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HMS INDOMITABLE photographed from HMS INFLEXIBLE while they were shadowing the German battlecruiser GOEBEN and the light cruiser BRESLAU off Sicily on 4 August 1914. 📸 IWM (SP 2879)

4 August 1914: Following the expiry of its ultimatum to the Belgian government, Germany declared war and began the invasion of Belgium. The initial objective was the capture of the heavily defended city of Liege with its major rail and road crossings on the Meuse River.

4 August 1914: Following the German invasion of Belgium and the German government's summary rejection to guarantee Belgian neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany at 11 pm. Earlier in the day, the British government had issued orders for general mobilisation to commence.

"Few are wounded by the mitrailleuse. If it hits you, you're dead" - Bavarian Major Gustav Fleschuez after witnessing the French weapon in action at the Battle of Wissembourg on 4 August 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War.

Anton von Werner's 1888 painting of Crown Prince Frederick Wilhelm, commander of the German 3rd Army, paying his respects to French general Charles Abel Douay, who was killed at the Battle of Wissembourg on 4 August 1870, during the Franco-Prussian War.

"The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime" - British Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, 3 August 1914

SS KONIGIN LUISE at Emden on 3 August 1914, after being taken over by the Kaiserliche Marine as an auxiliary minelayer. The vessel was camouflaged to resemble the steamers of the Great Eastern Railway that sailed between Harwich and the Hook of Holland. 📸 IWM (Q 48391)

3 August 1914: With Germany poised to attack Belgium and France, the British government issued orders for the Territorial Force to be mobilised. The following day, general mobilisation was ordered. Throughout July, the army had been preparing for mobilisation as the crisis in Europe deepened.

The French general mobilisation order, which was issued on 2 August 1914.

Machine Gun Section of the 12th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment, with a Maxim gun outside the Polytechnic, Regent Street, London, on the way to Territorial Camp on 2 August 1914. 📸 IMW (Q 71254)

Prussian soldiers of the 7th Company, 40th (Hohenzollern) Fusiliers opening fire on French troops advancing into the town of Saarbrücken on 2 August 1870 in the first major engagement of the Franco-Prussian War.

2 August 1914: German forces marched in and took control of Luxembourg as a preliminary to the invasion of Belgium and France, violating the 1867 Treaty of London. The German government issued a 12-hour ultimatum to neutral Belgium to allow German troops passage into France.

B-24 Liberators flying at low level as they pass through the target area during the Ploesti Raid on 1 August 1943. The B-24 bombers had taken off from Libya to strike the Romanian oil production facilities in an effort to curtail Axis petroleum, oil, and lubrication output.

1 August 1914: The British Admiralty issued orders for the full mobilisation of the Royal Navy's Home Fleets. This was followed by instructions to take up supply and hospital ships and colliers and oilers. The next day, orders would be sent out for the mobilisation of the Naval Reserve.

1 August 1914: Following Russia's full military mobilisation in support of its ally Serbia, Germany declared war on Russia, and the German Army commenced its mobilisation against Russia and its ally France. Neutral Switzerland also began to mobilise its army to secure its borders.

Men of a British Pioneer Battalion in light railway trucks and others moving towards the front line at Brielen on 31 July 1917 during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, the opening attack of the Third Battle of Ypres. 📸 Lieutenant John Warwick Brooke / IWM (Q 5712)

Soldiers of the 7th Battalion, The Green Howards, during an anti-invasion exercise among the dunes at Sandbanks, near Poole in Dorset, on 31 July 1940. Along with the 6th Battalion, they formed part of 69th Infantry Brigade. 📸 Edward Malindine / IWM (H 2669)

30 July 1914: Tsar Nicholas communicated with Kaiser Wilhelm to inform him that he had initiated a partial mobilisation against Austria-Hungary, while also urging him to strive for a peaceful resolution. Upon learning of Russia's partial mobilisation, Wilhelm responded: "Then I must mobilise too."

An Indian barber at work in the Indian Cavalry Camp, believed to be the 9th Hodson's Horse, near Querrieuon on 29 July 1916. Several small makeshift tents can be seen in the background. 📸 Lieutenant John Warwick Brooke / IWM (Q 4071)

29 July 1914: The British government ordered the "precautionary measures", arranged by the General Staff to meet an immediate prospect of war, to be put into effect. This included the recall of officers and men on leave and furlough and the manning of coastal defences.