Austria Opens the War!

Turkish bashi-bazouks pose with 3 Christian heads, mid-1907. Such scenes enraged the Balkan states and prepared the way for war. Once Turkey was gone, Austria became the chief obstacle of the revived Serb Empire of Stefan Dushan.

Crew of the SMS Bodrog. River monitors carry the war against Serbia up and down the rivers Save and Danube throughout 1914 and 1915. In late 1916, the montiors are called to move against Roumania's Danube frontier. From 1917, monitors are used mostly to maintain order in cities such as Budapest, where discontent grows.

SMS Bodrog, Danube Flotilla I, stationed at Semlin across the River Save from Belgrade, on 25 Aug 1914. Bodrog (along with sister monitor Temes) opens the war against Serbia on 28 Jul 1914 with a bombardment of Belgrade. However, it is many days before any other warlike activity begins.

The Supreme Commander, Archduke Friedrich (left) poses with Chief of Staff Franz Conrad (right) and the entire General Staff in Aug 1914 at Teschen. This is the location for the Supreme Headquarters of the Austrian Armed Forces from 1914 until 1917.

The War Gets Bigger and Better!

Germany's Skutaritruppen on parade. Leaving Scutari as part of an international force in Jul 1914, they fight in Bosnia along the Drina river between 16 and 17 Aug. They are lauded as heroes in every town they pass afterward, and are disbanded in Germany on 7 Sep 1914.

Serbian troops cross the muddy Kolubara river in a counteroffensive against Austria's first invasion, Aug 1914.

The complex, tangling lines of trenches between two forts of Przemysl as seen from the air, spring 1915.

Fighting is horrendous around the Uzsok Pass in Feb 1915. The Carpathians are not high mountains, but they are wild, unexplored, unsettled, and fiercely cold. Casualties are unbelievable for both sides in this battlezone.

Living Through War Part 1

The Russians have severely damaged the town of Lyck, East Prussia. Here is a corner of main street, Oct 1914.

Markt-platz in Lyck is a scene of devastation after hand-to-hand fighting succeeded in driving the Russians out of town, Feb 1915.

A Russian cossack poses in downtown Czernowitz, in Oct 1914, after a quick advance seized the barely defended capital of Bukowina. The city would end up being the most hotly contested on the Eastern front, changing hands no fewer than 11 times.

The Forest of Chimneys, a typical market town scene in Poland after the fighting ends. Forests of chimneys blanket Poland by Sep 1915.

Living Through War Part 2

Germany's suspicions confirmed! A reproduction of a French map detailing the partition and destruction of Germany and allies after the war. France gets the Rhineland, Russia moves to the river Oder.

German soldiers march past two typical Jews living in Neusandec, shortly after the town's liberation in May 1915 from the Russian occupation.

Tourism at the height of war in Poland. Money has to be earned somehow, and some Poles find it easy to sell local handicrafts to the million German soldiers who are seeking souvenirs of their time spent in other lands.

German troops commanded by Gen. Kneussl march through the streets of Przemysl shortly after the city's liberation, Jun 1915.

The Tools of War!

An Austrian truck fitted to operate on light railway lines behind the Isonzo front. Probably used to ferry supplies in a time when locomotives are in short supply.

Pilots and air crew pose for a quick photo at Przemysl's aerodrome, Feb 1915. Surrounded by the Russian XV. Army, the landing field is the only communication the fortress has had with the outside world since mid-Oct 1914, when the second siege began.

An armoured train stationed in Mezö Laborcz, Hungary, near the Russian trenches on the southern slopes of the Carpathians.

Modified armored train of the type used on the Isonzo front, summer 1915.

The Bridges of War!

Bridge over the Isonzo river at Görz (Gorizia), Jun 1916. It unified Podgora on the vulnerable right bank of the river with Görz on the left bank. The Italians finally seize Görz in late summer 1916, and hold it until the Caporetto disaster in late Oct 1917.

The Semendria Pioneer's Bridge, Oct 1915. German Pioneers build this massive pontoon bridge across the Danube as the invasion of Serbia begins. For 3 months, it is the main artery for all supplies headed to 400,000 German and Austrian troops advancing into Serbia.

Another pontoon bridge, this time spannind the Drina from Bosnia into northern Serbia. Likely built in Oct 1915, although dozens of pontoon bridges are built across the swift Drina in 1914 during 3 different invasions of Serbia.

The German XI. Army's bridge at Neusandec, Jul 1915. For the great spring offensive against Russia, German and Austrian engineers prefabricate hundreds of pontoon and permanent bridges.

Russia's Army is Overwhelmed!

Russian trench chewed into the black soil outside Tarnow, captured after the Dunajec offensive of early May 1915.

Archduke Josef Ferdinand leads a cheer for Kaiser Franz Josef as his army crosses into Russian territory, May 1915. Austria's IV. Army had been on enemy soil several times already, but was thrown back in fierce counteroffensives.

