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Major Events of June 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 June 1918 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

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

  • 01 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood - World War I Engagement: A critical World War I battle on the Western Front where Allied Forces under General John J. Pershing and Colonel James Harbord engaged Imperial German Forces led by Wilhelm, the German Crown Prince. This battle was a significant moment in American military involvement in World War I, demonstrating the United States' commitment to the Allied cause.
  • 02 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines Heroic Defense: During World War I, the first battalion of the 5th U.S. Marines executed a critical strategic march, covering approximately 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) to close a significant 20-kilometer (12-mile) gap in the Allied defensive line that had been breached by German forces the previous day. This maneuver was crucial in preventing a potential German breakthrough and demonstrated the Marines' strategic mobility and combat readiness.
  • 03 Jun 1918 Blücher-Yorck Offensive Begins in World War I: Germany launched the Blücher-Yorck Offensive, its third major offensive of the year, targeting central France with the strategic aim of disrupting and overwhelming Allied defensive positions during World War I.
  • 04 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines Resist German Offensive: During World War I, U.S. Army Major General Omar Bundy assumed command of the 2nd Infantry Division as U.S. Marines engaged in a critical defensive action against German forces. Over the subsequent 48 hours, the Marines demonstrated remarkable resilience, successfully repelling multiple German attacks in the strategically important Belleau Wood region.
  • 05 Jun 1918 Douglas Campbell Achieves Ace Status: On June 5, 1918, American fighter pilot Douglas Campbell scored his sixth and final aerial victory, becoming the first American ace flying with an American-trained unit during World War I. During this significant mission, he was severely wounded, which ultimately led to his grounding from future combat operations.
  • 06 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood: First Major US Victory in World War I: A pivotal engagement during World War I where United States forces, specifically the U.S. Marine Corps, achieved their first significant victory against German forces, marking a turning point in American military involvement in the conflict.
  • 07 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood: U.S. Marines Advance: During World War I, the third battalions of the 5th and 6th U.S. Marine Regiments launched a critical assault on Belleau Wood, successfully gaining a strategic foothold against German forces. This battle would become a pivotal moment demonstrating the combat effectiveness of American Marines in the European theater.
  • 08 Jun 1918 German Caucasus Expedition: During World War I, a German military force of 3,000 soldiers was dispatched to the strategic port city of Poti, Georgia, to provide support for Ottoman forces. This military movement highlighted the complex geopolitical dynamics of the Caucasus region during the conflict.
  • 09 Jun 1918 German Spring Offensive of 1918: During World War I, the German Army launched its fourth major offensive on the Western Front, known as the Gneisenau Offensive. The German 18th Army initiated a strategic attack southwest toward Paris, aiming to break through Allied lines and potentially capture the French capital. This offensive was part of Germany's last major attempt to decisively win the war before American troops could significantly reinforce the Allied forces.
  • 10 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood - U.S. Marines Engagement: During World War I, the first battalion of the 6th U.S. Marines launched an attack on German defenses at the northern end of Belleau Wood. The assault was severely hindered by intense machine gun fire and the deployment of mustard gas, a deadly chemical weapon.
  • 11 Jun 1918 French Counterattack During German Spring Offensive: During World War I, a French military force consisting of four divisions and 150 tanks, led by General Charles Mangin, executed a strategic surprise counterattack against German forces at Compiègne, France. This decisive action successfully halted the German advance, demonstrating critical tactical resilience during the Spring Offensive of 1918.
  • 12 Jun 1918 Murder of Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich: On June 12, 1918, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich of Russia was murdered by Bolshevik forces, becoming the first member of the Romanov imperial family to be killed during the Russian Revolution. This event symbolized the brutal end of the Russian monarchy and the violent transition of power.
  • 13 Jun 1918 Execution of Tsar Mikhail Alexandrovitch Romanov: Tsar Mikhail Alexandrovitch Romanov, the younger brother of Nicholas II and last Emperor of Russia, was executed by Bolshevik forces during the Russian Civil War. His death marked a significant moment in the Russian Revolution, effectively ending the Romanov dynasty's 300-year rule.
  • 14 Jun 1918 German Offensive Operation 'Gneisenau' Begins: During World War I, the German military launched the strategic offensive operation 'Gneisenau' (Battle of the Matz) on the Western Front. This military engagement was part of the German Spring Offensive, a critical series of attacks aimed at breaking the Allied lines before American troops could significantly reinforce the battlefield.
  • 15 Jun 1918 Austrian Offensive on the Piave River: During World War I, Austrian troops launched a significant offensive along the Piave River in Italy, acting under German strategic guidance. This military operation was part of the broader conflict on the Italian Front, representing a critical moment in the war's progression.
  • 16 Jun 1918 Second Battle of the Piave River: During World War I, Austro-Hungarian forces under the command of Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf launched an offensive against Italian positions along the Piave River. The attack, aimed at breaking through Italian defenses and capturing the strategic city of Vicenza, ultimately failed catastrophically. The Austro-Hungarian army suffered significant losses, with approximately 40,000 men killed, wounded, or captured, marking a decisive moment in the Italian Front of the war.
