World War I Chronology

Germany invades Belgium & declares war on France in WW I.

Ref: 5

Kaiser's ships bomb Russian port of Libau.

Ref: 10

Aug 04

Germany invades Belgium causing Great Britain to declare war on Germany; Wilson proclaims US neutrality.

Ref: 2

Aug 05

The British Expeditionary Force mobilizes for World War I.

Ref: 2

Aug 06

The U.S.S. Tennessee sails to Europe with $6 million in gold to help American citizens stranded by the war.

Aug 06

Austria Hungary declares war on Russia; Serbia declares war against Germany.

Ref: 5

French forces invade Alsace. Gen. Joffre in supreme command of French army. Montenegro at war with Austria. Great Britain's Expeditionary Force lands at Ostend, Calais and Dunkirk.

Ref: 38

Spain declares herself neutral in WWI.

Ref: 10

Serbia at war with Germany.

Ref: 38

Montenegro declares war on Germany.

Ref: 62

Aug 12

Great Britain at war with Austria-Hungary. Montenegro at war with Germany.

Ref: 38

Aug 12

First shot fired in WWI by British soldier; France, Britain declare war on Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 10

Aug 14

Battle of the Frontiers begins (World War I)

Aug 16

Liege, Belgium, falls to the German army.

Ref: 2

Aug 17

Belgian capital removed from Brussels to Antwerp.

Ref: 38

Aug 18

President Wilson issued his "Proclamation of Neutrality," aimed at keeping the United States out of World War One.

Ref: 70

The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) lands in France.

Ref: 2

Canadian Parliament authorizes raising an expeditionary force.

Ref: 38

Aug 20

German forces occupy Brussels, Belgium during WW I.

Ref: 5

Aug 20

Russia wins an early victory over Germany at Gumbinnen.

Ref: 2

Aug 23

Japan declares war on Germany in World War One.

Ref: 70

Aug 24

Germans enter France near Lille.

Ref: 38

Aug 25

Japan declares war on Austria, WW1.

Ref: 10

Aug 26

The 5-day Battle of Tannenberg begins. The German army, led by Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg, achieves its greatest victory of the war on the Eastern front against Russia.

Ref: 5

Three German cruisers are sunk by ships of the Royal Navy in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the first major naval battle of World War I. On Christmas Day 1914, an audacious British air attack on a Zeppelin base in northern Germany caught the Germans with their defenses down.

Ref: 2

Austria declares war on Belgium.

Ref: 38

Amiens occupied by Germans.

Ref: 38

First German air raid on Paris, WWI.

Ref: 10

Russian army of invasion in East Prussia defeated at Tannenberg by Germans under Von Hindenburg.

Ref: 38

Sep 03

The French capital is moved from Paris to Bordeaux as the Battle of the Marne begins.A fanatically selfless sense of duty drove nurse Edith Cavell to harbor Allied soldiers behind German lines.

Ref: 2

Sep 05

(throught the 10th) The start of the 6-day First Battle of the Marne that halts the German invasion in France. Von Kluck is beaten by Gen. Joffre, and the German army retreats from Paris to the Soissons-Rheims line.

Ref: 70

Sep 06

Battle of the Marne; Germans prevented from occupying Paris.

Ref: 5

Sep 08

First aerial victory for a Russian aircraft, when captain P. N. Nesterov, in an unarmed Morane-Saulnier M, rammed an Austrian aircraft. He was killed in the process.

Ref: 49

Sep 10

The six-day Battle of the Marne ends, halting the German advance into France.

Ref: 2

Sep 14

Opening of the First Battle of the Aisne.

Sep 14

French reoccupy Amiens and Rheims.

Ref: 38

Sep 15

The first trenches on the Western front are dug.

Sep 15

Battle of Aisne begins between Germans & French during WW I.

Ref: 5

Sep 18

Battle of Aisne ends with Germans beating French during WW I.

Ref: 5

Sep 22

The German cruiser Emden shells Madras, India, destroying 346,000 gallons of fuel and killing only five civilians. The exploits of a lone, resourceful cruiser caught world attention, established tactics for commerce raiding and gave tradition to a new navy.

Ref: 2

Sep 24

In the Alsace-Lorraine area between France and Germany, the German Army captures St. Mihiel.

Ref: 2

Sep 28

German forces move into Antwerp Belgium (WW I).

Ref: 5

Antwerp bombardment begins.

Ref: 38

Oct 02

British Admiralty announces intention to mine North Sea areas.

Ref: 38

Oct 04

The first German Zeppelin raids London.

Ref: 2

Oct 05

A Voisin III biplane bomber shoots down a German Aviatik reconaissance aircraft with a Hotchkiss machine gun. This was the first conventional air-to-air kill.

Ref: 49

Antwerp surrenders to Germans after a 12-day siege. Government removed to Ostend.

Ref: 2

Oct 10

German forces route Belgians in Antwerp Belgium (WW I)

Ref: 5

Oct 11

During World War I, the Cathedral of Notre Dame suffered minor damage during an air raid on Paris. (Notre Dame, the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages, is distinguished for both its size and antiquity.)

Ref: 5

Oct 13

British occupy Ypres.

Ref: 38

Oct 14

Canadian Expeditionary Force of 32,000 men lands at Plymouth.

Ref: 38

Oct 15

Germans occupy Ostend. Belgian government removed to Havre, France.

Ref: 38

Oct 19

The German cruiser Emden captures her thirteenth Allied merchant ship in 24 days.

Ref: 2

Oct 22

U.S. places economic support behind Allies.

Ref: 2

Oct 28

The German cruiser Emden, disguised as a British ship, steams into Penang Harbor near Malaya and sinks the Russian light cruiser Zhemchug.

Ref: 2

Nov 02

Russia declares war with Turkey.

Ref: 2

Cyprus annexed by Great Britain.

Ref: 5

France and Great Britain declare war on Turkey.

Ref: 2

Nov 09

The Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney wrecks the German cruiser Emden, forcing her to beach on a reef on North Keeling Island in the Indian Ocean.

Ref: 2

Nov 20

Bulgaria proclaims its neutrality in the First World War.

Ref: 2

Nov 25

German Field Marshal Fredrich von Hindenburg calls off the Lodz offensive 40 miles from Warsaw, Poland. The Russians lose 90,000 to the Germans' 35,000 in two weeks of fighting.

Ref: 2

Dec 02

Austrian troops occupy Belgrade, Serbia.

Ref: 2

Netherlands army shoots up ge�nterneerde Belgian soldiers: 8 killed.

Ref: 5

Dec 04

The first Seaplane Unit formed by the German Navy officially comes into existence and begins operations from Zeebrugge, Belgium.

Ref: 2

Dec 06

German troops over run L�dz.

Ref: 5

Dec 08

The German cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau, Nurnberg, and Liepzig are sunk by a British force in the Battle of the Falkland Islands.

Ref: 2

Dec 14

First German air raid on Britain.

Battle of Lodz ends; Russians retreat toward Moscow.

Ref: 5

British fleet forfeits chance to destroy German fleet in North Sea.

Ref: 5

Swedish troops over run Belgrade in Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 5

Dec 16

German squadron bombards Hartlepool, Scarborough and Whitby on east coast of England.

Ref: 38

Dec 16

French offensive in Artois (Petain).

Ref: 5

Dec 17

Austrian troops beat Russians in Limanova Poland.

Ref: 5

Dec 24

A German 'Taube' monoplane flown by Leutnant Caspar drops the first bomb on British soil (Dover, England)

Ref: 49

Dec 24

Over 577,000 Allied soldiers are to spend Christmas as prisoners in Germany.

Ref: 2

Dec 25

An unofficial Christmas Truce is observed by soldiers in the trenches along the Western Front during the first Christmas of World War I.

Ref: 5

Dec 29

The production of Belgian newspapers is halted to protest German censorship.

Ref: 2

1915

Jan 01

The German submarine U-24 sinks the British battleship Formidable off the coast of Plymouth Massachusetts.

Ref: 2

Jan 02

During World War I, the Turks are defeated by the Russians in he Battle of Sarikamish in the Caucasus.

Ref: 17

Jan 04

Trans-Caucausus Russian defeat Turkish troops.

Ref: 5

In World War I, Turkish forces occupy Tabriz, northern Persia, after the Russians evacuate.

