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Assassination of Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated. They were killed in Sarajevo, modern-day Bosnia. The assassin was Serbian Gavrilo Princip. This led to Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. -
The First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of the Marne was fought 30 miles from Paris. Germany was advancing through France to try and take Paris. This was an important win for the Allies because they halted Germany’s advancement through France. Some of the first trench warfare ever was a result of the battle. -
Gallipoli
The Allies landed on the beaches of the Gallipoli Peninsula. The goal of the Allies was to take control of major sea routes. The Allies wanted it to be a quick and easy victory. However, the Ottomans defeated them, and the campaign was a massive loss for the Allies. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles
Frank tried to enlist in the Marines, but he wasn’t old enough. Next, he tried to get into the Navy, but they didn’t want him because he was flat-footed. Finally, he tried the Army and got in. Frank’s dream was to fight in France. Someone told him that the best way to go to France was the Ambulance Corps. Frank went to Fort Riley, Kansas to begin training. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles
Frank’s unit is sent over seas on the Carpathia. They’re expecting to go to France, but they get sent to Winchester, England. They’re in Winchester to relieve the unit of the Sixth Marines. Frank’s job in England is to ride around on a motorcycle taking on official assignments. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles
Frank is completing his Ambulance Corps training in Fort Riley, Kansas. Frank said he lived in a tent. Frank remembers the food served there. They used jerry cans with a fire underneath to cook soup or beans. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles
Frank was sent to Germany. Frank’s job was to look after German prisoners. Frank remembers that the prisoners would play music all day. He talked about the time he got into a fight with one of the prisoners. -
Frank Woodruff Buckles
Frank got his wish and was sent to France. Frank’s job was to drive a car or ambulance to places around 30 miles from combat. He has vivid memories of French soldiers singing and drinking wine together. He remembers giving what little food they had to hungry little kids. -
The Battle of Mons
The Battle of Mons was fought on the final day of the war. The Canadians took Mons, Belgium, from the Germans. The German troops soon learned that the country had signed an armistice. The final death of an ally soldier was a Canadian who was sniped minutes before the firing stopped. -
The Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was signed bringing a formal end to the war. The defeated nations had no say in the negotiations. The Allies demanded reparations from Germany for the damage caused. Territories that the Germans took were stripped from them.