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 > 0:00:27- These are the stories of - the Great War through their eyes.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32- One of them was Alison Brook, - an eleven-year-old girl...
0:00:32 > 0:00:35- ..from a village near Edinburgh - in Scotland.
0:00:39 > 0:00:44- If the German Emperor knew how - badly the Scots wanted to fight...
0:00:44 > 0:00:47- ..he wouldn't even think about - starting a war.
0:00:50 > 0:00:51- Attack! Attack!
0:00:52 > 0:00:53- SHOUTS
0:00:56 > 0:00:59- We chased away the German soldiers.
0:00:59 > 0:01:05- Or to tell the truth, we have been - on the lookout for them all summer.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09- Everyone's a soldier, even Violet!
0:01:09 > 0:01:15- My father, Oliver and Harold's - fathers will all be leaving soon.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17- CHEERS
0:01:18 > 0:01:21- Major Alison. - I've conquered the enemy!
0:01:21 > 0:01:24- Well done, Sergeant Harold!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27- No, I conquered the enemy!
0:01:27 > 0:01:28- And me.
0:01:28 > 0:01:31- And me.- - That's impossible! You're a girl!
0:01:31 > 0:01:35- Girls can fight, too. - Can't they Major Alison?
0:01:36 > 0:01:37- Here he is again.
0:01:37 > 0:01:42- Everyone wants to die for - his country, except Luke MacMillan.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47- # Cowardly, cowardly custard! - He eats his mother's mustard! #
0:01:47 > 0:01:52- I would become a soldier to fight - for Scotland if it was allowed.
0:01:53 > 0:01:58- Luke MacMillan cycles round - happily as if nothing is going on.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03- Who threw the stick?
0:02:04 > 0:02:09- You're frightened of the Germans, - but not little children! Coward!
0:02:09 > 0:02:10- Here you are!
0:02:11 > 0:02:14- I gave him a white feather.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19- It's a symbol of cowardice - that all army dodgers dread.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25- A white feather! - She gave him a white feather!
0:02:30 > 0:02:35- His face dropped. He looked - as if he'd break down in tears!
0:02:39 > 0:02:44- Britain had not been invaded - for many centuries.
0:02:44 > 0:02:49- Britain, surrounded by sea, - had warships to defend her.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52- A small army - of professional soldiers...
0:02:52 > 0:02:55- ..was enough to defend the country.
0:02:55 > 0:03:00- As a result, there was no - compulsory military service.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04- But if Britain wanted - to win the war against Germany...
0:03:04 > 0:03:07- ..many soldiers would be needed.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10- To make war more attractive...
0:03:10 > 0:03:15- ..the government promised - that friends could stay together.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21- They succeeded. Factory - workers enlisted the same time.
0:03:22 > 0:03:27- Complete football teams, and their - supporters, enlisted in the army.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32- Almost three million men - joined the pals battalions.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35- They enlisted - in local recruitment drives...
0:03:36 > 0:03:41- ..with the promise they'd serve - alongside friends and neighbours.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43- BELLS
0:04:02 > 0:04:05- Don't worry Mr Ross. - My father will protect you.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- My father can look after himself!
0:04:11 > 0:04:14- He can take on - the Germans single-handedly!
0:04:15 > 0:04:17- Yes! I'll do that.
0:04:17 > 0:04:21- I wish I could come to free Belgium - and catch the Emperor!
0:04:23 > 0:04:27- It's not fair - that we have to stay at home!
0:04:27 > 0:04:30- We're missing the adventure!
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- Alison! Look over there!
0:04:37 > 0:04:41- Luke MacMillan finally enlisted - because of me!
0:04:42 > 0:04:44- I gave him the white feather!
0:04:45 > 0:04:47- Suddenly I glowed with pride.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50- I couldn't go to the front...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53- ..to experience the danger...
0:04:53 > 0:04:56- ..and excitement of a real war.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59- But I had made a contribution.
