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Why Arthur Enlisted
As the war progessed many people almost hazed Arthur, why arent you enlisted yet? My son is enlisted, why arent you? He was tired of hearing people asking why he wasnt in the service; the following month he traveled to Chicago to enlist. Arthur was attracted to the Marines by a recruiter in an impressive looking uniform; when stationed in France he could tell there was a big difference between the discipline and the other services. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated
On the 28th of June in 1914 an event occured that would change the history of the world forever. The Archduke traveled to Sarajevo in June to inspect the imperial armed forces in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The morning of their arrival the Archduke and his wife traveled in the car heading to the destination. The Archduke and his wife were shot and killed in their vechile heading to the location. The killings sparked a chain of events that led to the outbreak of the Great War. -
Germany Invades Belgium
On the 4th of August in 1914 marks the day that World War 1's official start. On the 2nd of August the German government sent an ultimatum to Belgium, demanding passage through the country and German forces invaded Luxembourg. Two days later, the Belgian Government refused the demands, the British Government guaranteed military support to Belgium. Nazi Germany declared war on Belgium on August 4th, troops crossed the border and began the Battle of Liege. Germany would later win the invasion. -
Germans Fire!
On April 22nd of 1915, the German army sparked an idea that would change the course of World War 1. The Nazi army fired shells with chlorine gas at Allied lines. This is the first time that large amounts of gas are used in battle, the result is the near-collapse of the French lines. However, the Germans are unable to take advantage of the breach. Chlorine gas poisoning causes nausea, vomiting, or a headache. Exposure to low levels may cause acute wheezing attacks and chronic cough with asthma. -
Lusitania Sinks
The German army were the first ones to suggest submarine warfare and it effected us in a horrible way. On the 7th of May 1915 the Lusitania sinks, a German submarine sinks the passenger liner that carries 1,198 people, 128 of them American. Germany justified the attack by stating, correctly, that the Lusitania was an enemy ship, and that it was carrying munitions. The German navy adopted a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, declaring the area around the British Isles a war zone. -
First Tanks
On this day the Allies would gain an advantage in the war. The British employ the first tanks ever used in battle, at Delville Wood. Although they are useful at breaking through barbed wire and clearing a path for the infantry, tanks are still primitive and they fail to be the decisive weapon, as their designers thought they would be. The British army released 3 tanks that day, 2 of them which broke down before breaking through enemy lines, but nearly a 3rd succeeded in breaking through. -
Zimmerman Telegram
British intelligence gives Woodrow Wilson the so-called Zimmerman telegram. The telegram, a message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmerman proposing that Mexico side with the Germany case of war between Germany and the US. In return, Germany promises to return to Mexico the "lost provinces of Texas and much of the rest of the American Southwest. Mexico declines the offer, but the outrage at this interference the Western Hemisphere pushes the US public opinion to support entering the war. -
US enters war
On Apri l 6th of 1917, congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. The United States enters World War 1 on the side of France and Britain. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S soldiers fought on battlefields in France. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering the war and wanted to remain neutral. However, the U.S eveuntally did enter the war. -
Selective Service Act
During the 18th of May in 1917. the U.S. Congress passes the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft. Altough criticized for destroying democracy at home while fighing for it abroad, President Wilson claims he sees no other option and signs the bill into law. Conscription was first implemented in the United States during the Civil War. However, it was common for weathy men to hire substitutes to fulfill their service obligation. -
3 days
Along with this platoon, Arthur went 3 full days without anything to eat due to their galley getting stuck in the mud. They filled canteens from water running in the ditches, most of the water was dirty but they drank any way to reduce the chance of dehydration. Once they arrived in Germany they were told to keep out of the local houses. His platoon did not showere for up to 2 weeks until they made it back to the United States on Armistice day. -
Arthur Enlists
In the spring of 1918, Arthur Keller made a decision that would change his life forever. Arthur went on a trip to Chicago from his home in Fairfield, Iowa, during the trip he made the decision to enlist in the Marines at the age of 19. At the time U.S. was starting to send over replacement troops to replenish their losses. At first his parents did not take his actions well and were very confused on why we would enlist. -
Germany and Russia peace
Nearly 4 years after the start of the war the Germans sign a peace treaty with the new Bolshevik government of Russia. The terms of the treaty give Germany huge tracts of land that had been Ukraine and Poland, and peace on the Eastern Front allows Germany to shift soldiers to the Western Front, causing serious problems for the French, British, and Americans. The signing of this treaty ended Russia's participation in World War 1, after suffering huge losses in soldiers and munition. -
Springfield
As the warm came to an end, the U.S. sent new and improved Springfield rifle to a majority of the troops still overseas. These new rifles were the best equipment they have had. They also recieved brand-new browning rifles right after the armistice, with these rifles the Allies could of won the war even sooner. He also says that they trained horses to not react to loud noises, that was an advantage because the horses could transport weaponry longer. -
Adventures
Following the Armistice, Arthur along with many other troops; followed the Germany Army from France into Luxembourg. Once in Luxembourg a nice couple treated many of the troops with pastries that they baked. To make sure no more deaths were to happen, officers sent anyone with an excuse back to the hospital. As they followed the German Army they had to stay in a convent, with nuns providing pillows and blankets. -
Wilhelm Adbicates
On the 9th of November 100 years ago, marks the day that Kaiser Wilhelm of Nazi Germany abdicates. This event ends all German hope for a victory. Kaiser and his retinue quitely slip over the border into the Netherlands where he lives out the remainder of this life in relative peace and writes a self-promoting memior defending his actions in the war. His abdication was announced by Chancellor Prince Max von Baden, before Wilhelm had in fact consented to abdicate.
