Category Archives: World War I

Vera Brittain’s brother killed on Italian Front 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 15 1918)


Video: '1914~1918. A BBC History of the Great War: 3. Total War' (June 15, 1918, at 17:06)

(Saturday, June 15, 1918; on the Italian Front during World War I) — Captain Edward Brittain, a British Army officer who was immortalized by his sister Vera Brittain in Testament of Youth, was shot in the head and killed early this morning on the Asiago Plateau during a counter-attack against an Austrian offensive, part of the Second Battle of the Piave River at Piave, Italy. Continue reading Vera Brittain’s brother killed on Italian Front 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 15 1918)

U.S. Marines suffer heavy casualties at Belleau Wood 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1918)


Video: 'U.S. Marines at Belleau Wood in WWI'

(Thursday, June 6, 1918, at dawn local time; during the Spring Offensive, part of the Western Front of World War I) — The first battalion of the 5th U.S. Marines suffered heavy casualties today as they launched a counteroffensive against German troops in the Battle of Belleau Wood near the Marne River in France. Continue reading U.S. Marines suffer heavy casualties at Belleau Wood 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 6 1918)

Americans fight first major battle of World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 28 1918)


Video: 'WORLD WAR ONE CANTIGNY BATTLE NEWSREEL MAY, 1918 27034a'

(Tuesday, May 28, 1918, 6:45 a.m. local time; during the Battle of Cantigny, part of the Western Front of World War I) — American troops fought their first military engagement during World War I today as the 1st Infantry Division attacked and captured the German-held French village of Cantigny. Continue reading Americans fight first major battle of World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 28 1918)

Germany’s ‘Red Baron’ flying ace shot down and killed 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1918)


Video: 'The Red Baron - Manfred von Richthofen I WHO DID WHAT IN WW1?'

(Sunday, April 21, 1918, just after 11:00 a.m. local time)Manfred von Richthofen, the German fighter pilot known as the “Red Baron” who was credited with 80 air combat victories during World War I, was himself shot down and killed today while in action over Morlancourt Ridge near the Somme River. He was 25. Continue reading Germany’s ‘Red Baron’ flying ace shot down and killed 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 21 1918)

Britain’s Royal Air Force founded 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1918)


Video: 'The Royal Air Force: Past and Present (Part One 1912-1937)' (Apr. 1, 1918, at 11:58)

(Monday, April 1, 1918; during World War I) — Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), the oldest independent air force in the world, came into being today as the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were merged into a single, independent entity. Continue reading Britain’s Royal Air Force founded 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1918)

Germany launches Spring Offensive on Western Front 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1918)


Video: '1. Weltkrieg - Westfront 1918/1 (Januar bis Juni)' ('Spring Offensive' first 4 videos; Mar. 21, 1918, begins on second video at 4:45)

(Thursday, March 21, 1918, artillery bombardment began at 4:40 a.m. local time; on the Western Front during World War I) — Germany launched its Spring Offensive on the Western Front today with Operation Michael, hoping to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and materiel resources of the United States could be fully deployed. Continue reading Germany launches Spring Offensive on Western Front 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1918)

Russia signs separate peace treaty with Central Powers 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 3 1918)


Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny'(Treaty of Brest-Litovsk at 52:57)

(Sunday, March 3, 1918, 4:00-5:30 p.m. local time) — The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, a peace treaty between the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire), was signed today at the Brest-Litovsk fortress in what is now Brest, Belarus, ending Russia’s participation in World War I and defaulting on all of Imperial Russia’s commitments to the Triple Entente alliance. Continue reading Russia signs separate peace treaty with Central Powers 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 3 1918)

SS Tuscania torpedoed off Irish coast 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1918)


Video: 'American Survivors Of Torpedoed Transport 'tuscania' (1914-1918)'

(Tuesday, February 5, 1918, approximately 6:40 p.m. GMT) — The Cunard liner SS Tuscania, which was transporting about 2,000 American troops to Europe, was torpedoed by a German U-boat tonight in the Irish Sea with the loss of approximately 210 of the troops and crew. Continue reading SS Tuscania torpedoed off Irish coast 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1918)

Wilson outlines Fourteen Points for lasting peace 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1918)


Video: 'Wilson's 14 Points & League of Nations Explained'

(Tuesday, January 8, 1918, noon EST) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson outlined his Fourteen Points, a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for negotiations to end World War I, before a joint session of Congress today in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Wilson outlines Fourteen Points for lasting peace 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1918)

President Wilson takes over nation’s railroads 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 26 1917)

(Wednesday, December 26, 1917; during World War I) — In what was possibly the largest American experiment with nationalization, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation today authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation’s railroads.

The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) had recommended federal control of the railroad industry to ensure efficient transport of troops and materials for the war effort.