WWI-Grandad's War
Timeline of Events
1916
21 February to 18 December 1916: The Battle of Verdun-the longest battle during WWI, is fought to a standstill between the Germans and the French. Casualties are estimated at over one million.
April 1916: The Canadians take Vimy Ridge on 9 April 1916. Historians attribute the success of the Canadian Corps in capturing the ridge, to a mixture of technical and tactical innovation, meticulous planning, powerful artillery support, and extensive training, as well as the failure of the German Sixth Army to properly apply the German defensive doctrine.
On 19 April 1916, President Wilson, warns Germany to cease unrestricted submarine warfare on shipping.
31 May-June 1, 1916: The only major naval battle of World War One-The Battle of Jutland, is fought to a draw.
1 July-Nov. 18, 1916: The Battle of the Somme, had the same results as the Battle of Verdun, with over a million casualties. There was no breakthrough for the allies. Although the British introduce the first tank into battle, there is not enough of them to make a difference. Over a 100,000 shells per day were fired.
7 Nov. 1916: President Woodrow Wilson, was re-elected president. He won with the slogan of, He kept us out of war.
1917
19 January 1917: The Zimmerman Telegram is intercepted and translated by the British. The Germans urge Mexico to go to war with the United States, if they enter WWI. In exchange, Germany would offer aid and reclamation of territory lost in the Mexican-American War. It was ignored by Mexico, but it's decoded message, enraged citizens of the U.S., and hastened it's entry into WWI.
Feb./March 1917: For the second time, Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare. TSAR Nicholas II of Russia abdicates.
April 1917: President Woodrow Wilson, asks congress for a declaration of war with Germany on 6 April 1917. The French suffer 250,000 causalities at Chemin des Dames, from 16-29 April 1917.
April-June 1917: Half a million French soldiers mutiny, refusing to go on with the disastrous offensive, whereby they felt, they were being sacrificed in battle.
18 May 1917: The Selective Service Act is authorized in the U.S., which authorized the Federal Government to draft men into military service.
3 July 1917: The American Expeditionary Force, lands it's first contingent in France
31 July-18 Nov. 1917: The Third Battle of Ypres yields small gains, but no breakthrough on the Western Front. Over 700,000 causalities estimated for both sides.
Oct/Nov./Dec 1917: American troops, see their first action in France on 23 October. Lenin's Bolshevik's overthrows the Russian government on the 7th of November. A new Russian government, signs an armistice with Germany. The British capture Jerusalem from the Turks and Arabs on 9 Dec. 1917.