Ref: 17

In World War I, the Battle of Soissons breaks out along the Western Front.

Ref: 17

Jan 13

W Churchill presents plan for assault on Dardanelles.

Ref: 5

Jan 14

The French abandon five miles of trenches to the Germans near Soissons.

Ref: 2

Jan 19

During World War I, Britain suffers its first casualties from an air attack when two German Zeppelins drop bombs on Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn on the eastern coast of England.

Ref: 3

Jan 24

The German cruiser Bl�cher is sunk by a British squadron in the Battle of Dogger Bank.

Ref: 2

Jan 28

The German navy attacks the U.S. freighter William P. Frye, loaded with wheat for Britain. This is the first US ship lost in World War I.

Ref: 2

Jan 30

First German submarine attack without warning occurs off the French Coast

Ref: 62

German U-boats sink two British steamers in the English Channel.

Ref: 2

First (German) poison gas attack, against the Russians at Bolimov.

Ref: 5

Turkish & German army reach Suez Canal.

Ref: 5

Feb 04

Germany decrees British waters as part of the war zone; all ships to be sunk without warning.

Ref: 2

Feb 07

2nd Battle of Masurian Lakes. German armies under Fieldmarshal Paul von Hindenburg surround a Russian army.

Ref: 5

Feb 10

President Wilson blasts the British for using the U.S. flag on merchant ships to deceive the Germans.

Ref: 2

Feb 10

Prussians defeated by Germans in Battle of Masurian Lakes.

Ref: 38

Feb 14

Kaiser Wilhelm II invites the U.S. Ambassador to Berlin in order to confer on the war.

Ref: 2

Feb 17

Edward Stone, 1st US combatant to die in WWI, is mortally wounded.

Ref: 5

Feb 18

German submarine 'blockade' of the British Isles begins.

Ref: 38

Feb 19

British and French warships begin their attacks on the Turkish forts at the mouth of the Dardenelles, in an abortive expedition to force the straits of Gallipoli.

Ref: 2

Feb 21

20th Russian Army corps surrenders.

Ref: 5

Feb 22

Germany begins "unrestricted" submarine war.

Ref: 5

Feb 23

Germany sinks US ships Carib & Evelyn & torpedoes Norwegian ship Regin.

Ref: 5

Feb 25

The Allied fleet destroys the outer forts of the Dardanelles.

Ref: 38

Malancourt, Argonnen first (German) flame-thrower.

Ref: 5

An American citizen dies in sinking of first passenger ship, the British liner, Falaba; Capt. George Van Horn Moseley of War College Divison suggests a plan for universal military training to Chief of Staff.

The Allies announce their aim to cut off all German supplies and assure the safety of the neutrals.

Ref: 2

Mar 02

Allied troops land at Kum-Kale, on Asiatic side of Dardanelles.

Ref: 38

Mar 02

British Vice Admiral Carden begins bombing of Dardanelles forts.

Ref: 5

Mar 09

The Germans take Grondno on the Eastern Front.

Ref: 2

Mar 10

British expedition Army in Belgium captures Neuve Chapelle.

Ref: 5

Mar 11

Britain announces blockade of German ports.

Mar 13

The Germans repel a British Expeditionary Force attack at the battle of Neuve Chapelle in France.

Ref: 2

The British Navy sinks the German battleship Dresden off the Chilean coast.

Ref: 2

Mar 15

Netherlands merchant ship Tubantia torpedoed & sinks in North Sea.

Ref: 5

Mar 16

British battle cruisers Inflexible & Irresistible hit mines in Dardanelle.

Ref: 5

Failed British attack in Dardanelles.

Ref: 5

French battleship Bouvet explodes, 640 killed.

Ref: 5

Turkey's Canakkale (Trojan) Sea Victory against allied powers (USA, Australia, England, Italy) during First World War.

Ref: 5

Mar 20

The French call off the Champagne offensive on the Western Front.

Ref: 2

Mar 22

Austrian fortress of Przmysl surrenders to Russians.

Ref: 38

Mar 22

A German Zepplin makes a night raid on Paris railway stations.

Ref: 2

Mar 25

The first submarine disaster occurs when a U.S. F-4 sinks off the Hawaiian coast, killing 21.

Ref: 2

Mar 25

German U boat torpedoes Netherlands merchant ship Medea.

Ref: 5

Apr 05

French begin Wo�vre-offensive.

Ref: 5

Apr 14

Dutch merchant navy ship Katwijk sunk by Germany torpedo.

Ref: 5

The start of the Second Battle of Ypres marking the first use of chemical weapons (poison gas).

Ref: 2

Apr 24

German army fires chloroform gas in Ieper.

Ref: 5

Apr 25

France, Russia, Italy and Britain conclude secret Treaty of London.

Ref: 9

Apr 25

78,000 Allied soldiers (Australian and New Zealanders) invade the Gallipoli Peninsula in an unsuccessful attempt to take the Ottoman Turkish Empire out of World War I.

Ref: 70

Apr 26

Second Lieutenant Rhodes-Moorhouse becomes the first airman to win the Victoria Cross after conducting a successful bombing raid.

Ref: 2

Apr 26

Italy secretly signes Pact of London with Britain, France & Russia.

Ref: 5

May 01

The luxury liner Lusitania leaves NY Harbor for a voyage to Europe.

Ref: 2

May 01

American steamer merchant ship, tanker Gulflight is torpedoed off Scilly Isles by a German submarine; 3 lives are lost.

Ref: 5

May 02

British South Africa troops under General Botha capture Otymbingue, German Southwest Africa.

Ref: 38

May 02

Opening of great Austro-German offensive in Galicia (Gorlice-Tarnow).

Ref: 17

May 03

The Austrian army under Archduke Josef Ferdinand takes Tarnow as the Russians fall back from the Austro-German offensive in Galacia.

Ref: 17

May 04

Italy drops Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary & Germany.

Ref: 5

May 05

German U-20 sinks Earl of Lathom.

Ref: 5

Allies attack Cape Helles, Hellespont.

Ref: 5

German U-20 sinks Centurion SE of Ireland.

Ref: 5

Alfred G Vanderbilt, US millionaire, dies aboard Lusitania.

Ref: 5

On its return trip from New York to Liverpool, England, the British ocean liner, Lusitania, is torpedoed by Germany's U-20 off the Kinsale Head, Irish coast, with loss of 1152 lives; 102 Americans. The Lusitania, carrying a cargo of ammunition from the U.S. to Great Britain, sank in 21 minutes.. This was Germany�s reason for the attack even though the ship was carrying over 2,000 civilian men, women and children. 1,198 lives were lost.

Ref: 4

Germans capture Libau, Russian Baltic port.

Ref: 38

Alfred Scott Witherbee Jr US Lusitania officer, dies.

Ref: 5

Charles Frohman dies aboard Lusitania.

Ref: 5

Elbert Hubbard author: A Message to Garcia, Little Journeys; founder: Roycroft Press; lost life aboard the ill-fated Lusitania.

Ref: 4

May 09

German and French forces open the Second Battle of Artois on the western front.

Ref: 2

May 10

Zeppelin drops hundred of bombs on Southend-on-Sea

Ref: 2

May 12

Croatians plunder Armenia, killing 250.

Ref: 5

Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary & Germany during WWI.

Ref: 5

Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 5

May 25

2nd Battle of Ypres ends with 105,000 casualties.

Ref: 5

May 26

H H Asquith forms a liberal coalition government in England.

Ref: 5

May 31

German Zeppelins dropped the first bombs from the sky on a city; 3,000 lbs. of bombs fall on London.

Ref: 2

Jun 01

Germany conducts the first zeppelin air raid over England.

Ref: 2

(through the 6th) German aircraft bomb English towns.

Ref: 38

Jun 11

British troops take Cameroon in Africa.

Ref: 2

Jun 15

Allied aircraft bombs Karlsruhe, Baden, in retaliation for German bombing of English towns.

Ref: 38

Jun 21

Germany uses poison gas for the first time in warfare in the Argonne Forest.

Ref: 2

Jun 22

Austro-German forces occupy Lemberg on the Eastern Front as the Russians retreat.

Ref: 2

Montenegrins enter Scutari, Albania.

Ref: 38

Jun 29

First of twelve battles of the Isonzo begins on the Italian front.