  • 17 Jun 1918 Sinking of German Submarine SM U-64: In a significant naval engagement during World War I, the German submarine SM U-64 was destroyed in the Mediterranean Sea by the Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Lychnis. The submarine was depth charged and shelled, resulting in the tragic loss of 38 out of 43 crew members, highlighting the dangerous submarine warfare of the era.
  • 18 Jun 1918 Russian Battleship Destruction in Black Sea: During the tumultuous period of World War I, the Russian battleship 'Svobodnaya Rossiya' was deliberately destroyed in the Black Sea to prevent its capture by German forces. This strategic action was part of the complex naval warfare tactics employed during the conflict.
  • 19 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood - U.S. Marines Resist German Offensive: In a pivotal moment of World War I, U.S. Army Major General Omar Bundy assumed command of the 2nd Infantry Division as U.S. Marines heroically continued to repel German attacks at Belleau Wood. This battle was crucial in demonstrating the United States' military capability and resolve during the conflict.
  • 20 Jun 1918 First American Aircrew Casualty in World War I: On June 20, 1918, during World War I, American cadet Clarence Young was shot down and killed while on a combat mission over European airspace. His tragic death marked a significant moment in U.S. military aviation history, as he became the first of three American aircrew members to lose their lives during aerial combat in the conflict.
  • 21 Jun 1918 German Fleet Scuttled at Scapa Flow: Final Casualties of World War I: In a dramatic act of naval defiance, Rear Admiral Ludvig von Reuter ordered the deliberate sinking of the German High Seas Fleet interned at Scapa Flow, Scotland. During this operation, nine German sailors were fatally shot while attempting to scuttle their ship, marking the last human casualties of World War I. This event symbolized Germany's refusal to surrender its naval pride even after the war's conclusion.
  • 22 Jun 1918 Hammond Circus Train Wreck: A devastating train collision near Hammond, Indiana, resulted in a tragic accident where a circus train was rammed by a troop train, causing significant loss of life and numerous injuries. The catastrophic incident killed 86 people and left 127 others wounded, marking one of the most severe train accidents of the early 20th century.
  • 23 Jun 1918 British Forces Join North Russian Expeditionary Force in Murmansk: During World War I, British expeditionary forces designated as 'Syren' and 'Elope' arrived in Murmansk to reinforce the North Russian Expeditionary Force. This deployment was part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War, aimed at preventing Bolshevik control and supporting anti-communist Russian forces during a complex and tumultuous period of Russian history.
  • 24 Jun 1918 Austro-Hungarian Defeat at Piave River: During World War I, on June 24, 1918, Austro-Hungarian forces under the command of Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf suffered a decisive defeat at the Second Battle of the Piave River. The failed attempt to capture Vicenza resulted in a staggering loss of approximately 40,000 men, further weakening the Austro-Hungarian military's strategic position in the Italian theater of war.
  • 25 Jun 1918 Establishment of Crimean Regional Government: On June 25, 1918, the Crimean Regional Government was formed with strategic support from Germany during the complex geopolitical environment of World War I. This government represented a significant political development in the region, reflecting the shifting power dynamics and German influence in the aftermath of the Russian Revolution.
  • 26 Jun 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood - World War I Turning Point: During World War I, Allied forces under General John J. Pershing and Colonel James Harbord achieved a significant victory against Imperial German forces led by Wilhelm, the German Crown Prince, in the Battle of Belleau Wood. This battle was a crucial engagement that demonstrated the United States Marine Corps' combat effectiveness and marked a pivotal moment in the war.
  • 27 Jun 1918 Sinking of HMHS Llandovery Castle: During World War I, the Canadian hospital ship HMHS Llandovery Castle was deliberately torpedoed and sunk by German submarine SM U-86 in the Atlantic Ocean. This tragic maritime incident resulted in significant loss of life, including medical personnel and crew members. The deliberate targeting of a clearly marked hospital ship was considered a war crime and became a notable example of the brutality of naval warfare during the conflict.
  • 28 Jun 1918 Treaty of Versailles Signed, Ending World War I: The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1918, marking the official conclusion of World War I. This pivotal diplomatic agreement was negotiated at the Paris Peace Conference and formally ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. The treaty imposed significant reparations and territorial changes on Germany, fundamentally reshaping the geopolitical landscape of Europe.
  • 29 Jun 1918 Battle of Ngaundere in Cameroon during World War I: The Battle of Ngaundere was a significant military engagement that took place on June 29, 1918, in the German colonial territory of Kamerun (modern-day Cameroon) during the final stages of World War I. This battle was part of the broader colonial conflict between Allied and German forces in Africa, highlighting the global nature of the war and its impact on colonial territories.
  • 30 Jun 1918 28th Division's First Combat Action in World War I: On June 30, 1918, during World War I, the 28th Division, specifically the 111th Infantry Regiment under Colonel Edward Shannon, engaged in its first significant combat action. Responding to a French request, two platoons moved to the slopes of Hill 204 and participated in a intense military operation involving heavy artillery bombardment and close-quarters hand-to-hand combat against German positions, demonstrating the brutal nature of warfare during this period.