The oil fields at Borisov burn with Russian vengeance. The only Jewish-owned oilfield in the world supplies Austria with much-needed fuel but is captured by the Russians for a short time in March 1915. They waste no time in destroying it.

The 1,200 metre long pontoon bridge across the Vistula at Wyszogrod took three German engineering companies three days to build, summer 1915.

Keep the Attack Going!

Scene of devastation in Przasnysz after Army Group Gallwitz forces the Russians backwards in late summer 1915.

German troops in General v. Gallwitz's army on the march through central Poland, summer 1915.

The governor of German occupied Poland, v. Beseler, examines Warsaw after its conquest by Army Group Prinz Leopold, August 1915.

Main street in Lublin during the first months of Austrian occupation, late summer 1915.

Commanders in Action!

Prince Yussuf Izzed-din poses with his officers, spring 1915. He is the nominal successor to the Sultan Mohammed V, is also the nominal Supreme Commander of the Turkish forces defending the Dardanelles. He is advised by Gen. Otto Liman von Sanders Pasha (to the right).

In Oct 1915, the commander of the Southwestern Front is Archduke Eugen (left) and his chief of Staff, Gen. Alfred Krauss (bearded). Eugen gives tactical command over the Serbian theatre to Gen. von Mackensen in the autumn and focuses on deflecting the worsening Italian offensives.

Austria's heir Archduke Karl presents awards to troops fighting on the Isonzo, autumn 1915. This railway bridge crosses the Isonzo far above the battlezone, and therefore is a majour supply route for the V. Army of Gen. Boroevic.

Bulgaria's Tsar Ferdinand travels to the front in a shiny Mercedes in order to witness the success of his armies against the hated Serbian enemy, November 1915.

Serbia is Overwhelmed!

One of the casemates of Fortress Belgrade after the city falls in Nov 1915. It is likely destroyed in Dec 1914, when Austria briefly occupy the Serbian capital. However, the Serbs recapture Belgrade and outfit the ruins as much as possible in case of another invasion.

Gen August von Mackensen traverses the battlefield in Northern Serbia, early Nov 1915. Mackensen arrives to Serbia fresh from his victory that yields the surrender of Warsaw. He quickly becomes a German icon second only to Hindenburg.

Austrian authorities turn against their own Serb citizens in Syrmia in Aug 1914, razing villages to the ground and deporting the population to Hungary. Although about 120 suspected spies are executed, Entente propaganda claims many thousands of atrocities.

The most common way of dealing with spies is to hang them for public display, such as these Serbians in Sep 1914.

Resistance is Futile!

A historical moment on 25 Jan 1916 in the Grand Hotel, Cetinje: Montenegro's army surrenders. From right, Gen. v. Weber, Maj. Hubka, former Austrian attache in Cetinje, Mont. Maj. Lompar, Maj. Schuppich, Dr. v. Praunsberger, Mont. Gen. Becic.

Many Serbians are executed for spying during the first three invasions of 1914 and during the fourth invasion in autumn 1915. The occupation forces are less violent toward Serbian resistance, but a tough hand is still shown.

Bulgarian troops marching through Monastir, summer 1916. Soon, the Serbians will capture the town with French help, and claim reconquest of their territory.

An Austrian construction column winds its way toward the Montenegrin border from Scutari, spring 1916. They will build bridges across the mountain brooks.

Fighting passes into Albania!

Different companies of Austrian troops in downtown Scutari, spring 1916. Some are occupation troops to maintain order, but most are passing through to the south to drive Italy fom the coastal towns.

Prenk (Prince) Bib Dodo, leader of the Albanian Catholic Party, and sworn enemy of Essad Pasha. Dodo has allied his party with Austria and his irregular troops are at the service of XIX. Corps.

Austrian troops being transported across Lake Scutari in Feb 1916, after the conquest of Montenegro.

Austrian artillery is being towed through an Albanian village north of Scutari, spring 1916.

Dealing with Italy!

Austrian snipers prepare for a kill among ruins north of Görz, Aug 1916. This, as the Italians advance in their greatest determination to finally seize the city and move toward Trieste, Italy's golden objective for the entire war.

Austrian gun placements above 2,000 metres in the South Tirol, summer 1915.

An artillery observation post for Austrian officers on the Isonzo front, spring 1916.

A gigantic mine explodes on the face of Kleine Lagazuoi across from Tofana II, Mar 1916. This peak lies above Cortina d'Ampezzo. Italy captured the valley, but Austrian troops secure all of the peaks and the battle for their control is a frustrating chapter in the war.

Russia is Resurgent!

German troops navigate through the district near Lake Narocz in White Russia, winter 1916. This spot hails the world's largest artillery concentration to this time.

