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World War I

1914–1918

The Great War that reshaped Europe and the world.

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WWI

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22 Stories

Historical illustration of What Happened at the Third Battle of Ypres (1917) — ww1
WWI
Third Battle of Ypres

What Happened at the Third Battle of Ypres?

The Third Battle of Ypres was a famous fight in 1917 where heavy rain turned the battlefield into a deadly, deep swamp.

1917United Kingdom · Germany · France · Belgium
Historical illustration of Why Did Thailand Join World War I (1917) — ww1
WWI
Siam's entry into WWI

Why Did Thailand Join World War I?

Discover why Thailand decided to join the side of the Allies in World War I and the impact it had on the nation.

1917Thailand · Germany · Austria-Hungary
Historical illustration of Did Filipino Soldiers Join World War I in 1917 (1917) — ww1
WWI
Philippine National Guard Mobilization

Did Filipino Soldiers Join World War I in 1917?

In 1917, thousands of Filipino soldiers trained to join World War I, but the fighting ended before they could deploy.

1917Philippines · United States
Historical illustration of How Did Polish Soldiers Fight for a Country That Did Not Exist (1914) — ww1
WWI
Formation of the Polish Legions

How Did Polish Soldiers Fight for a Country That Did Not Exist?

Discover how Polish soldiers formed their own armies during World War I to fight for a country that did not officially exist.

1914Poland · Austria-Hungary · Russia · Germany
Historical illustration of What Happened During Operation Albion in 1917 (1917) — ww1
WWI
Operation Albion

What Happened During Operation Albion in 1917?

Operation Albion was a successful 1917 German invasion that secured key islands in the Baltic Sea from Russian forces.

1917Germany · Soviet Union
Historical illustration of How Did the Lost Battalion Survive Behind Enemy Lines in World War I (1918) — ww1
WWI
The Lost Battalion

How Did the Lost Battalion Survive Behind Enemy Lines in World War I?

In 1918, a group of American soldiers survived six days of being trapped behind German lines in a French forest.

1918United States · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did Thai Soldiers Reach Germany in World War I (1918) — ww1
WWI
Siamese Expeditionary Force

How Did Thai Soldiers Reach Germany in World War I?

During WWI, Thailand sent a special expeditionary force to Europe to fight alongside the Allies.

1918Thailand · France · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did Canada Take the Impossible Vimy Ridge in World War I (1917) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Vimy Ridge

How Did Canada Take the Impossible Vimy Ridge in World War I?

In 1917, Canadian troops achieved a major victory by capturing Vimy Ridge through careful planning and teamwork.

1917Canada · Germany · United Kingdom
Historical illustration of How Did Vietnamese Soldiers Fight in World War I (1914) — ww1
WWI
Vietnamese Soldiers in WWI

How Did Vietnamese Soldiers Fight in World War I?

During World War I, thousands of Vietnamese men were sent to Europe to serve the French military.

1914Vietnam · France · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did the Desert Defeat Soldiers at the First Battle of Ramadi (1917) — ww1
WWI
First Battle of Ramadi

How Did the Desert Defeat Soldiers at the First Battle of Ramadi?

During the First Battle of Ramadi in 1917, British forces failed to take the town because of extreme heat and lack of water.

1917United Kingdom · Ottoman Empire
Historical illustration of What Was the Disaster at Boar's Head in World War I (1916) — ww1
WWI
The Day Sussex Died

What Was the Disaster at Boar's Head in World War I?

The Boar's Head attack on June 30, 1916, was a failed diversion by the Sussex Regiment, resulting in heavy losses and becoming known as 'The Day Sussex Died'.

1916United Kingdom · Germany
Historical illustration of Why Was the Gallipoli Campaign a Nightmare for Allied Forces (1915) — ww1
WWI
Gallipoli Campaign

Why Was the Gallipoli Campaign a Nightmare for Allied Forces?

The Gallipoli Campaign was a failed WWI attempt by Allies to reach Russia. Facing tough Turkish defenders and terrible conditions, Allied soldiers suffered greatly before withdrawing.

1915United Kingdom · France · Australia · New Zealand · Ottoman Empire
Historical illustration of Why Were Soldiers Executed for Desertion in World War I (1914) — ww1
WWI
Shot at Dawn

Why Were Soldiers Executed for Desertion in World War I?

