World War

1. World War By Josh Cox

2. Bayonets were used all through the war from 1914-1919 more as a psychological weapon. The flamethrower, used First World War in 1914 and 1915 was by no means a particularly innovative weapon. It was soon adopted to the U.S and other countries. June 28 1914 July 28 1914 August 1 1914 Austria declared war on Serbia Francis Ferdinand assassinated at Sarajevo a member of a group called thee black fist. Germany declared war on Russia

3. Along with Germany's involvement in The Great War came the zeppelin. With this, the Count's dreams finally would be realized. His mammoth ships would carry their deadly cargo from far from behind the battles in France and bomb London itself. Initially, there was no defense to put against these raids. The zeppelins would leave Germany at dusk and arrive over England by the cover of night. Cities could be easily spotted by their street lights and the bombs would be dropped. The Zeppelins would then turn for home and arrive before dawn. August 3 1914 August 4 1914 December 25 1914 An unofficial Christmas truce is declared by soldiers along the Western Front. Britain declared war on Germany Germany declared war on France and invaded Belgium.

4. As with most things at the start of the war in August 1914, the Germans were ahead of the pack in terms of grenade development.  Even as war began the Germans had 70,000 hand grenades in readiness, along with a further 106,000 rifle grenades. May 23 1915 July 1 1916 August 1916 Start of the Battle of the Somme, with the British military suffering its greatest number of casualties in a single day, 60,000. Italy entered the war on the side of the Allies. Romania enters the war on the Allies side.

5. Tanks were used for the first time in the First World War at the Battle of the Somme. They were developed to cope with the conditions on the Western Front. The first tank was called 'Little Willie' and needed a crew of 3. Its maximum speed was 3mph and it could not cross trenches. The more modern tank was not developed until just before the end of the war. It could carry 10 men, had a revolving turret and could reach 4mph. September 9 1916 November 18 1916 December 12 19161 Tanks introduced for the first time on the Somme battlefield by the British. Battle of the Somme ends. Germany issues peace note suggesting a compromise peace.

6. The German army were the first to use chlorine gas at the battle of Ypres in 1915. Chlorine gas causes a burning sensation in the throat and chest pains. Death is painful - you suffocate! The problem with chlorine gas is that the weather must be right. If the wind is in the wrong direction it could end up killing your own troops rather than the enemy.  Mustard gas was the most deadly weapon used. It was fired into the trenches in shells. It is colorless and takes 12 hours to take effect. Effects include: blistering skin, vomiting, sore eyes, internal and external bleeding. Death can take up to 5 weeks. December 31 1916 April 4 1917 July 7 1917 President Woodrow Wilson delivers war address to Congress at 8:32 pm and asks the House of Representatives to declare war on Germany. Rasputin the self-avowed holy man and confidant to the Russian Tsarina, is murdered by relatives of the Tsar. U.S. Brigadier General Pershing makes his first request for army of 1,000,000 men.

7. The main weapon used by British soldiers in the trenches was the bolt-action rifle. 15 rounds could be fired in a minute and a person 1,400 meters away could be killed. December 7 1917 December 9 1917 December 22 1917 President Woodrow Wilson delivers war address to Congress at 8:32 pm and asks the House of Representatives to declare war on Germany. Russia opens separate peace negotiations with Germany at Brest-Litovsk. The United States declares war on Austro-Hungary.

8. Machine guns needed 4-6 men to work them and had to be on a flat surface. They had the fire-power of 100 guns. Large field guns had a long range and could deliver devastating blows to the enemy but needed up to 12 men to work them. They fired shells which exploded on impact. August 8 1918 September 12 1918 October 3 1918 American forces attack the Germans as they are in the process of retreating from the St.-Mihiel salient. This was part of a plan designed by General Pershing in which the Americans would break through the German lines and capture the fortified city of Metz Haig directs the start of a successful Amiens offensive, forcing all German troops back to the Hindenburg Line. Ludendorff calls it a "black day" for the German Army. Germany and Austria send peace notes to US President Woodrow Wilson requesting an armistice.

9. Planes were also used for the first time. At first they were used to deliver bombs and for spying work but became fighter aircraft armed with machine guns, bombs and some times cannons. Fights between two planes in the sky became known as 'dogfights' January 18 1919 January 25 1919 February 1919 The Allies secretly agree to military intervention in the Russian Civil War. Start of peace negotiations in Paris. Peace conference accepts principle of a League of Nations.

10. June 28 1919 September 10 1919 Five years after the assassination of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand by a Serbian Nationalist in Sarejevo, the Treaty of Versailles is signed between the Allies and Germany in Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, officially ending the Great War. The treaty was very harsh on Germany forcing her to accept full responsibility for the the war and pay reparations, give up territories and reduce the army size to just 100,000 men. The peace Treaty of St Germain-en-Laye is signed between the Allies and Austria.

11. September 25 1919 President Woodrow Wilson's campaign for the ratification of the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations ends as he collapses during whistle-stop tour of the country.