28 5 23 25 28 Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro- Hungarian throne, assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. Austria-Hungary blames Serbia for supporting this terrorist attack in Bosnia- Herzegovina. Germany promises to support Austria-Hungary in its confrontation with Serbia over the assassination. Austria-Hungary issues ultimatum to Serbia to accept its terms or face recrimination. Serbia orders mobilization of its army. The following day, Austria-Hungary begins mobilization of its army, including along the Russian border. Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. In self defence and in support of Serbia, Russia orders partial mobilization of its army. 1914 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 15 26 After demanding an end to Russian mobilization the previous day in support of Austria-Hungary, Germany declares war on Russia and begins mobilising its own army. Germany invades Luxembourg and demands permission to move through neutral Belgium against France. Germany declares war on France. Belgium refuses Germany permission to cross its territory to reach France and asserts its neutrality under international treaty. Britain promises to defend Belgian neutrality. Germany declares war on Belgium and invades the country; over 1 million refugees flee the country over the coming weeks, mostly to the Netherlands but also to France and Britain. Britain declares war on Germany. Battle of the Frontiers. Fighting begins between French and German troops along the border linking the two countries; heavy casualties are suffered on both sides. Continues until early September. The first call to arms issued by the British Secretary of State for War, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener. The first 100,000 troops are recruited by 28 August. British Expeditionary Force (BEF), under the command of Field Marshal Sir John French, begins to land in France. Disembarkation completed on 16 August. The First Defence of the Realm Act (DORA) is passed by the British parliament, giving the government widespread new powers over people s lives. Japan sends Germany an ultimatum demanding the evacuation of its naval base at Tsingtau in China. When the ultimatum is not met, Japan declares war on Germany on 23 August. Battle of Tannenberg. German armies in East Prussia decisively defeat Russian forces. Battle lasts until 30 August. 5 6 19 29 1 6 8 16 Battle of the Masurian Lakes. German armies in East Prussia defeat Russian forces. Battle lasts until 15 September. Battle of the Marne. French forces, with British support, stop the German advance through northern France only a short distance from Paris and launch a counterattack. Battle continues until 10 September. First Battle of Ypres. French and British troops stand firm around the Belgian city of Ypres, preventing the German armies breaking through to the Channel ports. Continues to 22 November. Turkey joins the war on the side of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Britain and France declare war on Turkey a week later on 5 November. Battle of Coronel off the coast of Chile. British squadron of ships defeated by German East Asiatic Squadron. British and Indian Army troops land in Mesopotamia to protect British oil interests in neighbouring Persia, and encourage an Arab revolt against Turkish rule. Basra is occupied on 22 November. Battle of the Falklands. In the South Atlantic, a reinforced British naval squadron defeats the German East Asiatic Squadron. Bombardment of Scarborough, Hartlepool and Whitby on the British east coast by German battlecruisers. 137 civilians are killed.
JANUARY 19 24 MARCH 10 1915 German airships raid Britain for the first time, attacking Great Yarmouth and King s Lynn. Five people are killed. Action of the Dogger Bank. Encounter between British and German battlecruisers in the North Sea. Battle of Neuve Chapelle. British and Indian troops undertake their first offensive in France with limited success. 22 25 2 7 23 25 31 1 Second Battle of Ypres. Germans launch major assault on French, British and Canadian troops around Ypres and use poison gas extensively for the first time. Fighting continues until 27 May. First landing at Gallipoli. British, French, Australian and New Zealand troops land on and around the Gallipoli peninsula in support of the naval attack on the Dardanelles. January 1916. Battle of Gorlice Tarnow. German and Austro- Hungarian armies defeat the Russians in the centre of their line and begin to drive them back. After weeks of retreat, the Russians lose most of their territory in Poland. German submarine U-20 sinks the luxury passenger liner Lusitania off the west coast of Ireland. 1198 people are killed, including 128 US citizens. Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary and moves to secure strategically important points along their shared border. Coalition government formed by the British Prime Minister Herbert Asquith as tensions rise over his handling of the war. David Lloyd George, the former Chancellor of the Exchequer, appointed Minister of Munitions to increase the production of weapons and ammunition. First German airship raid on London. 7 people are killed and 35 injured. Increasing numbers of women start to be employed in British munitions factories. 25 5 7 19 Co-ordinated Allied offensive in France, with French attacks in the Second Battle of Champagne and Third Battle of Artois, and British attacks at the Battle of Loos. The fighting at Loos carries on until 4 November. British and French troops land in the Greek city of Salonika to support Serbia, by threatening the southern flank of Bulgaria. Siege of Kut begins in Mesopotamia. After their defeat at Ctesiphon, Anglo-Indian troops fall back on Kut al Amara where they are surrounded by Turkish forces. They eventually surrender on 29 April 1916. General Sir Douglas Haig replaces Field Marshal Sir John French as Commander in Chief of the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium.
