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Assignation of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
The assignation of Archduke Frans Ferdinand happened on June 28, 1914, in the city of Sarajevo, Bosnia. It was carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a young Bosnian Serb nationalist. The first attempt failed after a failed bomb attempt that hit the back of the car. They took a wrong turn after wanting to visit the injured people at the hospital and Gavrilo happened to be at the right place at the right time. He then killed the duke and his wife, later being arrested and thrown in prison for 20 years. -
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The Battle of Verdun
The battle of Verdun was the longest battle in the war. It was a massive German offense, hoping to take control of northern France to break it away for southeastern France. Day by day, it became more of a stalemate. The battle drove people to want to die where a lieutenant was asked to end one of the other’s lives. Over 700,000 German and French soldiers were killed in the battle. The battle resulted in a French victory after German forces were reduced to fight in the battle of Somme. -
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The Battle of Somme
The battle of Somme began on July 1 with a British offensive that resulted in 19,000 British casualties. The only gain was they pushed the Germans back 6 miles, but couldn't break their line. As the fighting came to a close, the British suffered 420,000 casualties. The French lost 200,000 while the Germans lost 500,000. The battle of Somme resulted in a German victory after the British and French couldn't break the German line. -
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The Battle of Vimy Ridge
The Germans took control of the Ridge in the early stages of the war. They set up heavily defended positions which made it even harder to take. The battle resulted in an Allied victory with the Canadians pushing the Germans out of Vimy Ridge. Most of the hills that were under German control were taken back by the Canadians by noon on April 9. The Canadians had 10,600 casualties while the Germans had 20,000 casualties. -
Leo Bailey arrives in France
Leo Bailey was at sea for two weeks when they made a stop at an American port for supplies. While they were at sea, they kept an eye out for German submarines when they were out at sea. Towards the end of their time at sea, a few destroyers were heading to where they were going. Leo also got seasick one time while they were heading to France. He also noted that their journey could have been shorter if the ships that traveled with them weren't there. -
Leo Bailey Gets Injured
Leo Bailey was attacked and injured by enemy forces in France. He was injured after an arterial attack when a shell hit him as he jumped into a hole. He later described his attack, “Should I stand, or do I drop on the ground, or would I try to get into my foxhole”(Bailey 3). Leo ended up surviving the attack and was in the hospital for two months. -
Leo Bailey Joins the Prisoner Of War Escort Company
After Leo got out of the hospital, he was reassigned to a prisoner of war escort company. There he would serve as a guard for the German prisoners that they have. During this time, he writes in his letters that he wished he was sent home two months ago. His arm was also getting better after the attack. -
The Germans Surrendered
After taking heavy losses in 1918, the Germans agreed to sign an armistice on November 11, 1918. 20 million people including civilians died in ww1. 8.5 million soldiers in total from both sides lost their lives. With that in mind, the Germans had to sign a peace treaty that limited them to only 100,00 men. The Germans had to pay 37 billion dollars in compensation. The French occupied the Rhineland after the Germans surrendered. -
Guarding Prisoners of War
He is still in France and wants to go home. He is still guarding the German prisoners because the Germans have not accepted peace yet. Leo is also gathering thousands of vehicles that would be sold to the French government. He is also having fun in Tangres, going to the YMCA, caves, and celebrating a french holiday. -
Leo Bailey Leaves France and Goes Home
After almost three years in France, he finally went home in mid-october. In his last letter, he wished he could go back to Paris someday. Leo was also promoted to sergeant on October 16th. He was later honorably discharged later that same day.
