0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:03 > 0:00:07- The First World War started - a hundred years ago, in 1914.
0:00:08 > 0:00:13- The war changed the lives of men, - women and children forever.
0:00:14 > 0:00:18- Children and young people - from all over Europe...
0:00:19 > 0:00:23- ..described their experiences - in diaries and letters.
0:00:23 > 0:00:28- These are the stories of - the Great War through their eyes.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34- One of them was a 14-year-old boy - from a village in northern France.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- His name was Thierry Gilbert.
0:00:37 > 0:00:40- We're at war with Germany.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44- We can take our revenge - and win back Alsace-Lorraine.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47- THE ATTACK
0:00:47 > 0:00:50- It's war! It's war!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- We're at war with Germany!
0:00:52 > 0:00:55- Shots were fired at the border!
0:01:00 > 0:01:01- It's war!
0:01:01 > 0:01:04- Impossible! You're staying here!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08- But Dad, Jean-Paul, - Raymond and Patrick are going.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11- They're only a year older than me!
0:01:11 > 0:01:14- They're only a year older than me!- - You have to be seventeen to enlist.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- You'll have to wait - another three years.
0:01:17 > 0:01:19- The war will be over by then!
0:01:19 > 0:01:21- Then wait for the next.
0:01:21 > 0:01:22- What if there isn't another?
0:01:22 > 0:01:24- What if there isn't another?- - Perfect.
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- You can complete your education.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33- Please.
0:01:35 > 0:01:38- Give me one good reason - why you should go to war?
0:01:38 > 0:01:41- To win back Alsace-Lorraine.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44- People will talk - about this for years.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47- What am I meant to say? - That I stayed at home?
0:01:47 > 0:01:51- Yes, and that's the reason - why you're still alive.
0:01:51 > 0:01:56- Everyone is going. What I meant - to say? That I stayed at home?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- In Sarajevo, on the 28th of June, - 1914...
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- ..the heir to the Austrian Empire - was murdered.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13- The killer was a Serbian student.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17- The Austria-Hungary Empire demanded - revenge and attacked Serbia.
0:02:19 > 0:02:23- Russia supported Serbia, but - Germany supported Austria-Hungary.
0:02:24 > 0:02:28- One by one, countries - sent armies into battle.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- This is how World War One began.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38- AUSTRIA-HUNGARY
0:02:38 > 0:02:40- RUSSIA
0:02:41 > 0:02:45- GERMANY
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- GREAT BRITAIN
0:02:48 > 0:02:50- TURKEY
0:02:50 > 0:02:53- AUSTRALIA
0:02:53 > 0:02:54- FRANCE
0:02:55 > 0:02:57- Young men were keen to fight.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59- They loved their countries...
0:02:59 > 0:03:03- ..and believed - nothing would happen to them.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08- Does the German Emperor - believe he can beat us?
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- He hasn't met the French yet!
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- Our love of France is strong. - You saw that on the streets today.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17- We never surrender. Never.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- Where are you going?
0:03:38 > 0:03:41- I thought we had an understanding?
0:03:41 > 0:03:44- How can I stay - when my friends have gone to war?
0:03:45 > 0:03:48- I want to be a part of it. - It's all I can think about.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52- Have you thought about your mother?
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- She'd break her heart - if anything happened to you.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01- Me, also.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06- My son, it's dangerous out there.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- That's why I want to go, Dad. - To see if I can cope.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16- You wouldn't want a coward as a son, - would you?
0:04:16 > 0:04:17- Wait!
0:04:19 > 0:04:22- I had to go. - I wanted to be a part of it.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26- Take this!
0:04:31 > 0:04:32- Papa.
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Don't worry, Dad. - We'll beat the Germans easily.
0:04:39 > 0:04:42- I wanted to see if I could cope.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49- I was sure - we'd easily beat the Germans.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- Not everyone could join the army...
0:04:53 > 0:04:57- ..only young men - between the ages of 17 and 30.
0:04:57 > 0:05:02- The minimum height - was five feet, two inches.
0:05:02 > 0:05:05- To many, - the war was a great adventure.
0:05:06 > 0:05:10- Whoever chose not to fight - was a coward.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- Thierry Gilbert wasn't alone.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35- Many tried to enlist even - though they were too young.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40- Despite being far too young, - they wanted to be heroes.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- They didn't understand - the meaning of war.
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- The youngest soldier - was only twelve.
0:05:47 > 0:05:52- No-one knows how many children - fought in World War One.
0:05:56 > 0:05:57- Good luck!
0:06:01 > 0:06:02- Next.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06- Name?
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Um... Francois, Francois Le Blanc.
0:06:18 > 0:06:19- Age?