JANUARY 24 21 FEBRUARY 1916 First Military Service Act passed by the British parliament making all single men between 18 and 41 eligible for conscription into the army. Battle of Verdun. Following a heavy bombardment, Germans launch major attack against the French intending to cause heavy casualties. Fighting continues until 18 December. 24 31 4 1 Irish republicans launch an uprising in Dublin. It lasts until 1 May and is suppressed by the British authorities. The leaders are executed, causing deep resentment. Battle of Jutland. British Grand Fleet confronts the German High Seas Fleet in the North Sea, off the coast of Denmark. Although the British lose more ships, the German fleet is driven back to port and remains there for the rest of the war. Led by General Alexei Brusilov, a major Russian offensive is launched in western Ukraine, principally against the Austro-Hungarians, who are forced into steady retreat. Fighting continues until 17 August. Battle of the Somme. Major Anglo-French offensive launched in Picardy. On the opening day, the British Army suffers 57,470 casualties, including 19,240 killed its heaviest ever casualty toll in a 24 hour period. The battle continues until 18 November. 4 21 3 7 Battle of Romani. Advancing Turkish forces defeated in the Sinai Desert by Australian, New Zealand and British troops from Egypt. Turks begin to fall back towards Palestine. The Battle of the Somme documentary film released for viewing in 34 cinemas in London. Nationwide release follows a week later. The film is the first documentary to show actual footage of men fighting in battle. It is seen by more than 20 million people. First German airship shot down over Britain, to the north of London. Herbert Asquith replaced as British Prime Minister by David Lloyd George, who takes over leadership of the wartime coalition.
FEBRUARY 1 25 MARCH Germany renews its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. German forces facing the Somme withdraw around 40km (25 miles) to new, strongly prepared defences known to the British as the Hindenburg Line. The withdrawal continues until 5 April. Start of the first revolution in Russia. A new Provisional Government is formed on 15 March. First Battle of Gaza. British forces from Egypt led by General Sir Archibald Murray nearly break through Turkish lines in Palestine but fail to exploit their success. A second British assault is defeated on 17 April. 12 26 28 1917 Women s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) formed in Britain, offering women the chance to serve directly in the armed forces. Over 57,000 women enrol in the WAAC, with 9,000 serving in France. 6 9 16 24 21 25 7 29 United States of America declares war on Germany and sides with the Allies. Battle of Arras. British forces advance over 5km (3½ miles) on the opening day. The Canadians seize Vimy Ridge. Fighting continues until 4 May with increasingly heavy casualties. Second Battle of the Aisne. Offensive launched by the French under General Robert Nivelle along the Chemin des Dames. Following heavy casualties, fighting called off on 20 April after few gains. First Battle of Doiran. At Salonika Allied troops launch an attack as a prelude to a wider spring offensive in the Balkans. Continues until 22 May. Imperial War Graves Commission formally established in London (becoming the present Commonwealth War Graves Commission in 1960). First daylight aeroplane raid on Britain by German Gotha bombers. Battle of Messines. After the explosion of 19 huge mines, British, Irish, Australian and New Zealand troops seize the Messines Ridge south of Ypres. Fighting continues until 14 June. Russians begin a summer offensive against the Germans directed by Alexander Kerensky, war minister in the Provisional Government. They suffer a series of defeats and setbacks. Fighting continues until 18 July. 6 17 31 3 19 24 31 An Arab force from the Hejaz guided by T E Lawrence captures the Red Sea port of Aqaba. British royal family changes its name from German sounding Saxe- Coburg-Gotha to Windsor. Third Battle of Ypres begins, popularly known as Passchendaele. 10 November. Germans capture Riga on the Baltic coast using their new stormtrooper tactics. Last German airship raid on London. Battle of Caporetto. Austro-Hungarians and Germans break through the Italian lines on the Isonzo and force a retreat of 140km (90 miles). 300,000 Italian prisoners are taken. Fighting carries on until 10 November. Third Battle of Gaza. Led by General Sir Edmund Allenby, British troops, combined with an Australian attack at Beersheba, finally break through Turkish lines in Palestine. 7 20 30 9 15 Second Russian Revolution. Bolsheviks, led by Lenin and Trotsky, seize power and overthrow the Provisional Government. Battle of Cambrai. Using tanks, aircraft and artillery a major advance is made into the Hindenburg Line. Germans launch strong counter-attacks at Cambrai and recapture almost all the ground they had lost. Jerusalem taken by the British forces in Palestine, ending 673 years of Turkish rule. Bolshevik government in Russia signs an armistice with the Germans, suspending hostilities on the Eastern Front.