0:05:02 > 0:05:07- But the war was coming closer than - Alison could ever have imagined.
0:05:09 > 0:05:13- For many years, Germans had - developed zeppelin airships.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17- The North Sea - was no longer an obstacle.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21- The airships - were filled with hydrogen.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24- They could reach - 3,000 to 4,000 metres.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28- They were out of reach - of British planes and guns.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35- The zeppelins flew over, - then the engines were switched off.
0:05:35 > 0:05:40- They hovered silently, unnoticed, - in the skies above Britain.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- What's happening?
0:06:10 > 0:06:13- The Germans are attacking us!
0:06:13 > 0:06:16- Don't be silly! That's impossible!
0:06:18 > 0:06:20- A fine major I am!
0:06:20 > 0:06:25- Panicking for nothing, while I - should be an example to everyone!
0:06:26 > 0:06:32- From 1915 on, London and cities - on Britain's eastern coast...
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- ..were bombed by zeppelins.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40- Even Edinburgh was bombed. A school - and several houses were destroyed.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43- Men and children were killed.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- The British no longer - felt safe on their island.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53- The Germans thought that if - the British were living in fear...
0:06:53 > 0:06:55- ..they'd surrender.
0:06:56 > 0:06:58- But that was not to be.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- The British government put - posters up all over the country...
0:07:04 > 0:07:08- ..portraying the Germans - as monsters and child-killers.
0:07:08 > 0:07:13- Propaganda strengthened - the people's will to fight.
0:07:13 > 0:07:19- It's no coincidence that children - are being killed. That is their aim.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21- Do you really think so?
0:07:21 > 0:07:26- That's why Germans - are called "baby killers".
0:07:26 > 0:07:28- My father will sort them out.
0:07:29 > 0:07:33- Mam says they throw - poisoned sweets on the ground.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- That's why we shouldn't - eat sweets off the street!
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- "164 babies killed in a month".
0:07:42 > 0:07:43- I told you!
0:07:44 > 0:07:48- They did that in Belgium. - They chopped children's hands off.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Oh, no!
0:08:00 > 0:08:02- Are you alright, madam?
0:08:03 > 0:08:05- I will be fine...
0:08:06 > 0:08:08- ..thanks to you!
0:08:10 > 0:08:14- Madam, do you have anyone - to look after you?
0:08:14 > 0:08:17- Yes, my grandson, Luke...
0:08:17 > 0:08:20- ..but he left for France last week.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27- Yes, my grandson, Luke.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- He left last week.
0:08:33 > 0:08:38- Luke didn't want to go to war - because his grandma was blind.
0:08:42 > 0:08:47- The propaganda spread - so much hatred towards Germany...
0:08:47 > 0:08:50- ..that Germans living in Britain...
0:08:50 > 0:08:54- ..suffered brutal attacks.
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- Homes and shops - were burned and looted.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00- Many of them - didn't feel like Germans.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03- Their sons joined the British army.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07- But despite that, - many were imprisoned.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18- They could come again.
0:09:18 > 0:09:20- Who?
0:09:20 > 0:09:25- The Germans in their balloons, - to chop children's hands off.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27- Don't worry. Come here.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35- Especially girls, says Oliver.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38- He's talking nonsense.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- What if the Germans win?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43- Major Alison will protect you.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Searchlights lit up the night.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56- German zeppelins - were still coming.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- When a zeppelin was spotted...
0:10:00 > 0:10:05- ..police and officers - used trumpets to warn the public.
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- All the lights were switched off - and entire streets darkened.
0:10:16 > 0:10:21- But it didn't work. - Nothing could stop the zeppelins.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- What could they do?
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- Postcards and letters...
0:10:29 > 0:10:34- ..were the only way for families - and friends to remain in contact.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- "Dear Dad. I miss you terribly.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- "I hope you'll return safely!
0:10:42 > 0:10:46- "I look forward to your next letter. - All my love, Harold."
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- There she is!