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- Age?- - Seventeen.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23- Your real age?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27- Seventeen. - I come from a short family.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35- Let me see your passport, please.
0:06:37 > 0:06:39- It's in Belfort.
0:06:40 > 0:06:45- Can anyone confirm your age? - Do you have a family?
0:06:46 > 0:06:46- They're all in Belfort.
0:06:46 > 0:06:50- They're all in Belfort.- - Then I suggest you start there.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55- That's why I'm here. To get Belfort - back from the damned Germans!
0:06:59 > 0:07:01- Carry on.
0:07:01 > 0:07:02- Francois...
0:07:03 > 0:07:05- Le Blanc.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10- Good luck.
0:07:11 > 0:07:16- I did it. I was a step closer. - I was on my way to Alsace-Lorraine.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21- Alsace-Lorraine was on the border - between France and Germany.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- The two countries had fought for it - for years.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28- In 1871, - Germany conquered the territory.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Many Frenchmen thought - Alsace-Lorraine belonged to France.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- They wanted to get it back, - whatever the cost.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- Germany and France - prepared for a new war.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- Germany had more weapons.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48- They had cannons and more soldiers.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- The French believed they had - something far more important...
0:07:53 > 0:07:58- ..their fighting spirit, - the famous French "elan."
0:08:00 > 0:08:01- Next!
0:08:10 > 0:08:11- Shouldn't you be in school?
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- Shouldn't you be in school?- - Um, no.
0:08:14 > 0:08:15- Attach the bayonets! Aim!
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- Aren't you Thierry Gilbert - from Epernay?
0:08:20 > 0:08:22- No, I'm Francois Le Blanc.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- No, I'm Francois Le Blanc.- - Turn it!
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Hurry! It's your life, or his.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30- I know your father!
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Is there a problem?
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- I'm...
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- No, captain!
0:08:38 > 0:08:41- What are you waiting for? Attack!
0:08:45 > 0:08:48- The French attacked - in the same way...
0:08:48 > 0:08:51- ..as Napoleon - had done a century before.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55- Thousands of men - advanced towards the enemy...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- ..waving banners - and sounding trumpets.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- Attacking, but not defending.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06- The Germans prepared - for a new style of warfare.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12- Their grey field uniforms were - difficult to see on the battlefield.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- The French - thought this was cowardly.
0:09:18 > 0:09:23- Their blue coats and red caps - could be seen from afar...
0:09:23 > 0:09:27- ..like the shining helmets - and breastplates of the cavalry.
0:09:27 > 0:09:32- That's how the French intended - to win back Alsace-Lorraine.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36- They attacked - whenever they had the chance.
0:09:37 > 0:09:40- That's exactly - what the Germans expected.
0:09:41 > 0:09:46- Germany planned to conquer - France in a matter of weeks.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49- They called it The Schlieffen Plan.
0:09:49 > 0:09:54- The French would be lured as far - as possible into Alsace-Lorraine.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59- In the meantime, Germany - could march quietly through Belgium.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01- If they were fast enough...
0:10:02 > 0:10:06- ..they'd conquer Paris - before the French could respond.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09- Germany would have won the war.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16- It looked so pretty...
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- ..bright colours and - bayonets shining in the sun.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23- The Germans would be terrified - to see us approach.
0:10:24 > 0:10:30- I'll get a German helmet, an - Iron Cross, or an emperor's medal!
0:10:30 > 0:10:31- Can you see something?
0:10:31 > 0:10:32- Can you see something?- - No, unfortunately.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35- One of the helmets?
0:10:38 > 0:10:41- Nothing. Their uniforms - merge into the background.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- Maybe there's no-one there.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Shouldn't we seek them out?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49- We'll come across them.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- We may as well walk to Berlin!
0:10:52 > 0:10:54- Attach the bayonets!
0:10:54 > 0:10:55- Attach the bayonets!- - Stay close.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- WHISTLE
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- EXPLOSIONS AND GUNFIRE
0:11:17 > 0:11:21- I was ready to take - one of the emperor's medals.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23- Bayonets on!
0:11:23 > 0:11:24- Bayonets on!- - WHISTLE
0:11:38 > 0:11:40- Don't think, just run.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43- Advance. I have to advance.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47- The bullets - are flying all around me...
0:11:47 > 0:11:52- ..but I have to advance, through - the smoke and away from the gunfire.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56- Don't fall. If I fall, I've had it.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03- A body... don't think, just - jump over it. Stay with Marcel.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06- I'm safe with him.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- GUNFIRE
0:12:11 > 0:12:16- The men are falling, - four, five at a time. Go, just go!
0:12:20 > 0:12:23- EXPLOSIONS AND GUNFIRE
0:12:29 > 0:12:30- Marcel!
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Get up, Marcel! We have to advance!
