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.
0:00:29 > 0:00:34- One of them was a 12-year-old - American, Jessica Davenfort...
0:00:34 > 0:00:36- ..who was in the port of Rotterdam.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39- We'd been on a tour of Europe...
0:00:39 > 0:00:43- ..when all countries closed - their borders because of war.
0:00:43 > 0:00:47- This was our last chance - to come back to America.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- Please take us home safely.
0:00:54 > 0:00:55- Go!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58- THE JOURNEY
0:01:01 > 0:01:05- Jessica! - Or would you rather stay in Europe?
0:01:06 > 0:01:08- No! Wait for me.
0:01:11 > 0:01:12- Hurry, mummy.
0:01:14 > 0:01:17- Can't we wait for a passenger boat?
0:01:17 > 0:01:20- They don't sail anymore.
0:01:20 > 0:01:24- Be grateful - the captain will take us.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26- It doesn't feel right.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29- We'll be home in no time. Hurry!
0:01:37 > 0:01:40- For centuries, - ships like the Dutch Passat...
0:01:40 > 0:01:44- ..were the only link - between Europe and overseas.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48- These ships brought - coal and wheat...
0:01:49 > 0:01:51- ..to Great Britain and Germany.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56- If a warring country prevented - ships from reaching enemy ports...
0:01:56 > 0:02:01- ..the people of that country - suffered from cold and starvation.
0:02:01 > 0:02:07- That's how it was possible - to force the enemy to surrender.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13- Britain and Germany fought for - control of the sea during the war.
0:02:14 > 0:02:19- Crossing the North Sea - became increasingly dangerous.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23- We came to Europe on the Olympic.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- The huge ship - had a restaurant, a library...
0:02:27 > 0:02:29- ..and a swimming pool on its deck.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- The Passat was a poor substitute.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37- I wasn't worried, - so long as we arrived home.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40- I'm worried.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42- I'm worried.- - Everything will be fine.
0:02:43 > 0:02:44- I hope so.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48- So many things could go wrong.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49- They're closed, captain.
0:02:49 > 0:02:51- They're closed, captain.- - Secure the portholes.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57- Keep these with you at all times.
0:02:58 > 0:02:59- Alright.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03- Unfortunately, - they don't have your colour.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- Everything will be alright, love.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09- Whatever happens, - don't jump in the sea.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12- You won't last more - than five minutes.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18- That's just a forewarning, - isn't it, captain?
0:03:19 > 0:03:20- Mmm.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25- What's that noise? Do you hear it?
0:03:25 > 0:03:28- Perhaps it's the war in France.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33- No, that's in the south, love.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37- It's on the sea.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44- The German and British navies - fought fierce battles...
0:03:44 > 0:03:46- ..in the North Sea.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54- Britain remained in control at sea.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58- They stopped all ships - bound for Germany.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- To do this, - they used ships and explosives.
0:04:05 > 0:04:09- The underwater mines - were invisible from the surface.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13- They exploded - when they made contact with a ship.
0:04:14 > 0:04:19- More than a quarter of a million - mines were thrown in the sea...
0:04:19 > 0:04:21- ..forming huge minefields.
0:04:21 > 0:04:26- This was potentially lethal - to any ship.
0:04:39 > 0:04:43- # A sailor went to sea, sea, sea - to see what he could see, see, see
0:04:44 > 0:04:49- # But all that he could see, - see, see, was the bottom of the...
0:04:52 > 0:04:53- # ..sea #
0:04:55 > 0:04:56- Please.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07- Who are you? - Why are you hiding?
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- I'm hungry.
0:05:15 > 0:05:21- Why on earth was he hiding - on board the ship? Who was he?
0:05:21 > 0:05:26- He was older than me, - but I reckon I scared him.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28- SHIP FOGHORN
0:05:52 > 0:05:55- Hunger was a powerful weapon.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58- Germany attacked merchant ships...
0:05:58 > 0:06:02- ..to prevent supplies - from reaching the people.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- They didn't use big warships...
0:06:05 > 0:06:10- ..but small submarines - that could approach the ships...
0:06:11 > 0:06:13- ..unnoticed by the enemy.
0:06:13 > 0:06:18- The German name - for these submarines was U-boat.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23- Hundreds were built, - fifty metres of windowless steel.
0:06:24 > 0:06:29- They were armed with six torpedoes - and a huge cannon to target ships.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33- They had no right - to attack every ship.
0:06:34 > 0:06:39- The countries signed - a naval warfare agreement.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- Only enemy supply ships - could be attacked.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47- Ships belonging - to neutral countries...
0:06:48 > 0:06:50- ..like the Dutch Passat...
0:06:50 > 0:06:54- ..were inspected for arms or fuel...
0:06:55 > 0:06:58- ..or people from enemy countries.
0:06:58 > 0:07:02- Submarine officers - boarded to inspect them.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- The German name for this was...
0:07:05 > 0:07:07- Ship inspection!
0:07:09 > 0:07:12- This is a Dutch ship. - We're not involved in the war.
0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Don't say anything.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18- Who are they?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20- Who are they?- - American passengers.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23- Turn round. Don't be afraid.
