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Serbian Stories (Compilation)

Fascinating glimpse of Serbia's role in WWI, from soldiers leaving for the front to the Crown Prince in London

Non-Fiction 1916 10 mins Silent

Overview

This compilation of Topical Budget newsreel items, dating from 1915 to 1917, offers a fascinating glimpse of Serbia's role in WWI, from soldiers leaving for the Bulgarian front to priests blessing a ceremonial cake and the Crown Prince being welcomed at Charing Cross, London. The items were largely filmed by American photojournalist and newsreel cameraman Ariel Varges.

Most intriguing are the scenes of "girl heroine" Slavika Tomitch, seen chatting with Serbian comrades and a British officer. According to the New York Times of 5 August 1916, she was promoted to Sergeant aged just 17 and had been named by the Austrian government as one of those responsible for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.