Jul 09

German Southwest African surrenders to British South African troops under Gen. Botha.

Ref: 5

Jul 21

US President Wilson sends notes to Secretary of War Garrison and Secretary of Navy Daniels directing them to draft a defense program.

Aug 05

The Austro-German Army takes Warsaw, in present-day Poland, on the Eastern Front.

Ref: 2

Aug 06

Gallipoli Peninsula campaign enters a second stage with the debarkation of a new force of British troops in Suvla Bay, on the west of the peninsula.

Ref: 38

Aug 09

Russians defeat German fleet of 9 battleships and 12 cruisers at entrance of Gulf of Riga.

Ref: 38

Arabic, White Star liner, sunk by submarine off Fastnet; 44 lives lost; 2 Americans.

Ref: 38

Aug 21

The Washington Post carries story that General Staff is planning to send a force of 1 million soldiers overseas.

Aug 21

Italy declares war on Turkey.

Ref: 2

Aug 24

The Baltimore Sun carries story that General Staff is planning to send a force of 1 million soldiers overseas War College Division denies allegations in Washington Post and Baltimore Sun American General Staff, in response to request from Secretary of War Lindley M. Garrison, devotes much of the year to preparing the "Statement of a Proper Military Policy for the United States".

Aug 25

Brest-Litovsk, Russian fortress, captured by Austro-Germans.

Ref: 38

Italians reach Cima Cista, north-east of Trent.

Ref: 38

Germany responds to U.S. anger by ceasing to sink ships without warning.

British submarine attacks Constantinople and damages the Galata Bridge.

Ref: 38

Lutsk, Russian fortress, captured by Austrians.

Ref: 38

Sep 02

Austro-German armies take Grodno, Poland.

Ref: 2

Sep 06

Tsar Nicholas takes personal command of Russian armies. Grand Duke Nicholas is transferred to the Caucasus.

Ref: 38

Sep 08

Germany begins a new offensive in Argonne on the Western Front.

Ref: 2

Sep 09

A German zeppelin bombs London for the first time, causing little damage.

Ref: 2

Sep 22

Opening of Second Battle of Champagne on western front.

Sep 24

Bulgaria mobilizes troops on the Serbian border.

Ref: 2

Sep 25

Allies open offensive on Western front and occupy Lens.

Ref: 2

Oct 05

Anglo-French force lands at Salonika, Greece.

Ref: 38

Oct 05

Germany issues an apology and promises for payment for the 128 American passengers killed in the sinking of the British ship Lusitania.

Ref: 2

Belgrade again occupied by Austro-Germans.

Ref: 38

Oct 13

London bombarded by Zeppelins; 55 persons killed; 114 injured.

Ref: 38

Oct 14

Bulgaria at war with Serbia.

Ref: 38

Oct 15

Great Britain declares war on Bulgaria.

Ref: 38

France at war with Bulgaria.

Ref: 38

Oct 19

Italy and Russia at war with Bulgaria.

Ref: 38

Oct 29

Briand becomes premier of France, succeeding Viviani.

Ref: 38

Nish, Serbian war capital, captured by Bulgarians.

Ref: 38

Nov 09

Italian liner Ancona is sunk by German torpedoes, killing 272.

Ref: 5

Nov 19

The Allies ask China to join the entente against the Central Powers.

Ref: 2

Nov 22

The Anglo-Indian army, led by British General Sir Charles Townshend, attacks a larger Turkish force under General Nur-ud-Din at Ctesiphon, Iraq, but is repulsed.

Ref: 2

Nov 24

Serbian government transferred to Scutari, Albania.

Ref: 38

Dec 04

Henry Ford, with large party of peace advocates, sails for Europe on chartered steamer Oscar II, with the object of ending the war.

Ref: 38

Dec 07

David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister of Britain.

Aristide Briand forms French war government.

Ref: 5

Russian troops overrun Hamadan, Persia.

Ref: 5

Dec 13

Serbia in hands of enemy, Allied forces abandoning last positions and retiring across Greek frontier.

Ref: 38

Gen. Sir Douglas Haig succeeds Field Marshal Sir John French as Commander-in-Chief of British forces in France.

Ref: 38

Dec 18

In a single night, about 20,000 Australian and New Zealand troops withdraw from Gallipoli, Turkey, undetected by the Turks defending the peninsula.A balance between accuracy and artistic license in historical film.

Ref: 2

Dec 20

Dardanelles expedition ends; British troops begin withdrawal from positions on Suvla Bay and Gallipoli Peninsula.

Ref: 38

Dec 20

Russian troops overrun Qom, Persia.

Ref: 5

Dec 22

Henry Ford leaves his peace party at Christiania and returns to the United States.

Ref: 38

Dec 28

Allies begin withdrawal of troops from Gallipoli.

Dec 30

Cromarty Harbour, Scottish-British cruiser Natal explodes: 405 die.

Ref: 5

Dec 31

The Germans torpedo the British liner Persia without any warning killing 335 passengers.

Ref: 2

1916

Jan 03

Three armored Japanese cruisers are ordered to guard the Suez Canal. Three armored Japanese cruisers are ordered to guard the Suez Canal.

Ref: 2

Jan 04

The British make the first attempt to raise the Turkish siege of Kut-el-Amara during World War I.

Ref: 17

Jan 05

Austria-Hungary offensive against Montenegro.

Ref: 5

Jan 06

British parlaiment passes its first compulsory military service bill despite much opposition.

Ref: 17

Jan 07

German troops conquer Fort Vaux at Verdun.

Ref: 5

Gallipoli evacuated by the British

Ref: 62

Jan 10

Russian offensive in Kaukasus.

Ref: 5

Jan 11

Russian General Yudenich launches a WWI winter offensive and advances west.

Ref: 2

Jan 11

French troops capture/Serbian army flees to Corfu.

Ref: 5

Jan 13

Cettinje, capital of Montenegro, is occupied by Austrians.

Ref: 38

Jan 14

British authorities seize German attach� Franz von Papen's financial records confirming espionage activities in the U.S.

Ref: 2

Jan 18

The Russians force the Turkish 3rd Army back to Erzurum.

Ref: 2

Jan 25

Montenegro surrenders to Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 5

Jan 27

Wilson launches nationwide whistle-stop campaign to generate support for Preparedness and the Continental Army with three speeches in New York.

Ref: 2

Jan 28

German colony of Cameroon surrenders to Britain & France.

Ref: 5

Jan 29

(through the 29th) German Zeppelins bomb Paris and towns in England.

Ref: 38

President Woodrow Wilson refuses the compromise on Lusitania reparations.

Ref: 2

War College Division warns its civilian employees "to engage in no discussion whatever concerning the progress of the European War".

Wilson delivers final speech of Preparedness campaign in Saint Louis.

Feb 06

Germany admits full liability for Lusitania incident and recognizes the United State's right to claim indemnity.

Ref: 2

Feb 08

French cruiser "Admiral Charner" torpedoed off Syrian coast, kills 374.

Ref: 5

Feb 09

Conscription begins in Great Britain as the Military Service Act becomes effective.

Ref: 2

Feb 10

British conscription law goes into effect.

Ref: 38

Feb 16

Russian troops conquer Erzurum Armenia.

Ref: 5

Feb 19

Kamerun, German colony in Africa, conquered by British forces.

Ref: 38

Feb 21

The start of the Battle of Verdun. It lasts until December with no clear victor and 1 million casualties.

Ref: 5

Feb 23

French artillery kills entire French 72nd division at Samogneux Verdun.

Ref: 5

Acting Secretary of War Hugh L. Scott asks United States War College Division if any plans exist in the event "of a complete rupture" with Germany.

Feb 25

Fort Douaumont falls to Germans in Verdun battle.

Ref: 5

General Henri Philippe Petain takes command of the French forces at Verdun.

Ref: 2

Germans sink French transport ship Provence II, killing 930.

Ref: 5

Russian troops conquer Kermansjah Persia.

Ref: 5

Germany begins attacking ships in the Atlantic.

Ref: 5

Mar 06

The Allies recapture Fort Douamont in France during the Battle of Verdun.

Ref: 2

Mar 09

Germany declares war on Portugal on the latter's refusal to give up seized ships.

Ref: 5

Mar 12

French airship sinks British submarine D3.

Ref: 5

Battle of Verdun: German attack on Mort-Homme ridge, West of Verdun.

