Vintage Video - Serbia's Regent Alexander, 1914
Erich Ludendorff's wartime career was turbulent.
Following the assassination on 28 June 1914 of the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austria-Hungary issued a humiliating ultimatum to the Serbian government, whom Vienna held responsible for allowing (or authorising) Serbian terrorists to murder Ferdinand.
Although King Peter I nominally held power in Serbia, permanent illness meant Alexander, his son and regent, wielded effective power. Although Alexander ceded virtually all of Austria-Hungary's demands it proved insufficient to prevent the latter from declaring war at the close of July 1914.
Use the player above to view film footage of Alexander in 1914.
"Drum Fire" was an artillery barrage fired not in salvo but by each gun in succession.
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