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Assasination of Archduke
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a serbian nationalist began a chain of events that led to war. The Archduke had a bomb thrown on his car that rolled off and injured an officer and civilian. War was not called immediately because Austria-Hungary needed and allie who would back them up in case Russia joined Serbia. More Info -
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War Declared
Austria-Hungary presented Serbia with an ultimatum, stating, that all anti-Austrian propaganda in Serbia be suppressed, and that Austria-Hungary would be allowed to conduct its own investigation into the archduke's killing. Even though Serbia accepted all of Austria's demands except for one, the Austrian government broke relations and declared war. Following shortly after, Germany declared war on Russia. <a href='http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/austria-hungary-declares-war-on-serbia' -
Raoul Lufbery Joined the Airforce
At the start of thr war in August 1914, Lufbery was determined to play a part in the Allied cause. With the U.S. neutral until April 1917 he enlisted with the French Foreign Legion while his dear friend, Marc Pourpe joined the nascent French Air Service. Lufbery planned to apply for a transfer to the French Air Service in order to continue as Pourpe's mechanic. Learn More -
Germany Invades Belgium
Two days after declaring war on Russia, Germany declared war on France. The first German troops came to Belgium, which would be crossed by German armies on their way to an invasion of France. The day before, Germany had presented Belgium with an ultimatum demanding passage for the German army through its territory. [More info](4) http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-and-france-declare-war-on-each-other) -
Battle of Tannenberg
On August 26, after intercepting wireless messages from both Russian leaders, the Germans were able to take Russia's army by surprise. This attack took place near the village of Tannenberg.Upon Russia's surrender General Samsonov went into the woods and shot himself.
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First Battle of the Marne
Events at the Marne signaled the end of Germany’s two-front war strategy, known as the Schlieffen Plan. The event also marked the end of the general belief, that the conflict that broke out in 1914 would be short. More info -
Friend Marc Pourpe was Killed Landing in Fog at Night
Raoul Luffbery had made a friend in France who he had traveled with all around the world. As Marc was a renound pilot, Raoul agreed to be his mechanic in the service. Raoul put in a request to be transfered to the French Air Service. Shortly after Marc died while trying to land his pland during a foggy night. More info -
Sinking of the Lusitania
The British warned the Lusitania to avoid the area or take action, like zigzagging to confuse U-boats plotting the vessel's course. The captain of the Lusitania ignored them, and on May 7, the 32,000-ton ship was hit by a torpedo. The torpedo blast was followed by a larger explosion and the ship sank within 20 minutes. More info -
Enlisted with Escadrille V.B 106
Lufbery was determined to learn how to fly and successfully enlisted with Escadrille V.B. 106 in October. His Nieuport training continued until the following May. More info -
Battle of Verdun
This battle was the longest in the war and suffered close to 1 million casualties. The weapons in the war were new and innovative. The newly-invented flamethrower and the first use of phosgene gas, ten times more lethal than the chlorine gas they previously used. The war ended on December 18th. More info -
Assigned to Escadrille Americaine
Americans, sympathetic to the Allied cause, offered their service to France in many ways, one of which in the Air Program. Americans assigned as pilots: Norman Prince, Victor Chapman, Kiffin Rockwell, James McConnell, William Thaw, Elliot Cowdin and Bert Hall, Raoul Lufbery, and Charles Dolan. More info -
Battle of Jutland
Jutland is known as the greatest naval battle of WWI. A total of 100,000 men and 250 ships were involved in the battle lasting 3 days. The Germans claimed it as a victory. More info -
Battle of Somme
The Battle of Somme was a war with a copius amount of casualties and very little gain of territory for Allied forces. Commander of the British Force, called off the Battle of the Somme in France after five months of fighting. This battle was a large part of the ultimate downfall of Germany. More info -
Lufberry Air Fight
He achieved his first official 'kill' in the skies above Verdun, bringing down a German two-seater aircraft. He then scored his second success later the same day. He rapidly achieved 'ace' status - five kills, and became the first U.S. citizen to achieve the award. He later went on to earn the Medaille Militaire, Croix de Guerre and Légion d'Honneur, achieving 17 air successes during his life. More info -
US Declares War
Although remaining neutral thus far in the war the U.S. eventually joined in the war. The U.S. Senate voteed 82 to 6 to declare war against Germany, and the U.S. House of Representatives votes 373 to 50, and the United States enters the WWI. More info -
Reassigned Squadrons
American entry into the war meant Lufbery would be reassigned to the U.S. Air Service. In January 1918 he was sent to the Pursuit Organisation Center at Villeneuve-les-Vertus. He was then reassigned to the U.S. 95th Aero Pursuit Squadron, then the 94th as a combat instructor. More info -
Lufbery Died
Raoul Lufbery died while fighting a German aircraft, his guns jammed, then his plane burst into flames. He then fell upside down 200 feet. Possibly from jumping out of the plane, he landed on a picket fence in Maron, France and died at age 33. More info -
2nd Battle of the Marne
The german's final push of WWI. Set the Allies up for the major counter-attack on July 18. Ended in a major Allie victory. More info -
Austrian-Hungarian Empire Surrenders
Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire all surrender by this point in time. Germany was the last force in this alliance to stand, but not for long. More info -
WWI Ends
Germany was finally forced to seek a truce with the Allies. On November 7, the German chancellor sent delegates to France, to negotiate the agreement. More info