Ref: 5

Mar 15

Austria-Hungary at war with Portugal.

Ref: 38

On the Eastern Front, the Russians counter the Verdun assault with an attack at Lake Naroch. The Russians lose 100,000 men and the Germans lose 20,000.

Ref: 2

Mar 20

Allies attack Zeebrugge Belgium.

Ref: 5

Mar 24

Sussex, French cross-channel steamer, with many Americans aboard, sunk by submarine off Dieppe. No Americans lost.

Ref: 38

Mar 29

The Italians call off the fifth attack on Isonzo.

Ref: 2

Mar 31

Melancourt taken by Germans in Verdun Battle.

Ref: 38

Mar 31

Dutch government ends all military engagements.

Ref: 5

Apr 02

German troops overtake Bois de Caillette.

Ref: 5

American naval and military attaches in Paris and London draft plan for mobilizing US shipping to carry an American army to Europe, but their plan is ignored (this plan did not survive, but is referred to in a memorandum of 14 November 1916, Record of the Joint Army and Navy Board)

US Senate agrees (82-6) to participate in WWI.

Ref: 5

Apr 05

French troops occupy Bois de Caillette.

Ref: 5

Apr 06

German parliament OKs unrestricted submarine warfare.

Ref: 5

The German army launches its third offensive during the Battle of Verdun.

Ref: 2

Apr 19

President Wilson publicly warns Germany not to pursue submarine policy.

Ref: 38

Apr 19

Italians troops conquer Colonel di Lana at Merano.

Ref: 5

Apr 20

Russian troops landed at Marseilles for service on Frenchfront.

Ref: 38

Apr 20

German-British sea battle off Belgian coast.

Ref: 5

France battles at Fort Douaumont.

Ref: 5

Apr 24

Irish nationalists launch the Easter rebellion in Dublin. Republic declared. Patrick Pearse announced as first President.

Ref: 70

Apr 27

Marshal Lord Kitchener, British Secretary of State for War, asks for American military participation in Europe.

Apr 29

British force of 9000 men, under Gen. Townshend, besieged in Kut-el-Amara, surrenders to Turks.

Ref: 38

Apr 30

Irish rebellion ends with unconditional surrender of Pearse and other leaders, who are tried by court-martial and executed.

Ref: 38

May 04

Responding to a demand from President Woodrow Wilson, Germany agreed to limit its submarine warfare, averting a diplomatic break with Washington.

Ref: 70

Belgian troop march into Kigali, German East-Africa.

Ref: 5

May 08

Cymrio, White Star liner, is torpedoed off Irish coast.

Ref: 38

May 08

German munitions bunker in Fort Douaumont explodes.

Ref: 2

May 09

British-France Sykes-Picot meet over division of Turkey.

Ref: 5

May 14

Italian positions penetrated by Austrians.

Ref: 38

Vimy Ridge gained by British.

Ref: 38

Asiago Italy falls when Austrian troops attack the Italian front.

Ref: 5

May 17

British Summer Time (Daylight Savings), first introduced.

Ref: 5

May 18

US pilot Kiffin Rockwell shoots down German aircraft.

Ref: 5

May 19

Britain and France conclude the Sykes-Picot Agreement.

May 19

Escadrille Am�ricaine (Lafayette) transfered to Verdun.

Ref: 5

May 21

Britain begins "Summer Time" (Daylight Savings Time).

Ref: 5

May 22

French troops occupy parts of Fort Douaumont Verdun.

Ref: 5

Heavy battles at Fort Douaumont Verdun.

Ref: 5

US pilot William Thaw shoots down a German Fokker.

Ref: 5

French driven out of Fort Douaumont after 500 killed or injured.

Ref: 5

Conscription begins in Britain.

Ref: 5

May 26

Bulgarians invade Greece and occupy forts on the Struma.

Ref: 38

May 31

The 2-day Battle of Jutland begins, the only major naval engagement of the war results in 10,000 dead with no clear winner.

Ref: 38

May 31

British battle cruiser Invincible explodes, killing all but 6.

Ref: 5

Jun 03

National Defense Act authorizes five-year expansion of US Army, but at the same time drastically limits size and authority of US War Department General Staff.

The Allies begin the Brusilov offensive against Austria-Hungary.

Jun 05

Kitchener, British Secretary of War, loses his life when the cruiser Hampshire, on which he was voyaging to Russia, is sunk off the Orkney Islands, Scotland.

Ref: 38

Jun 06

Germans capture Fort Vaux in Verdun attack.

Ref: 38

Jun 21

Allies demand Greek demobilization.

Ref: 38

Russian General Aleksei Brusilov renews his offensive against the Germans.

Ref: 2

Jun 27

King Constantine orders demobilization of Greek army.

Ref: 38

Jul 01

The start of The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies. The British suffer approximately 60,000 casualties on the first day. The battle lasts until mid-November.

Ref: 38

Jul 03

The Battle of the Somme begins. More than 100,000 men are killed in the first day.

Ref: 2

Jul 11

The second battle of the Somme begins

Ref: 62

Jul 14

British penetrate German second line, using cavalry.

Ref: 38

Jul 15

Longueval captured by British.

Ref: 38

Jul 16

Pozieres occupied by British.

Ref: 38

Jul 30

British and French advance between Delville Wood and the Somme.

Ref: 38

Jul 30

Black Tom Island, NJ munitions plant destroyed; German sabotage suspected.

Ref: 5

French recapture Fleury.

Ref: 38

Aug 05

The British navy defeats the Ottomans at the naval battle off Port Said, Egypt.

Ref: 2

Persia forms an alliance with Britain and Russia.

Ref: 2

Aug 11

The Russia army takes Stanislau, Poland, from the Germans.

Ref: 2

Aug 27

Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 38

Aug 27

Italy declares war on Germany.

Ref: 2

Italy declares war on Germany. Germany at war with Roumania.

Ref: 70

Paul Von Hindenburg becomes chief-of-General-Staff in Germany.

Ref: 5

Bulgaria at war with Roumania. Turkey at war with Roumania.

Ref: 38

Germany suspends submarine assaults.

Sep 01

Bulgaria declares war on Rumania as the First World War expands.

Ref: 2

Sep 02

Bulgarian forces invade Romania along the Dobrudja frontier.

Ref: 38

Sep 03

Allies turned back Germans in WW I's Battle of Verdun.

Ref: 5

Sep 13

Italians defeat Austrians on the Carso.

Ref: 38

Sep 15

Tanks introduced on the Somme battlefield by the British. British capture Flers, Courcelette, and other Germans positions on Western front, using tanks.

Ref: 5

Combles and Thiepval captured by British and French.

Ref: 38

Sep 27

Constance of Greece declares war on Bulgaria.

Ref: 2

Romanians begin retreat from Transylvania.

Ref: 38

Oct 15

Germany resumes U-boat attacks under search and destroy rules.

Oct 24

Fort Douaumont recaptured by French.

Ref: 38

Oct 25

German pilot Rudolf von Eschwege shoots down his first enemy plane, a Nieuport 12 of the Royal Naval Air Service over Bulgaria.

Ref: 2

Nov 02

Fort Vaux evacuated by Germans.

Ref: 38

Nov 13

British advance along the Ancre.

Ref: 38

Nov 18

The end of The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies. The battle began on July 1.

Ref: 3

Britannic: sister ship of the Titanic sank in the Aegean Sea after an explosion. The vessel, which had been converted to a hospital ship during World War I, probably collided with an underwater mine. Of the more than 1,100 people aboard, only 30 died.

Ref: 38

Nov 23

German warships bombard English coast.

Ref: 38

Nov 28

Roumanian government is transferred to Jassy.

Ref: 38

Nov 28

First German airplane raid on London.

Allied troops enter Athens to insist upon surrender of Greek arms and munitions. King Constantine refuses to surrender to the Allies.

Ref: 38

French commander Joseph Joffre is dismissed after his failure at the Somme. Gen. Robert Nivelle is the new French commander-in-chief.

Ref: 2

Dec 06

German army under General Mackensen occupies Bucharest, capital of Roumania.

Ref: 5

Germans issue peace note suggesting compromise peace.

Dec 13

French chief of staff Joffre replaced by Nivelle.

