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Captain Allen M. Sumner
Allen M. Sumner was born on October 1, 1882, in Boston, Massachusetts. He attended Harvard University and graduated in 1904, and in 1907 he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. Retired in 1914 and was recalled in April the year after the war had started. -
Assasinaton of Archduke Franz Ferdinand (June 28, 1914)
The event that set fire to the war was when the Heir to the Austria-Hungarian Empire was assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia. He was shot to death along with his wife Sophia by Serbian Nationalist Gavrilo Princip. Gavrilo and many nationalists wanted the end of Austro-Hungarian rule over Bosnia. -
World War I Begins (August 4, 1914)
The Serbian government ordered Russia for assistance after being convinced that Austria-Hungary was readying for war. On July 28, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and not soon after all the peace between the great powers of Europe fell. Within a week, France, Great Britain, Serbia, Belgium, and Russia had gone against Austria-Hungary and Germany. World War I had begun. -
The First Battle of the Marne Begins (September 6, 1914)
The Germans had begun advancing closer and closer to Paris and were 30 miles within the area but over the next two days, French soldiers were transported to the front lines to stop them from getting to the heart of France. At this time trench warfare had begun and this would typify the Western Front for the next four years. The French would fight hard and the allies would help them. -
Lusitania Sinks (May 7, 1915)
A German-U boat sank the Lusitania Ship, this ship was a Luxury British Steamship which carried many British and American passengers. The German ship torpedoed the ship sinking it and killing 1,128 people, including 28 Americans. The Germans knew that the British were transporting weapons from the United States to Great Britain through normal ships and Passenger Ships and this led to the Germans sinking Lusitania. -
Battle of the Somme (July 1, 1916 - November 1916)
Began as an offensive against German forces but turned into the most costly battle of WWI. British lost around 57,000 soldiers including 19,000 killed on the first day of the battle. This battle was the battle to ever introduce tanks, On September 15 these tanks helped the British gain 1.5 miles of land but they suffered 29,000 casualties. The battle was a failure for the British but it did inflict serious damage to the German position in France. -
First Tanks to Enter the War (September 15, 1916)
Great Britain was the first country to ever deploy tanks in the war and this would forever shape how war is fought. The first tanks were deployed at Delville Woods and showed many effects in helping during the war. These tanks could break through barbed wire, provided protection for the soldiers, clearing paths for infantry, and much more. Tanks were revolutionary in helping the battles in WW1. -
Zimmerman Telegram (February 25, 1917)
German Forces sent a telegram that was intended for Mexico but was interrupted by the British. This Telegram was called the Zimmerman Telegram, named after Arthur Zimmermann the man who sent it. The British quickly informed President Wilson about the telegram. The telegram consisted of the Germans telling Mexico that they will give them all of the lands they lost to America and this made America very upset and was a leading factor in America joining the War. -
The U.S. Enters the War (April 6, 1917) They join the allies
The United States remained very neutral most of the years during WWI. But German submarine sinking a ship with 100 Americans on it made America pretty upset. The thing that really threw the United States over the edge was the Telegram sent to Mexico but was disrupted by the British asking Mexico to join Germany and when they win the war they will give Mexico back the land they lost. -
Everyday Life for Sumner (August 14, 1917)
Captain Allen M. Sumner explains his every life as not having a single minute to themselves. He also goes on to explain that there is plenty of guard stand watching to keep them busy. 9:15 a.m. quarters and slips drills,
10:00 a.m. infantry drill full pack
11:05 a.m. French class
12:00 noon dinner
1:00 p.m. officers’ school
2:00 p.m. signal drill
3:00 p.m. infantry drill full pack
4:00 p.m. non-comms school
5:30 p.m. officers’ school
6:00 p.m. supper
7:15-8:15 p.m. study hour for officers. -
Christmas Gifts (November 26, 1917)
On this day Sumner talks about how he hopes his letters and gifts have reached his wife. He also explains that it is very difficult for soldiers to get things from one country to the other but it was easier for him because he was a Captain. He then goes on to say that he pulled out money from war insurance for them and for him. Also, Captain Sumner explains that mail gets destroyed on the way over and sometimes never arrives. -
Germany and Russia Peace (March 3, 1918)
Long into the war, the Germans decide that they want to make peace with the Bolshevik government. This peace treaty would create peace along the Eastern Front and this treaty would also give Germany huge parts of land that had been owned by Ukraine and Poland. With the peace along the Eastern front, this caused problems because the Germans were now able to stop focusing on the Eastern front and start focusing on the Western front which was hard on the Allies. -
Life in a Trench (April 6, 1918)
Sumner had been moved to a trench, and instead of being stuck in the mud he was treated with trench luxury. Since Allen Sumner was a Captain he was given a nice room with wood surrounding the walls and wood on the floor, he had his own cot and a journal table. He goes on to explain that the scenery from the trenches is beautiful with hills and grass everywhere. -
Captain Allen M. Sumner Death (July 19, 1918)
Mary Sumner, Captain Allen M. Sumners wife was informed by Major LWT Waller, Jr. that her husband had been killed. He wrote “He was struck by a fragment of a high explosive shell in the stomach and died very shortly afterward. His death was painless as he was unconscious from the moment he was hit.” He was buried 200 yards near the cemetery they were stationed by in Paris. -
The End of the War (November 11, 1918)
After 4 years of war, fighting, and death Germany formally surrendered on November 11, 1918, and every nation had decided and agreed to stop fighting until peace terms were set and negotiated. On June 28, 1919, The Allies and Germany signed the Treaty of Versailles, this officially ended the First World War. Soon countries were split up and many new nations were formed and Germany suffered many consequences for starting the war and being a key power to the Central Powers.
