World War One - Key Dates in the War on the Western Front

I compiled this timeline for those interested in this topic. It contains the necessary links for those who want to learn more.

1914,  August 3rd-20th - German forces overrun Belgium despite fierce resistance. Taking Liege, Brussels and Antwerp (Oct 6th). Massacre of Civilians occur.

1914. August 14th-29th- French forces fail to stem the German tide at the Battles of the Frontiers and the Sambre River. British and Belgium forces are partially successful at Mons while the British halt the German advance at Guise.

1914, September 3rd-9th - German forces break from Schlieffen Plan and turn to Paris in what is later described as a historic error.  Paris reserves (taxicab army) stop Germans at the First Battle of the Marne. Race to the Sea begin. Battle losses over 250,000 for each side. Beginning of Trench warfare.

1914 - August to October - Sea war underway. Germans raid British fleet at Scapa Flow using submarines. Both sides lose cruisers over this period. French lose battleship Jean Bart.

1915 - French offensives fail at Artois and the First Battle of Champagne. Germans use poisonous gas at the First Battle of Ypres but fail to break through Allied lines. Neither side gains an advantage at the Second Battle of Champagne, Third Battle of Artois or Loos. Casualties on both sides together total over 3/4 million. The Battle of the Atlantic begins in February. British liner Lusitania  is sunk on May 7th. 1198 people die of which 128 are Americans. 'Martyrdom' of British nurse Edith Cavell at the hands of the Germans. Fokker planes with synchronized gun firing capability introduced.

1916 - Germans try and break through French defenses at Verdun (550,000 French and 450,000 Germans). Attack lasts ten months with one million casualties. Phosgene gas is used by the Germans. It fails to achieve its goal. British and French offensive on the Somme proves to be very costly as well with 1.25 million casualties (650,000 British, 195,000 French and 420,000 Germans). War is truly one of attrition. British casualty rate on first day of attack was 57,000 of which 19,000 died. Tanks used for the first time by the British.

1916 -  Battle of Jutland. WWI is principal sea battle involving Dreadnoughts, Battleships and cruisers on both sides. Battle was essentially a draw and while the British failed to deliver a knockout blow to the German Fleet the British fleet under Admiral John Jellicoe would ensure that the German Armada remained in port for the rest of the war. Nevertheless German submarine attacks on British shipping continues in the Battle of the Atlantic. This will eventually be curtailed (to a large extent) by the use of Depth Charges and the Convoy System. 

1916 - David Lloyd George becomes British Prime Minister. In the same year Easter Rising by Irish Volunteers and Citizen Armies is put down by British regulars in Dublin. Irish Republican leader Roger Casement is executed for treason. Zeppelin raids on Britain have minimal success.

1917  - Germans establish the Hindenburg Line. British and Canadian troops fail to capture Arras although the Canadians will seize the all important Vimy Ridge. German lines still hold firm as the French fail with the Nivelle Offensive.

French troop morale drops to a new low that results in a failed mutiny.

British will then process to take Flanders but make meaningless gains (five miles) in the extremely costly Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele).

1917 - Mass tank action by the British from late November to early December makes modest gains at the Battle of Cambrai. Battle of Atlantic continues although Allied shipping losses decline.

1918 - German forces go on the offensive using freed up troops from Eastern Front. American troops significantly augment  Allied forces. Germans attack along the Somme with the canon 'Big Bertha' moving within shooting range of Paris. Lys offense launched by the Germans. These will ultimately fail.

1918 - American forces are successful at the Battle of Cantigny (May 2018). German forces advance along the Marne. Between July and August the German forces will be stopped at the Marne. Allied armies will go on the offensive from this point onward. 

1918 - German forces attacked at Amiens and pushed back to Hindenburg Line. Allied success at St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives.

1918 - Blockade have taken its toll on Germany. Demonstrations erupt across the country. The Kaiser flees to Holland and Social Democrats under Friedrich Ebert take power.

1918 - Armstice Ending the War on the Western Front is signed on November 11th at 11: am.