WWI-Grandad's War
Timeline of Events
1915
Jan-Feb. 1915: German Zeppelin airships, previously used as observation platforms, were converted to bombers. The first air raid on England was had. On 4 February, The Germans announce a submarine blockade of Britain. They pronounce that any ship, entering the blockade is considered a military target.
April 1915: Australian, New Zealand, British and French soldiers, originally headed for the Western Front, were diverted to help defeat Turkey at Gallipoli. There was no means of cover, for the men landing on the beaches. The British Naval artillery was no match for the Turkish defenses. It's estimated that 200,000 men lost their lives, in the disastrous battle.
April-May 1915: The British suffered a great defeat at the hands of the German Army, in the First Battle of Ypres, late in 1914. The Second Battle of Ypres, saw four distinct engagements. The Battle of Gravenstafel, lasted two days, 22-23 April 1915. A second engagement, occurred at the Battle of St. Julien, from 24 April to 4 May of 1915. The Battle of Frezenberg occurred 8-13 May and the fourth, the Battle of Bellewaarde, occurred 24-25 May of 1915.
The Battle of Gravenstafel, saw the use of poison chlorine gas, by the Germans for the firsttime. Approximately 6,000 French and colonial troops were asphyxiated, within ten minutes of the release of chlorine on the battlefield, as well as a number of German troops, when winds reversed direction.
Subsequent battles, also saw the use of chemicals as a lethal weapon, which surprised and devastated the allies in all four engagements. Eventually both sides developed their own poison gas methods and counter-measures. It was a horrible and excruciating way to die.
Postcard depicting SM U-20 sinking of RMS Lusitania-1915
(Wikimedia-PD-US-1923-abroad)
RMS Lusitania was an ocean liner, owned by the famed Cunard Shipping line. She was torpedoed by a German U-Boat-SM-U-20 on 7 May 1915. She sank within 18 minutes, killing 1,198 of the 1,959 people on board. The attack, turned many countries against Germany, and the sinking, is generally considered with bringing the United States into the war.
30 Aug. Sept. 1915:Because of outrage over the sinking of the Lusitania, Germany suspends sinking ships without warning. The British attempt to use poison gas at Loos on 15 September, but cause 60,000 British casualties when the winds shift.
28 December 1915: Gallipoli is a total disaster. The allies withdraw the remaining troops, after losing nearly 200,000 men.