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WW1 begins
WW1 began on August 28 1914 and began because of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand. The war escalated from then as more countries started to deploy their troops. It also began because many countries began finding they wanted to ally with each other and not ally with each other ones. Which is why World War 1 began. -
Paul Sunderland deployed to Norfolk
Paul Sunderland was a WW1 veteran he was born in 1896 in Omoah Nebraska. He was 21 when he entered the navy. In July he entered the Navy to help with WW1. And a little later than a month he was deployed to Norfolk Virginia. -
Sent to Charleston for first mission
After Paul Sunderland had been deployed to Norfolk Virginia he was sent to Charlestown Massachusetts. He was sent there to train but Paul had said that. "he was not trained much and was sent out a week or so later." -
Deployed to sea to bring supplies to troops
Paul's job was to sail across the sea and to deliver supplies and troops to Europe. Paul was a musician on his boat and he was playing in the ship's band. He was the saxophone in the band and would play songs. When the flag went up in the morning and when it went down at night. -
Germany sets up naval blockade
Germany set up a naval blockade during World War I to interrupt the supply lines of its enemies. It aimed to prevent goods and resources from reaching Britain and its allies. Germany used submarines (U-boats) to attack and sink merchant ships leading to loss of life and economic damage. This was dangerous for Paul and influenced America if they wanted to join the war. -
USA declares war on germany
The United States declared war against Germany In World War I in 1917. They made the decision after Germany made many mistakes like. Unrestricted submarine Warfare and sinking of American merchant ships . The Zimmerman Telegram is another reason why they proposed Mexico attack the USA. Which made America finally settle on what they wanted to do which was attack. -
Germany begins its final offensive of the war
Germany's final offensive in World War 1 known as the Spring Offensive, began in 1918. It was a massive offensive attack done by the German army in an attempt to break the stalemate on the west front. The Germans used artillery bombardment and infiltration tactics to make significant gains. The attack began to stalemate again and ended up failing in the end resulting in the loss of the war. -
WW1 ends
The end of World War 1 with the signing of an Armistice on November 11th, 1918. The armistice basically ended WW1 with a disappointing loss for the Germans and their allies. in 1919 they signed the treaty of Versailles which had harsh terms on Germany and its allies and had a huge impact on the world. -
Paul receives the good news
Paul received the news while in Massachusetts while they were about to leave for another trip across the ocean. He said he was neutral about returning home after the war but was happy it was over. -
Officially discharged in Kettering Maine
Paul was officially discharged in Ketterling Maine. Before he left he had played a concert for the town with his band when the leader of the band had asked him to stay he said no. Because he wanted to home he departed by train to Kansas City where his family had moved before he enlisted. Paul had said that there wasn't any particular celebration after he had returned home. Paul died on January 9th, 2004 at 107 years old.