1. Important Battles of WWI Key Engagements from 1914 to 1918.

2. Tanneberg August 23-30 1914

3. Tannenberg Fought between Germany and Russia Germans halt Russian advance into Prussia (now Poland) with an overwhelming victory. First and most decisive battle on the Eastern Front. Only because of the sheer numbers of troops she could muster was Russia able to continue the war. Russian losses-300,000+90,000 POWs. German losses-20,000

4. Russians surrendering at Tannenberg

5. 1st Battle of the Marne Sep 1914

6. 1st Battle of the Marne Fought between France/Britain and Germany. Halted the initial German advance into France. Led to “Race to the Sea” and static (trench) warfare French/British losses-263,000 German losses-220,000

7. The Taxis of the Marne

8. 2nd Battle of Ypres April 1915

9. 2nd Battle of Ypres French/British v. Germany German attempt to push back Ypres “salient”. German advance thwarted. 1st use of poison gas French/British losses-70,000 German losses-35,000

10. Gas,Gas,Gas!

11. Gas Victims

12. Verdun Feb-Dec 1916

13. Verdun France v. Germany German goal-”To bleed France white”. French felt honor-bound to defend Verdun for historical reasons. Led to Battle of the Somme as means of relief of pressure on Verdun/French army. Largely an artillery battle. No real strategic value. Became a symbol of the futility of war. French losses-400,000 German losses-355,000

14. Fortress at Verdun-Before

15. Fortress at Verdun-After

16. Germans Attacking Verdun

17. Battle of the Somme July-Nov 1916

18. Battle of the Somme Britain/France v. Germany Allied attempt to relieve pressure on Verdun and break German lines. Poorly planned and executed. Bloodiest battle in history. 6 miles gained Succeeded in drawing many German units away from Verdun. 1st tanks used in WWI. British/French losses-624,000 German losses-465,000

19. British Trench

20. Mine explosion

21. British Mark V Tank

22. Into No-man’s Land

23. Destroyed German trench

24. Passchendaele

25. Passchendaele July-Nov 1917 British v. Germany 3rd battle of Ypres “salient”. Allied attempt to take high ground from Germans and hinder U-boat ops. Horrible weather a major factor. Unsuccessful except for keeping Germans occupied while French recovered from major mutiny problems. Another example of apparent disregard for soldiers lives. British losses-275,000 German losses-200,000

26. Germans helping a Brit

27. Mud and combat don’t mix

28. Spring Offensive March-June 1918

29. Spring Offensive Britain/France/USA v. Germany German attempt to break-through and end stalemate. Initially successful-gained back most of Somme region Halted at 2nd Marne with help of influx of US soldiers. Allied losses-unclear German losses-over 1,000,000

30. Germans attack

31. Over the top!

32. Amiens August 1918

33. Amiens Allies v. Germany Allied counterattack to Spring Offensive Allies finally achieve breakthrough. August 8-”black day of the German Army”. Led to call for Armistice and end of war. Allied Losses-Far fewer than Germany for the first time in the war German losses-Almost as many prisoners as casualties- unprecedented in the war.

34. Victors!

35. Vanquished!

36. Other important battles/regional engagements

37. Gallipoli Feb 1915-Jan 1916

38. Gallipoli Part of Middle East campaign. Allies v. Ottoman Empire Allied attempt to open supply route to Russia and knock Ottomans out of war. Poor intel,planning, execution. Horrendous conditions. High casualty rate. Total failure except for Turkish attrition. Allied losses-220,000 (59%) Turkish Losses-251,000 (61%)

39. LZ at ANZAC Cove

40. Difficult terrain

41. Turks on the high ground

42. Over the top-Middle East style

43. Mustafa Kemal and Co.

44. Caporetto Oct 1917

45. Caporetto Italy v. Austria/Germany Last of 12 battles along Isonzo River. First time Germany assisted Austria. Complete route of Italian army. Other allies had to assist Italy. Austria eventually defeated. Italy losses- 40,000 + 280,000 Pows

46. A view of the mountain terrain