The Russians have destroyed their bridge amidst the swamps surrounding Duenaburg (Daugavpils, Dvinsk) in eastern Kurland.

Tangles of Austrian wire along the muddy banks of the Strypa river, summer 1916.

A line of Austrian rifle placements along the Strypa river in Eastern Galicia, summer 1916. Above and below this sector, the Brussilov offensive crashes through Austrian lines.

Roumania wants Trouble Too!

Hungary's borderguards make an official portrait on the Roumanian frontier, Aug 1915. All the thunder far to the North against Russia causes Roumania to rethink it's planned invasion of Hungary, but these guards do not cease looking for signs of mobilisation against them by the Roumanians.

A Roumanian "swarm line" cut down by machinegun fire during an assault on the German-Austrian advance at Kronstadt's city limits, Nov 1916.

Troops of Gen. Krafft's Alpenkorps celebrate the capture of the Red Tower Pass into Roumania with a memorial plaque dated 28 November 1916.

The oil fields of Ploesti are totally destroyed by retreating Roumanians. British engineers direct where explosives could do the maximum damage to the facilities.

Turkey Enters the Great War!

Turkish artillery ranged along the Sinai front, late spring 1915.

End of the line in Gallipoli. When the railway ends, Turkish troops load supplies onto mules.

Turkish reserve troops, here mostly Arabs, survey the harsh landscape in Irak, spring 1916.

Turkish peasant reserves waiting in Konia are ready to be sent to the front, spring 1916.

Turkey Fights a Thousand Battles!

Russian cavalry riding to the Caucasus Front, summer 1916. By Caucasus is really meant eastern Turkish territory, probably near Erzurum.

Dr. Nossig, head of the Turkish Red Crescent, greets Jewish German representatives of the Red Cross in Mesopotamia, summer 1916.

Turkish pontoon bridge across the Tigris in Baghdad, summer 1916. This bridge is made of boats, replacing the previous bridge destroyed by British aeroplanes.

Newly built railway station at Mamoure, southwest of Adana. This is the bit of Turkey closest to British-occupied Cyprus, and therefore heavily fortified in case of an invasion by the Entente.

The Turks and their Warlords!

Turkish war minister Enver Pasha (x) with Syria governor Jemal Pasha (xx) visit the port of Jaffa near the Palestine front, summer 1916.

Turkish War Minister Enver Pasha inspects guns in Lemberg, summer 1917. Enver worked hard to send his best troops to fight the Russians in Galicia, even though the Germans were against the obvious weakening of the Turkish army and the Austrians were embarrassed to receive Turkish aid.

His Majesty Kaiser Karl inspects Turkish soldiers arriving in Galicia to reinforce the Südarmee, spring 1917.Ê These are the best troops of the Turkish Army and are sent by Enver Pasha to prove the fighting worth of his soldiers.

The Sultan gets a visit from Kaiser Wilhelm, summer 1917. All of Constantinople turns out to witness the arrival of the All-Highest.

Intriguers Spread the War Far!

The Grand Senussi Said Mohammad al-Abid proceeds into Benghazi after his forces seize it, Jun 1915. He first makes peace with Italy in 1912. He turns against the Italians in May 1915 when they declare war on Austria.

Feodor Andreivich Lysohub, the first prime minister of the Ukraine, January 1918. His soviet-style Rada desired peace with the Central Powers but he could not decide if independence from Russia was good for his country. The Germans decided for him, and happily stood by as the Peter Skoropadsky overthrew Lysohub's Rada in May 1918.

Prince Abbas Hilmi Pasha poses with one of his Kurdish contingents. After the Turks invade northern Persia in Feb 1915, Kurds and Turkomans living in the Tabriz region declare for the Ottomans and rebel against the Russians who are already occupying their lands.

A group of Persian Kashkai pose before going into battle, 1915. Like the Kurds, the Kashkai loathe the Persian authorities and Anglo-Russian intrigues. The Kashkai give momentum to the Jangali movement in late 1917, which spreads rebellion across the entire country.

The Great War Nears it's Close...

Austrian troops on the march through the Black Sea port of Odessa in spring, 1918. German forces move east as far as Taganrog and Rostov. These troops do not evacuate the Ukraine until after the Armistice in Nov 1918.

Gen. Mannerheim's victory parade in Helsingfors, spring 1918. He successfully expels the reds from Finland with the aid of German troops.

Italy's famous poet Gabrielle d'Annunzio flies over Vienna in mid-October 1918 and dumps loads of leaflets urging soldiers to surrender or desert.Ê It is a brazen act for its time, also proving that Austria's hitherto reliable air force is no longer a majour threat.Ê

Austria's aged commanders Archdukes Josef Ferdinand, Eugen, Franz Salvator, and General Viktor Dankl gather at the Heldendenkmal near the Hofburg palace on 24 September 1934.Ê The occasion is to honour soldiers killed since the Napoleonic Wars.