Safe in the knowledge that their powerful ally is on board, the Austro-Hungarians begin to plan punitive measures against Serbia. The Kaiser assures the Austrian representative that they can rely on such support, even if the Russians become involved. They had arrived in Vienna late in the evening of 2nd July.Īrchduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are laid to rest in Vienna.Ĭount Hoyos delivers a personal message from Emperor Franz Joseph to Kaiser Wilhelm, seeking assurances of German support. Meanwhile, in Austria, the bodies of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie lay in state in the Hofburg Chapel. Summer camps were a big attraction for civilians, many of whom would get no similar opportunity to spend two weeks away from home and work. Other Territorial and Yeomanry units going to camp later in the month were to have camp cut short by mobilisation. The volunteer cavalry were part way through their 15 day annual training when General McKinnon, in command of the NW District, paid them a visit of inspection.
The St Helens Newspaper and Advertiser carries a report from the Lancashire Yeomanry, in camp at Rufford Park, near Ormskirk. For the first time the Army and Navy would take to the field (and, eh, waves) supported by powered aircraft the Navy would maintain an independent air arm right until the formation of the Royal Air Force in 1918. Although co-incidental to the 'July crisis' that was to follow the assassination, it illustrates the changes gradually overtaking the British forces at the time. The German ambassador to Austria-Hungary advises against haste in responding to the Serbs.Īs a member of the forum kindly pointed out, on this day in 1914 the Royal Naval Air Service was formed.
The wider implications are not apparent - yet. Many European royal families are affected if not by blood links, no royalty likes to contemplate the murder of their fellows. News of the assassination begins to spread across the world. The person, timing and location were hardly a shining example of the art of risk management. The visit has also been likened with a visit from th Prince of Wales to a nationalist part of Belfast on the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne.
Indeed, it was easy to guess that an Austrian Archduke would be shot if he visited Sarajevo on 28 June, Serbia's national day. No one has ever managed to show that the Serb government had any connexion with the plot. The Kiel naval regatta - with a Royal Navy squadron visiting - is still in progress. Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated, at the hand of the Serbian nationalist Gavrillo Princip.
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