July 28, 1914: When the world went mad

Today marks the 100^th anniversary of the start of a war that would prove to be the deadliest in known history.

Though people around the world were enjoying the summer weather of 1914, the storm clouds of war had been gathering over Europe for some time.

On June 28, the spark that lit the fuse on the European time bomb, was ingnited by a young Serbian nationalist, Gavrilo Prinzip, who assassinated the Austrian heir-apparent to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie during a visit to Sarajevo.

It was July 28, that Austria-Hungary declared war on its long troublesome neighbor, Serbia.

However, during that month’s delay, Austria sought guarantees of backing from its treaty partner Germany before proceeding against Serbia. Seeing the impending war, Serbia sought backing from its treaty partner Russia.

Russia also had treaties with France and Britain, such that by the time of the first declaration of war, Europe’s major countries would all be quickly implemented, and with the addition of other alliances, and colonies, many of the countries around the world became embroiled in the horrific slaughter of the war.

As a then colony of Britain, Canada, was drawn in a day after Britain declared war on Germany on August 4^th.

Initially called the Great War, and later the war to end all wars, some 10 million military deaths are estimated, with 20 million civilian dead and wounded.

Canada at the start of the war had a tiny military force, but by the time the war ended, was estimated to be the best military force among the allies, being used as the shock troops in the latter stages of the war. In addition, several Canadian fighter pilots became the top aces of the war.

It was a deadly time for Canada. With a miniscule population of just over 7 million, some 620, 000 joined the expeditionary force.  Some 67.000 were killed, and about 250,000 wounded.