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Archduke's Assassination
With the upcoming visit of the Archduke Ferdinand to Bosnia, a secret society planned to assassinate him. The society consisted of Gavrilo Princip, Trifko Grabez and Nedeljko Cabrinovic and a terrorist group. After a failed attempt to bomb Franz, the society decided to shoot him instead. This caused the uprising of WWI. -
Russia's Army Taking Action
Russia was an ally of Serbia. In response of Archduke's assassination, Russia decides to mobilizes it's army intervene against Austria-Hungary. This sparked the rest of the nations in Europe as they soon joined the outrage. This significantly brought a chain of upcoming conflicts along. -
Germany's Invasion
Germany invades through Belgium in order to get to Paris, France. They used the tactic to get through other neutral nations and demanded free passage. However, Belgium refused as they joined the allies. Germany's army overthrew several of Belgium's cities in response. -
Battle of Ypres
Germany fires at allied nations. This nearly resulted the collapse of France. Germany also demonstrated the first gas attack of the war, creating other criminal weapons. The allies held their position as they made their own gas masks to protect the soldiers. This doesn't stop Germany's upcoming attacks. -
Lusitania Sinks
German submarines sinks the Lusitania that carried 1,198 people including 128 Americans in that group. Germany broke naval rules.This caused a strain between America and Germany. The Lusitania was endured as a passenger ship, but it was secretly used for war advantages after. -
Germany's Limit on Submarines
Kaiser Wilhelm banned the act of unrestricted submarine warfare. This way, it could prevent America from joining the war. However, this impeded Germany's plan of preventing American supplies shipping to France and Britain. Germany starts to reconsider the restriction. -
The Uprising on German Submarines
Britain launches the first tanks used in battle. These machines were useful as they broke through barbed wire, but failed to be as sufficient as other weapons. This inspired Germany to lift the ban on limited submarines, meddling with the European waterway. This pushed America wanting to draw in the war more than ever. -
America Officially Joins the War
America enters the war on the side of Britain and France. This choice was influenced greatly for the Zimmerman Telegram. Mexico was bribed to join the German side in return of their land. Mexico declined, but America was infuriated. -
Selective Service Act
Selective service has been announced by Congress. This act was seen ironic as it goes against democracy. However, President Wilson supports the idea of selective service. He sees that there's no other way, but to gain more soldiers. -
The Soldiers' Departures
American enlistees like John voluntarily enlisted himself as an engineer in Albany New York, with others enlisting at ages 20-24. The conditions consisted of a lot of marching and walking in Albany The community supported and showed respect by giving them gratitude and candy for their departure to the military. The men would all soon live a difficult lifestyle of a soldier. -
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Facing Difficulties
After arriving in Spartanburg, he and the rest of the men begin to train to become disciplined soldiers. Constant drilling, and patrol duty for hours, even in bad weather. The lifestyle consisted of rain water seeping through the tents, living in over packed guardhouses, cold without a full blanket or a warm bed, sleeping on hay/straw stuffed pillows. John’s duties varied and became more intense; he did relentless digging, looking out for violent prisoners, and got on more patrols. -
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Preparing for Overseas Patrol
John prepared to travel overseas to Paris for patrol. Him and his troops continued drilling on the ship(raft drilling), despite bad weather and high winds. They had to sleep on deck every night. Many of the soldiers became seasick, but still performed their patrol routine, even when the ship is rocking. During this time the Pocahontas (the ship that he traveled on) was shot numerous times by submarines resulting in an hour battle. This was all before landing at St. Nazaire. -
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Hardships in France
Joseph went on more hours on duty and patrol in France. He moved around the cities, sleeping in farms, cars, slaughterhouses, on cold brick floors, and in mud. Planes fly above often so they keep their guard. However he was able to write many letters back home to Albany, New York to Mary, and mother. He soon had to prepare to support the other soldiers in the trench warfare. -
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Transferring Tools by Horse and Wagon
John and his mates from Engineer Train had the job of transferring tools to the infantry by horse and wagon. To protect themselves from shillings, they would have to lean forward to avoid being an easy target. The men had to sleep under the wagon in case of being a target along with the horses that were attached to the wagon. They traveled all over France but never settled themselves,had enough sleep, or money, and were constantly a target for bombs. -
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Worn and Wounded
Clothes were all torn and worn for John, but he had no choice but to keep it since getting a new one may take long. Infections occurred throughout the company, as he had an infection on his chin. The infection cause his chin to swell and become “poisoned”, he later had to get it cut off. Him and his company continued their duties, but were now low on horses and men as they died from gas attacks and severe wounds. -
Armistice Day
Many of Germany's navy went on strike. Britain and France counterattacked with America supporting. This made it impossible for Germany to win the war, so they signed an armistice that the fighting will stop. Germany has lost. World War 1 has ended. -
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Finally Home
John was finally discharged from the military. John arrives back home in Albany. Him and his company prepare and pack up to leave for the 27th Home Division Welcome Home Parade in NYC. He then lived a normal life as a civilian, never regretting his enlistment.
