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World War I raged across Europe's western and eastern fronts after growing tensions and then the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria ignited the war. Fighting under brutal conditions, World War I battles on both land and at sea saw mass carnage, but few decisive victories, with some conflicts waging for months on end. Below is a timeline of the war's most significant battles.
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The battle began with Russian armies attacking German troops in German East Prussia (now Poland) from the south and the east, which, at first, worked. However, after intercepting unencrypted radio messages from the Russians, the Germans were able to reorganize their strategy, forcing the Russians into retreat. The Germans pursued the Russians, essentially annihilating the armies with 30,000 casualties and more than 90,000 taken prisoner.
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The smaller German squadron retreats, but can’t outrun the British. Long-range gunfire ensues but while the German SMS Blücher cruiser is sunk, the British HMS Lion is severely damaged.
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In modern warfare’s first major beach landing, the Gallipoli Campaign saw British and French troops invading the Ottoman Empire at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the Dardanelles Straits (now western Turkey). The invasion was an effort to control the sea route and seize Constantinople. With Western Front fighting stalled, the Allied forces intended the attack to be a swift victory but ultimately withdrew, suffering some 180,000 casualties, including more than 28,000 Australian soldiers.
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The Germans advance in the bloody conflict until July when their offensive is called off. The French then begin retaking the stronghold and, as winter sets in and the first Battle of the Somme rages, the Verdun fighting finally ends.
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Quincy Claude Ayres was in the Navy; and Army. His rank was First Lieutenant; and Captain, After boarding the USS Pocahontas on December 3, 1917, for the trip overseas. On Dec 3, 1917, they boarded the USS “Pocahontas”.. 9 days passed and it’s when they left the port but 2 days later they got rammed but not too much damage.