Ref: 5

Battle of Verdun ends; French troops break through German lines taking 7,500 prisoners. (XDG, p 4A, 12/15/2003)

Ref: 83

Dec 18

US President Wilson requests statement of war objectives from warring nations in peace note; British offended by implication that their war aims are no more moral than Germany's.

Ref: 38

Dec 18

The Battle of Verdun ends with the French and Germans each having suffered more than 330,000 killed and wounded in 10 months.

Ref: 2

Dec 26

Germany replies to President's note and suggests a peace conference.

Ref: 38

Dec 30

The French government on behalf of Entente Allies replies to President Wilson's note and refuses to discuss peace till Germany agrees to give restitution, reparation and guarantees.

Ref: 38

Dec 30

Grigory Yefimovich Rasputin is murdered when he was thrown through a hole in the ice of the Neva River by relatives of the Czar.

Ref: 2

1917

Jan 01

Turkey declares its independence of suzerainty of European powers. Ivernia, Cunard liner, is sunk in Mediterranean.

Ref: 38

Jan 05

Bulgarian and German troops occupy the Port of Braila.

Ref: 2

Austria-Hungarian troops conquer Forlani Italy.

Ref: 5

Jan 09

German leaders decide to launch unrestricted U-boat warfare.

Jan 09

The last Turkish troops are driven back across the Egyptian frontier in World War I.

Ref: 17

Jan 10

Germany is rebuked as the Entente officially rejects a proposal for peace talks and demands the return of occupied territories from Germany.

Ref: 2

Jan 22

President Wilson pleaded for an end to war in Europe, calling for "peace without victory." (By April, however, America also was at war.)

Ref: 70

Jan 29

English submarine K13 leaves Gaire Loch.

Ref: 5

Germany resumes unlimited sub warfare, warning that all neutral ships that are in the war zone will be attacked.

Ref: 2

Feb 01

Admiral Tirpitz announces unlimited submarine war.

Ref: 5

A German submarine sinks the U.S. liner Housatonic off coast of Sicily. The United States severs diplomatic relations with Germany. Count Von Bernstorff is handed his passports.

Ref: 2

Feb 05

British General Staff estimates that no more than 250,000 American soldiers could be in Europe even after a year.

Feb 07

The British steamer California is sunk off the coast of Ireland by a German U-boat.

Ref: 2

Feb 13

Afric, White Star liner, sunk by submarine.

Ref: 38

Feb 13

Chief of British Imperial General Staff Sir William Roberston expresses grave doubts about American fighting capabilities.

Feb 17

British troops on the Ancre capture German positions.

Ref: 38

Feb 22

German Navy torpedoes 7 Dutch ships.

Ref: 5

Great Britain releases the Zimmermann Note to US President Wilson.

Ref: 2

Russian revolution breaks out.

Ref: 5

Feb 25

Laconia, Cunard liner, sunk off Irish coast.

Ref: 38

Kut-el-Amara recaptured from Turks by new British Mesopotamian expedition under command of Gen. Sir Stanley Maude.

Ref: 38

President Wilson publicly asks congress for the power to arm merchant ships.

Ref: 2

Feb 28

United States government makes public a communication from Germans to Mexico proposing an alliance, and offering as a reward the return of Mexico's lost territory in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona (Zimmermann Note ).

Ref: 38

Feb 28

AP reports M�xico & Japan will ally with Germany if US enters WWI.

Ref: 5

The Zimmermann Note is released to the American press.

Ref: 2

Mar 03

Mexico denies having received an offer from Germany suggesting an alliance. (Zimmermann Note)

Ref: 38

Mar 04

Senate adjourns without passing Armed Ship Bill; "Little group of willful men" successfully filibuster.

Mar 10

Russian Czar suspends sittings of the Duma.

Ref: 38

Mar 11

British under General Maude capture Baghdad; soldiers from the Hampshire Regiment march into city.

Ref: 17

Mar 12

President Wilson announces the arming of merchant ships by executive order.

China breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

Mar 17

Bapaume falls to British. Roye and Lassigny occupied by French.

Ref: 38

Peronne, Chaulnes, Nesle and Noyon evacuated by Germans, who retire on an 85-mile front.

Ref: 38

The Germans sink the U.S. ships, City of Memphis, Vigilante and the Illinois, without any type of warning.

Ref: 2

Mar 19

Alexander Ribot becomes French premier, succeeding Briand.

Ref: 38

Mar 20

Wilson's Cabinet votes unanimously for war.

Mar 21

Healdton, American ship, bound from Philadelphia to Rotterdam, sunk without warning; 21 men lost.

Ref: 38

Austrian Emperor Charles I makes a peace proposal to French President Poincare.

Ref: 2

(through the 31st) British advance on Cambrai.

Ref: 38

Battle of Gaza; British under Gen. Sir Charles Dobell fail.

Ref: 10

Mar 28

During World War I the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) was founded, these were Great Britain's first official service women.

Ref: 2

Mar 29

The U.S. War College Division issues its report. It calls for a large force of between 500,000 and 1,000,000 -- and optimistically estimates that at least ten months would be required to ship a force of 500,000 to Europe once it was raised and trained, putting the earliest effects of US involvement in mid- to late-1918; openly plans to send US force overseas, but argues against offensives through Macedonia or Holland; repeats opposition to sending an untrained American army overseas; Wilson publicly calls for a national army to be "raised and maintained exclusively by selective draft".

Mar 31

Russian Foreign Minister, Miliukov, promises that Russia would fight on.

Ref: 90

Apr 01

Aztec, American armed ship, sunk in submarine zone.

Ref: 38

Apr 02

At 8:32 pm President Wilson asks Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, ``The world must be made safe for democracy.''

Ref: 70

The Senate votes 82-6 in favor of war against Germany. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

Ref: 13

Apr 05

Missourian, American steamer, sunk in Mediterranean.

Ref: 38

Apr 06

The House votes 373-50 in favor of war against Germany. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

Ref: 13

Apr 06

Woodrow Wilson signs declaration;U.S. declares war on Germany and enters WW1 at 1:18 p.m.

Ref: 10

Apr 07

Cuba and Panama at war with Germany.

Ref: 38

Apr 08

Austria-Hungary breaks with United States.

Ref: 38

The Battle of Arras begins as Canadian troops begin a massive assault on Vimy Ridge.

Ref: 2

Germans retreat before British on long front. Bolivia breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

Apr 10

Sir William Robertson advocates to Haig the dispatch of immediate American expeditionary force "to get some Americans killed and so get the country to take a real interest in the war"

Apr 10

Munition factory explosion at Eddystone PA, kills 133 workers.

Ref: 5

Apr 13

Vimy, Givenchy, Bailleul and positions about Lens taken by Canadians.

Ref: 38

Apr 15

British forces defeat the Germans at the battle of Arras.

Ref: 2

Apr 16

The French Army launches the 14-day Chemin des Dames offensive, but fails to break through the German lines. Mutiny breaks out amongst the French troops.

Apr 20

Turkey breaks with United States.

Ref: 38

President Wilson suggests to the belligerents a peace without victory.

Ref: 38

May 09

Liberia breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

May 10

Allied ships get destroyer escorts to fend off German attacks in the Atlantic.

Ref: 2

May 11

Russian Council of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates demands peace conference.

Ref: 38

Gen. Petain succeeds Gen. Nivelle as Commander-in-Chief of French armies. Gen. Foch is appointed Chief of Staff.

Ref: 38

May 16

Bullecourt captured by British in the Arras battles.

Ref: 38

May 18

The U.S. Congress passes the Selective Service act, calling up soldiers to fight World War I.

Ref: 2

May 19

Nicaragua breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

May 21

Leo Pinckney is the first American drafted during WWI.

Ref: 5

May 22

(through the 26th) Italians advance on the Carso.

Ref: 38

Dutch 2nd Chamber okays 1908 conscription draft.

Ref: 5

May 28

General Pershing leaves New York harbor for France.

Jun 05

Registration day for new draft army in United States; about 10 million American men began registering for the draft in World War I.

Ref: 5

Jun 07

Messines-Wytschaete ridge in English hands.

Ref: 38

Jun 07

The General Staff issues plans to ship American forces at a rate of 120,000 per month beginning in August; this rate of dispatch would not be realized until April 1918.

Jun 08

Gen. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief of American expeditionary force, arrives in England en route to France.

