-
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife were assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. Austria-Hungary sought revenge, so an ultimatum was issued stating that it would not attack without an army. During this time, Russia secretly assembles its military and reaffirms its alliance with France. On July 28th, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, marking the beginning of World War I. -
The Battle of Verdun lasted from February 21 - December 15, 1916. This battle was fought the longest in modern history. The war ended on December 15 due to winter weather conditions, making it impossible to continue fighting. In the end, the French had lost 377,000 men and Germany 330,000. -
On April 6, 1917, the United States officially joined the war opposing Germany. Two days before, April 4, the Senate voted 82 to 6 on the war; the House of Representatives voted 373 to 50. This had set the US into war by an overwhelming amount of votes. Germany had begun to fight in the water again, which resulted in the US breaking diplomatic relations. Just hours later, the Housatonic was sunk by a German U-boat. This officially set the US into the war. -
After the Bolsheviks gained control over the Russian Military, Russia proposed a formal ceasefire in the battle zone between Russia and the Central Powers. They approached the Central Powers to withdraw from the war due to food and land losses resulting from the war. The Bolsheviks had pressed Britain and France to open peace negotiations and threatened to break the alliance if they did not. The Allies did not respond, and the Bolsheviks made an appeal for peace to Germany and Austria. -
Ted Beach arrives on the Front in Alsace during the night. The Germans were looking and shooting at them, but never found them. On June 28, they moved to a new position for 3 weeks, about 2 miles away. After they arrived back at the reserve, and drank wine because drinking water was unavailable. Stayed for a few days, then stopped in Bessan Court to celebrate American and French Independence Day, during which they did not have work. -
On July 22, they went to a gas house to test their masks. The next day, they packed up and left for Belfort. On July 25, they landed at Ormoy-Villers; that night, they stayed in pup tents on 32nd Div. On July 27, they packed up and left for the road again. On July 28th, they stayed in the woods that were near Bassett. -
On July 29th, they traveled all day and night and reached a front under a heavy barrage, which made them audible and very close to their destination. On July 31st, they travelled through land vacated by the Germans, and they also left lots of equipment behind in Chateau T., and left. August 1st, they are ready to fire and on guard. Between the 1st and 3rd, Ted had been in two positions. They have been firing and moving in on the Germans. -
They fired 92 rounds in the afternoon, and 5 trucks filled with ammunition arrived along with Freddy Sietz. That night, there were 2 gas alarms; however, they were too far to have masks on for much time. They are really scarce on ammunition and about 3 miles from the front. On the 5th, there were two casualties, and a horse and a mule both died. -
On August 6th, a new dugout was made for sleep. There have been plenty of cars stuck in the mud from rain, so now anytime it rains, no supplies can come in. There is a chance of being relieved as the 32nd Division was relieved that day. On the 8th, there was no bombing party or many shells; however, gas alarms were called very frequently. They fired on German barracks and did great damage. On the 7th, the Germans set fire to American ammunition. -
The treaty that marked the end of the war, signed in the Palace of Versailles in 1919. This gave peace between Germany and the Allies, marking the end of the war. The treaty had imposed that Germany start the war and would face harsh punishments. These included loss of territory, massive reparations payments, and demilitarization. This would be the turning point that would eventually start WWII