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World War I Starts
On June 28, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated, which started issues in Europe. By August, major powers like Germany, Austria-Hungary, Russia, France, and Britain were involved. Battles such as the First Battle of the Marne marked early turning points. The first trenches were dug as both sides settled into a stalemate. -
Problems Escalate
New fronts opened, and Gallipoli, where Allied forces launched an expensive campaign. The Lusitania was sunk by a German U-boat, which brought a lot of attention and made people mad. Poison gas was used extensively, introducing new horrors to warfare. The Eastern Front saw large battles between Russian and Central Powers’ forces. -
Battles Start
The Battle of Verdun became one of the longest and bloodiest of the war. On the Somme, British and French forces launched a major offensive, which resulted in over a million deaths. Tanks were also introduced for the first time in combat. Naval battles like Jutland demonstrated the importance of sea power. -
Frank Buckles Joins the Army
Frank Buckles enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 at 16 by lying about his age, he convinced the recruiters he was old enough to serve. He trained as an ambulance driver, which gained him the skills needed to transport injured soldiers during war. While he was training, he wrote letters to his family with pride and excitement about enlisting himself. His letters show a mix of his personality and eagerness to help. Training helped prepare him for the challenges of wartime service -
Momentum Shifts
The U.S. entered the war after Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare and the Zimmermann Telegram. Russia faced revolution, leading to its eventual withdrawal from the war. The Battle of Passchendaele showed the devastating effects of war in the mud. Aerial combat began to play a significant role in reconnaissance and bombing. -
England Service
Before he went to France, he served in England, working with British forces. Frank took on big tasks, like transporting supplies and soldiers, which he told his family about in his letters. Buckles loved writing about things he found and about his life in England during the war. This prepared him for his upcoming deployment to the front lines -
Ambulance Missions in France
In France, Frank had dangerous ambulance missions, evacuating wounded soldiers in the front lines to field hospitals. In his letters, he vividly described the chaos of the battlefield, the injuries he witnessed, and the importance of remaining calm under pressure. These marked some of his biggest contributions during the war. Buckles also wrote about his life when he saved lives and the sacrifices made with his fellow soldiers. His service in France show his bravery and dedication as a solider. -
Guarding Prisoners
In 1918, Frank was assigned to guard German prisoners of war in France. He documented his interactions with the prisoners in letters, where he talked about how they behaved and about humanity. His writings show an inside perspective on the hardships of war and the showed how both sides of the war seek peace most. Frank also talked about how treated the prisoners fairly, even since they were against him in war. This gave him time to reflect on the war and how the battlefield really was. -
The War Ends
Germany launched a major spring offensive but was stopped by the Allies. The Allied counter-offensive, aided by American troops, pushed Germany back. On November 11, the armistice was signed, ending the fighting. The aftermath saw millions displaced and landscapes had permanent damage. -
Franks Discharge
After World War I ended, Frank Buckles helped oversee the return of German prisoners, showing leadership and empathy. He also helped organize post-war logistics, which earned him respect for being resourceful and overachieving. These roles went beyond the typical duties of soldiers at the time and highlighted his dedication. By his honorable discharge in 1919, Frank proved himself a capable and dependable soldier.