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- Thanks to compulsory education, many - people knew how to read and write.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06- The soldiers and their relatives - could keep in touch.
0:11:09 > 0:11:13- In Britain, millions of letters - were mailed every day.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- They reached their destination - by the following afternoon.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Wait, please!
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Is there a letter - from Stephen Brook?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31- And from my father, Benjamin Ross?
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- Only one. For Glengarry.
0:11:35 > 0:11:36- Here! Here! For me!
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- Here's another one for my father.
0:11:44 > 0:11:48- Hey, wait a minute. - What about his letters?
0:11:48 > 0:11:51- I'm sorry. - I have only one more letter.
0:11:53 > 0:11:54- Look.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- It's for Mrs MacMillan.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00- I know her! I'll take it to her.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05- Dad promised to write every day.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20- Come in, Alison. - You're always there when I need you.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23- Sit, sit!
0:12:24 > 0:12:26- I'll make some tea.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31- I had a card from Luke last week.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35- Can you read it for me?
0:12:35 > 0:12:38- Of course, Mrs MacMillan.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- I think he's near Amiens. - There's a picture of the cathedral.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53- He will love - all those old buildings.
0:12:55 > 0:13:00- After the war, he wants to go - to college to study architecture.
0:13:01 > 0:13:07- "Dear Gran, I prayed for you today - in a lovely cathedral.
0:13:08 > 0:13:12- "For a moment, - I imagined you were next to me.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18- "It's hell about 20 miles away, - but it's so quiet and peaceful here.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22- "It really is paradise on earth. - Your grandson."
0:13:23 > 0:13:27- Yes, architecture. - That's what he wants to do.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30- Did this come today?
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- What news does he have?
0:13:37 > 0:13:42- "We deeply regret to inform you - that Private Luke MacMillan...
0:13:43 > 0:13:48- "..of The Royal Scots Lothian - Regiment was killed in action."
0:13:48 > 0:13:50- Alison?
0:13:51 > 0:13:55- He misses you. He misses Scotland.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- "Only now, so far from home...
0:13:59 > 0:14:03- "..do I realize - how beautiful Edinburgh is."
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- Dead! Luke is dead.
0:14:06 > 0:14:08- Edinburgh?
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- He will never come home again.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15- And it was all my fault.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22- I can still see him - hunched over bicycle.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- With that pale face...
0:14:24 > 0:14:29- ..that almost burst out crying - when I gave him the white feather.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- Oh, no! What have I done?
0:14:38 > 0:14:40- After a soldier died...
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- ..his family received a - "death penny" to remember him by.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48- On occasion, - they received a medal for bravery.
0:14:49 > 0:14:54- It was meant to make them feel - the soldier's death was not in vain.
0:14:55 > 0:15:00- Slowly, it became clear - how bad the war actually was.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- British papers - only referred to German losses.
0:15:04 > 0:15:09- They never mentioned how harsh - it was for the British soldiers.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14- The British army is only ever - successful. How is that possible?
0:15:14 > 0:15:18- The government feared - the people would lose hope...
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- ..and would not want to fight.
0:15:20 > 0:15:25- Why will Oliver's father - never return again?
0:15:25 > 0:15:28- The newspaper only has good news.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Most of the soldiers - I know are dead.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36- I've found it!
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- How many Germans has he shot?
0:15:39 > 0:15:43- Was he brave? Did he get a medal?
0:15:44 > 0:15:47- All it says is, "Benjamin Ross...
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- "..dead."
0:16:02 > 0:16:06- To ensure - the public's continued support...
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- ..publishing bad news was banned.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- Certain soldiers...
0:16:12 > 0:16:14- ..known as censors...
0:16:15 > 0:16:18- ..removed any bad news - from the soldiers' letters.
0:16:19 > 0:16:23- They used black ink and scissors - to delete information...
0:16:24 > 0:16:29- ..that could help the enemy - or frighten people back home.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- The British public were not told...
