World War I, also known as the Great War, started in 1914 after the
assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria. His murder
catapulted into a war across Europe that lasted until 1918. During
the four-year conflict, Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the
Ottoman Empire (the Central Powers) fought against Great Britain,
France, Russia, Italy, Romania, Canada, Japan and the United States
(the Allied Powers). Thanks to new military technologies and the
horrors of trench warfare, World War I saw unprecedented levels of
carnage and destruction. By the time the war was over and the Allied
Powers had won, more than 16 million people—soldiers and civilians
alike—were dead.For four years, from 1914 to 1918, World War I
raged across Europe's western and eastern fronts after growing
tensions and then the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of
Austria ignited the war. Trench warfare and the early use of tanks,
submarines and airplanes meant the war’s battles were devastatingly
bloody, claiming an estimated 40 million military and civilian
casualties, including 20 million deaths. Fighting under brutal
conditions, World War I battles on both land and at sea saw mass
carnage, but few decisive victories, with some conflicts waging for
months on end. Below is a timeline of the war's most significant
battles.Battle of Mons: August 23, 1914
The first European clash since 1815’s Battle of Waterloo, the Battle of Mons takes
place in Mons, Belgium, with a British Expeditionary Force that numbers about
75,000 fighting an estimated 150,000 Germans in an attempt to hold the Mons-Conde
Canal. In the final of four “Battles of the Frontier” held in the first weeks of World
War I, the British forces are overpowered and forced to retreat, handing the Germans
a strategic victory. Some 1,600 British and 5,000 Germans casualties are reported.
Battle of Tannenberg: August 26-August 30,
1914
Dubbed the Battle of Tannenberg by the victorious Germans in revenge for the 1410
conflict in which the Poles crushed the Teutonic Knights, this would be the country’s
biggest win against Russia along the Eastern Front. The battle begins with Russian
armies attacking German troops in German East Prussia (now Poland) from the south
and the east, which, at first, works. But after intercepting unencrypted radio messages
from the Russians, the Germans are able to reorganize their strategy, forcing the
Russians into retreat. The Germans pursued the Russians, essentially annihilating the
armies with 30,000 casualties and more than 90,000 taken prisoner.
First Battle of the Marne: September 6-12,
1914
The First Battle of the Marne marks an Allied victory about 30 miles northeast of
Paris, where the French army and British Expeditionary Force stop Germany’s swift
advance into France. With an exhausted and weakened German force that had sent
nearly a dozen divisions to fight in East Prussia and Belgium, the German First Army
faces a counterattack and is forced to retreat to the Lower Aisne River, where the first
trench warfare of the conflict begins.
First Battle of Ypres: October 19 to November
22, 1914
In what would become known as the “Race to the Sea,” the First Battle of Ypres
begins, the first of three battles to control the ancient Flemish city on Belgium’s north
coast that allows access to English Channel ports and the North Sea. The massive
conflict—involving an estimated 600,000 Germans and 420,000 Allies—continues for
three weeks until brutal winter weather brings it to an end. Typical of so many World
War I battles, both sides engage in trench warfare and suffer massive casualties, but
neither makes significant gains.
Battle of Dogger Bank: January 24, 1915
After decoding intercepted German messages, the British Grand Fleet attacks the
German Kaiserliche Marine in the North Sea, sparking the Battle of Dogger Bank.
The smaller German squadron retreats, but can’t outrun the British. Long-range
gunfire ensues but while the German SMS Blücher cruiser is sunk, the British HMS
Lion is severely damaged.
Battle of Verdun: February 21 to December 18,
1916
The Battle of Verdun becomes World War I’s longest single battle. It lasts nearly a
year as the French Army fends off a surprise German offensive that causes mass
losses on both sides, with more than 600,000 total casualties.
In an attempt to cripple France’s part in the war and cause a massive blow to its
army’s morale, the Germans choose to attack the fort of Verdun, along the banks of
the Meuse River. The Germans make advances in the bloody conflict until July when
their offensive is called off. The French then begin retaking the stronghold and, as
winter sets in and the first Battle of the Somme rages, the Verdun fighting finally
comes to an end.
Battle of Gallipoli: February 19, 1915, to
January 9, 1916
In modern warfare’s first major beach landing, the Gallipoli Campaign sees British
and French troops invading the Ottoman Empire at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the
Dardanelles Straits (now western Turkey). The invasion is an effort to control the sea
route and seize Constantinople. With Western Front fighting stalled, the Ally forces
intend the attack to be a swift victory, but ultimately withdraw, suffering some
180,000 casualties, including more than 28,000 Australian soldiers.
Battle of Jutland: May 31 to June 1, 1916
World War I’s biggest naval conflict, the Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark
marks the first and only showdown between German and British battleships. After
German forces attack the Royal Navy, 250 ships and 100,000 men take part in the
bloody fight, with both sides losing thousands of lives and several ships. Although
there is no clear victor, Britain is able to secure North Sea shipping lanes and continue
a blockade of German ports. This blockade proves pivotal to the Allies eventually
winning the war.
