Second Battle of the Somme, 1918. The Germans launch a strong offensive in France (Operation Michael) aimed at splitting the British and French lines. The British in particular suffer heavy casualties and begin a far reaching withdrawal. Fighting continues to 5 April.
Battle of the Lys. The Germans launch a second offensive (Operation Georgette) against the British line in Flanders, again capturing much ground. Fighting continues until 29 April.
Rifleman Karan Bahadur Rana, 3rd Gurkha Rifles, wins his Victoria Cross at El Kefr, Egypt. He, along with a few other men, crept forward with a Lewis gun under intense fire to engage an enemy machine-gun. No. 1 of the Lewis gun team opened fire but was shot almost immediately, whereupon the rifleman pushed the dead man off the gun, opened fire, knocked out the enemy gun crew and then silenced the fire of the enemy bombers and riflemen in front of him. During the remainder of the day he did magnificent work and finally assisted with covering fire in the withdrawal, until the enemy were closing in on him.
Third Battle of the Aisne. Third German offensive (Operation Blucher) against the French line, centres on the Chemin des Dames above the River Aisne. Fighting continues to 6 June.
Gandhi makes an ‘Appeal for Enlistment’ to the people of Kheda. This appeal is later circulated in the form of leaflets showcasing Gandhi’s support for the war efforts....
Gandhi makes an ‘Appeal for Enlistment’ to the people of Kheda. This appeal is later circulated in the form of leaflets showcasing Gandhi’s support for the war efforts. An excerpt from the leaflet states, ‘The easiest and straightest way to win Swaraj is to participate in the defence of the Empire’.
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report on the series of constitutional reforms to enable the ‘increasing association of Indians in...
The Montagu-Chelmsford Report on the series of constitutional reforms to enable the ‘increasing association of Indians in every branch of the administration’ is published. This becomes the basis of the Government of India Act, 1919.
Ressaidar Badlu Singh, 14th Murray's Jat Lancers, wins the Victoria Cross on the west bank of the River Jordan, Palestine when his squadron was charging a strong enemy position. He realised that heavy casualties were being inflicted...
Ressaidar Badlu Singh, 14th Murray's Jat Lancers, wins the Victoria Cross on the west bank of the River Jordan, Palestine when his squadron was charging a strong enemy position. He realised that heavy casualties were being inflicted from a small hill occupied by machine-guns and 200 infantry. Without any hesitation he collected six other ranks and with entire disregard of danger he charged and captured the position. He was mortally wounded on the very top of the hill when capturing one of the machine-guns single handed, but all the guns and infantry had surrendered to him before he died.
Battle of Megiddo. In northern Palestine, Allied troops launch a devastating attack on the Turks and begin a steady advance into Syria. Fighting continues until 25 October....
Battle of Megiddo. In northern Palestine, Allied troops launch a devastating attack on the Turks and begin a steady advance into Syria. Fighting continues until 25 October.
Battle of Haifa: the city of Haifa is liberated following a cavalry action by the 15 Imperial Service Cavalry Brigade comprising the Jodhpur Lancers, Mysore Lancers and Hyderabad Lancers. This day is commemorated by the Indian army every year as ‘Haifa day’.
Battle of the Flanders Ridges. In Belgium, Allies make a strong advance from Ypres that begins to push the Germans back. Fighting continues until 10 October.
Australian, Indian and British troops, supported by Arab forces, capture Damascus in Syria. Further gains follow, including the cities of Beirut, Homs and Aleppo.
Austro-Hungarian government announces the country is to become a federal nation based on its many nationalities. Hungary is to remain as a separate kingdom.
Turkey signs an armistice with the Allies. Turkish troops in Mesopotamia surrender.
Battle of Merv.
The German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, abdicates and prepares to leave Germany. Germany declared a republic.
Germany signs an armistice with the Allies, agreeing to an immediate cease fire and the withdrawal of its troops to its own borders. Fighting ends in France and Belgium at 11.00 am.
Colonel Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck ends his long campaign in German East Africa and surrenders undefeated.
Allied troops enter Germany.