0:16:32 > 0:16:36- ..of the horrors suffered - by soldiers on the front.
0:16:38 > 0:16:42- "Dear Gran, yesterday we caught - three Germans in the forest.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46- "They surrendered straightaway."
0:16:47 > 0:16:48- Thank goodness.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50- I wrote the letter, of course.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55- I used the adventures - that I had supposedly experienced...
0:16:55 > 0:16:57- ..as Major Alison.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- I couldn't tell her the truth, - because Luke was her only family.
0:17:03 > 0:17:05- The grief would be too much for her.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06- The grief would be too much for her.- - Ssh!
0:17:08 > 0:17:11- What's going on outside?
0:17:12 > 0:17:16- It felt as if the zeppelins - would be around forever.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20- But the British learnt - to defend themselves.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24- Hundreds of lookout posts - were built.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27- The zeppelins - could be detected earlier.
0:17:28 > 0:17:33- British aeroplanes could fly out - sooner to attack the airships.
0:17:33 > 0:17:37- They had a new weapon, - incendiary ammunition.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- A battle in the sky above the sea!
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- Our aeroplanes are attacking - the German zeppelin!
0:17:45 > 0:17:47- They dive on it like mosquitoes...
0:17:47 > 0:17:50- ..but the bullets - are having no effect!
0:17:50 > 0:17:51- And the zeppelin?
0:17:51 > 0:17:54- And the zeppelin?- - It's climbing and trying to escape!
0:17:57 > 0:18:01- It's almost... oh, no!
0:18:01 > 0:18:03- What's going on?
0:18:03 > 0:18:09- There's a red dawn. The zeppelin - is on fire! The frame is lit up!
0:18:09 > 0:18:11- I can see the flames!
0:18:12 > 0:18:15- Oh, no! One huge fireball!
0:18:15 > 0:18:20- It's spinning like a wounded animal, - and it's beginning to fall.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- It's going faster and faster.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28- And the crew?
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- What do you mean?
0:18:33 > 0:18:38- There are between - twenty and thirty people on board!
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Oh, no!
0:18:45 > 0:18:49- Everyone was happy - and I felt so stupid.
0:18:50 > 0:18:52- All I could think about...
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- ..were the Germans high - in the sky without parachutes.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00- They had to jump - or be burned alive.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02- What a horrible choice.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- What would their final thoughts be?
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- The German airships - were not indestructible.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20- They were shot down, one by one, - by the British.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23- Fewer bombings were carried out.
0:19:24 > 0:19:29- By 1918, zeppelins disappeared - from British skies altogether.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- We're gathered here - to say farewell to Major Alison...
0:19:38 > 0:19:44- ..who was killed defending - our banner against the Turks.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49- Two boxes and a sheet, - that's what we were crying about.
0:19:49 > 0:19:53- I didn't feel like playing - Major Alison any more.
0:19:54 > 0:19:55- I'd had enough.
0:19:56 > 0:20:00- I wanted to have this funeral, - and then it was over.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03- Rest in peace, brave major.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05- You deserve it.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10- Why does she have to die? - What if she had survived?
0:20:10 > 0:20:13- Could she come back to life?
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- No, there was no time to escape.
0:20:17 > 0:20:19- But I don't want her to die!
0:20:19 > 0:20:23- We will all miss her.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26- But she is no longer here.
0:20:28 > 0:20:31- We not only buried Major Alison...
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- ..but also Harold's father, - Oliver's father...
0:20:36 > 0:20:39- ..and the Germans from the zeppelin.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44- The British pals battalions...
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- ..suffered great losses - on the front.
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- Many of the soldiers died - next to friends and neighbours.
0:20:52 > 0:20:56- Whole neighbourhoods - were in mourning.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00- Every family in Britain - lost someone.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12- The loss of a child - is the worst thing imaginable.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- You can't compensate for that - with a medal.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20- You can only be honest.
0:21:34 > 0:21:36- There have been enough lies.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:22:13 > 0:22:13- .