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Archduke Assassination.
A Bosnian Serb nationalist shot Franz Ferdinand of Austria causing his death. The killing sparked a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I. On June 28 1919, five years after Franz Ferdinand’s death, Germany and the Allied Powers signed the Treaty of Versailles, marking the end of World War I. -
Russia mobilizes.
Russia mobilizes the army to fight against Austria-Hungary in favor of Serbia. This starts a chain of reactions which leads to the mobilization of other Great Powers of Europe and the outbreak of hostilities. -
Germans fire.
Germans fire shells filled with chlorine gas at Allied lines. This was the first time that such an amount of gas was used in battle. Germans weren't able to take advantage of the breach. -
Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun is considered the greatest and lengthiest in world history. It caused over an estimated 700,000 casualties (dead, wounded and missing). The battlefield was not even a square ten kilometres. -
First Tanks.
For the first time ever, the first tanks are used in battle by the British. Although they are useful at breaking through barbed wire and clearing a path for the infantry, tanks are still primitive and they fail to be the decisive weapon, as their designers thought they would be. -
Zimmerman Telegram.
British intelligence gives Wilson the so-called Zimmermann Telegram, a message from German foreign secretary Arthur Zimmermann proposing that Mexico side with Germany in case of war between Germany and the United States. In return, Germany promises to return to Mexico the "lost provinces" of Texas and much of the rest of the American Southwest -
U.S. Enters War
Congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. The United States enters World War I on the side of France and Britain. -
John C. Laing leaves the US and goes to fight in Germany.
He enlisted within a few days of the US's declaration of war. He was sent to Washington D.C. for his basic training. It took them 20 days to cross the Atlantic Ocean from New Jersey to St. Nazaire. -
Germany and Russia peace
Germans sign a peace treaty with the new Bolshevik government. This gives Germany land which belonged to Ukraine and Poland. -
Two bronze stars.
John C. Laing is authorized to wear two bronze stars on the victory Ribbon for participation in two major operations. -
Chateau-Thierry
The Americans attack the Germans at Chateau-Thierry. This battle would morph into the larger Battle of Belleau Wood. -
Purple Heart to John C. Laing
John C. Laing was injured in action while serving as sergeant, Company D, 6th Engineers. -
John C. Laing misses Battle of Verdun because of his injury.
He faught in five major battles and was injured at Chateau-Thierry so he missed the Batlle of Verdun because he was still in the hospital. But his unit was there and he was really sorry he wasn't with them. -
Battle of St. Mihiel
The Battle of St. Mihiel begins with 300,000 American troops under the direction of General Pershing flying themselves into the German lines. -
John C. Laing after the war.
His son describes how his dad rarely ever spoke about his war experiences but his diary shed light on his description of trench life and the constant shelling and leaning over the trench in the morning after a night of non-stop.