0:07:27 > 0:07:30- American passengers - on a Dutch cargo ship?
0:07:30 > 0:07:32- Yes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36- We are not involved in the war.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45- You really are Americans?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- You sound British.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- No, no. We speak differently. - They say potato, we say potahto.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04- We just want to go home.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- The potahto wants to go home?
0:08:11 > 0:08:14- And you?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16- Come here.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21- Oh, no. Please, honestly...
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- What about you?
0:08:24 > 0:08:26- Do you want to go home too?
0:08:27 > 0:08:28- Back to your friends?
0:08:33 > 0:08:35- Back to your friends?
0:08:37 > 0:08:39- Dad! What should I say?
0:08:44 > 0:08:46- Where do you live? In London?
0:08:47 > 0:08:48- No.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- Edinburgh?
0:08:53 > 0:08:56- Look at me when I'm speaking to you!
0:08:59 > 0:09:01- Are you lying to me?
0:09:02 > 0:09:04- I'm not lying, I swear.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09- Have you ever been to England?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13- No. That's not what I said.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- A-ha. So you have been in England?
0:09:19 > 0:09:21- Yes.
0:09:21 > 0:09:24- I visited my grandparents.
0:09:27 > 0:09:28- Well, well.
0:09:28 > 0:09:32- My parents are British, - but we're Americans.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33- Prepare to attack!
0:09:33 > 0:09:35- Prepare to attack!- - Did I say something wrong?
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Life jackets! Clear the lifeboats!
0:09:40 > 0:09:44- I didn't know. - They said they were Americans.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48- Are they going to drown us?
0:09:54 > 0:09:59- Only when all the passengers - were safe in lifeboats...
0:09:59 > 0:10:02- ..could merchant ships be attacked.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05- That was the rule.
0:10:06 > 0:10:11- German submarines used the cannon - on the deck to shoot enemy ships.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15- But when the submarine - came under fire...
0:10:16 > 0:10:20- ..it dived underwater, and - destroyed the ship with a torpedo.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28- EXPLOSIONS
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- More than 5,000 ships - were sunk by U-boat attacks.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40- It was like a miracle.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45- The Germans didn't shoot us. - The U-boat disappeared.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50- Maybe the captain persuaded the - German officer to spare the ship.
0:10:50 > 0:10:55- I still can't believe they didn't - shoot us. They just sailed away.
0:10:57 > 0:11:00- Maybe they felt sorry for us.
0:11:00 > 0:11:04- Or they thought - it would be a waste of a torpedo!
0:11:05 > 0:11:06- We're safe.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08- We're safe.- - No thanks to you, Dad.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10- What do you mean?
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- I'm disappointed in you.
0:11:13 > 0:11:18- You should have stepped in when - that horrible man was nasty to me.
0:11:18 > 0:11:20- Have you lost your mind?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- Have you lost your mind?- - Your father did all he could.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- It could have turned nasty.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26- We're Americans.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31- As if that mattered. The Germans - have lost their self-respect.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35- But we haven't, have we?
0:11:36 > 0:11:41- Americans always help the weak, - that's what you said.
0:11:42 > 0:11:45- Yes, I did.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48- We stand for freedom.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54- That's what the brave ones do.
0:11:55 > 0:11:56- Mmm.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- While Europe - was being destroyed by war...
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- ..Americans were enjoying - listening to modern music...
0:12:19 > 0:12:21- ..like ragtime or jazz.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25- The US President Wilson - didn't want to go to war.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30- But Britain and Germany - forced him to choose sides.
0:12:31 > 0:12:33- America remained neutral...
0:12:33 > 0:12:38- ..like Sweden, Norway, Denmark - and the Netherlands in Europe.
0:12:38 > 0:12:43- The banks and industries - of the neutral countries...
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- ..could do business with the warring - countries, including Germany.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- They made even more money - because of the war.
0:12:56 > 0:13:01- Sometimes I think it's easier - to fight than stay neutral.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03- Easier, yes.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06- Profitable, no.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11- The more ships that sink, - the more money I make.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- For a cargo of potatoes...
0:13:17 > 0:13:20- ..I earn double - what I made before the war.
0:13:20 > 0:13:26- I'm sure I shouldn't say this, but I - wouldn't mind if the war continued.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- As the war goes on, - the prices are still going up.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34- That's very interesting.
0:13:34 > 0:13:36- We have a stowaway on board.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39- Are you sure?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- We heard footsteps in the hold.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47- We have to catch him or it looks - as if we're helping the enemy.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51- Oh, no! That's very dangerous.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53- Was he really dangerous?
0:13:54 > 0:13:57- He was starving and frightened.
0:13:57 > 0:13:59- How will you catch him?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- There are so many hiding places!
0:14:01 > 0:14:03- There are so many hiding places!- - It's only a matter of time.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06- If he's starving, he'll come out.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- Hunger in Europe increased.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16- The U-boats - destroyed so many ships...
0:14:16 > 0:14:20- ..Britain only had enough food - to last six weeks.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- And because of - the British blockade...
