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Ferdinand Assasination
http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/outbreak-of-world-war-i
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/sarajevo_assassination_1914.htm
Archduke Franz Ferdinand heir to the throne of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife are assassinated in Sarajevo by the 6 members of the Black Hand, a secret military society. -
Start of WWI
The assassination of Ferdinaand was what set everything in motion to start WWI , and then when Germany invaded Belgium and along with a few other reasons and then that was the start of WWI.
http://americanhistory.about.com/od/worldwari/tp/causes-of-world-war-1.htm
http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htm -
Joined the Cavalry
Arrived on the Western Front in September of 1915. Serving in the regiment's Machine Gun Section, but the cavalry wasn't much help on the front, fighting on the ground would help him later discover his interest in Fokker Eindecker fighters.
http://www.constable.ca/caah/barker.htm
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/WorldWarIAces/p/World-War-I-Lieutenant-Colonel-William-George-Barker.htm -
War becomes "Total War" with German Zeppelin air raid on England
Airships had already proven themselves capable of flying as far as England and back. At first the Zeppleins were used for reconnaissance patrols over the North Sea, but then later they started using them for attacks against England. The first Zeppelin raid against Britain killed two and injured sixteen.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/airwar/bombers_zeppelins.htm
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/first-air-raid-on-britain -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle fo Verdun was the longest single battle of WWI. 140,000 German troops started the attack. They were supported by 1,200 artillery guns that targeted 2,500,000 shells at the Verdun region, with 168 planes located in the area. On day one fo the battle 1000 German artillery guns fired on a six mile line along the French front. The battle lasted 300 days and in the end the French lost over 360,000
and the Germans nearly 340,000.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/battle_of_verdun.htm -
Joined the Royal Flying Corps
At first rejected, but then he eventually obtained a transfer and joined No. 9 Squadron at Bertangles, France as a probationary observer. Serving as an observer/gunner, William Barker flew Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2s.
http://militaryhistory.about.com/od/WorldWarIAces/p/World-War-I-Lieutenant-Colonel-William-George-Barker.htm -
U.S enters War
Congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. The United States enters World War I on the side of France and Britain.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-enters-world-war-i -
Western Front
During the Arras Offensive flying with Lt. Goodfellow an a R.E.8 they spotted 1,000 German troops shelteringin support trenches, so they directed artillery fire into the positions there by avoiding counter attack.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_George_Barker#Western_Front_1916-17 -
Italian Front
In one of his most successful and controversial raids, he and his wingman Lt. Harold Husdson shot up the airfield of Fliegerabtelilung (A) 204 set fire to a hangar and damgaed 4 German aircrafts before dropping a placecard wishing their oponets a "Happy Christmas".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_George_Barker#Italian_Front_1917-18 -
Battle of Cantigny
The Battle of Cantigny is the first major American offensive of the war. Though small in scale, the Americans fight bravely and soon go on to larger attacks against German positions.
http://firstworldwar.com/battles/cantigny.htm -
Battle of the Somme
It was one of the bloodiest military battles in history. On just the first day, the British suffered more than 57,000 casualties, the French attacked at the Somme and achieved greater advances on July 1 than the British did, with far fewer casualties. The battle lasted from July 1st 1916 and it lasted until November 1916. William Barker flew during this battle in support of British forces during the battle.
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/somme.htm -
The Victoria Cross
While flying alone his Sopwith Snipe was attacked by fifteen German Fokker D.VII's. Even after fainting twice from his injuries he downed four and drove off the remainders. After these actoins he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/barker.htm -
The End of WWI
At 11 o'clock in the morning of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the First World War came to an end. All over the world people were celebrating, dancing in the streets, drinking champagne, hailing the armstice that meant the war was over.
http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/world-war-i-comes-to-an-end
http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/armistice.htm -
Demobilization of the armies, millions return home.
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Resigned from the Royal Canadian Air Force
He returned to Canada as the and worked in the tabacco industry, till he became ill.
http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/barker.htm