Battle of the Somme: July 1 to November 13,
1916
During one of history's bloodiest battles, on the first day alone of the first Battle of the
Somme, British forces suffer more than 57,000 casualties, including 20,000 deaths, as
they attempt to overrun German trenches and are easily gunned down.
The Allies soon change tactics in their attempt to fight back the Germans on the
Western Front along the Somme River in France, but make minimal breakthroughs
over a nearly five-month period. Notable for the firsts use of tanks, the battle finally
ends with more than a million casualties.
Battles of the Isonzo: June 23, 1915 to
October 24, 1917
The 12 battles held along the Italian Front at the Isonzo River at the Adriatic Sea (now
part of Slovenia), see the Italians repeatedly attacking the Austrians to gain control of
the area and entry to Vienna. After Italy makes some progress after multiple failed
attempts, Germany eventually joins the Austrian troops, forcing Italy into retreat.
Third Battle of Ypres: July 31 to November 6,
1917
Also known as the Third Battle of Ypres, the Battle of Passchendaele takes place in
Ypres, Belgium, as British forces, with help from the French and the use of tanks,
launch an attack to wrest control of Ypres from the Germans. Attacks and
counterattacks ensue for four months in the rain and mud, with Canadian forces
brought in to help relieve the troops but little ground being won. In the end, it is
considered a victory for the Allies, with but one that costs both sides more than
550,000 casualties.
Battle of Vimy Ridge: April 9-Apr 12, 1917
In its first attack as a unified force, the Canadian Corps, consisting of the four
Canadian divisions, launches an Easter Sunday offensive at Vimy Ridge in northern
France, claiming a quick and decisive victory over the Germans in three days. Part of
the Allied Battle of Arras, the well-planned battle uses new artillery tactics and marks
the corps as an elite force.
June Offensive: July 1-July 4, 1917
In an attack by Russian forces against the Austro-Hungarians and Germans in Galicia,
the June Offensive (also called the Kerensky Offensive and the July Offensive)
operation takes place, ordered by Russian Minister of War Alexander Kerensky
against the nation's popular calls for peace. Despite early gains, Russian troops suffer
mass casualties and soon revolt. They are quickly overtaken by an Austro-German
counterattack and the Russian army essentially disintegrates.
Battle of Caporetto: October 24 to December
19, 1917
Immortalized by Ernest Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms, the Battle of Caporetto,
also called the 12th Battle of the Isonzo, is waged on the Italian Front near Kobarid
(now part of Slovenia). German and Austro-Hungarian forces soundly defeat the
Italian front line, resulting in nearly 700,000 Italian casualties and seriously
diminishing morale.
Battle of Cambrai: November 20 to December 5,
1917
In World War I's first large-scale tank offensive, the Battle of Cambrai near Cambrai,
France, ultimately gains little ground, but changes the course of modern warfare with
the use of tank brigades and new artillery methods.
On November 20, British forces engage in a surprise attack, gaining some new
territory over the next several days. But on November 30, a massive German
counterattack results in most of that ground being recovered.
Second Battle of the Somme: March 21 to April
5, 1918
Fought along the Somme River basin in France, the Second Battle of the Somme is
launched by the Germans, hoping to capitalize on the Russian army's collapse and
attacking British trenches with gas and artillery fire. The British are forced into retreat
and the Germans win their biggest single territorial gain along the Western Front
since the war's onset. But within a week the Allies regroup and the German offensive
begins to lose steam and is eventually halted.
Ludendorff Offensive March 21 to July 18,
1918
Also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, the 1918 Spring Offensive begins with the
Germans launching a string of attacks along the Western Front in hopes of winning
the war before U.S. troops can join the Allies. Despite making successful advances in
four attacks, the territory they retake or newly control doesn’t lead to strategic gains.
With the American forces arriving in July, a counteroffensive and exhausted soldiers,
the Germans, while claiming victory, are badly weakened.
Second Battle of the Marne: July 15-18, 1918
In their last offensive attack of the war, the Germans strike Ally troops near the Marne
River in France's Champagne region in a diversionary attempt to lure them from a
separate planned attack in Flanders. But fooled by a set of false trenches implemented
by the French, the Germans are met by heavy fire and a counterattack by French and
American troops as they approach the actual front lines and are forced to retreat.
Battle of Amiens: August 8-11, 1918
The opening attack of what would be come to be called the Hundred Days Offensive,
the Battle of Amiens sees one of the most successful advances of World War I, with
Allied troops securing more than eight miles in the conflict’s first fog-covered day,
later called "the black day of the German Army" by General Erich Ludendorff.
