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Troops of the British Expeditionary Force sailing for France in August 1914. Royal Scots (in flat caps) and Gordon Highlanders (in Glengarrys)
Britain entered the war on the 4th of August 1914, in response to Germany's invasion of Belgium. The War generals and statesmen predicted a short war of movement that would be over by Christmas 1914, but they had under-estimated the effects of powerful new modern weapons and machines which both sides used for defending their territories all over the world.
The next four years witnessed the failures of politicians and military leaders while the massed armies of Europe perished in a terrible bloodbath of an unprecedented scale and impact. The two opposing First World War power blocs were the armies of the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires against the Allies of Britain, France and Russia, joined by Belgium, Japan, Montenegro and Serbia; in 1915 by Italy, Rumania and Portugal; and by Greece and the United States in 1917.
The British Royal Navy was the largest in the world in 1914. Throughout the war, despite heavy losses, it managed to maintain domination of the seas.
In contrast the British Army (the British Expeditionary Force) in 1914 was a small, professional army of some 150,000 men. At the outbreak of war, soldiers were quickly mobilised and sent to France to defend the Western Front. In the first battles, casualties were high, with 86,237 men being killed or injured.
Because of this and the manpower demands of trench warfare, Britain needed a massive expansion of its army, and a great recruitment campaign was launched. By the end of 1915 their casualties were being replaced by the trained recruits of 'Kitchener's New Armies'.
Peculiar types of British warships brought into being by the Great War
November 1914
Young Men, Your country needs You!
More men are urgently required for the Regular Army. They are required NOW. It is of no use sending untrained men into the field. If you want to help your country at this critical time moment, you must come forward NOW, and be trained as a soldier
You will not be sent to the front till you are trained and fit to take the field against the enemy. As soon as you are trained you will be given the chance to show the stuff that is in you
You are not asked to join the army in the ordinary way, which involves service in peace time, though you will be welcome if you do so. You are only asked to serve for the war. As soon as the war is over, every faculty will be given you to secure your discharge, and get back to your ordinary work
Kitchener
War Office, Whitehall
Published by the Parliamentary Recruiting committee, 12 Downing Street, London S.W., and Printed by Hazell, Watson and Viney, LTD. 52 Long Acre London, WC.
Cpl. R Wright, Royal Scots Fusiliers
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