Ref: 38

Jun 14

Gen Pershing & his HQ staff arrived in Paris during WW I.

Ref: 5

Jun 14

President Wilson, in his Flag Day Address, declares that the initial American Expeditionary Force will be followed by more soldiers as quickly as possible, and that these soldiers will not be held in the US for training.

Jun 15

The Espionage Act is passed.

Jun 17

The Russian Duma meets in secret session in Petrograd and votes for an immediate Russian offensive against the German Army.

Ref: 2

Jun 18

Haiti breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

Jun 24

Mutiny at Sebastopol by the Russian Black Sea Fleet

Ref: 62

The first U.S. infantry troops of the American Expeditionary Force, numbering some 14,000 soldiers, land in France at the port of Saint Nazaire.

Ref: 3

General Pershing arrives in France with the American Expeditionary Force.

Ref: 2

Jul 01

Russians begin offensive in Gallicia, Kerensky, Minister of War, leading in person.

Ref: 38

Jul 02

Pershing makes first request for a US army of 1,000,000.

Jul 03

American expeditionary force arrives in France.

Ref: 38

Jul 06

Canadian House of Commons passes Compulsory Military Service Bill.

Ref: 38

Jul 06

Arab forces led by T.E. Lawrence captured the port of Aqaba from the Turks during World War I.

Ref: 70

Jul 09

British warship "Vanguard" explodes at Scapa Flow killing 800.

Ref: 5

Jul 11

Pershing suggests that figure of 1,000,000 is only initial size, and a total force of 3,000,000 should be the goal.

Jul 12

King Constantine of Greece abdicates in favor of his second son, Alexander.

Ref: 38

Jul 16

(through the 23rd) Retreat of Russians on a front of 155 miles.

Ref: 38

Jul 19

Heavy Zeppelin raids on Britain

Ref: 62

Jul 20

WW I draft lottery held; #258 is first drawn.

Ref: 5

Jul 20

Pact of Corfu leads to establishment of kingdom of Yugoslavia under Prince Alex II Serbia.

Ref: 10

Jul 22

Siam at war with Germany and Austria.

Ref: 38

Jul 31

Passchendaele offensive (Third Battle of Ypres) opens in Flanders. Ref

Aug 01

Pope Benedict XV makes plea for peace on a basis of no annexation, no indemnity.

Ref: 38

Mutiny breaks out in the German fleet at Wilhemshaven.

Ref: 17

Liberia at war with Germany.

Ref: 38

Canadian Conscription Bill passes its third reading in Senate.

Ref: 38

Aug 14

China declared war on Germany and Austria during World War I.

Ref: 70

Aug 15

Canadian troops capture Hill 70, dominating Lens.

Ref: 38

Italians cross the Isonzo and take Austrian positions.

Ref: 38

Pope Benedict's peace plea rejected by President Wilson.

Ref: 38

Sep 01

General Pershing establishes his general headquarters at Chaumont.

Sep 03

Riga captured by Germans.

Ref: 38

Sep 04

The American Expeditionary Force in France suffered its first fatalities in World War I.

Ref: 70

Sep 14

Paul Painleve becomes French premier, succeeding Ribot.

Ref: 38

Sep 16

Russia proclaimed a republic by Kerensky.

Ref: 38

Sep 17

The German Army recaptures the Russian Port of Riga from Russian forces.

Ref: 2

Sep 20

Costa Rica breaks with Germany.

Ref: 38

Sep 21

Gen. Tasker H. Bliss named Chief of Staff of the United States Army.

Ref: 38

Zonnebeke, Polygon Wood and Tower Hamlets, east of Ypres, taken by British.

Ref: 38

Turkish Mesopotamian army, under Ahmed Bey, captured by British.

Ref: 38

Oct 03

War Revenue Act; graduated income tax authorized.

Oct 06

Peru and Uruguay break with Germany.

Ref: 38

Poelcapelle and other German positions captured in Franco- British attack.

Ref: 38

Antilles, American transport, westbound from France, is sunk by submarine; 67 lost.

Ref: 38

Austro-German forces break through at Caporetto on Italian front.

Oct 21

Members of the First Division of the US Army training in Luneville, France, became the first Americans to see action on the front lines of World War One at Sommervillier under French command.

Ref: 5

Corporal Robert Bralet of Battery C of the Sixth Artillery became the first U.S. soldier to fire a shot in the war when he discharged a French 75mm gun into a German trench half-a-mile away.

Ref: 3

French advance northeast of Soissons.

Ref: 38

Battle of Caporetto begins, victory of Austro-Germans over Italians, WWI.

Ref: 10

Oct 24

In World War I, the Caporetto (Italy) campaign begins.Germans push Italians to Piave River & take 300,000 prisoners.

Ref: 2

Oct 25

Italians retreat across the Isonzo and evacuate the Bainsizza Plateau.

Ref: 38

Oct 26

Brazil at war with Germany.

Ref: 38

Oct 31

Beersheba, in Palestine, occupied by British.

Ref: 38

Nov 01

Germans abandon position on Chemin des Dames.

Ref: 38

Nov 02

Corporal James Gresham and privates Thomas Enright and Merle Hay of the Sixteenth Infantry become the first American soldiers to die in World War I when Germans raided their trenches near Bathelemont, France.

Ref: 3

Nov 03

Americans in trenches suffer 20 casualties in German attacks.

Ref: 38

General John Pershing leads U.S. troops into the first American action against German forces.

Ref: 2

Nov 06

Passchendaele captured by Canadians. British Mesopotamian forces reach Tekrit, 100 miles northwest of Bagdad.

Ref: 38

Nov 07

Allied Supreme War Council created at Rapollo, Italy.

Nov 07

British General Sir Edmond Allenby breaks the Turkish defensive line in the Third Battle of Gaza.

Ref: 2

Nov 08

Gen. Diaz succeeds Gen. Cadorna as Commander-in-Chief of Italian armies.

Ref: 38

Nov 10

The end of the 4-month Third Battles of Ypres, known as Passchendaele, results in minor gains, but still no breakthrough.

Nov 12

Canadians take the village of Passchendaele in Belgium during one of the bloodiest battles of World War I. Ref

Nov 15

Georges Clemenceau becomes Premier of France, succeeding Painlove.

Ref: 38

Nov 20

The British launch surprise tank attack at Cambrai.

German ace Rudolf von Eschwege is killed over Macedonia when he attacks a booby-trapped observation balloon packed with exploxsives.

Ref: 2

Ribecourt, Flesquieres, Havrincourt, Marcoing and other German positions captured by British.

Ref: 38

Nov 23

Italians repulse Germans on the whole front from the Asiago Plateau to the Brenta River.

Ref: 38

Nov 24

Cambrai menaced by British, who approach within three miles, capturing Bourlon Wood.

Ref: 38

Nov 26

The Bolsheviks offer an armistice between Russian and the Central Powers.

Ref: 2

German East Africa reported completely conquered. Allies' Supreme War Council, representing the United States, France, Great Britain and Italy, holds first meeting at Versailles.

Ref: 38

The new Russian government, represented by Leon Trotsky, signs an armistice with Germany.

Ref: 38

Dec 05

British retire from Bourlon Wood, Graincourt and other positions west of Cambrai.

Ref: 38

Dec 06

A French munitions ship "Mont Blanc" explodes in Halifax, kills 1,639+ and injures 9,000+.

Ref: 5

Dec 07

The House and Senate vote in favor of war against Austria-Hungary with votes of 365-1 and 74-0, respectively. (USA Today, p 5A, 10/08/2002)

Ref: 13

Dec 09

Jerusalem, held by the Turks for 673 years, surrenders to British, under Gen. Allenby.

Ref: 5

Dec 10

Panama at war with Austria-Hungary.

Ref: 38

Armistice signed between Germany and Russia at Brest-Litovsk.

Ref: 38

Dec 22

Central Powers and Soviets open peace negotiations at Brest-Litovsk.

Dec 23

3 British warships come close to Holland.

Ref: 5

Dec 24

The Kaiser warns Russia that he will use "iron fist" and "shining sword" if peace is spurned.

Ref: 2

1918

Jan 02

Russian Bolsheviks threaten to re-enter the war unless Germany returns occupied territory.

Ref: 2

Jan 05

British premier Lloyd George demand for unified peace.

