War Brides: A Play in One Act (WWI Centenary Series). Marion Craig Wentworth

AugustEnd of the Brusilov Offensive.9th SeptemberThe Battle of Ginchy. The British capture Ginchy – a post of vital strategic importance as it commands a view of the whole battlefield.15th SeptemberFirst use en masse of tanks at the Somme. The Battle of Flers-Courcelette signifies the start of the third stage of the Somme offensive.13th NovemberBattle of Ancre. The fourth phase of the Somme Offensive is marked by the British capturing Beaumont Hamel and St. Pierre Division, taking nearly 4,000 prisoners.12th DecemberGermany delivers Peace Note to Allies suggesting compromise.19171st FebruaryGermany’s unrestricted submarine warfare campaign starts.3rd FebruaryUS sever diplomatic relations with Germany as U-boats threaten US shipping. Intercepted messages reveal that Germany is provoking the Mexicans into war with the US.21st FebruaryThe great German withdrawal begins. Serre, Miraumont, Petit Miraumont, Pys and Warlencourt are evacuated, falling back 25 miles to establish stronger positions on the Hindenburg Line.15th MarchTsar Nicholas II abdicates as Moscow falls to Russian Revolutionaries. Demise of the Russian army frees German troops for the Western front.6th AprilUSA declares war on Germany – troops mobilise immediately.9th AprilBattle of Arras. British successfully employ new tactics of creeping barrages, the ‘graze fuse’ and counter battery fire.16th AprilFrance launches an unsuccessful offensive on the Western Front.- Second Battle of Aisne begins as part of the ‘Nivelle Offensive’. Losses are horrendous, triggering mutinies in the French Army.7th JuneThe Battle of Messines Ridge. British succeed with few casualties as detonate 19 mines under German front lines – the explosions are reportedly heard from England.13th JuneGermans launch first major heavy bomber raid of London – kills and injures 594.25th JuneFirst US troops arrive in France.31st JulyStart of the Third Battle at Ypres – a 15 mile front in Flanders. Initial attacks are successful as the German forward trenches are lightly manned.15th AugustThe Battle of Lens (Hill 70). – Canadians at the forefront , won a high vantage point, though loss of 9,200 men.20th AugustThird Battle of Verdun begins. French progress is marked by gaining lost territory in the earlier battles.9th OctoberThe third phase of the Ypres Offensive begins with British and French troops taking Poelcapelle. 25mm of rain falls in 48 hours and the battlefield turns into a quagmire.12th OctoberBritish launch assault at Ypres Against the Passchendale Ridge. New Zealand and Australians take terrible casualties. Bogged down in mud and forced back to start lines.24th OctoberBattle of Caporetto – Italian Army heavily defeated.26th OctoberSecond Battle of Passchendaele begins, 12,000 men lost and 300 yards gained (ends 10th November – 500,000 casualties, 140,000 deaths and 5 miles gained).6th NovemberBritain launches major offensive on the Western Front.20th NovemberVictory for British tanks at Cambrai - The Royal flying Corps drop bombs at the same time on German anti-tank guns and strong points. Early example of the ‘Blitzkrieg’ tactics later used by Germany in World War Two.5th DecemberArmistice between Germany and Russia signed.191816th JanuaryRiots in Vienna and Budapest with dissatisfaction at the war.3rd MarchTreaty of Brest-Litovsk signed between (Soviet) Russia and Germany.21st MarchSecond Battle of the Somme marked by the German spring offensive, the ‘Kaiserschlacht’. Germans attack along a 50 mile front south of Arras.22nd MarchVictory for Germany with operation Michael - Use of new ‘Storm trooper’ assault to smash through British positions west of St. Quentin, taking 16,000 prisoners.23rd MarchGreatest air battle of the war takes place over the Somme, with 70 aircraft involved.5th AprilThe German Spring Offensive halts outside Amiens as British and Australian forces hold the Line. The second 1917 battle of the Somme ends, as Germany calls off operation Michael.9th AprilGermany starts offensive in Flanders –Battle of the Lys (ends 29th April).19th MayGerman air force launches largest raid on London, using 33 aircraft.27th MayOperation Blucher – The Third German Spring Offensive attacks the French army along the Aisne River. French are forced back to the Marne, but hold the river with help from the Americans.15th JulySecond battle of the Marne started; final phase of German spring offensive.Start of the collapse of the German army with irreplaceable casualties.8th AugustSecond Battle of Amiens – German resistance sporadic and thousands surrender.27th SeptemberBritish offensive on the CambraiFront leads to the storming of the Hindenburg Line. Battle of St. Quentin – British and U.S troops launch devastating offensives.4th OctoberGermany asks the allies for an armistice (sent to Woodrow Wilson).8th OctoberAllies advance along a 20 mile front from St. Quentin to Cambrai, driving the Germans back and capturing 10,000 troops.29th OctoberGermany’s navy mutinies (at Jade).3rd NovemberAustria makes peace. German sailors mutiny at Kiel.9th NovemberKaiser Wilhelm abdicates and revolution breaks out in Berlin.11th NovemberGermany signs the armistice with the allies – coming into effect at 11.00am (official end of WWI).191910th JanuaryCommunist Revolt in Berlin (Battle of Berlin).18th JanuaryParis Peace Conference Begins.25th JanuaryPrinciple of a League of Nations ratified.6th MayUnder conditions of the Peace conference, German colonies are annexed.21st JuneThe surrendered German naval fleet at Scapa Flow was scuttled.28th JuneTreaty of Versailles signed.19th JulyCenotaph unveiled in London.