In an attack by Russian forces against the Austro-Hungarians and Germans in Galicia, the June Offensive (also called the Kerensky Offensive and the July Offensive) operation takes place, ordered by Russian Minister of War Alexander Kerensky against the nation's popular calls for peace. Part of the Allied Battle of Arras, the well-planned battle uses new artillery tactics and marks the corps as an elite force. In its first attack as a unified force, the Canadian Corps, consisting of the four Canadian divisions, launches an Easter Sunday offensive at Vimy Ridge in northern France, claiming a quick and decisive victory over the Germans in three days. READ MORE: British victory at Passchendaele Battle of Vimy Ridge: April 9-Apr 12, 1917 READ MORE: Battle of Jutland Battle of the Somme: July 1 to November 13, 1916 This blockade proves pivotal to the Allies eventually winning the war. Although there is no clear victor, Britain is able to secure North Sea shipping lanes and continue a blockade of German ports. After German forces attack the Royal Navy, 250 ships and 100,000 men take part in the bloody fight, with both sides losing thousands of lives and several ships. World War I’s biggest naval conflict, the Battle of Jutland off the coast of Denmark marks the first and only showdown between German and British battleships. READ MORE: Battle of Gallipoli Battle of Jutland: May 31 to June 1, 1916 With Western Front fighting stalled, the Ally forces intend the attack to be a swift victory, but ultimately withdraw, suffering some 180,000 casualties, including more than 28,000 Australian soldiers.
The invasion is an effort to control the sea route and seize Constantinople. In modern warfare’s first major beach landing, the Gallipoli Campaign sees British and French troops invading the Ottoman Empire at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the Dardanelles Straits (now western Turkey). The French then begin retaking stronghold and, as winter sets in and the first Battle of the Somme rages, the Verdun fighting finally comes to an end.
The Germans make advances in the bloody conflict until July, when their offensive is called off. In an attempt to cripple France’s part in the war and cause a massive blow to its army’s morale, the Germans choose to attack the fort of Verdun, along the banks of the Meuse River. It lasts nearly a year as the French Army fends off a surprise German offensive that causes mass losses on both sides, with more than 600,000 total casualties. The Battle of Verdun becomes World War I’s longest single battle. Battle of Verdun: February 21 to December 18, 1916 A long-range gunfire ensues but while the German SMS Blücher cruiser is sunk, the British HMS Lion is severely damaged. The smaller German squadron retreats, but can’t outrun the British. READ MORE: Germans Capture Langemarck During First Battle of Ypres Battle of Dogger Bank: January 24, 1915Īfter decoding intercepted German messages, the British Grand Fleet attacks the German Kaiserliche Marine in the North Sea, sparking the Battle of Dogger Bank.
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