FEBRUARY MARCH 6 3 21 26 9 Representation of the People Act receives Royal Assent, extending the right to vote to almost all British men as well as women aged over 30. The Bolshevik Russian government signs a peace treaty with the Germans and other Central Powers at Brest-Litovsk. First Battle of the Somme, 1918. The Germans launch a strong offensive in France (Operation Michael) aimed at splitting the British and French lines. The British in particular suffer heavy casualties and begin a far reaching withdrawal. Fighting continues to 5 April. At a conference in Doullens, French General Ferdinand Foch becomes General in Chief ( Generalissimo ) of all the Allied armies in France. Battle of the Lys. The Germans launch a second offensive (Operation Georgette) against the British line in Flanders, again capturing much ground. Fighting continues until 29 April. 1918 19 27 9 15 18 8 Largest and final German aeroplane raid on London, involving 33 aircraft. 49 people are killed and 177 wounded. Third Battle of the Aisne. Third German offensive (Operation Blucher) against the French line, centres on the Chemin des Dames above the River Aisne. Fighting continues to 6 June. Battle of the Matz. Fourth German offensive (Operation Gneisenau), hitting the French line again, this time south of Verdun near St Mihiel. 14 June. Fourth Battle of Champagne. Fifth major German attack since March. On a smaller scale, German troops assault the French line facing the River Marne. For the first time the German attack is unsuccessful. Continues to 18 July. Second Battle of the Marne. General Ferdinand Foch launches his first counter-attack after five concerted German offensives. The Allied armies take the initiative. Fighting on the Marne continues until 7 August. Battle of Amiens. British, Australian, Canadian and French forces launch a powerful strike against the German army on the Somme. General Ludendorff calls it the black day of the German army. Fighting is now continuous until 11 November. 18 19 26 27 28 29 1 17 Battle of Monastir-Doiran. On the Salonika front, Alllies begin an attack that leads to the capture of Doiran. Fighting continues to 24 September. Battle of Megiddo. In northern Palestine, Allied troops launch a devastating attack on the Turks and begin a steady advance into Syria. 25 October. Battle of Champagne and Argonne. French and American troops begin a steady push against the Germans along the southern part of the front. 15 October. Battle of the Canal du Nord. Allied troops in France begin an assault on the German Hindenburg Line. Fighting continues until 9 October. Battle of the Flanders Ridges. In Belgium, Allies make a strong advance from Ypres that begins to push the Germans back. 10 October. Battle of the St Quentin Canal. Allied troops successfully break through the Hindenburg Line. 2 October. Australian and British troops, supported by Arab forces, capture Damascus in Syria. Further gains follow, including the cities of Beirut, Homs and Aleppo. Battle of the Selle. Allied troops renew their offensive in France, beginning a series of battles that force the Germans steadily back. 24 30 4 9 11 21 1 14 Battle of Vittorio Veneto. Italians launch a strong offensive in the northeast along the River Piave, against the Austro- Hungarian line which begins to collapse. Turkey signs an armistice with the Allies. Turkish troops in Mesopotamia surrender. Second Battle of the Sambre. The final Allied attack of the war. Fighting continued until 11 November. The German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, abdicates and prepares to leave Germany. Germany declared a republic. Germany signs an armistice with the Allies, agreeing to an immediate cease fire and the withdrawal of its troops to its own borders. Fighting ends in France and Belgium at 11.00am. Elements of the German High Seas Fleet surrender off Rosyth. 39 German submarines surrender at Harwich. Allied troops enter Germany. British Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, wins general election at the head of a national government.