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

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

  • 01 Sep 1918 German Naval Warfare Policy Change: Germany officially suspended its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, a significant strategic shift that impacted naval operations during the final months of World War I. This decision came after previous aggressive submarine tactics had drawn international condemnation and increased pressure from Allied powers.
  • 02 Sep 1918 Canadian Corps Breakthrough at Drocourt-Quéant Line: During World War I, the Canadian Corps, in collaboration with British divisions, executed a strategic and decisive breakthrough of the heavily fortified Drocourt-Quéant Line on September 2, 1918. This military operation was a critical moment in the Allied offensive, demonstrating the exceptional combat prowess of Canadian troops and significantly weakening the German defensive positions. The successful penetration of this formidable defensive structure marked a turning point in the Western Front's momentum, bringing the Allies closer to breaching the infamous Hindenburg Line and ultimately contributing to the war's conclusion.
  • 03 Sep 1918 World War I: Allied Advance: Allied forces successfully pushed German troops back across the strategic Hindenburg Line during World War I, representing a critical turning point in the conflict.
  • 04 Sep 1918 US Intervention in North Russia during World War I: United States troops land in Archangel, Russia, as part of the Allied intervention in the Russian Civil War. These troops would remain in the region for approximately 10 months, participating in a complex and controversial military operation.
  • 05 Sep 1918 Lenin Publishes Decree on Red Terror: The Bolshevik government under Vladimir Lenin officially published the 'Decree on Red Terror', authorizing widespread and systematic use of violence against perceived political opponents during the Russian Civil War.
  • 06 Sep 1918 Battle of Belleau Wood During World War I: The Battle of Belleau Wood was a critical engagement during World War I, where the U.S. 2nd Infantry Division, including U.S. Marine Corps units, fought against German forces in a dense forest near Château-Thierry, France. This battle was a significant moment in American military history, demonstrating the decisive role of American troops in turning the tide of the war on the Western Front.
  • 08 Sep 1918 Battle of Amiens: A Turning Point in World War I: On September 8, 1918, Allied forces comprising British, Canadian, and Australian troops launched a decisive offensive during World War I, marking a critical moment in the conflict. The coordinated attack penetrated German front lines by 8 miles, capturing 12,000 prisoners and initiating the 'Hundred Days Offensive'. This strategic breakthrough was so significant that German General Erich Ludendorff later described it as the 'black day of the German Army', recognizing the profound impact on German military morale and strategic positioning.
  • 09 Sep 1918 Georgette Offensive Begins in World War I: The German 6th Army launches the Georgette Offensive, a critical military operation during World War I, with 46 divisions attacking the British 2nd Army around Ypres. This offensive was part of Germany's strategic 'victory gamble' in the final months of the war, aiming to break through Allied lines.
  • 10 Sep 1918 Red Army Captures Kazan During Russian Civil War: During the Russian Civil War, the Red Army successfully captured the strategically important city of Kazan, marking a significant military victory for the Bolshevik forces. This event was crucial in the ongoing conflict between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army, demonstrating the Red Army's growing military capabilities and territorial control.
  • 11 Sep 1918 Boston Red Sox Win World Series: On September 11, 1918, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago Cubs in the 15th World Series, winning four games to two. This victory would mark the beginning of a legendary 86-year championship drought, with the team not winning another World Series until October 27, 2004.
  • 12 Sep 1918 Saint-Mihiel Offensive: A Pivotal American Operation in World War I: The American Expeditionary Forces under commander in chief General John J. Pershing launched its first major independent offensive in Europe during World War I. The U.S.-led attack targeted the strategically critical Saint-Mihiel salient, a triangular area of land between Verdun and Nancy that had been occupied by German forces since 1914. This salient was crucial as it disrupted rail communications between Paris and the eastern front sections. The offensive began with an early morning artillery bombardment, followed by infantry and tank attacks on September 12. Despite potential challenges, resistance was relatively light, and by September 16, the Americans had successfully liberated this area of France from German occupation.
  • 13 Sep 1918 Ray Charles Birth and Musical Heritage: Ray Charles was born in Chicago, with early connections to orchestra leadership reminiscent of Perry Como's musical style. This event marks the beginning of a future musical legend's life journey.
  • 14 Sep 1918 British Evacuation of Baku During World War I: On September 14, 1918, British military forces began their strategic withdrawal from the strategically important city of Baku, located on the western coast of the Caspian Sea. This evacuation occurred during the tumultuous period of World War I, when the region was experiencing significant geopolitical tensions and military conflicts involving Ottoman, British, and local Azerbaijani forces.
  • 15 Sep 1918 Vardar Offensive Begins During World War I: The Vardar Offensive commenced, a critical military campaign on the Macedonian Front during World War I. This strategic operation would last approximately one week and ultimately lead to Bulgaria's surrender and exit from the war, significantly impacting the conflict's trajectory.
  • 16 Sep 1918 Battle of Saint-Mihiel: A Pivotal American Offensive in World War I: The Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a significant military engagement during World War I, marking the first independent offensive led by the United States Army. From September 12 to 16, 1918, American forces under General John J. Pershing successfully attacked and reduced the Saint-Mihiel salient, a German-held triangular area of land that had protruded into French territory. The U.S. First Army demonstrated remarkable strategic coordination, utilizing a combination of infantry, artillery, and nascent air power to overwhelm German defensive positions. This victory was crucial in boosting Allied morale and showcasing the United States' military capabilities on the European front, just months before the war's conclusion.
