World War I
From the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand to the final collapse of the German Empire, World War I consumed the globe and produced enormous casualties. These resources will aid in better understanding the conflict.
World War I: Battle of Mons
Fought on August 23, 1914, the Battle of Mons saw the British Expeditionary Force conduct a classic holding action against the German First Army. The first major engagement of the war for the British, the Battle of Mons ended with them inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans before being forced to withdraw. Though a defeat, Mons showed the determination and skill of the British soldier.
Fought on August 23, 1914, the Battle of Mons saw the British Expeditionary Force conduct a classic holding action against the German First Army. The first major engagement of the war for the British, the Battle of Mons ended with them inflicting heavy casualties on the Germans before being forced to withdraw. Though a defeat, Mons showed the determination and skill of the British soldier.
World War I: The Christmas Truce of 1914
The Christmas Truce of 1914 has become one of the mythic events of World War I. A series of localized ceasefires, the Christmas Truce saw British and German soldiers stop fighting to exchange gifts, fraternize, and play games. Frowned on by both high commands, the Christmas Truce lasted only a few days before fighting recommenced.
The Christmas Truce of 1914 has become one of the mythic events of World War I. A series of localized ceasefires, the Christmas Truce saw British and German soldiers stop fighting to exchange gifts, fraternize, and play games. Frowned on by both high commands, the Christmas Truce lasted only a few days before fighting recommenced.
World War I: Battle of Gallipoli
The Battle of Gallipoli began when British Commonwealth and French troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey adjacent to the Dardanelles. In a brutal campaign, Allied forces were unable to dislodge the Turks from Gallipoli's heights. After nearly a year of fighting they ended the fight and withdrew.
The Battle of Gallipoli began when British Commonwealth and French troops landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula of Turkey adjacent to the Dardanelles. In a brutal campaign, Allied forces were unable to dislodge the Turks from Gallipoli's heights. After nearly a year of fighting they ended the fight and withdrew.
World War I: Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun was fought from February 21 to December 18, 1916, and was a key engagement of World War I. Attacking the French positions around Verdun, German troops initiated a grinding battle of attrition. By the time the Battle of Verdun ended, over 700,000 had been killed or wounded.
The Battle of Verdun was fought from February 21 to December 18, 1916, and was a key engagement of World War I. Attacking the French positions around Verdun, German troops initiated a grinding battle of attrition. By the time the Battle of Verdun ended, over 700,000 had been killed or wounded.
World War I: Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme was fought during World War I and lasted from July to November 1916. Attempting to draw German forces away from the Battle of Verdun, British forces battled to break through along a 12-mile front. When the fighting at the Somme ended, over 1.5 million casualties had been suffered.
The Battle of the Somme was fought during World War I and lasted from July to November 1916. Attempting to draw German forces away from the Battle of Verdun, British forces battled to break through along a 12-mile front. When the fighting at the Somme ended, over 1.5 million casualties had been suffered.
World War I: Battle of Romani
The Battle of Romani was fought August 3-5, 1916, as Turkish forces attempted to take the Suez Canal. Making a stand at Romani, British Commonwealth forces under General Sir Archibald Murray succeeded in stopping the Ottoman advance. The victory at Romani turned the tide in the Sinai as the British were able to take the offensive.
The Battle of Romani was fought August 3-5, 1916, as Turkish forces attempted to take the Suez Canal. Making a stand at Romani, British Commonwealth forces under General Sir Archibald Murray succeeded in stopping the Ottoman advance. The victory at Romani turned the tide in the Sinai as the British were able to take the offensive.
World War I: Battle of Magdhaba
The Battle of Magdhaba was part of the Sinai-Palestine Campaign of World War I. Advancing across the Sinai, British forces occupied El Arish on the coast. To protect their flank, mounted forces were ordered to capture the town of Magdhaba to the south. Attacking from the northeast, British forces succeeded in taking the town after a bitter fight.
The Battle of Magdhaba was part of the Sinai-Palestine Campaign of World War I. Advancing across the Sinai, British forces occupied El Arish on the coast. To protect their flank, mounted forces were ordered to capture the town of Magdhaba to the south. Attacking from the northeast, British forces succeeded in taking the town after a bitter fight.
World War I: Battle of Rafa
The Battle of Rafa was fought January 9, 1917, and saw British troops force the Turks out of the Sinai Peninsula. Following up on their victory at Magdhaba, the British assaulted Turkish positions at Rafa. After a day-long fight, they succeeded in clearing Rafa of opposition.
The Battle of Rafa was fought January 9, 1917, and saw British troops force the Turks out of the Sinai Peninsula. Following up on their victory at Magdhaba, the British assaulted Turkish positions at Rafa. After a day-long fight, they succeeded in clearing Rafa of opposition.
World War I: Zimmermann Telegram
The Zimmermann Telegram was sent in January 1917, by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It instructed them to seek a military alliance with Mexico if the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. Intercepted by the British, who sent it to Washington, the Zimmerman Telegram helped draw the United States into the conflict.
The Zimmermann Telegram was sent in January 1917, by German Foreign Secretary Arthur Zimmermann. It instructed them to seek a military alliance with Mexico if the United States entered the war on the side of the Allies. Intercepted by the British, who sent it to Washington, the Zimmerman Telegram helped draw the United States into the conflict.
