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The First World War
This is the first war that involves the world on a larger scale. With Nations from every (inhabited) continent involved in the war in some way. -
The Battle of Tannenburg
From August 26 - 30, 1914, Russia invades eastern parts of Poland and East Prussia, but are prevented from advancing by German and Austro-Hungarian forces during the Battle of Tannenberg. Their army is unprepared for battle, and is surrounded and destroyed. This defeat destroyed the Second Russian Army and caused the suicide of it's general. -
The Gallipoli Campaign
On April 25th, 1915, Britain launched an invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula. Commanded by Winston Churchill, the invasion was proved a terrible military blunder, and by the time the battle was over in January of 1916, the Allies had lost over 250,000 troops. Winston Churchill resigned from his position after this failure, being put into French forces. -
The Sinking of The Lusitania
On May 7th, 1915, a German U-Boat sank the RMS Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans, contributing to the Americans entrance into the war in 1917. Germany’s policy of unrestricted submarine warfare angered the allies, and contributed to anti-German sentiment in the allied nations throughout the war. -
First Tanks
In Delville Wood, the British deploy the first tanks in battle, and while good for getting through barbed wire and trenches, they do little to turn the tides in battle like the designers had hoped. They would need a few more decades to be able to do that. -
The Zimmerman Telegram
On February 25th, 1917, Arthur Zimmerman sends a telegram which is intercepted by the British and sent to Woodrow Wilson. It details a proposal that if Germany were to go to war with the U.S., then the Mexicans would side with them, letting them take back all lands previously owned by Mexico before the Mexican-American war. This Infuriates the American public, adding fuel to this still un-burning fire of war. -
Leaving For France
On June 20th, 1917, Harold W. Riley sets sail for France on “The Chicago”, the trip lasts two weeks, and ended in the harbor of Bordeaux in France, he does not see his home for over 2 years. -
Joining the French Army
In late June of 1917, Harold W. Riley volunteers into the French army, joining Ambulance Corps 16, he stays with them for a few months, helping soldiers from both sides recover from their wounds. All the while under threat from enemy artillery and gas attacks. -
Honorably Discharged and Honorably Enlisted
On October 17th, 1917, he was honorably discharged from the French army, and then enlisted into the US army on the same day, gaining the rank of Cadet in the 24th air squadron -
Russia Leaves the War
December 1, 1917, The Russian Revolution causes an armistice between The Central Powers and Russia, diverting more German troops to the western front. Which made the job of the remaining allies even more difficult. -
The Battle of Cantigny
On May 28th, 1918, the Battle of Cantigny occurs, marking the first major U.S. offensive of the war. It proves to the hardened soldiers of France and Germany that the Americans are just as capable as they are on the battlefield. It will not be the last time. -
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The Battle of Belleau Wood
From June 6th to June 26th, American Forces tried their best to take back Belleau Wood. After the first day, over 1,000 Americans were dead or wounded. By the end of the battle 20 days later there were over 10,000 dead or wounded. The Germans were heavily entrenched with machine guns, which is one of the reasons so many casualties occurred. -
The Second Battle of The Marne
On July 15th, 1918, Germany launched a final offensive on the Allied lines, starting the Second Battle of the Marne, a battle which decisively turned the tide of the war to the side of the Allies. The Germans had wished to use diversionary forces to help with the battle, but ended up being destroyed and put on the run. -
His Capture and Imprisonment
On October 8th, 1918, he was sent on a reconnaissance mission over the front lines, was intercepted by four German fighters, and shot down behind enemy lines. He is taken as a POW and his observer dies from his wounds in a German hospital. He spends the rest of the war in hospital and returns to America in 1919 -
Armistice
On November 11th, 1918, A final Armistice is signed between the Allies and Germany, calling for a ceasefire and an end to the First World War.