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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
The Assassination of Austria's Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie was the spark which started World War I. It occurred while Ferdinand was visiting the city of Sarajeco in the Austro-Hungarian province of Bosnia-Herzegovina. He was assissinated by the Serb nationalist, and a member of the Black-Hand Group assassin, Gavrilo Princip. His assassination was viewed as a great excuse to attack Austria-Hungary's troublesome neighbor, Serbia. -
Austria Hungary declares War on Serbia
Austria Hungary declare war on Serbia in retaliation for the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. -
Germany Declares War on Russia
In response to Russia's swift mobilization against Austria-Hungary, Germany gives them and ultimatum to demobilize or face war. -
Germany Declares War on France
Directly after attacking the French town Luxembourg, Germany officialy declares war on France. -
United Kingdom Declares War on Germany
The United Kingdom come to aid of Belgium after it is invaded by Germany and delcare war on the later. -
Australia begins involvement
Britain, led by Prime Minister Herbert Asquith, had given Germany an ultimatum to get out of Belgium by midnight of August 3rd. In fear of being surrounded by the might of Russia and France, Germany had put into being the Schlieffen Plan in response to the events that had occurred in Sarajevo in June 1914. Britian then declared war on Germany, and, becuase of Australia's alliance with Britian, so did Australia. -
Austria-Hungary Declare War on Russia and Serbia Declares war on Russia.
Austria Hungary officially declares war on Russia and Serbia officially declares war on Germany. -
Australia ordered to seize the German colonies(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
The British War Office requested that Australia seize the German colonies on Nauru, the Caroline islands and New Guinea, This was requested to prevent enemy wireless stations on said colonies from passing information to the German East Asiatic Squadron of the Imperial German Navy, which would hinder the British. -
Australia arrives at the German Colonies(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
the destroyers HMAS Parramatta, HMAS Yarra and HMAS Warrego, covered by the light cruiser HMAS Sydney, prepared to launch a torpedo attack on the German anchorages in Simpsonhaven and Matupi Harbour, New Britain, but found the enemy squadron gone. Landing parties were placed ashore at Rabaul and Herbertshohe to destroy the wireless station, but when it was learned that the station lay inland it was clear that an expeditionary force would be required. -
The U.S is neutral
President Woodrow Wilson announces the United States of America will remain neutral in the war. -
The Battle of Tannenberg Begins
The Battle between the Russia's Second Army and Germany's Eigth Army Begins. By the end Russia's Second Army is all but destroyed and their comander, Alexander Samsonov, is killed. -
Australia's first coalition operation(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
A Zealand Expeditionary force of 1400 soilders landed at the city of Apia, Western Samoa, coverd by Australian guns and crusiers. WIth no troops to defend the islands, the German Administrator surrendered on 30th of August. The wireless station and harbour were thus denied to Admiral Graf von Spee's squadron. -
The Battle Of Marne Begins
The first battle of the Marne begins. This sees the start of Trench Warfare for soldiers on both sides. -
Nauru surrendered(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
Melbourne landed a force on Nauru intending to destroy the wireless broadcast station. Once landed, the German administrator swiftly surrendered. -
Bitapaka destroyed and first Australian casualties. (Asia/Pacific Theatre)
A force consisting of naval personal landed at Kabakaul intending to take the wireless station at Bitapaka. The landing party incountered stroung resistance and subsequently made small group attacks through the thick jungle to outflank the enemy. The station was then captured and destroyed. This attack resulted in the first australian casualties - 4 sailors and an Army doctor - Able Seaman Walker, Able Seaman Williams, Able Seaman Street, Able Seaman Moffatt and Captain Pockley. -
New Guinea surrendered.