Ref: 5

Jan 06

Germany acknowledges Finland's independence.

Ref: 2

Jan 07

The Germans move 75,000 troops from the East Front to the Western Front.

Ref: 2

President Woodrow Wilson declares his 14 points as the path to world peace to a joint session of Congress.

Ref: 2

Jan 22

Ukraine proclaimed a free republic (German puppet).

Ref: 5

Jan 25

Austria and Germany reject U.S. peace proposals.

Ref: 2

Jan 26

US food administrator Hoover calls for "wheatless" & "meatless" days for war effort.

Ref: 5

Jan 28

Strike on Berlin ammunitions factory.

Ref: 5

Jan 29

The Supreme Allied Council meets at Versailles.

Ref: 2

Feb 05

Near Saabrucken, Germany, 1Lt Stephen Thompson becomes the first American flier to shoot down an enemy aircraft.

Feb 08

The Stars and Stripes, the weekly newspaper of the American Expeditionary Forces, was published for the first time.

Ref: 4

Feb 11

Wilson's delivers his Four Principles speech to a joint session of Congress.

Feb 12

All theatres in New York City were shut down in an effort to conserve coal.

Ref: 4

Feb 15

First WWI US army troop ship torpedoed & sunk by Germany, off Ireland.

Ref: 5

Feb 20

The Soviet Red Army seizes Kiev, the capital of the Ukraine.

Ref: 2

Feb 21

Australians chase Turkish troop out of Jericho, Dutch Palestine.

Ref: 5

Feb 22

Germany claims Baltic states, Finland & Ukraine from Russia.

Ref: 5

Feb 29

Bulgaria signs armistice.

Mar 03

Germany, Austria and Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, which ended Russian participation in World War One and deprived the Soviets of White Russia. (The treaty was annulled by the November 1918 armistice.)

Ref: 5

Mar 07

Finland signs an alliance treaty with Germany.

Ref: 2

An all-Russian Congress of Soviets ratifies a peace treaty with the Central Powers.

Ref: 2

Mar 19

S Potter becomes first US pilot to shoot down a German seaplane.

Ref: 5

Mar 21

Germany launches the first of five major offensives against the British (the Battle of Picardy) to win the war before American troops appear in the trenches. The Germans launch the 'Michael' offensive is better remembered as the First Battle of the Somme.

Ref: 5

German offensive redirects towards Amiens and Paris.

Ref: 38

Cr�py-en-Laonnoise: German artillery shells Paris France, 256 killed.

Ref: 5

Paris bombs "Thick Bertha's Dike" (nickname for the widow Krupp).

Ref: 5

On the Western Front, the Germans take the French towns Noyon, Roye and Lihons.

Ref: 2

Doullens Agreement gives General Foch "co-ordinating authority" over the western front.

Mar 28

German Operation 'Mars' is repulsed at Arras.

Ref: 38

(and 5th) Australians halt German advance at Villers Bretonneux.

Ref: 38

The Battle of the Somme ends.

Ref: 2

Food riot in Amsterdam.

Ref: 5

Germans launch second assault of their 1918 offensive (Battle of the Lys) in British sector of Armentieres.

Ref: 38

Apr 14

Marshal Ferdinand Foch appointed Commander-in-Chief of Allied forces on western front.

Ref: 10

Apr 14

Douglas Campbell is first US ace pilot (shooting down 5th German plane).

Ref: 5

Apr 21

The Red Baron, Baron Von Richthofen is shot down (perhaps by ground fire) as he flies low in pursuit of Lt. Wilford May's Sopwith Camel. He was 25.

Ref: 68

British naval forces attempt to sink block-ships in the German U-boat bases at the Battle of Zeeburgge.

Ref: 2

(and 24th) British attempt to blockade Ostend harbour fails.

Ref: 38

Percy Thomson Dean Lieutenant-commander, is killed at Zeebrugge.

Ref: 5

Battle of Zeebrugge ends.

Ref: 5

Dover Patrol overthrows Germany U-boat in East Sea.

Ref: 5

Apr 25

British and Australian troops stop the German advance near Amiens.

Apr 29

America's WWI Ace of Aces, Eddie Rickenbacker, scores his first victory with the help of Captain James Norman Hall.

Ref: 2

Rumania forced to sign humiliating Treaty of Bucharest with Germans.

Ref: 10

May 10

HMS Vindictive sunk to block entrance of Ostend Harbor

Ref: 2

Pfc. Henry Johnson and Pfc. Needham Roberts receive the Croix de Guerre for their services in World War I. They are the first Americans to win France's highest military medal.

Ref: 5

Greek troops lands at Smyrna.

Ref: 5

May 16

The Sedition Act, an amendment to Espionage Act of 1917, becomes law.

German shells land on Paris.

May 25

German U-boats make their first appearance in US waters.

May 27

The third phase of 1918 German offensive (Third Battle of the Aisne) begins in French sector along Chemin des Dames.

Ref: 5

May 28

28th Regiment of US 1st Division goes into action at town of Cantigny.

May 29

German troops advance to the Marne but are stopped by US Divisions.

Ref: 38

French and American troops halt Germany's offensive at Chateau-Thierry, France.

Ref: 2

Jun 06

The World War One Battle of Belleau Wood, which resulted in a US victory over the Germans, began in France. The US 2nd Division captures Bouresches and southern part of Belleau Wood.

Ref: 5

Jun 09

The opening of fourth phase of 1918 German offensive (Battle of the Matz) in French sector between Noyon and Montdider.

Ref: 17

Jun 12

The first airplane bombing raid by an American unit occurs in France.

Ref: 2

Jun 15

(and 16th) Austrian offensive at Asiago defeated by combined British and French force.

Ref: 38

Jun 17

Last German air raid on Britain in World War I

Ref: 62

Jun 18

Allied forces on the Western Front begin their largest counter-attack yet against the German army.

Ref: 2

The Germans begin firing their huge 420 mm howitzer, "Big Bertha," at Paris.

Ref: 2

Jul 02

Allied Supreme War Council supports intervention in Siberia.

Jul 11

Enrico Caruso bypassed opera for a short time to join the war (WWI) effort. Caruso recorded Over There, the patriotic song written by George M. Cohan.

Ref: 4

Jul 15

The Second Battle of the Marne began during World War I.

Ref: 70

Jul 18

US & French forces launch Aisne-Marne offensive in WW I.

Ref: 5

Jul 19

German armies retreat across Marne River in France (WW I).

Ref: 5

Jul 26

Mick (Edward) Mannock, WWI flying ace for Great Britain with 73 hits, is killed when his plane is shot down,

Ref: 4

Aug 02

A British force lands in Archangel, Russia, to support White Russian opposition to the Bolsheviks.

Ref: 2

Large-scale Allied intervention begins at Vladivostok.

Second battle of the Marne ends with German retreat.

Ref: 10

Anglo-French counter-attack at Amiens supported by heavy artillery and 400 tanks achieves major successes. Ludendorff describes it as 'the Black Day' for the German army.

Ref: 38

Six US soldiers are surrounded by Germans in France, Alvin York is given command & shoots 20 Germans & captures 132 more.

Ref: 5

Aug 10

1st US Army organized under Pershing.

Aug 11

Battle of Amiens ends in WW I, Allies beat Germans.

Ref: 5

Sgt. Irving Berlin�s musical about army life, "Yip Yip Yaphank", in World War I opens at the Century Theatre in New York City.

Ref: 4

Aug 20

Britain opened its offensive on the Western front during World War One.

Ref: 5

Sep 04

US troops land in Archangel, Russia, stay 10 months.

Ref: 5

Sep 06

The German Army begins a general retreat across the Aisne, with British troops in pursuit.

Ref: 2

Sep 12

British troops retake Havincourt, Moeuvres, and Trescault along the Western Front.

Ref: 2

Sep 12

U.S. forces led by Gen. John J. Pershing launched an attack on the German-occupied St. Mihiel salient north of Verdun, France, during World War I.

Ref: 70

Sep 13

U.S. and French forces take St. Michiel, France in America's first action as a standing army. 15,000 enemy troops captured.

Ref: 2

Sep 18

The opening of the British offensive in Palestine (Battle of Megiddo).

Sep 19

American troops of the Allied North Russia Expeditionary Force receive their baptism of fire near the town of Seltso against Soviet forces.