World War I: First Battle of Gaza
The First Battle of Gaza was fought on March 26-27, 1917, and saw British troops turned back at Gaza. Having advanced across the Sinai, British troops assaulted the Turkish lines with little success. The battles concluded when British troops fell back to Wadi Ghuzze.
The First Battle of Gaza was fought on March 26-27, 1917, and saw British troops turned back at Gaza. Having advanced across the Sinai, British troops assaulted the Turkish lines with little success. The battles concluded when British troops fell back to Wadi Ghuzze.
World War I: Battle of Arras (1917)
The Battle of Arras commenced on April 9, 1917, and was the British component of the Allies' spring offensives. Attacking with success, the British captured Vimy Ridge before the offesive bogged down. Lasting until May 16, the Battle of Arras saw the British make significant gains but no major breakthroughs.
The Battle of Arras commenced on April 9, 1917, and was the British component of the Allies' spring offensives. Attacking with success, the British captured Vimy Ridge before the offesive bogged down. Lasting until May 16, the Battle of Arras saw the British make significant gains but no major breakthroughs.
World War I: Battle of Messines
The Battle of Messines occurred from June 7-14, 1917, and saw British troops attempt to capture Messines Ridge in Flanders. Detonating 19 mines, the British were able to take the ridge with relative ease. The victory at Messines was a prelude to the bloody Battle of Passchendaele.
The Battle of Messines occurred from June 7-14, 1917, and saw British troops attempt to capture Messines Ridge in Flanders. Detonating 19 mines, the British were able to take the ridge with relative ease. The victory at Messines was a prelude to the bloody Battle of Passchendaele.
World War I: Third Battle of Gaza
The Third Battle of Gaza was a successful attempt by British forces to break into Palestine during World War I. Led by General Sir Edmund Allenby, the British combined flank and frontal assaults to dislodge the Turks from the Gaza-Beersheba line. Lasting a week, the Third Battle of Gaza was a decisive victory for the British.
The Third Battle of Gaza was a successful attempt by British forces to break into Palestine during World War I. Led by General Sir Edmund Allenby, the British combined flank and frontal assaults to dislodge the Turks from the Gaza-Beersheba line. Lasting a week, the Third Battle of Gaza was a decisive victory for the British.
World War I: Battle of Cambrai
The Battle of Cambrai was fought November 20-December 6, 1917, and saw British forces make the first successful use of tanks. Attacking towards Cambrai, the British initially made great gains causing the Germans to consider abandoning the town. Bringing reserves to Cambrai, German counterattacks recovered almost all of the lost ground.
The Battle of Cambrai was fought November 20-December 6, 1917, and saw British forces make the first successful use of tanks. Attacking towards Cambrai, the British initially made great gains causing the Germans to consider abandoning the town. Bringing reserves to Cambrai, German counterattacks recovered almost all of the lost ground.
World War I: 1918 Spring Offensives - Operation Michael
Operation Michael was the first phase of the 1918 German Spring Offensive. Attacking the area of St.-Quentin, Operation Michael was intended to separate British and French forces and drive the former in to the sea. Launched on March 21, the Germans made significant gains before being halted at Villers-Bretonneux.
Operation Michael was the first phase of the 1918 German Spring Offensive. Attacking the area of St.-Quentin, Operation Michael was intended to separate British and French forces and drive the former in to the sea. Launched on March 21, the Germans made significant gains before being halted at Villers-Bretonneux.
World War I: Battle of Belleau Wood - Devil Dogs on the Attack
Fighting in Belleau Wood in 1918, the US Marines earned the nickname "devil dogs." In 26 days of savage fighting, the Marines aided in stopping the German Aisne offensive and recaptured Belleau Wood. In the process, US forces suffered nearly 10,000 casualties.
Fighting in Belleau Wood in 1918, the US Marines earned the nickname "devil dogs." In 26 days of savage fighting, the Marines aided in stopping the German Aisne offensive and recaptured Belleau Wood. In the process, US forces suffered nearly 10,000 casualties.
World War I: Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne took place from July 15 to August 5, 1918. Opening an offensive along the Marne, the Germans made some progress before being stopped by Allied forces. Launching a counteroffensive on July 18, the Allies drove the Germans back across the Marne.
The Second Battle of the Marne took place from July 15 to August 5, 1918. Opening an offensive along the Marne, the Germans made some progress before being stopped by Allied forces. Launching a counteroffensive on July 18, the Allies drove the Germans back across the Marne.
World War I: Battle of Amiens
The 1918 Battle of Amiens was an opening battle of the Allies' Hundred Days' Offensive. Attacking east of Amiens, Allied forces gained over seven miles on the first day. The Battle of Amiens was a decisive victory for the Allies and saw a return to mobile warfare.
The 1918 Battle of Amiens was an opening battle of the Allies' Hundred Days' Offensive. Attacking east of Amiens, Allied forces gained over seven miles on the first day. The Battle of Amiens was a decisive victory for the Allies and saw a return to mobile warfare.
World War I: Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Commencing on September 26, 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive saw American forces attack the German lines with the goal of taking Sedan. Breaking through after a series of bloody assaults, American troops forced the Germans to withdraw. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive ended with the Germans agreeing to an armistice on November 11.
Commencing on September 26, 1918, the Meuse-Argonne Offensive saw American forces attack the German lines with the goal of taking Sedan. Breaking through after a series of bloody assaults, American troops forced the Germans to withdraw. The Meuse-Argonne Offensive ended with the Germans agreeing to an armistice on November 11.