Refugee's Of The First World War

The term refugee has been one of the most talked about subject of recent months as Europe struggles with the huge influx trying to get into Europe over the last couple years. However this is not the first time that Europe has had this struggle, especially in Britain.

At the outbreak of the first world war, millions of civilians from all over what we now know as Europe found themselves either fleeing or being forced to leave their homeland by force as a consequence of the hostilities. When Russia invaded East Prussia in 1914, over one million Germans had to flee. This had a knock on effect as when Germany then occupied the like of Belgium, Northern France, Poland and Lithuania, people that called these countries there home also felt the need to flee, after hearing reports and witnessing for themselves the brutality of German soldiers.  When another country invades your homeland, the invaders expect you to automatically welcome them and fit into their beliefs and ideas. However throughout history, we have come to realise that this is never going to happy. At the start of the war, those countries Germany had invaded were very much divided but all fighting for survival. Neighbours and friends all to often became enemies. You had those who either wanted to be a part of the German ideals or were just too afraid to stand up and speak against them. You also had those that spoke against the German regime and the consequences could be fatal. Shortly after the Germans had entered Belgium without permission, stories filtering back to Britain told of German troops shooting innocent civilians including a tiny baby. This understandably caused widespread fear and panic enough for people to want to leave what had been their homes for generations. 
The refugee's travelled to France, The Netherlands and England in a bid to escape the enemy where charities were set up to give aid to them and find them places to live and work. Even back then, the refugee's were closely monitored to make sure they were behaving and that none were the enemy in disguise. Local people in Britain offered a room to the refugee's and helped find them employment. However as the war progressed, some refugee's demanded better care and treatment which caused bad feeling between them and the British. The British thought the refugee's were being ungrateful and that they had no intention of going back home after the war had ended. After all, this was only a temporary situation for the duration, it wasn't meant to last forever. 

By the time the war ended, most of the refugee's had decided to either go back home or emigrate to places like America. The was still some that did not want to return to Belgium, so both the Belgium and British governments pleaded with the refugee's to return home and even offered free passage home to them. By 1920 a staggering 90% had returned home. However, it was a very different home they had gone back to and one that would take a lot of time and money to get it back into a liveable country. 

Life AT War - Day by Day

31st August 1914

General Von Kluck has decided not to attack Paris, German troops have reconquered Soldau/Neidenburg in East Prussia, Germany has defeated Russia at Tannenberg - the battle is over.

Life AT War - Day by Day

27th August 1914

Today is the second day of the Battle of Tannenberg, Germany has bombed Usdau, the US war reporter Richard H Davis is visiting Leuven.


The Battle of Tannenberg was fought between Russian and German troops and would last four days in total.
At the outbreak of the war, the Russian Empire had invaded East Prussia which included Usdau. The German troops were able to regain Usdau on the 27th August 1914.

Life At War - Day by Day

22nd August 1914

The British and German troops have had their first encounter with each other in Belgium. The Battle of Charleroi begins led by General Von Bulows. The Battle of Ardennen continues. General Martos' troops have occupied Soldau/ Neidenburg in East Prussia. German troops have executed 384 inhabitants of Tamines in Belgium as their occupation continues. Von Ludendorff & Von Hindenburg have moved into East Prussia on their way to Russia