0:12:40 > 0:12:42- Marcel!
0:12:43 > 0:12:45- Leave him there! Onwards!
0:12:50 > 0:12:52- Marcel! Marcel!
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- Marcel was dead.
0:13:16 > 0:13:17- Advance!
0:14:00 > 0:14:05- The French appetite for war - disappeared overnight.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- They had lost Alsace-Lorraine.
0:14:15 > 0:14:20- But worse still, - France itself was in danger by now.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- How could I have been so stupid?
0:14:36 > 0:14:38- Why was I so keen to go to war?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41- For my country? For a medal?
0:14:41 > 0:14:42- Your mother?
0:14:42 > 0:14:43- Your mother?- - It's war!
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- If anything happened to you, - she'd die of a broken heart.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- We're at war with Germany.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52- You're risking your life, son.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Aren't you Thierry Gilbert - from Epernay?
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- They're firing at targets!
0:14:58 > 0:15:01- Stay close.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06- What will we gain from this war?
0:15:06 > 0:15:08- War isn't about bravery.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- It's all potluck.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16- The German plan - seemed to be succeeding.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- Most of the French - army was destroyed.
0:15:19 > 0:15:21- The soldiers were retreating.
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- This was also true - of the Belgian and British armies.
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- German pressure mounted.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36- The Allies had to retreat - further and further back.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- It seemed nothing could stop - the German army.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44- The road to Paris was clear.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59- GUNSHOT
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Oh, no. A German.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- There are Germans nearby.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20- I can still escape. - No-one knows who I am.
0:16:26 > 0:16:28- Francois Le Blanc.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30- You have betrayed France.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33- You will face a firing squad.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45- Punishments meted out by the French - army became increasingly harsher.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48- No mercy was shown - in the face of weakness.
0:16:48 > 0:16:53- The war wasn't going according - to the French plan.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58- They would do anything - to stop Germany.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- In no time at all, - a new army was formed.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- Buses, cars and even taxis...
0:17:06 > 0:17:09- ..were used to take soldiers - to the front.
0:17:12 > 0:17:15- France's future was at stake.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- Every man had to fight. - There was no place for cowards.
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- GUNSHOTS
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- DOOR OPENS
0:17:37 > 0:17:38- I thought you might be hungry.
0:17:38 > 0:17:39- I thought you might be hungry.- - Thanks.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Please forgive us.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- You won't feel a thing tomorrow.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- We'll aim with precision.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- I promise.
0:18:06 > 0:18:10- And there's no need - for your parents to know.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- We'll tell them - you died a brave soldier.
0:18:17 > 0:18:19- Is that alright?
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- Le Blanc of Belfort?
0:18:22 > 0:18:25- Hey, don't cry. Is that alright?
0:18:40 > 0:18:42- I couldn't believe it.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47- They really intended to shoot me.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50- Why? Why all of this?
0:18:54 > 0:18:58- In World War One, soldiers - could face the death penalty...
0:18:58 > 0:19:02- ..if they tried to escape - or if they didn't follow an order.
0:19:02 > 0:19:06- This happened even - if the soldier wasn't a coward...
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- ..but in shock - because of the horrors of war.
0:19:10 > 0:19:14- Very often, the soldiers - didn't get a fair hearing.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17- In the first months of the war...
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- ..more than - 400 French soldiers were executed.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39- You have been found guilty of - cowardice in the face of the enemy.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41- You have been sentenced to death.
0:19:41 > 0:19:42- You have been sentenced to death.- - But captain!
0:19:43 > 0:19:46- Proceed with the execution. Aim!
0:19:46 > 0:19:52- I lied. My name is Thierry Gilbert - and I'm only fourteen years old!
0:19:52 > 0:19:56- That's far too young. - He shouldn't even be here.
0:19:57 > 0:20:02- He wanted to be a soldier. - He shall be treated as one. Aim!
0:20:04 > 0:20:07- Why shoot him? - Will that help us win the war?
0:20:21 > 0:20:25- The French learnt - from their mistakes.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- Despite heavy losses, - they fought back fanatically.
0:20:31 > 0:20:36- They stopped the German advance - not far from Paris.
0:20:38 > 0:20:42- The capital city was safe. - The Schlieffen Plan had failed.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51- Let's go, boys. - Let's beat those Germans.
0:20:52 > 0:20:57- We'll pretend 'Francois Le Blanc' - was shot. No-one will know.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02- And you, Thierry Gilbert, - can go home.
0:21:03 > 0:21:04- For you, the war is over.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- And you, Thierry Gilbert, - can go home.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23- For you, the war is over.
0:21:23 > 0:21:25- But the war continued.
0:21:59 > 0:22:01- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:22:02 > 0:22:02- .