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The Great War Begins
August 4th, 1918 Germany invaded Belgium and WWI commenced. Germany invaded Belgium as a part of there Schlieffen Plan devised by Alfred Von Schlieffen. This violated Belgium's neutrality and caused the war to kick off. The first battle of WWI occurred at the city of Liege a heavily fortified city. This battle began August 5th and ended on the 15th. The Germans used their most brutal weapons to take the city. Sources: http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history -
Germans Introduce Chemical Warfare
On April 22nd, 1915 the Germans attacked the allied lines with a artillery bombardment and afterwardsthey they launched shells of chlorine gas on the allied lines. The allies went into a state of panic as the gas traveled into into the trenches. The Germans would soon realize that the gas would affect them to by wind carrying the toxic gas. The allies held there position and the Germans failed to eradicate the allied lines. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-introduce-poison-gas -
Lusitania Sinks
On the 7th of May 1915 the ocean liner the Lusitania is sunk by a German U-Boat. The Germans justified their actions by mentioning that the ship entered the warzone around the British Isles. The sinking of the ship caused 1,198 out of the 1,959 passengers to drown. This sparked a debate among the U.S. populous due to the 128 Americans that died along with the Lusitania. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/lusitania-sinks, http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/snpwwi2.htm -
The Battle of The Somme
The Battle of The Somme was one of the largest battles of The Great War. The battle took place near the Somme river located in France and was one of the most bloodiest battles in history. On the first day of the battle the British had 57,000 casualties and the Allied and Central powers had a total of 1.5 million deaths. The British improved their military tactics during the battle and helped them greatly. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/battle-of-the-somme -
Tanks Storm Onto The Battlefield
September 15th, 1916 the British deploy tanks for the first time. The tanks were slow and susceptible to mechanical failure but proved to be a vital tool on the battlefield. The Battle of The Somme was revitalized when the tanks were brought to the battlefield. The British advanced 2,000 yards and pierced through German lines. Sources: http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1916.html, http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/tanks-introduced-into-warfare-at-the-somme -
Germany Continues Unrestricted Submarine Warfare
Germany was pressured by other nations to restrict the use of U-Boats in September 18th, 1915. The German navy commanders were not happy with this and pushed for more aggressive use of the U-Boats. This push eventually convinced the government and Wilhelm. Although the German Chancellor was opposed to this he eventually approved. The threat of the U-Boats have yet again become present. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germany-resumes-unrestricted-submarine-warfare -
The U.S. Enters The War
After the U.S. Senate voted 82 to 6 the U.S. Formally declares war on Germany. Germany wanting to bring the war to a end recommence unrestricted submarine warfare. Three days after the U.S. broke off its diplomatic relations with Germany and after that a U-Boat sunk yet another ship. On April 2nd President Wilson stood before congress and was granted to declare war on Germany. Sources:http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/america-enters-world-war-i -
Russia Signs Treaty With Central Powers
March 3rd, 1918 Russia signed a treaty with the Central Powers ending there part in the war. Russia fighting along side the allies resulted in their heavy loses against Germany. This overtime wore down the morale of the majority of Russia's population which led to them drawing a close to their part in the war. Sources: http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/treaty-of-brest-litovsk-concluded, http://www.historytoday.com/richard-cavendish/treaty-brest-litovsk -
Battle of Cantigny
May 28th, 1918 was the first American offensive of WWI. There was an American brigade of 4,000 troops which took the village of Cantigny located on the Somme river. There was a two hour artillery barrage that preceded the attack on the village. The French army provided air support, heavy tanks, and ,the most effective method, squads of flamethrowers. Sources:http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/u-s-troops-score-victory-at-cantigny, -
The Battle of Belleua Wood
On June 6th, 1918 began the first large scale battle that the Americans fought in. The Germans managed to penetrate the Western front 45 miles within Paris France. General John J. Pershing led the Americans into battle against the Germans in a counter attack. Germans led by General Erich Ludendorff attacked Americans with gas, artillery, and machine guns. America prevailed but suffered 10,000 casualties. Sources:http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/battle-of-belleau-wood-begins -
"The Most Eventful Month of My Life"
On tuesday october 1st, 1918 Albert John Carpenter witnessed the intense bombardment of artillery on enemy and friendly lines. Albert was on the Hindenberg line inside the trenches where conditions were often wet and cold. Albert on this day he wrote that he did nothing at a.m. but at p.m. he started signal work. This was the beginning of his most eventful month of his life. Source: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.00225/pageturner?ID=pm0003001 -
Bombardment
Now we jump to October 8th, 1918 where John writes that “We will go over the top in 10 minutes”. He later writes that a heavy artillery barrage is launched. Following the strike he says that they took a lot of German soldiers prisoner. He says a lot of Americans were killed during the battle. At 4 p.m. the Germans launched a counterattack against the Allied lines which proved to be unsuccessful. Source: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.00225/pageturner?ID=pm0003001 -
The Bombardment Continues
On the very next day the battle raged on with no intent on stopping. John writes that the Germans have started burning towns on the back of the lines. The Germans then commenced an artillery barrage on a relay station. During the artillery barrage Albert writes that a shell flew over his head and killed a fellow soldier. Albert then writes that St. Etienne has been under heavy fire all day. Source: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.00225/pageturner?ID=pm0003001 -
Gassing
On Friday the 11th of October John writes that casualties in the 142nd infantry have been enlarging. He explains he is very weak due to only having two large meals since being on the front. At 12 a.m. John has his first encounter with gas when a shell exploded and he wasn’t able to put on his gas mask fast enough. Albert says that due to inhaling the toxic gas he was sent to a field hospital. He is given 20 pills and is sent back to the lines at 10 p.m. -
Entrenched
Monday October 14th Albert writes his company has started digging and prepares for battle. He later writes that it is very dark and the German artillery shells would come very close. The Germans took up positions on the Aisne River, while he and his division waited to strike. Additionally, he explained it had been raining since yesterday causing him to feel he’s going to freeze. Source: http://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.00225/pageturner?ID=pm0003001&page=2
