Hello, and thank you for listening to the history of World War II podcast, episode 93.

War is upon us.

On June 28, 1914, the chauffeur for Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife,

Sofia, was taking the royal couple through the Bosnian capital of Sarajevo, but he soon

became lost and took a wrong turn.

Realizing his mistake, the driver stopped to get his bearings.

Unfortunately, for the couple in the back and for the world, the car was now right in front

of a Serbian fanatic carrying a pistol.

He had been afraid he wouldn't be able to get into range of his targets, but now the couple

was within feet of him.

Within seconds, the Archduke and his wife were dead.

Not unexpectedly, the Austro-Hungarian Empire howled for vengeance and satisfaction.

The two are not mutually exclusive.

As for Britain, it seemed she was destined, like many others, to be nothing more than

an observer.

The Empire had no interest in Austria-Hungary.

In fact, the closest thing to a commitment Britain had on the continent was to Belgium,

and even that was rather vague.

Personally, Churchill did not think much of the Belgians.

Their actions in the Congo had settled his opinion for him.

Besides, as the First Lord had lunched with Kitchener, who was on leave from Egypt, they

both believed there was an understanding between Germany and the Belgians that would allow

...