At Gallipoli, Strong Turkish Resistance; On Eastern Front, Russians Routed Special to The Great War Project (2-4 May) In this first week of May a century ago, the British proclaim they are doing well on the battlefield on several fronts. But these are empty claims, as Turkish and German forces mount strong resistance against the…
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LUSITANIA LEAVES NEW YORK FOR LIVERPOOL
by Mike Shuster
Germany Issues Warning: Passengers Travel at Own Risk Ship’s Owners Say No Contraband on Board Special to The Great War Project (30 April—1 May) On May 1st a century ago, the luxury ocean liner Lusitania is ready to set sail from New York, bound for Liverpool, England. The ship is one of the few grand…
DISASTER FOR ALLIES AT GALLIPOLI
by Mike Shuster
ANZACs Face Strong Turkish Defense, Terrible Terrain, Incompetent British Leadership Special to The Great War Project. (26-29 April) In these days a century ago, the British continue to pour troops onto the beaches of Gallipoli Peninsula in western Turkey. The Turkish forces defending the beaches from cliffs above put up unexpectedly strong, indeed fierce resistance.…
ALLIED ATTACK ON GALLIPOLI GOES BAD FROM THE START
by Mike Shuster
British Underestimate Ottoman Forces, Turkish Resolve Thousands of Allied Troops Killed on the Beaches Special to The Great War Project (25 April) In the hope of a swift victory, the Allied powers on this day a century ago, land some 50,000 troops on the Gallipoli Peninsula in northwestern Turkey, on the northern shore of the…
MURDER OF ARMENIANS ‘WELL PLANNED AND ORCHESTRATED’
by Mike Shuster
The Gruesome Details; Thousands of Cultural Leaders Killed An Armenian Day of Mourning Special to The Great War Project (23-24 April) On April 24th one hundred years ago to the day, the head of the Armenian Church in the Ottoman Empire appeals to U.S. President Woodrow Wilson to intervene in the slaughter of Turkey’s Armenian…
A NEW TERRIFYING WEAPON – GAS
by Mike Shuster
On Sunny Breezy Day, A Grey-Green Cloud of Death; German Gas Attack Leaves Thousands Choking, Fleeing the Battlefield Special to The Great War Project (21-22 April) “It was on April 22,” writes historian Martin Gilbert, “that gas was used for the first time in the First World War.” The attack takes place in the evening,…
IN TURKEY’S EAST, A WITNESS TO MURDER
by Mike Shuster
Order to Exterminate all Armenian Males, Twelve Years and Over; German Gas Stockpile Growing Special to The Great War Project (17-20 April) The slaughter of the Armenians in Turkey continues unabated. On April 19th a century ago the killing is especially merciless in the town of Van in eastern Turkey. “By April 19th,” writes historian…
ON THE WESTERN FRONT, GERMAN GAS ATTACK IMMINENT
by Mike Shuster
British and French Get Ample Warning; Make No Preparations Special to The Great War Project (14-16 April) In these days a century ago, a German prisoner of war tells his British captors that the German army is stockpiling thousands of canisters of chlorine gas at the Belgian town of Ypres. Both sides are keenly aware…
SAVAGE VIOLENCE AGAINST ARMENIANS IN TURKEY
by Mike Shuster
Deportations Designed to Kill; Thousands on Death March Special to The Great War Project. (11-13 April) The circumstances of the Armenian population living in Ottoman Turkey continual to deteriorate. The murderous treatment of the Armenians in Turkey is not new. It has been going on for years. But now it is turning more and more…
ARMENIAN POPULATION OF TURKEY UNDER SIEGE
by Mike Shuster
Orders to Kill Men, Deport Women and Children Turks Blame Armenians for Losses Special to The Great War Project (8-10 April) The beginning of an enormous tragedy strikes the Armenian community living in Turkey. “The Turks,” writes historian Martin Gilbert, “bitter at their losses of men and land, blamed the local Armenian population for cooperating…