Winston Churchill excited about the prospect of catastrophe as Austria declares war on Serbia

A young Winston Churchill

"Everything tends towards catastrophe and collapse. I am interested, geared up and happy. Is it not horrible to be built like that? The preparations have a hideous fascination for me. I pray to God to forgive me for such fearful moods of levity. Yet I would do my best for peace, and nothing would induce me wrongfully to strike the blow."



Winston Churchill

July 28, 1914

The day that Austria declared war on Serbia and WWI began.


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From "Voices from the Great War"  by Peter Vansittart 1984