entered for good on 1 October.
  • Battle of the Złota Lipa beginsOn 26 August 1914 the Austro-Hungarian Third Army attacked east of Lviv and collided with the much stronger armies of Ruzsky and Brusilov.
  • Battle of Komarów beginsOn 26 August 1914 Auffenberg's Austro-Hungarian 4th Army attacked Plehve's Russian 5th Army near Zamość. The Battle of Komarów had begun.
  • Loss of the cruiser SMS MagdeburgOn 26 August 1914 the German cruiser Magdeburg ran aground at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland. The Russians captured her codebooks.
  • Germans surrender in TogolandOn 26 August 1914 the German forces in Togoland surrendered to British and French troops. Germany lost its first colony of the war.
  • HMS Highflyer sinks Kaiser Wilhelm der GrosseOn 26 August 1914 the British cruiser Highflyer attacked the German auxiliary cruiser Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse off the coast of Río de Oro.
  • General Gallieni becomes military governor of ParisOn 26 August 1914 General Joseph Gallieni became military governor of Paris. His task was to prepare the capital for defence against the approaching Germans.
  • Dismissal of war minister Adolphe MessimyOn 26 August 1914 the French war minister Adolphe Messimy lost his post in Viviani's reshuffled government and soon went to the front.
  • Delcassé becomes French foreign ministerOn 26 August 1914 Théophile Delcassé, architect of the Entente Cordiale, replaced Gaston Doumergue as French Minister of Foreign Affairs.
• 27

  • Battle of Mechelen endsOn 27 August 1914 the Belgian army's first sortie from Antwerp ended. After three days of fighting near Mechelen the Belgians returned behind the line of forts.
  • British marines land at OstendOn 27 August 1914 a Royal Marines brigade landed at Ostend in Belgium, accompanied by Charles Samson's Royal Naval Air Service squadron.
  • German cavalry at the gates of LilleIn late August 1914 German cavalry patrols reached undefended Lille. The real occupation of the city began only in October.
  • Germans take MézièresAt the end of August 1914 the Germans took Mézières and neighbouring Charleville on the Meuse. In September the town became the seat of German headquarters.
  • Alexandre Millerand becomes French minister of warOn 27 August 1914 Alexandre Millerand was named minister of war. He replaced Messimy in Viviani's reshuffled government, a government of national unity.
  • First attack on MoraOn 27 August 1914 a British force from Nigeria attacked the German post on Mora mountain in northern Kamerun. It was repulsed; Mora held out until 1916.
• 28

  • End of the Battle of the MeuseOn 28 August 1914 the Battle of the Meuse ended. The French 4th Army delayed the Germans at the crossings, but had to join the general retreat southwards.
  • Belgium receives Austria-Hungary's declaration of warOn 28 August 1914 Austria-Hungary's note on a state of war reached the Belgian government in Antwerp. Belgium firmly rejected the charges it contained.
  • Battle of Heligoland BightOn 28 August 1914 British ships surprised the Germans off Heligoland. They sank three light cruisers and a torpedo boat without losing a single ship.
• 29

  • French abandon ArrasAt the end of August 1914 French territorial units withdrew from Arras. The Artois town was left undefended as the Germans approached.
  • Key eventBattle of Guise beginsOn 29 August 1914 Lanrezac's French Fifth Army broke off its retreat and counter-attacked Bülow's German Second Army on the river Oise.
  • Germans take SedanAt the end of August 1914 the Germans took Sedan on the Meuse, the town where Napoleon III's army had capitulated in 1870.
  • Zeppelin Z V shot down near MławaAt the end of August 1914 the German airship Z V, hit by the Russians during a raid on the station at Mława, made a forced landing. Its crew was captured.
• 30

  • Germans take Laon, La Fère and RoyeAt the turn of August and September 1914 the German armies took Laon, La Fère and Roye. The towns remained in their hands for most of the war.
  • Battle of Guise endsOn 30 August 1914 the French Fifth Army broke off the fight with Bülow's army and withdrew behind the Serre. The Battle of Guise was over.
  • First German air raid on ParisOn 30 August 1914 a German Taube dropped a few small bombs on Paris and a note urging the city to surrender. It was the first air raid on the French capital.
  • Battle of the Złota Lipa endsOn 30 August 1914 the Russians broke the Austro-Hungarian defence on the Gniła Lipa. Brudermann's army fell back beyond Lviv, opening the city to them.
  • First attack on GaruaOn the night of 29–30 August 1914 British troops from Nigeria attacked the German forts at Garua in Kamerun. The attack was repulsed and its commander killed.
  • New Zealanders occupy SamoaOn 29–30 August 1914 New Zealand troops occupied German Samoa without a fight. Germany lost its second colony of the war after Togoland.
• 31

  • Germans enter AmiensOn 31 August 1914 troops of Kluck's army entered Amiens without a fight. The occupation lasted less than two weeks and ended after the Battle of the Marne.
  • Battle of Tannenberg endsOn 31 August 1914 Hindenburg reported to the Kaiser the destruction of the Russian 2nd Army. Over 90,000 Russians were captured and Samsonov was dead.
  • Britain and France partition TogolandAt the end of August 1914 Britain and France divided conquered Togoland into two provisional occupation zones. Lomé went to the British.