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Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun (Feb 21 - Dec 18, 1916) was a costly battle between France and Germany. The Germans aimed to weaken France by attacking Verdun, but the French, led by Pétain, held the line. The battle resulted in around 377,000 French and 337,000 German casualties. While France defended Verdun, it came at a heavy price, symbolizing resilience but contributing to the war's ongoing stalemate. -
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Battle of Tannenberg
The Battle of Tannenberg (August 1914) saw Germany decisively defeat Russia's Second Army in East Prussia. Due to poor Russian coordination, the Germans, under Hindenburg and Ludendorff, encircled and captured 92,000 Russian soldiers, with General Samsonov committing suicide after the defeat. The victory boosted German morale and leadership but didn’t significantly change the broader war on the Eastern Front. -
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First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of the Marne (September 1914) saw French and British forces halt the German advance toward Paris, forcing a retreat and ending Germany's hopes for a quick victory. The battle marked the failure of the Schlieffen Plan, leading to trench warfare and a prolonged stalemate on the Western Front. -
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Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres (1915) saw Germany use poison gas for the first time on a large scale, causing initial panic and some territorial gains. However, the Allies, especially Canadian troops, managed to hold key positions, and the battle ended in a stalemate. It marked the introduction of chemical warfare and solidified Canada’s national identity. -
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Battle of Gallipoli
The Battle of Gallipoli (1915–1916) was a failed Allied attempt to capture the Gallipoli Peninsula and open a route to Russia. Despite a naval and amphibious assault, Ottoman forces, led by Mustafa Kemal, repelled the invasion, resulting in heavy casualties for the Allies. The defeat boosted Ottoman morale, made Kemal a hero, and forced the Allies to shift focus to other fronts. -
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Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland (May 31 - June 1, 1916) was a naval clash between the British Royal Navy and German Imperial Navy in the North Sea. The British aimed to maintain control, while the Germans sought to challenge their dominance. The battle ended in a tactical stalemate with 6,000 British and 2,500 German casualties. Despite German success in sinking more ships, the British retained naval supremacy, limiting German operations. -
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Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov Offensive (June 4 - September 20, 1916) was a Russian attack on Austria-Hungary, led by General Alexei Brusilov. It aimed to relieve pressure on the French and Italians and resulted in significant Russian gains and 1 million Austro-Hungarian casualties. Despite initial success, the Russians stalled due to supply issues. The offensive contributed to Austria-Hungary’s weakening but didn’t alter the overall course of the war. -
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Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme (July 1 - November 18, 1916) was a brutal World War I clash between British/French forces and Germany, intended to relieve pressure at Verdun. Despite a heavy artillery bombardment, the British suffered huge losses, especially on the first day. With over 1 million casualties, the battle resulted in minimal territorial gains and ended in a stalemate, highlighting the horrors of trench warfare and contributing to the eventual Allied victory. -
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Battle of Passchendaele
The Battle of Passchendaele (July 31 - November 10, 1917) was part of the Allied offensive in Belgium, aiming to break German lines. The battle was hindered by poor weather and muddy conditions, causing massive casualties, over 500,000 total. The Allies captured Passchendaele but made minimal territorial gains. The battle highlighted the futility of trench warfare and had little impact on the war’s outcome. -
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Battle of Caporetto
The Battle of Caporetto (October 24 - November 19, 1917) was a devastating Austro-Hungarian and German offensive against Italy. The Italians suffered 700,000 casualties and were forced into a retreat. The battle severely weakened Italy, but Allied reinforcements helped stabilize their position. While a success for the Central Powers, it didn’t change the war’s overall trajectory. -
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Battle of Cambrai
The Battle of Cambrai (November 20 - December 7, 1917) was notable for the first large-scale use of tanks by the British. The British initially made significant advances but were eventually stopped by German counterattacks, resulting in around 100,000 casualties. While the tanks showed promise, the battle ended without a decisive victory, though it marked a shift in military tactics. -
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Spring Offensive
The Spring Offensive (March 21 - July 18, 1918) was a series of German attacks on the Western Front, aiming to break the stalemate before U.S. forces could intervene. The Germans initially made significant gains, causing 1 million casualties, but could not sustain their advance due to supply shortages. The offensive ultimately failed, leading to the start of the German retreat and the final phase of the war. -
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Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood (June 1 - June 26, 1918) was a key engagement where U.S. Marines fought to stop the German advance near Paris. After fierce fighting, the Allies secured the wood, with 10,000 Allied and 20,000 German casualties. The victory boosted U.S. morale and solidified their role in the war, marking a turning point for the Allies. -
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Second Battle of the Marne
The Second Battle of the Marne (July 15 - August 6, 1918) was an Allied counteroffensive against the Germans. The Allies, including American and French forces, halted the German advance and launched a successful counterattack, resulting in 168,000 German casualties. The battle marked the end of the German offensives and the beginning of the German retreat. -
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Hundred Days Offensive
The Hundred Days Offensive (August 8 - November 11, 1918) was a series of Allied offensives that led to the end of World War I. The Allies, reinforced by American troops, broke the German lines and pushed them back. The offensive caused over 1 million casualties and led to the Armistice on November 11, 1918, marking the war’s end and the collapse of the German military.