Catching the Germans by surprise, the Allies attack with the help of 2,000 guns, 1,900
planes and 500 tanks, causing large-scale German casualties and a fatal blow to
morale.
Battles of the Meuse-Argonne: September 26 to
November 11, 1918
More than 1 million American soldiers take part in the Battles of the Meuse-Argonne
in France's dense Forest of Argonne and along the Meuse River, making it the
American Expeditionary Forces' biggest World War I operation. It would leave
26,000 Americans dead, with 120,000-plus casualties—the deadliest battle in U.S.
history. Joined by the French and aided by tanks and U.S. Air Service planes, the
Allies capture tens of thousands of German prisoners and, after four months, Germany
finally cedes, beginning its last retreat.
Battle of Cambrai: September 27 to October 11,
1918
As part of the Hundred Days Offensive, British and Canadian Corps forces strike a
decisive victory in Cambrai in northern France, which had been held by Germany
since 1914. Surrounded, exhausted and with disintegrating morale, the Germans face
the certainty that the war has been lost.
Battle of Mons: November 11, 1918
Fought on World War I's final day, the Canadian Corps captures Mons, Belgium, held
by the Germans since 1914, in the Battle of Mons. The early morning offensive
happens hours before troops learn that Germany has agreed to an armistice at 11 a.m.
It also marks the final death of an Allied soldier, a Canadian shot by a sniper minutes
before the gunfire ends.
On May 7, 1915, less than a year after World War I (1914-18) erupted
across Europe, a German U-boat torpedoed and sank the RMS Lusitania,
a British ocean liner en route from New York to Liverpool, England.
Of the more than 1,900 passengers and crew members on board, more
than 1,100 perished, including more than 120 Americans. Nearly two
years would pass before the United States formally entered World War
I, but the sinking of the Lusitania played a significant role in
turning public opinion against Germany, both in the United States and
abroad.When World War I erupted in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924)
pledged neutrality for the United States, a position that the vast majority of Americans
favored. Britain, however, was one of America’s closest trading partners, and tension
soon arose between the United States and Germany over the latter’s attempted
quarantine of the British Isles. Several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged
or sunk by German mines, and in February 1915 Germany announced unrestricted
submarine warfare in the waters around Britain.
Did you know? The Lusitania made its maiden voyage in 1907. When
it was sunk in 1915, the ocean liner was on the return leg of its 101st
roundtrip voyage across the Atlantic.
In early May 1915, several New York newspapers published a warning by the
German Embassy in Washington, D.C., that Americans traveling on British or Allied
ships in war zones did so at their own risk. The announcement was placed on the
same page as an advertisement of the imminent sailing of the Lusitania liner from
New York back to Liverpool. The sinkings of merchant ships off the south coast of
Ireland prompted the British Admiralty to warn the Lusitania to avoid the area or take
simple evasive action, such as zigzagging to confuse U-boats plotting the vessel’s
course.
The Lusitania Sinks: May 7, 1915
The captain of the Lusitania ignored the British Admiralty’s recommendations, and at
2:12 p.m. on May 7 the 32,000-ton ship was hit by an exploding torpedo on its
starboard side. The torpedo blast was followed by a larger explosion, probably of the
ship’s boilers, and the ship sank off the south coast of Ireland in less than 20 minutes.
It was revealed that the Lusitania was carrying about 173 tons of war munitions for
Britain, which the Germans cited as further justification for the attack. The United
States eventually protested the action, and Germany apologized and pledged to end
unrestricted submarine warfare. However, in November of that same year a U-boat
sunk an Italian liner without warning, killing more than 270 people, including more
than 25 Americans. Public opinion in the United States began to turn irrevocably
against Germany.
America Enters World War I
On January 31, 1917, Germany, determined to win its war of attrition against the
Allies, announced it would resume unrestricted warfare in war-zone waters. Three
days later, the United States broke diplomatic relations with Germany, and just hours
after that the American ship Housatonic was sunk by a German U-boat.
On February 22, Congress passed a $250 million arms appropriations bill intended to
make the United States ready for war. In late March, Germany sunk four more U.S.
merchant ships, and on April 2 President Wilson appeared before Congress and called
for a declaration of war against Germany. On April 4, the Senate voted to declare war
against Germany, and two days later the House of Representatives endorsed the
declaration. With that, America entered World War I.
The Great War and Its Impact
Over the next four years, the Great War (as World War I was then called) would grow
to involve Italy, Japan, the Middle East and the United States, among other countries.
More than 20 million soldiers died and 21 million more were wounded, while millions
of other people fell victim to the influenza pandemic that the war helped to spread.
The war left in its wake three ruined imperial dynasties (Germany, Austria-Hungary
and Turkey) and unleashed the revolutionary forces of Bolshevism in another (Russia).
In the end, the uneasy peace brokered at Versailles in 1919 kept tensions in check for
less than two decades before giving way to another devastating world war.
