{"id":32683,"date":"2026-10-04T07:14:47","date_gmt":"2026-10-04T07:14:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/?page_id=32683"},"modified":"2026-10-07T15:46:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T15:46:21","slug":"battles-and-campaigns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schoolshistory.org.uk\/topics\/world-history\/first-world-war\/battles-and-campaigns\/","title":{"rendered":"Battles and Campaigns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Explore the major battles and campaigns of the First World War, from the opening battles of 1914 through the campaigns of 1915, the major offensives of 1916 and 1917, and the final campaigns of 1918.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Battles
Mark IV (Male) tank of ‘H’ Battalion, ‘Hyacinth’, ditched in a German trench while supporting 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment near Ribecourt during the Battle of Cambrai, 20 November 1917. IWM<\/a>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Battles and Campaigns of the First World War<\/h2>\n

The First World War was fought across several theatres and involved a succession of major battles, offensives and campaigns. The Western Front dominated the fighting in western Europe, but important operations also took place in the Dardanelles, the Middle East, eastern Europe and at sea.<\/p>\n

1914: The War Begins<\/h3>\n

The opening months of the war saw rapid movement before the Western Front settled into trench warfare. The German advance through Belgium and France was checked at the Marne, while the conflict quickly developed into a wider European war.<\/p>\n

Battle of the Marne<\/a><\/p>\n

1915: Gallipoli and the Western Front<\/h3>\n

In 1915 the Allies opened new fronts while major fighting continued in France and Belgium. The Gallipoli Campaign attempted to force the Dardanelles and open a route towards the Ottoman Empire’s capital.<\/p>\n

Gallipoli Campaign<\/a> \u00b7 Battle of Neuve Chapelle<\/a><\/p>\n

1916: Verdun, the Somme and Jutland<\/h3>\n

1916 saw some of the largest and most significant battles of the war. Verdun became a prolonged battle of attrition between France and Germany, while the Somme offensive brought the British Army into a major offensive on the Western Front. At sea, the Battle of Jutland was the largest fleet action of the war.<\/p>\n

Battle of Verdun<\/a> \u00b7 Battle of the Somme<\/a> \u00b7 Battle of Jutland<\/a> \u00b7 Brusilov Offensive<\/a><\/p>\n

1917: Passchendaele and the War Beyond the Western Front<\/h3>\n

The fighting of 1917 included major offensives on the Western Front and continued operations elsewhere. Third Ypres became one of the defining battles of the year, while fighting continued in the Middle East and other theatres.<\/p>\n

Third Battle of Ypres \/ Passchendaele<\/a> \u00b7 Battle of Kut<\/a><\/p>\n

1918: The Final Campaigns<\/h3>\n

The final year of the war began with the German Spring Offensive before the Allies regained the initiative. A series of Allied offensives, including Amiens, contributed to the collapse of German resistance on the Western Front.<\/p>\n

Ludendorff Spring Offensive<\/a> \u00b7 Battle of Amiens<\/a> \u00b7 Victory on the Western Front<\/a><\/p>\n

Global Conflict<\/h3>\n

The First World War was fought across multiple theatres. The Global Conflict<\/a> section brings together campaigns and fighting beyond the main Western Front, including the Ottoman Empire, the Middle East, Africa and other theatres of war.<\/p>\n

The Western Front<\/h3>\n

The Western Front was the principal theatre of war in western Europe and saw many of the conflict’s largest battles. Explore its battles, campaigns, trench warfare and changing methods of warfare through the dedicated Western Front<\/a> hub.<\/p>\n

Naval Warfare<\/h3>\n

Naval operations were an important part of the First World War. The site currently includes the Battle of Jutland<\/a>, while further naval material can be added as the collection develops.<\/p>\n

Individual Battles and Episodes<\/h3>\n

The site also contains individual accounts of battles and episodes of fighting, including the Battle of Neuve Chapelle<\/a> and the first trench raids on the Western Front<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Explore the First World War<\/h3>\n

For the wider context of the conflict, including its causes, the Home Front, technology, medicine and the end of the war, return to the First World War<\/a> hub.<\/p>\n

Further Reading<\/h3>\n