1. World War I
The Battles

2. Eastern Front 8/17/1914: Russia invaded E. Prussia
Germany: counter offensive, pushback
Attack/Counter-attack continues for 2 years
Allies: poorly prepared
No advantages
Austria-Hungary
Germany
Russia and Serbia

3. The Western Front
Britain
France
Germany

4. Soldiers being taken to the Western Front by Military Buses

5. Important Battles before the US Enters
Battle of Marne:
September 4-10, 1914
Trench warfare truly begins

6. Important Battles before the US Enters
Battle of Verdun
Feb 21-Dec 18, 1916
Important Allied traveling road
Leads to Somme Offensive

7. The battle line stretched about 25 miles
Battle of Somme
Battle of Somme
July-November 1916:
Frist time tanks are used
Deadliest battle of WWI
The battle line stretched about 25 miles

8. Battle of Somme

9. US Enters the War in 1917
Two Big Reasons?
_________________________
Sinking of the Lusitania
Zimmerman Telegram

10. Key Battle #4: The Battle of Cambrai
November 20th – December 7th, 1917
British launch first mass tank attack – 324 tanks total
No pre-attack bombardment, only wall of smoke
British advances far in short time, only losing 4,000
German uses “stossstrupen” (storm troopers) to counter attack
10 days later, drive Britain back to starting lines
Overall: Allied success because proved tanks could overcome trench defense.

11. German Strategy after Cambrai
German leaders: Spring attack on Western front is only way to victory
Russia’s exit frees German troops and raises morale
Allies: no unified leader and low morale and manpower
Germany plans major offensive: Fight separated Allies
Take advantage of new weapons: planes, tanks, machine guns and poison gas

12. Spring Offensive, Spring 1918
Operation Michal: First German offensives, almost splits allies
Furthest German advance in 4 years.
Allies finally agree on unified system of command
American troop arrival begins to take affect two months later
The 100 Days Offensive, July - November 1918
Germans left in weak position
Fresh troops from US
German lines eventually broken, retreat
Germans sued for peace
Armistice signed November 11, 1918