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Major Events of August 1918: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from August 1918 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of August 1918: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Aug 1918 Allied Forces Occupy Archangel: British anti-Bolshevik forces occupied Archangel, a strategic northern Russian port city, during the tumultuous Russian Civil War. This military action was part of the broader international intervention aimed at opposing the Bolshevik Revolution and supporting the White Russian forces.
  • 02 Aug 1918 British-Supported Anti-Bolshevik Occupation of Arkhangelsk: On August 2, 1918, British-supported Anti-Bolshevik forces occupied the Russian city of Arkhangelsk, establishing the Northern Regional Government. This intervention was part of the complex international response to the Russian Revolution and subsequent civil conflict.
  • 03 Aug 1918 Birth of Sidney Gottlieb, CIA Scientist and Controversial Figure: Sidney Gottlieb was born on August 3, 1918, and would later become a prominent and controversial figure in the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Known as the 'Black Sorcerer', Gottlieb was a chemist who played a significant role in the CIA's mind control and chemical interrogation programs during the Cold War, most notably Project MKUltra. His work involved extensive research into psychological manipulation techniques, including experiments with LSD and other mind-altering substances.
  • 04 Aug 1918 Second Battle of the Marne: French Counteroffensive: During World War I, the French Tenth Army launched a strategic counterattack against German defensive positions, successfully penetrating 5 miles (8.0 km) into German-held territory. This battle was a critical turning point in the conflict, demonstrating the Allies' growing military strength and marking the beginning of the end of Germany's major offensive operations on the Western Front.
  • 05 Aug 1918 Second Battle of the Marne: During World War I, the French Tenth Army launched a strategic counteroffensive against German defenses, successfully penetrating 8 kilometers into German-held territory. This battle was a critical turning point in the war, demonstrating the Allies' growing military capability and marking the beginning of the end for German offensive operations on the Western Front.
  • 06 Aug 1918 Second Battle of the Marne Concludes: The Second Battle of the Marne, a pivotal engagement in World War I, came to an end. This battle was a significant turning point on the Western Front, where Allied forces successfully halted the German Spring Offensive and began a counteroffensive that would ultimately lead to the war's conclusion.
  • 07 Aug 1918 Second Battle of the Marne: The Allied offensive in the Second Battle of the Marne continued, marking a critical turning point in World War I. French, American, and British forces successfully counterattacked against German forces, effectively halting the last major German offensive on the Western Front. This battle demonstrated the growing strength and coordination of Allied forces, particularly with the significant involvement of American troops, and signaled the beginning of the end for German military ambitions in the conflict.
  • 08 Aug 1918 Battle of Amiens: A Turning Point in World War I: The Battle of Amiens, also known as the Third Battle of Picardy, was a pivotal moment in World War I. On August 8, 1918, Allied forces launched a massive offensive that would become the opening phase of the Hundred Days Offensive. Led by British Fourth Army, Australian Corps under Lt General John Monash, and Canadian Corps under Lt General Arthur Currie, the attack was strategically brilliant and devastating for German forces. The Allies advanced over 11 kilometers on the first day, capturing over 15,000 prisoners and causing significant German casualties. German General Erich Ludendorff famously described this day as 'the black day of the German Army', recognizing the profound psychological and strategic impact of the battle.
  • 09 Aug 1918 Battle of Amiens: Critical World War I Turning Point: On August 9, 1918, Allied forces launched a significant offensive during the Battle of Amiens, marking a pivotal moment in World War I. The coordinated attack by British, Canadian, Australian, and French troops decisively pushed back German lines, capturing strategic positions. This battle initiated the 'Hundred Days Offensive', a series of successful Allied operations that would ultimately lead to the collapse of the German army and the war's conclusion. The battle demonstrated superior Allied tactics, combined arms warfare, and the increasing technological sophistication of military operations.
  • 10 Aug 1918 Battle of Amiens: A Turning Point in World War I: On August 10, 1918, the Battle of Amiens continued in northern France, representing a critical moment in World War I. Allied forces, comprising British, French, and Canadian troops, launched a coordinated offensive against German positions. This battle was strategically significant as it marked the beginning of the 'Hundred Days Offensive', a series of successful Allied attacks that would ultimately lead to the defeat of the German army and the conclusion of World War I. The precision and coordination of the Allied forces demonstrated a significant evolution in military tactics and signaled the approaching end of the conflict.
  • 11 Aug 1918 Battle of Amiens Concludes in World War I: The Battle of Amiens was a pivotal Allied offensive during World War I, taking place from August 8-11, 1918. This strategic engagement marked a critical turning point on the Western Front, where Allied forces, primarily composed of British, Canadian, Australian, and French troops, launched a coordinated attack against German positions. The battle demonstrated superior Allied tactics, advanced combined arms warfare, and significantly weakened German military capabilities, ultimately contributing to the eventual Allied victory in the war.
  • 13 Aug 1918 First Women Marines Enlist: In a groundbreaking moment for women's military participation, the United States Marine Corps welcomes its first female enlistees. Opha Mae Johnson becomes the pioneering first woman to officially join the Marine Corps, marking a significant milestone in gender integration within the U.S. military during World War I.
  • 14 Aug 1918 Battle of Halen During World War I: The Battle of Halen was a significant engagement during the Battle of the Frontiers in World War I. This battle took place on August 14, 1918, and represented a critical moment in the Belgian defensive strategy against German forces. The battle was characterized by intense infantry and artillery combat, with Belgian troops demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of German advances. The engagement was part of the broader strategic efforts to halt the German invasion and protect Belgian territorial integrity.
