-
Assasination of Archduke Ferdinand
The heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Archduke Ferdinand, was assasinated along with his wife Sophie, a plot led by the Serbian government who were seeking to create a nation of Slavs. Due to the complicated, and often very old, alliances created between European empires, the world was on the brink of war. Over the next month, these alliances will be called into action. -
Outbreak of World War I
Like falling dominos, nations in Europe had solidified all alliances--Europe was at War! -
Germany declares war on Russia
-
Germany declares war on France
-
Britain declares war on Germany
With this the world entered into war as Britian brought along the strength of her empire. -
New Zealand officially joins war effort
When Britain declared war, she brought all those countries within her empire such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand Governor, Lord Liverpool, made the annoucement to 15,000 in Wellington. Most New Zealanders were very supportive of the war and helping Britian. -
New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) leaves for France
-
Ottoman Empire declares war on Britian, France and Russia
The entry of the Ottoman Empire (present-day Turkey) into the war meant that both New Zealand and Australian forces were to train in Egypt in order to be prepared for an attack on the Ottoman Empire. -
Planning for the Gallipoli Campaign
The advantage of the Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey was to secure a direct route to Russia through Constantinople (Istanbul) and the Black Sea, as well as to break the German lines. The Allied forces that were to invade Gallipoli were named the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force and were made up of forces from France, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and other parts of the British Empire. The force was led by General Ian Hamilton and numbered 75,000. -
Invasion of Gallipoli
Australia and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) were to land at dawn, though navigational errors meant that the forces landed 2kms north of the intended location. This new location was much narrower and the men faced harsher terrain than expected. There was chaos on the ground as the Turks had the prime position for firing on the men and so many of the units suffered extreme loss -
Conditions at Gallipoli worsen
Because the ANZACs landed on the wrong beach they faced terrain that weren't prepated for. The harsh conditions were puncutauted by steep valleys, deep ravines, high cliffs, and narrow beaches. ANZACs were also beginning to prepare for a long, hot summer; this would turn into a cold Autumn. The ANZACS lived in trenchs for the duration of the campaign, where the men faced even harsher living conditions.There were constant water and food supplies, though limited and unvaried. -
John McCrae writes "In Flanders Fields"
A poem that evokes rememberance for all those lost in the Great Wars. McCrae notes the poppies in a nearby field-which to this day are the symbol of remembrance for WWI and WWII vetrans and the contributions of their fallen comrades. -
Living at Gallipoli
By May 19th, bodies were strewn about No-Mans Land as no one could retrieve them for proper burial. After one Turkish attack, nearly 10,000 lay dead in No Mans Land. Diseases were also rampant, as ANZACs were living in trenches where living conditions are undesirable, many fell ill with dysentry. -
ANZAC troops leave Gallipoli
Over two days beginning on Dec 19 the Allies evacuated the beaches of Gallipoli and withdrew the ANZAC forces. Gallipoli has become a legacy in New Zealand and Australia where on April 25 each year New Zealanders and Australians wear poppies and remember the losses of their countries, and the contributions of ANZACs in WWI and WWII. More than 2700 New Zealanders died at Gallipoli -
US declares war on Germany
With many shipping boats sunk by German U-Boats (submarines), the US entered the war against Germany -
Signing of Treaty of Versailles
The official end of fighting between the Allies and the Axis powers. This document did much for the re-organisation of the world and of Europe, where the Allies revoked territories from the losing Axis powers to lessen their strengths-hoping to prevent a future war.
The signing of this document introduces the predecessor of the United Nations, the League of Nations. The League of Nations was created in hopes of preventing a futher war. -
Fighting officially ends in WWI
After the signing of the Treaty of Versailles which brought the end of war, the end of fighting was to take place on the 11th hour on the 11th day the 11th month. In all, 103 000 New Zealanders served overseas in WWI where 18 500 died and 50 000 more wounded. This was a significant contribution for a country with a small population of just over 1 million. (1 in 10 New Zealanders fought in the war)
