THE IRISH IN UNIFORM

1915

The sinking of the passenger liner "Lusitania" in the Atlantic ocean off the South-West coast of Ireland by the German Navy on 7th. May 1915, with the loss of 1,198 civilian lives, caused great outrage to the population of The British Isles, including Ireland. These two recruiting posters of the time both feature evocative images of the liner's last moments.
DATE MAJOR EVENTS NOTES ON THE EVENTS & BATTLE ACTIONS
19 February 1915 Naval Bombardment The British & French fleets bombard Turkish ports at the entrance to the Dardanelles Straits
10 to 12 March 1915 Battle of Neuve Chapelle First attempt by British to break the deadlock of static trench warfare. The attack was successful at first, but failed to keep up its momentum and the Germans rapidly reinforced their positions.
April 1915 Battle of Hill 60 This strategic hill, on the Southern rim of the Ypres Salient, was captured by the British
22 April 1915 to 25 May 1915 Second Battle of Ypres (Ypres II) On 22 April, a very violent cannonade made on the British positions at Ypres by the Germans,who followed it up at Langemark with the first gas attack of the war. This fiercely contested battle lasted until 25 May, and consisted of several major skirmishes, interspersed with periods of lighter action and regrouping.This German offensive pushed their front lines in South-West Belgium forward by just 3 miles (5 Kilometres). For its size, The Second Battle of Ypres was acknowledged as being "one of the most murderous battles of the war."
25 April 1915 Landings Allied troops take part in landings on the Gallipoli Penisula in Turkey. British and French troops go into action at Cape Helles, Australians and New Zealanders at a place dubbed Anzac Cove.
26 April 1915 Treaty A secret treaty, The Treaty of London, is made between Britain, France and Italy. Italy agrees to join The Great War on the Allied side, and in return is to be awarded land and reparation from Austria-Hungary and Germany
1 May 1915 U.S. ship sunk Although The United States had declared itself neutral in this war, German submarines sink the vessel " USS Gullflight" without warning.
2 May to 30 September 1915 Eastern Front In Galicia (North-Eastern part of Austria-Hungary), the Austro-German forces break through the Russian lines.
4 May 1915 Alliance broken After allying itself with France and Britain in secret on 26 April, Italy denounces its Triple Alliance with Austria-Hungary and Germany, which had been made in 1913
7 May 1915 Liner sunk German Naval forces sink the civilian passenger liner "Lusitania" off the Southern coast of Ireland, with the loss of 1,198 lives, including 198 U.S. citizens.
8 to 13 May 1915 Battle of Frezenberg

(Second Battle of Ypres)

 A series of strong atacks on British positions 3 miles from Ypres. The 3rd. Cavalry Division was known as the "Cavalry Force" - consisting of cavalry units fighting as infantry - including The North Somerset Yeomanry, The Leicester Yeomanry and The Royal Horse Guards - bore the brunt of these attacks and the Division sustained casualties of 226 killed, 827 wounded, and 178 missing.
23 June to 7 July 1915 First Battle of The Isonzo Italian forces try to capture bridgeheads held by Austro-Hungarian troops on the River Isonzo, North-East of the Northern Italian border.
25 August 1915 War declared Italy declares war on Turkey.
21 September 1915 Battle of Salonika British and French troops attack at Salonika in Macedonia
25 September 1915 Battle of Loos On the British Right Flank, first use of gas by the British Forces. The British successfully capture the town of Loos in Belgium. British attacks in Champagne and Artois districts.
29 September 1915 First Battle of Vimy Ridge Vimy Ridge is attacked and captured from the Germans by The Allies.
12 October 1915

Alliance

 Britain, France & Italy declare they will give military assistance to Serbia under the terms of the Treaty of Bucharest, made on 10 August 1913.
14 October 1915 War declaration The Allies declare war on Bulgarian
November 1915 Withdrawal decision The Allies decide to withdraw their troops from The Dardanelles peninsula in Turkey
19 December 1915 New Leader General Haig is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the British Forces.
18 to 20 December 1915 Allied Retreat from the Dardanelles The troops of Britain, France, Australia and New Zealand withdraw from Anzac Cove and Suvla Bay on the Gallipoli Peninsular after a disastrous campaign with very high losses, which included many men dead of disease as well as from injuries on the battlefields.

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