  • 15 Aug 1918 Devastating Tsunami in Celebes Sea: A powerful earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale struck the Celebes Sea region, triggering a massive tsunami that caused extensive coastal damage. This natural disaster resulted in significant loss of life and property destruction in the affected areas.
  • 16 Aug 1918 US Intervention in Archangelsk: US troops were involved in military operations in Archangelsk, a northern Russian city, during the Russian Civil War. This intervention was part of the Allied efforts to support anti-Bolshevik forces and potentially reopen the Eastern Front against Germany during the final stages of World War I.
  • 17 Aug 1918 Assassination of Moisei Uritsky: Bolshevik revolutionary leader Moisei Uritsky was assassinated, marking a significant moment of political violence during the Russian Revolution and subsequent Civil War. This event was part of the broader context of political instability and conflict in Russia during this period.
  • 18 Aug 1918 Battle of Amiens: A Turning Point in World War I: The Battle of Amiens was a pivotal engagement during World War I, where the Allied forces launched a massive coordinated offensive against German positions. The British Fourth Army, in collaboration with Canadian, Australian, and French troops, executed a sophisticated combined arms attack supported by approximately 500 tanks. This strategic assault resulted in a significant breakthrough, with the Allied forces advancing eight miles past the German front line and capturing a total of 28,000 German prisoners (12,000 by Canadians and Australians, 13,000 by British, and 3,000 by French troops). The battle is considered a crucial moment in the war, marking the beginning of the Hundred Days Offensive that ultimately led to the defeat of Germany.
  • 20 Aug 1918 British Offensive on Western Front during World War I: On August 20, 1918, British forces launched a significant offensive on the Western Front during World War I, marking a critical moment in the conflict. This strategic military operation was part of the Hundred Days Offensive, which would ultimately lead to the defeat of Germany and the end of the war.
  • 21 Aug 1918 Second Battle of the Somme Begins: On August 21, 1918, the Second Battle of the Somme commenced during World War I, marking a critical phase of the Allied offensive against German forces. This battle was part of the Hundred Days Offensive, which would ultimately lead to the end of the war.
  • 22 Aug 1918 Birth of Claude Debussy, Pioneering Impressionist Composer: Claude-Achille Debussy, a revolutionary French composer who fundamentally transformed classical music, was born on August 22, 1862, in Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France. Considered the founder of musical impressionism, Debussy broke traditional compositional rules and created a unique sound world that emphasized mood, atmosphere, and tonal color. His groundbreaking works like 'Clair de Lune', 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune', and 'La Mer' challenged the rigid structures of 19th-century classical music and paved the way for 20th-century musical innovation.
  • 23 Aug 1918 Second Battle of Bapaume: New Zealand Division's Strategic Victory: During the final stages of World War I, the New Zealand Division, supported by British forces, successfully secured the critical rail line connecting the strategic towns of Albert and Arras in northern France. This operation was part of the broader Allied offensive aimed at pushing back German forces and disrupting their supply and communication networks. The capture of this rail line was tactically significant, as it helped weaken the German defensive positions and contributed to the eventual Allied victory in the Western Front.
  • 24 Aug 1918 World War I Era Baseball Exemption: Secretary of War Newton Baker granted an extended exemption for World Series players during World War I, allowing professional baseball athletes special considerations amidst the national military mobilization.
  • 26 Aug 1918 Allied Recapture of Soissons: On August 26, 1918, Allied forces successfully recaptured the strategically important city of Soissons during World War I, marking a significant momentum shift in the Western Front's military operations.
  • 27 Aug 1918 Assassination Attempt on Vladimir Lenin: A significant moment in the Russian Revolution: Fanya Kaplan attempted to assassinate Vladimir Lenin through a shooting, though he survived. On the same day, Moisei Uritsky, the Petrograd Cheka leader, was also assassinated, reflecting the intense political volatility of the period.
  • 28 Aug 1918 Battle of the Scarpe: Canadian Forces Advance: During World War I, Canadian forces successfully captured a portion of the strategic Fresnes-Rouvroy defense line in France, achieving this tactical objective at a significant cost of 254 officers. This engagement was part of the broader Allied offensive aimed at pushing back German forces during the final months of the war.
  • 29 Aug 1918 New Zealand Division Captures Bapaume During World War I: During the Hundred Days Offensive in World War I, the New Zealand Division successfully captured the strategically important town of Bapaume in northern France. This military operation was a significant moment in the Allied push to break the German defensive lines and ultimately end the war. The capture of Bapaume represented an important tactical victory that contributed to the momentum of the Allied advance in the late stages of the conflict.
  • 30 Aug 1918 Assassination Attempt on Vladimir Lenin: Fanya Kaplan, a revolutionary, attempts to assassinate Bolshevik leader Vladimir Lenin by shooting him. This event, coupled with the earlier assassination of Moisei Uritsky, triggers the Bolsheviks' brutal 'Red Terror' campaign of repression and violence.
  • 31 Aug 1918 Battle of Mont Saint-Quentin: Australian Corps Triumph: During World War I, the Australian Corps launched a successful assault at Mont Saint-Quentin, a critical engagement in the Hundred Days Offensive. This strategic operation demonstrated the skill and bravery of Australian troops in turning the tide against German forces on the Western Front.