  • 17 Sep 1918 World War I: Late War Period: During September 1918, World War I was in its final stages, with Allied forces making significant advances against the Central Powers. The Hundred Days Offensive was underway, marking a critical period of Allied momentum that would ultimately lead to the war's conclusion in November. While no specific event is documented for September 17th, this month represented a pivotal time of strategic military operations on the Western Front.
  • 18 Sep 1918 Battle of Épehy: The Battle of Épehy was a crucial engagement during World War I on September 18, 1918. The British Fourth Army, led by General Henry Rawlinson, launched a strategic attack against German defensive positions in front of the Hindenburg Line. The 12th (Eastern) Division successfully captured the village of Épehy. Australian divisions played a pivotal role, achieving a decisive victory by capturing 4,243 prisoners, 76 guns, 300 machine-guns, and 30 trench mortars. The Allies suffered 1,260 casualties (265 killed, 1,057 wounded, 2 captured), but ultimately secured a significant strategic triumph with 11,750 prisoners and 100 guns captured.
  • 19 Sep 1918 Allied Cavalry Attack in Palestine during World War I: On September 19, 1918, a pivotal military operation unfolded in Palestine during World War I. Allied forces, comprising Australian and Indian cavalry divisions, launched a decisive attack against Ottoman Turkish defenses near Megiddo. The attack was strategically sophisticated, involving coordinated efforts between cavalry units, British infantry, the Royal Air Force (RAF), and Arab fighters. The cavalry divisions broke through Turkish defensive lines with remarkable speed and effectiveness, disrupting enemy communication and supply networks. As the Turkish armies began to collapse under the pressure, they were forced into a northward retreat toward Damascus, with Allied forces in close pursuit. This battle was a critical moment in the Middle Eastern theater of World War I, demonstrating the power of mobile warfare and inter-allied cooperation.
  • 20 Sep 1918 British Army's Decisive Battle in Transjordan: A critical military engagement during World War I's Middle Eastern campaign, where the British Army's Desert Mounted Corps launched the Battle of Nazareth. The 5th Cavalry Division (British Indian Army) successfully captured strategic locations including Afulah, Beisan, and Jenin, effectively outmaneuvering and nearly encircling the Ottoman Yildirim Army Group in the Judaean Mountains.
  • 21 Sep 1918 Red Army Recaptures Kazan: During the Russian Civil War, the Red Army successfully recaptured the strategically important city of Kazan from the White Army. This military operation was a crucial moment in the conflict, representing the Bolsheviks' efforts to consolidate control over Russian territory and suppress counter-revolutionary forces.
  • 22 Sep 1918 British Cavalry Disrupts Hejaz Railway at Amman: British cavalry successfully cut the strategically important Hejaz Railway at Amman, a significant tactical maneuver during the Middle Eastern theater of World War I. This action would have severely disrupted Ottoman supply and communication lines, contributing to the eventual Allied victory in the region.
  • 23 Sep 1918 Battle of Megiddo: Capture of Haifa: On September 23, 1918, during World War I, the British 15th Cavalry Brigade, as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force led by General Edmund Allenby, successfully captured the strategically important city of Haifa from Ottoman Empire forces. This battle was a significant moment in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, marking a crucial step in the British advance against the Ottoman Empire in the Middle Eastern theater of the war. The capture of Haifa helped weaken Ottoman control in the region and paved the way for further Allied operations in Palestine and Syria.
  • 24 Sep 1918 British and French Advance near St. Quentin: On September 24, 1918, British and French forces launched a coordinated assault on the Western Front, making substantial progress and advancing to within 3 kilometers (2 miles) of St. Quentin. This operation was part of the broader Allied offensive in the final months of World War I, demonstrating the increasing momentum of the Allied forces against German positions.
  • 25 Sep 1918 Battle of Megiddo Concludes in British Victory: The Battle of Megiddo, a pivotal engagement in the British Army's Sinai and Palestine campaign, reached its climax under the leadership of General Edmund Allenby. This battle was a significant turning point in the Middle Eastern theater of World War I, demonstrating the strategic prowess of British military forces.
  • 26 Sep 1918 Meuse-Argonne Offensive Begins: The Meuse-Argonne Offensive was a critical military campaign launched by the United States Army against German forces during World War I. On September 26, 1918, over 1.2 million American soldiers initiated one of the largest and most significant offensives in American military history. This massive operation was strategically designed to break through the formidable German defensive lines and ultimately contribute to the Allied victory in the war.
  • 27 Sep 1918 British and Allied Forces Break Through Hindenburg Line: During a critical moment in World War I, the British 1st and 3rd Armies, supported by Australian troops and the U.S. 2nd Corps, successfully penetrated a 20-mile section of the formidable Hindenburg Line between Cambrai and St. Quentin. This breakthrough represented a significant strategic victory for the Allied forces.
  • 28 Sep 1918 Anglo-Belgian Offensive in Flanders: A successful Allied attack under King Albert's command covered a 23-mile front from Dixmude to Ploegsteert. The offensive resulted in the capture of Houthhulst Forest and the taking of over 4,000 German prisoners, marking a significant tactical victory.
  • 29 Sep 1918 Germany Seeks Armistice in World War I: Germany's Supreme Army Command instructs Kaiser Wilhelm II and Imperial Chancellor Georg Michaelis to initiate negotiations for an armistice, signaling the imminent end of World War I. This critical moment represents a turning point in the conflict, with Germany acknowledging its deteriorating military position.
  • 30 Sep 1918 Bulgarian Armistice in World War I: On September 30, 1918, Bulgarian forces officially ceased military hostilities and signed an armistice agreement. The fighting stopped at noon, marking a critical turning point in the final stages of World War I and signaling Bulgaria's withdrawal from the conflict.