19. The Beginning of the Battle of Verdun (February 21, 1916)
Explanation: By 1916 Germany was looking for a major breakthrough on the Western front, so they completed a massive invasion into Verdun. It was essentially a ten month battle fought over possession of a series of French defensive positions. It was a back-and-forth battle between the two forces, and after ten months of bloody battle and carnage on a massive scale, the French were eventually able to push back the Germans. The Germans and French were both left incredibly weakened and a lot smaller.
The Battle of Verdun. 1917. Photograph. Verdun. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
20. The Battle of Lake Naroch (March 18, 1916)
Explanation: The Battle or Lake Naroch was the largest at the time on the Eastern Front, The Germans were preparing a dual with the Russian, and easy target. The Germans came very prepared for battle, they brought huge artillery and a large amount of men. the Russian forces, however, brought with them a massive amount of men. Their large amount of soldiers could not compare to Germany's ammunition. The Russians were crushed in battle. The Germans suffered 20,000 casualties while Russia underwent 70,000 causalities. This was a large and easy win for Germany.
Lake Naroch. 1916. Photograph. Lake Naroch. First World War Timeline.com. Schoolshistory.org, 3 Aug. 2012. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
21. The Battle of Jutland (May 31, 1916)
Explanation: The Battle of Jutland is considered the greatest naval battle of the Great War. It was fought between the ever-growing German navy and the famous British naval forces. There was two British commander who lead the battle, and only one German officer. Great Britain's navy had huge missiles prepared for the German ships, which really impacted them in a bad way. When all hope seemed lost, the German Admiral Reinhard Scheer provided the German navy missiles to fight off the British. Germany escaped at the last minute. Both sides declared they won the battle.
The Battle of Jutland Casuality. 1916. Photograph. Medalsofengland.com. Medals of England, 5 June 2007. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
22. The Battle of Somme (July 1, 1916)
Explanation: The Battle of Somme took place at Somme River
Valley in France from July 1, 1916 to November 16, 1916.France and Germany had
been dueling on the boarder of the two countries, called the eastern front, for
a few years now. France asked Britain if they could ship army men to the
eastern front to relieve pressure off Verdun. The British agreed, sending with
them major artillery. Once the army men hit the trenches, they immediately
began to unload their firearms. They opened fire for seven days straight,
releasing 1.7 million shells to the German army. Throughout this week of hell,
German soldiers had been digging deeper to keep safe from the heavy artillery. The
British forces were positive that all Germans were wiped clean from the
trenches, but they weren’t. The British army hopped out of their trenches,
unarmed, and walked through no-man’s-land to get to the German Trench. The
Germans, expecting such an outcome, jumped out of their trenches and began an
attack on the British. The British suffered great losses from the unforeseen
raid, they lost 60,000 men on the first day. At the end of the battle, the
Allied Powers (Britain and France) lost 620,000 men and the Central Power
(Germany) lost 520,000 men. Through this bloody battle, the British gained 7
miles.
The Battle of Somme. 1916. Photograph. Somme. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
23. The Battle of Flers Courcelette (September 15, 1916)
Explanation: The Battle of Flers Courcelette is most well known for the introduction of tanks. The battle was against Germany and Britain. Great Britain was looking for a one-up on the brawl, this is when the tank was invented. When the tank was first introduced, it was hard to see out of, noisy, and slow, nevertheless, it was revolutionary. The British forces were doing magnificent with their new invention. The Germans were desperate to catch up with Great Britain, so they created their own version of the tank. In the end of the battle though, the Germans with their determination and their new weapons won the battle.
Flers Courcelette. 1916. Photograph. Flers Courcelette. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 3 Nov. 2008. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
24. Dave Lloyd George becomes British Prim Minister ( December 7, 1916)
Explanation: The British Prim Minister is the equivalent of an American President. Great Britain was a major part of the Great War, they were extremely vital to the Allies victory. With a change of leader, a change of military direction is sure to come with it. Also, David Lloyd George was an essential member of the Paris Peace Treaty.
David Lloyd George. 1916. Photograph. Iamthewitness. Jewish Pawn, 5 Apr. 2006. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
25. The End of the Battle of Verdun (December 18, 1916)
Explanation: The Battle of Verdun was by far the longest battle of World War One. It was a long and bloody battle which was somewhat useless. Throughout the ten month's, little was accomplished. At the end of the war, the French had 550,000 casualties and the German suffered around 434,000 casualties . The Allies did manage to push back the German military, but it was only two miles and it was nothing compared to the wasted month's and thousands of lost men. The end of the Battle of Verdun was hardly different from the start.
The Battle of Verdun. 1917. Photograph. Verdun. First World War.com. Michael Duffy, 22 Sept. 2009. Web. 2 Mar. 2013.
26. Zimmerman Telegram (December 18, 1916)
Explanation: The Zimmerman Telegram was an intentional undermine to America by Germany. German officials sent Mexican officials a note saying if they were to declare war on America and take back New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas. A British line got a hold of the telegram and cracked the code to reveal the message. Great Britain officers immediately informed American President , Woodrow Wilson, of the note. Although Mexico did not take the deal, America was still extremely upset with Germany. The Zimmerman Telegraph was a major reason to America's part in the Great War.
The Zimmerman Telegram. 1916. Photograph. First World War.com. Michael Duffy. Web.