Opening scene shows a man being roughed up by a group of men in an alleyway. A slate comments (in French) that when nations are bellicose, an assassination can cause a world war. Next, a slate shows picture of the world and states (in English) "One murder may start a world war." Another slate (in French) states that In 1914, while Europe's armies and fleets were more powerful than they had ever been, the nephew of the Emperor of Austria (Archduke Ferdinand) was assassinated. A front page is shown of newspaper, "Journal De Geneve" carrying the story. Next scene is a view of the city of Sarajevo. The ancient Emperor's Mosque dominates the scene. A slate appears asking Where is Sarajevo? It is followed by a map of Europe in 1914, which zooms in on Austria and Serbia and identifies and labels Sarajevo,in Austria, close to the Serbian border. Slates (in French) says Austria accused Serbia of War and other nations enter the melee. Animated World map shows the nations getting involved, starting with the German Empire in 1914, including its African colonies, and then successively showing Russia, France, Belgium,Great Britain, Japan, and the Ottoman Empire. Map advances to 1915, showing the Italian empire, Bulgaria,and Central Arabia. In 1916 it adds Portugal, Roumania. Next, the U.S.A. is added in, 1917, along with Central and South America, Greece, Siam, and China. Finally, the slate shows the war ending in 1918. Slate shows Armistice Day, the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th Month (November), with time shown on hands of Big Ben in London.
Prince of Bulgaria Ferdinand I in Bulgaria during World War I. Ferdinand I with wife Eleonore Caroline Gasparine Louise arrives to review a parade. They review the parade. Troops march
Slate states that Bulgaria's Black sea port of Varna is being shelled by Russian Battleships. However this is not noticeable in these scenes. Boats are tied up at the docks and men go about their activities, with no clear evidence of Russian battleships or shelling. There is a brief aerial view of a ship, next to a breakwater where a lighthouse stands. Smoke is rising from her stack. (World War 1; WWI; WW1)
German Kaiser Wilhelm II and Tsar Ferdinand I of Bulgaria walking with uniformed military staff officers behind them in World War 1.
The Macedonian front during World War I. Street scene with merchant stalls that shows various nationalities, including Turks, and soldiers of Bulgaria and Austria-Hungary in Scopje, Macedonia during World war 1. Row of shops displaying wares, including butcher shop. Scene shifts to what slate describes as a new neighborhood district. Seen is the old stone bridge (Kameni Most) over the Vardar River in the city center, where local people are seen in everyday pursuits, moving wagons and carrying bundles on the street and over the bridge. Soldiers cluster around a striped booth at the foot of the bridge. Another scene shows troops entering a camp area along a river. Some are digging trenches. Smoke rises from camp fires. Wagons of military supplies being pulled by horses and oxen and gathering at a railroad siding (box cars in background). A staff car drives into the area, displaying a German flag on its hood and the German Eagle crest on its door. It skids about momentarily in the mud. Supplies being loaded into the railroad box cars under supervision of German officers. Troops marching into an encampment, where others are being served food from a German field kitchen. Rifles are stacked in a large mound. Soldiers line up and appear to be receiving their pay at a paymaster window in a building. Troops in full field gear march, in a loose column, out of the encampment. German infantry in pointed helmets (Pickelhauben) marching, out of camp, through mud toward the front lines.