During WWI, hundreds of soldiers were executed for desertion or cowardice, often suffering from 'shell shock.' These harsh punishments served as warnings, and many were later pardoned.

1914United Kingdom · France · Germany · Other Allied
Historical illustration of How Did the Battle of Liège Start World War I (1914) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Liège

How Did the Battle of Liège Start World War I?

The Battle of Liège in August 1914 marked the start of WWI. Germany invaded Belgium, but brave Belgian soldiers in forts delayed their advance, giving Allies crucial time.

1914Germany · Belgium
Historical illustration of How Did 93 Minutes Shape Modern Warfare at the Battle of Hamel (1918) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Hamel

How Did 93 Minutes Shape Modern Warfare at the Battle of Hamel?

The 93-minute Battle of Hamel on July 4, 1918, showcased perfect teamwork between Australian and American troops using tanks, artillery, and planes, setting a new standard for modern warfare.

1918Australia · United States · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did Soldiers Survive the Gas Attack at Osowiec Fortress (1915) — ww1
WWI
Osowiec Fortress Gas Attack

How Did Soldiers Survive the Gas Attack at Osowiec Fortress?

At Osowiec Fortress in 1915, Russian soldiers fought back through deadly poison gas in an event known as the Attack of the Dead Men.

1915Russia · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did Tanks Attack Through the Fog at the Battle of Amiens (1918) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Amiens

How Did Tanks Attack Through the Fog at the Battle of Amiens?

In 1918, Allied forces used tanks and thick fog to launch a surprise attack at Amiens, which helped end World War I.

1918United Kingdom · France · Canada · Australia · Germany
Historical illustration of How Did the Battle of Belleau Wood Make the Marines Famous (1918) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Belleau Wood

How Did the Battle of Belleau Wood Make the Marines Famous?

In 1918, the U.S. Marines fought a brutal battle in a French forest, proving their courage and earning the nickname Devil Dogs.

1918United States · Germany
Historical illustration of What Was the Forgotten Battle of Tanga in World War I (1914) — ww1
WWI
Battle of Tanga

What Was the Forgotten Battle of Tanga in World War I?

In 1914, the British suffered a surprising defeat in East Africa when their larger force was beaten by Germans and a swarm of bees.

1914United Kingdom · Germany · India
Historical illustration of Why Was the Battle of the Somme One of the Worst Battles Ever (1916) — ww1
WWI
Battle of the Somme

Why Was the Battle of the Somme One of the Worst Battles Ever?

The Battle of the Somme (1916) in WWI resulted in over a million casualties and nearly 60,000 British losses on its first day, symbolizing the war's immense cost with little gained.

1916United Kingdom · France · Germany

Veteran Stories

Frequently Asked Questions About World War I

When was World War 1 fought?
World War 1 was fought from 28 July 1914 to 11 November 1918. It lasted four years and three months, and ended when Germany signed the armistice.
What caused World War 1?
The spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914. This triggered a web of alliances, and long rivalries over land, trade, and power turned a local crisis into a world war.
Which countries fought in World War 1?
The Allies included Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and later the United States. The Central Powers were Germany, Austria-Hungary, the Ottoman Empire, and Bulgaria.
How many people died in World War 1?
About 17 million people died, including around 10 million soldiers and 7 million civilians. Around 21 million more were wounded.
Why was trench warfare used in World War 1?
Armies dug trenches because machine guns and artillery made fighting in the open too deadly. Both sides faced each other for years with little movement.
What new weapons were used in World War 1?
World War 1 saw the first large-scale use of machine guns, tanks, poison gas, airplanes, submarines (U-boats), and barbed wire, making it far deadlier than earlier wars.
When did the United States enter World War 1?
The United States entered the war on 6 April 1917, after Germany resumed unrestricted submarine warfare and tried to ally with Mexico against the U.S.
How did World War 1 end?
Germany agreed to an armistice on 11 November 1918, ending the fighting. A formal peace treaty, the Treaty of Versailles, was signed the next year.
What was the Treaty of Versailles?
It was the 1919 peace treaty that ended World War 1. It forced Germany to pay money, lose land, and shrink its army, leaving many Germans angry.
How did World War 1 lead to World War 2?
The harsh Treaty of Versailles and a weak League of Nations failed to keep peace. Anger in Germany helped Adolf Hitler rise to power and start World War 2.

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