Crusier HMAS Encounter began shelling German positions at Toma, which was the first time a RAN (Royal Australian Navy) had fired on an enemy and the RAN's first shore bombardment. The 150 troop German resistance was no match for the ANMEF (Australian Navy and Military Expeditionary Force), covered by Australian 12" guns, and the acting Governor surrendered all of German New Guinea on the 17 September 1914. -
Governors yacht captured and campagin a 'Success'(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
The Governor's steam yacht Komet, was captured and subsequently commissioned into RAN service as HMAS Una. The Campagin was labeled an overwhelming success, rapidly achieving all abjectives set by the War Office. -
Battle of Ypres Begins
British and German forces begin battle for Flanders Town and the surounding area. -
North Sea is annonced as Millitary Area
The North Sea is annonced as Millitary Area by Great Britan, effecting in a blockade of goods into Germany. -
SMS Emden Destroyed(Asia/Pacific Theatre)
On 9 November, the cruiser 'Sydney' recivied a warning signal from a cable station on Direction Island, which was under attack from the SMS Emden. Sydney intercepted Emden, which was forced to abandon its landing party, and pounded it into a burning hulk which then fled up onto North Keeling Island to save the remaining crew. Sydney suffered 4 killed and 8 wounded, Emden 115 killed and 80 wounded. The Emden's removal freed the Indian Ocean from raiding warships. -
The Unofficial Christmas Truce is Declared
After month of fighting in the trenches on the front, men on both sides set aside their differences temporarily and met in no man's land. -
Britan is Declared War Zone
Great Britan is declared a "WAR ZONE" by Germany resulting in a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessals are targets. -
The Dardanelles Campaign Begins
The Dardanelles Campaign also known as the Gallipoli Campaign, was attack on Gallipolli mostly consisting of ANZAC soldiers who trained in Eygpt. The goal was to push Turkish forces back enogh to relieve some pressure on the Russians who were fighting on the Caucasus front. This attempt was ultimatley a faliure and the ANZACs where forced to retreat. This is greatly celebrated today in Australia and New Zealand. -
RMS Lusitana is Sunk
The RMS Lusitania, a British ocean liner, is sunk by the German U-Boat U-20. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
The Second Battle of Ypres begins. This battle is famous for the introduction of poison gas as a wepon by the Germans. -
The Battle of Gallipoli Begins
The most famous battle of the Dardanelles Campaign. Was fought on the shores of Gallipoli between the ANZACs and the Turks. *See "The Dardanelles Campaign Begins". -
Tsar Nicholas II Takes Personal Control Over Russia's Armies
Despite opposition from a unanimous cabinet, Tsar Nicholas II takes control over the Russian forces. -
The Battle of Verdun Begins
The battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and is considered by some to be the greatest battle in history. There were 700,000 casulties which is considered by experts to be ridiculous considering the amount of land it was on, which was less than 10 kilometers square. -
The Battle of Jutland Begins
The Battle of Jutland is considered the only major naval battle of the war. Even though Britan lost more men and ships the verdict was that the German forces lost. After the battle the British Navy force was still considered a powerful force, where the German Navy was not. -
The Battle of Somme Begins
The battle of Somme begins, this battle is most famous for the introduction of Tanks into battle. -
Germany Sends The Secret Zimmerman Telegram.
Germany sends a sectret telegram in the hopes of enticing them into the war. However the British intercept the telegram and decipher the coded message. -
Tsar Nicholas II Abdicates
The leader of the Russian armies, Tsar Nicholas II, abdicates from his position. -
The United States Of America Declare War On Germany
The USA declare war on Germany after they are warned about destroying civilian vessels, which Germany continue to do thus war is declared on them. -
The Battle Of Passchendaele Begins
The battle of Passchendaele (also known as the third battle of Ypres) begins. -
The Bolsheviks Overthrow The Russian Government
The Russian government is successfully overthrown by the Bolsheviks during the Russian Revolution. -
The New Russian Armistice Goes Into Effect
The new armistice goes into effect. Agreed upon by the new Russian Government and the Central Powers. -
Fourteen Points of Peace Are Issued
The Fourteen Points of Peace are issued by U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. They were 14 points adressed in a speech given by Wilson to a Joint Sessiomn of Congress to ensure a war like WWI would never happen again. -
Russia Signs The Treaty Of Brest Litovsk
The Peace Treaty between Russia and the Central Powers, known as the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, is signed. -
Germany Launches The Spring Offensive
The Spring Offensive was Germany's desperate attept to end and win World War I. The goal of the attack was to defeat the Allies before the human and material recources poured in from the US and overwhelmed them. It involved four major German offensives on the Western Front. Ultimatley the attack failed for from the start of the Campaign there had been no clear objectives and their targets were constantly changed. They eventually lost and suffered heavy casualties. -
The Red Baron Is Shot Down
Baron Manfred von Richthofen (The Red Baron) , the German Flying Ace, is shot down by Captain Arthur R. Brown and killed. -
The Second Battle Of The Marne Begins
The Second Battle of the Marn was the last of the German Spring Offensives launched in WWI. It failed when the Germans where overwhelmed by an Allies counter attack, including several hundred tanks and led by French forces, flanked them. They suffered large casualties. -
Kaiser Wilhelm II Abdicates
Wilhelm II (Germany's last Kaiser) is publicly abdicated by Chancellor Prince Max von Baden, nearing the end of the war. He is then exiled to Holand and remains there for the rest of his life. Holand still refused to extradite Wilhelm as a war criminal to the Allies following the Armistice. -
Germany Signs The Armistice
The fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month (11am 11th of November) in Compiegne, France when Germany signs the Armistice. -
The Treaty Of The Versailles
World War I officially ends on the 28th of June 1919 when Germany and the Allied Forces sign the peace treaty known as The Treaty of the Versailles. However it is common belief that the conditions of the treaty were so punitive on Germany, that it laid the ground work for the rise of the Nazis and lead to the outbreak of World War II.
