World War One, 1914 to 1918

World War One was the first massive modern war.  The implications and lessons of the war continue to be relevant to us to this day.  This page presents a brief history of the First World War, followed by highlights of World War One items in the collection and resources for further research into World War One.

History

The opening shot of what would become World War One occurred in Sarajevo on St. Vitus's Day, 28 June 1914.  On that day, a Bosnian radical, Gavrilo Princip, shot and killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and his wife.  This assassination set in motion a rapid series of events.  Austro-Hungary demanded Serbia allow Austro-Hungarian forces to enter Serbia to hunt for conspirators to the assassination.  When Serbia refused, Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July.  Russia, fearing Austro-German dominance in the Balkans, ordered a general mobilization on 30 July.  When Russia refused Germany's request to demobilize, Germany declared war on Russia on 1 August 1914 and also ordered her own general mobilization.  As France was an ally of Russia, Germany declared war on France two days later.  On 3 August, Germany demanded free passage through Belgium in order to attack France.  Belgium refused the request, so Germany invaded Belgium on 4 August.  Based on a treaty guaranteeing Belgium neutrality, Britain declared war on Germany and Austro-Hungary the same day.  Almost without realizing it, the world found itself thrust into a bloody conflict that eventually cost the lives of millions of people, practically wiping our an entire generation of young men from the belligerent countries.

As with many wars, most thought the conflict would be quick and bloodless.  Many thought the major powers would conduct their mobilizations as a show of power to "rattle the sabers" and then call it quits.  Even after fighting began, the hope remained that the troops would be home by Christmas and it would all be over.  Instead, open warfare in the autumn soon deteriorated into a stalemate in western Europe, forcing both sides to dig in.  Thus began the trench warfare that would dominate most of the fighting along the Western Front.  America entered the conflict in April 1917.  The influx of men and equipment from the rapidly mobilizing United States finally broke the stalemate on the Western Front, resulting in Germany's surrender on 11 November 1918.

Attempts to break the stalemate of trench warfare resulted in development of several new weapon systems.  Among these were the first use of chemical weapons during a modern war, introduction of the tank, and rapid development of the airplane as a military weapon.  These developments had implications far outlasting the war.  The continued development of chemical (and now biological and nuclear) weapons remains a grave specter on the modern battlefield.  The tank, initially developed by the British, but perfected after the war by the Germans, made possible the Blitzkrieg tactics used by Germany in World War Two and since copied by many nations.  As has been seen in many of the United States' recent conflicts, the development of the airplane as a military weapon was indeed a highly significant and far reaching legacy of World War One.

The participants from all sides showed incredible courage and determination as they faced not only enemy bombs and bullets, but squalid living conditions of mud, rats, and disease in the trenches and the bane of new, but unperfected technology in other areas.  Keep their sacrifices in mind and never take lightly Veteran's Day (or Armistice Day as it used to be called).  Sadly, most of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines from this period are no longer with us.  Without them, it becomes our charge to keep their memory alive, remembering their valor and sacrifice.  There's a very important reason we have a holiday every November 11th!

Collection

Here's some highlights of World War One items in the collection:
 

Uniform of Sgt from 77th Division

WW I German Headgear: Bavarian Spike Helmet, M1916 Steel Helmet, Imperial German Spike Helmet

                   More to come....
26 Div Sgt, Machine Gun Company

Resources

World War I - Trenches on the Web - An outstanding site dedicated to the history of World War One.  This site has information on all aspects of the conflict, as well as primary source material and links to even more World War One sites.

The Great War Society Homepage - This society is dedicated to the preservation of the memory and lessons of World War One.  They publish the excellent journal Relevance.

The League of WWI Aviation Historians - This is an organization studies the history of airpower during World War One.  They publish a high quality journal Over the Front.

The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I - This website is dedicated to the aerial history of the First World War.  It contains a wealth of information about pilots and aircraft of World War One.