1914: Turning Point- World War I

The outbreak of World War One, on the 3rd of August, 1914, marks a first painful turning point in the hitherto prosperous history of the firm of Mund & Fester. The entire movement of goods- import and export overseas is prohibited. Commerce grinds almost entirely to a halt.

Georges Fester, who holds Belgian citizenship, is interned at the beginning of the war.
His Uncle Jules had managed to obtain German citizenship in the nick of time, and is thus spared this fate. Thanks to his good connections, Jules is able to get Georges released from internment after roughly half a year. After the war’s end, negotiations with the “War Insurance Agency” on reparations for war damages drag well into the 1920’s.

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