World War 1 1918

By paola.ramis

  • January 14

    Great Yarmouth bombarded by the German Navy.

  • January 24

    Russia rejected Lenin's peace at all costs for Trotsky's "no war, no peace".

  • February 1

    Mutiny in the Austrian Navy at Cattaro.

  • February 18

    Germany resumed her war against Russia after the failure to secure a peace settlement.

  • February 24

    Russia accepted Germany's peace terms.

  • March 3

    Treaty of Brest-Litovsk was signed between Germany and Russia.

  • March 21

    Germany broke through in the Somme at the start of its ‘Spring Offensive’. 65 divisions attacked along a 60-mile front. The German Air Service launched a major campaign against the Royal Flying Corps but it failed.

  • March 23

    The Germans made major advances using Storm Troops. Paris was hit with long-range artillery. The British 5th Army suffered major losses.

  • March 28

    First signs seen that Germany’s offensive was losing its impetus with the failed attack on Arras.

  • March 29

    Marshal Foch was appointed Allied Commander on the Western Front.

  • April 1

    The Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Navy Air Service combined to form the Royal Air Force (RAF).

  • April 4

    The German Spring Offensive (the ‘Michael Offensive) petered out and the line stabilized.

  • April 9

    Germany started an offensive in Flanders.

  • April 21

    The German fighter ace, Baron Manfred Von Richthofen, the ‘Red Baron’, was killed.

  • April 23

    An Allied attack on the harbours of Zeebruge and Ostend (to block their use as bases for U-boats) took place but was only partially successful.

  • May 13

    The RAF formed a specific strategic bombing force.

  • May 24

    A British squadron landed at Murmansk

  • May 30

    German troops reached the River Marne.

  • June 3

    American forces at Chateau Thierry helped to end the German advance.

  • June 6

    American troops counter-attacked German forces at Belleau Wood.

  • June 25

    Last German troops forced out of Belleau Wood by the Americans.

  • July 9

    Flying ace James McCudden killed in a flying accident.

  • July 15

    Last major German offensive of the war when 52 divisions attacked in the Marne-Reims Offensive.

  • July 15

    Second Battle of the Marne started, which saw the collapse of the German army on the Western Front.

  • July 26

    Flying ace Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock was killed in action.

  • July 31

    British forces took Archangelsk in northern Russia.

  • August 1

    French forces occupied Soissons.

  • August 3

    Germany completed her withdrawal from the Marne salient.

  • August 8

    The Allies continued their advance against the Germans. The RAF dropped 1,563 bombs and fired 122,150 rounds of ammunition in support of ground forces. This day is known as the “Black Day of the German Army”.

  • August 18

    A British offensive in Flanders began. A French offensive captured Aisne Heights.

  • August 21

    The British renewed their offensive on the Somme.