Ref: 2

Sep 22

General Allenby leads the British army against the Turks, taking Haifa and Nazareth, Palestine.

Ref: 2

Sep 25

Brazil declares war on Austria.

Ref: 2

German Ace Ernst Udet shoots down two Allied planes, bringing his total for the war up to 62.

Ref: 2

The Meuse-Argonne offensive opens; the greatest offensive of war for US forces.

Ref: 5

Sep 27

President Woodrow Wilson opens his fourth Liberty Loan campaign to support men and machines for World War I.

Ref: 2

Allied forces scored a decisive breakthrough of the Hindenburg Line during World War One.

Ref: 5

Sep 30

Bulgaria pulls out of World War I.

Ref: 2

Oct 01

A combined Arab and British force captures Damascus from the Turks during World War I. In command of the British forces is T. E. Lawrence, a legendary British soldier known as Lawrence of Arabia.

Oct 03

Germans and Austrians send notes to Wilson requesting an armistice.

Oct 08

Alvin York's platoon was advancing toward the Decauville railway when they were hit with machine-gun fire from all sides. The doughboys captured one gun, but the noise drew the fire of the remaining German emplacements, killing six and seriously wounding three Americans. As the most senior of the remaining doughboys, York went out alone to engage the enemy with just his rifle and service revolver, picking off the machine-gunners one by one. When the fighting was over, York had single-handedly eliminated 35 machine guns, killed more than 20 Germans and taken 132 members of a Prussian Guards regiment as prisoners.

Ref: 2

Oct 08

Beirut taken by British.

Ref: 10

More than 250 bombers and 100 pursuit planes attack enemy forces in France.

Ref: 50

Oct 12

Pershing forms 2nd Army under command of General Bullard.

Last ship sunk by a U-boat in WWI (SS Lucia).

Ref: 51

Oct 21

Germany ceases unrestricted U-boat warfare.

President Wilson feels satisfied that the Germans are accepting his armistice terms and agrees to transmit their request for an armistice to the Allies. The Germans have agreed to suspend submarine warfare, cease inhumane practices such as the use of poison gas, and withdraw troops back into Germany. When the United States entered World War I, propagandist George Creel set out to stifle anti-war sentiment.

Ref: 2

Oct 26

Germany's supreme commander, General Erich Ludendorff, resigns, protesting the terms to which the German Government has agreed in negotiating the armistice. This sets the stage for his later support for Hitler and the Nazis, who claim that Germany did not lose the war on the battlefield but were "stabbed in the back" by politicians.

Ref: 2

Oct 28

Germany's sailors mutiny at port when asked to sail out to fight again.

Ref: 38

Oct 30

The Italians capture Vittorio Veneto and rout the Austro-Hungarian army.

Ref: 2

Oct 30

Turkey signs an armistice with the Allies, agreeing to end hostilities at noon, October 31.

Ref: 2

Nov 01

Americans breakthrough German defences at Meuse.

Ref: 38

Nov 03

The Austro-Hungarian Empire dissolves.

Nov 03

The German fleet at Kiel mutinies. This is the first act leading to German's capitulation in World War I.

Ref: 2

Nov 04

Austria signs an armistice with the Allies.

Ref: 2

Nov 07

An erroneous United Press report of armistice sets off celebrations

Ref: 5

Nov 09

Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates, flees to Holland. German republic proclaimed under Philip Scheidemann.

Ref: 5

Nov 10

A German republic is founded.

Nov 11

At eleven o'clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the war ends as Germany and Allies sign an Armistice.

Ref: 2

Nov 17

German troops evacuate Brussels.

Ref: 2

Nov 18

Wilson announces that he will attend peace conference personally.

The last German troops leave Alsace-Lorraine, France.

Ref: 2

Surrender of German Battle fleet to Allies.

Ref: 10

An American army of occupation enters Germany.

Ref: 2

The Allied Conference ends in London where they decide that Germany must pay for the war.

Ref: 2

Dec 13

US army of occupation crosses the Rhine, enters Germany.

Ref: 5

Dec 22

The last of the food restrictions, that had been enforced because of the shortages during World War I, are lifted.

Ref: 2

1919

Jan 18

The international peace conference seeking a formal end to World War I opens at Versailles, France, two months after the termination of the massive conflict.

Ref: 3

Feb 06

Germany National Assembly meets at Weimar.

President Wilson arrives at Boston aboard George Washington.

Feb 28

Lodge starts campaign against League of Nations.

Mar 13

Admiral Kolchak begins his offensive against Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War.

President Wilson returns to Paris after a month's absence.

Apr 07

Allies evacuate Odessa.

Wilson appeals directly to Italians in an effort to gain their support for his views on peace settlement.

Paris Peace Conference disposes of German colonies; German East Africa is assigned to Britain & France, German Southwest Africa to South Africa.

Ref: 5

Treaty of Versailles submitted to German delegation.

Jun 21

The German High Seas Fleet scuttled at Scapa Flow.

Ref: 5

Jun 28

The Treaty of Versailles is signed in Hall of Mirrors at Versailles ending World War I.

Ref: 4

Jul 08

President Woodrow Wilson received a tumultuous welcome in New York City after his return from the Versailles Peace Conference in France.

Ref: 70

Jul 10

President Wilson personally delivered the Treaty of Versailles to the Senate, and urged its ratification.

Ref: 70

Jul 19

Peace celebrations all over the world for end of WWI.

Ref: 10

Jul 21

The British House of Lords ratifies the Versailles Treaty.

Ref: 2

Aug 24

Italian Premier Orlando walks out of peace conference over Fiume issue

Nov 11

The first two-minutes' silence is observed in Britain to commemorate those who died in the Great War.

Ref: 2

Nov 19

The Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles by a vote of 55 in favor, 39 against, short of the two-thirds majority needed for ratification.

Ref: 5

1920

Jan 03

The last of the U.S. troops quit France.

Ref: 2

Jan 23

The Dutch government refuses the demands of the Allies to hand over Kaiser Wilhelm II, the dethroned German monarch who had fled to the Netherlands. (XDG, p 4A, 1/23/2003)

Ref: 83

The Allies demand that 890 German military leaders stand trial for war crimes.

Ref: 2

Mar 19

The U.S. Senate rejects the Treaty of Versailles for the second time, 49-35, failing the necessary two-thirds majority for passage. (Columbus Dispatch, 03/19/2000, p. 9D)

Ref: 25

1921

The Allies reject a $7.5 billion reparations offer in London. German delegations decides to quit all talks.

Ref: 2

Apr 27

Germany's liability was declared to be 6.65 billion pounds by the Reparations Commission

Ref: 62

Aug 25

The United States, which never ratified the Versailles Treaty ending World War I, finally signs a peace treaty with Germany and Austria. (Xenia Daily Gazette, p 4A, 8/25/2000)

1922

Jan 06

Conference of Cannes concerning German retribution payments.

Ref: 5

Jan 13

Conference of Cannes concerning German retribution payments ended.

Ref: 5

1923

Jan 04

The Paris Conference on war reparations hits a deadlock as the French insist on the hard line and the British insist on Reconstruction.

Ref: 2

Jan 10

The United States withdraws its last troops from Germany, specifically, from the Rhineland.

Ref: 2

Jan 11

The French enter the town of Essen in the Ruhr valley, to extract Germany's resources as war payment.

Ref: 2

Feb 04

French troops take the territories of Offenburg, Appenweier and Buhl in the Ruhr as a part of the agreement ending World War I.

Ref: 2

Jun 20

France announces it will seize the Rhineland to assist Germany in paying her war debts.

Ref: 2

1924

In memory of all the soldiers from the state of NY who died in the first World War, an eternal light was dedicated at Madison Square in NY City.

Ref: 4

1925

After a seven-year occupation, 7,000 British troops evacuate Cologne, Germany.

Ref: 2

1926

Apr 29

France & US reach accord on repayment of WWI.

Ref: 5

A memorial to the first US troops in France is unveiled at St. Nazaire.

Ref: 2

1930

Jan 03

The second conference on Germany's war reparations begins at the Hague, in the Netherlands.

Ref: 2

Nov 06

President Herbert Hoover awards the coveted Medal of Honor to Eddie Rickenbacker for his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty" in attacking seven enemy airplanes while on Sep. 25, 1918, shooting down two.

Ref: 50