Our city was also not spared by the Great War (1914-1918).
"The Sarajevo shotsmarked everyone and hit the residents like a bolt from the blue. When news arrived of the murder of the crown couple - that was it
one wonderful Sunday afternoon- all celebrations and entertainment were immediately interrupted. There was an earthly sorrow. Everyone fell into the deepest despondency. Over time, public opinion calmed down. In the following weeks, the Viennese government did not take any special steps.
When news arrived here of the presentation of an ultimatum in Belgrade by the Austrian envoy, Mr. Gisel von Gieslingen.
There was no doubt that the next few hours would decide war or peace. In the afternoon of June 25, telegrams and leaflets were still spreading the news that Serbia would probably comply with the Austrian ultimatum. It wasn't true.
At six o'clock in the evening, the ultimatum expired and even Prime Minister Pašič's answer did not satisfy Austria.
An hour later, the Austrian envoy left Serbia, and the next morning large yellow posters were plastered everywhere. War.
A partial mobilization of the army was ordered. Policemen accompanied by drummers called for mobilization everywhere. However, it was not needed.
Word of it spread like lightning! Groups of people were forming everywhere.
St. Anne's Day 1914 will never be forgotten by those who consciously experienced it. Already in the afternoon, reservists with their suitcases could be seen around the village, hurrying to the stops to go to their units.
The main part of the conscripts set out the following morning. 24 hours have passed since the mobilization was announced.
Many prisoners were accompanied by women with children, parents and siblings. Many found saying goodbye difficult, but generally few thought of anything bad.
"We'll be home again in a few weeks!" No one thought about hardship. ... In the end, 317 conscripts did not return home from the war. In two cases, a father and son fell,
in three cases three brothers and in eight cases two brothers. Four returnees were awarded gold medals for bravery but the number of silver and bronze medals for bravery is unknown." Source of all information: J.Wagner, Erinnerungen an Georgswalde, volume 1; translation © Mgr. Vladimír Matička The fallen sons of the village are commemorated by some of their photos located in the museum.
Great war and Georgswalde