0:14:25 > 0:14:30- ..there were alarming - shortages in Germany.
0:14:30 > 0:14:34- Food was scarce. - Children, in particular, suffered.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- The food available - was used in the war.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42- Hundreds of thousands of Germans...
0:14:42 > 0:14:46- ..were dying - from starvation and malnutrition...
0:14:46 > 0:14:48- ..including many children.
0:14:53 > 0:14:54- Hello?
0:15:02 > 0:15:03- Hungry?
0:15:07 > 0:15:08- Please?
0:15:29 > 0:15:30- I'm Jessica.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34- Jessica.
0:15:38 > 0:15:39- Joachim.
0:15:39 > 0:15:40- Joachim.- - Mmm?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Joachim.
0:15:43 > 0:15:44- Joachim.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53- DOOR OPENS
0:15:56 > 0:16:01- De Rooij, make sure he doesn't - escape! Van Rossum, come with me!
0:16:09 > 0:16:11- We won't give up until we find him.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15- If he fights back, - we'll throw him overboard!
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- Captain!
0:16:25 > 0:16:26- Hmm.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29- It was impossible to hide at sea.
0:16:30 > 0:16:35- That's why British merchant ships - didn't sail alone.
0:16:35 > 0:16:39- They were protected by warships.
0:16:40 > 0:16:46- When they discovered an U-boat, the - warships attacked it immediately.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- They had a new weapon, - underwater mines.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- The U-boat crews were - frightened of this new weapon.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02- When a submarine was hit, - there was no chance of survival.
0:17:05 > 0:17:10- U-boats weren't the hunters - any more. They were the prey.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17- The merchant ships - were at risk, too...
0:17:17 > 0:17:22- ..even though they had - nothing to do with the war.
0:17:33 > 0:17:34- Who's this?
0:17:35 > 0:17:40- This is Joachim. Joachim, - this is my mother and father.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44- Is this the stowaway?
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- Joachim escaped because he - didn't want to join the German army.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- But what is he doing here?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56- He's coming with us to America, - to be free.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02- Are you insane?
0:18:02 > 0:18:03- What have you done, Jessica?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05- What have you done, Jessica?- - KNOCK ON DOOR
0:18:05 > 0:18:06- Mr Davenfort.
0:18:07 > 0:18:08- Yes?
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- What is it?
0:18:10 > 0:18:14- You know perfectly well. - Open the door.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20- Mr Davenfort.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22- Don't let him in!
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- Don't let him in!- - We have no choice!
0:18:25 > 0:18:28- I know he's in there. Open the door.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30- He'll throw him overboard!
0:18:30 > 0:18:32- He'll throw him overboard!- - Let's keep this simple.
0:18:32 > 0:18:37- Hand us the stowaway or - this is where your journey ends.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- And then it happened.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48- While the US President - delayed committing to war...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- ..Germany broke the rules of war...
0:18:52 > 0:18:57- ..and started to use U-boats - to attack ships without warning.
0:18:59 > 0:19:03- Every ship became - a target for the U-boats...
0:19:03 > 0:19:09- ..ships from neutral countries like - the Netherlands and even America.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- The international naval - warfare agreements were worthless.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- The Americans - were forced to join the war.
0:19:26 > 0:19:27- Stop, stop please!
0:19:27 > 0:19:30- Stop, stop please!- - I warned you. Come here.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Don't touch him! He won't harm you.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37- He's coming with us to America.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41- He's endangering the entire ship. - I have no choice.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46- And neither do we.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48- And neither do we.- - Ted... please!
0:19:48 > 0:19:51- They've gone too far this time.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57- We're Americans and we stand up - for the weak, don't we, Jessica?
0:20:02 > 0:20:03- Oh!
0:20:06 > 0:20:08- Van Rossum, take him!
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- The Americans - were no longer neutral.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15- Three years - after the war started...
0:20:15 > 0:20:19- ..America sent its army - to fight on Britain's side.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- The American President declared - war on Germany on April 6th, 1917.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31- President Wilson said, - "We have to fight for our ideals...
0:20:31 > 0:20:35- "..for the rights - and freedom of small countries...
0:20:35 > 0:20:40- "..for the safety of the entire - world and to end this war.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44- "Justice is worth more than peace.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- "Our civilisation is at stake."
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- You're lucky - I didn't throw you off the ship.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- The arguing didn't last long.
0:20:59 > 0:21:05- My father was thrown across the - cabin and pushed into the hallway.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09- My father didn't back down. - I was so proud of him.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15- The captain took pity on us - and we sailed to Britain.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18- No-one was thrown overboard.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33- Welcome to Edinburgh. - Your documents, please.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- We've lost everything in the war.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40- We are Americans, the four of us.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- And we want to go back to America.
0:21:42 > 0:21:44- And we want to go back to America.- - On the next ship.
0:21:48 > 0:21:53- Off we go! - We've wasted enough time. Hurry!
0:21:53 > 0:21:55- On the next ship...
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- ..from Edinburgh home to America.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03- But the war in Europe continued.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- S4C Subtitles by Gwead
0:22:39 > 0:22:39- .