Facts About World War I

Amazing Facts That You Didn’t Know About World War I

Posted October 30, 2014 by Kathryn Rostan

World War I lasted from July 28, 1914 until November 11, 1918 and claimed tens of millions of lives. The effects of the war can still be felt to this day. Here are some quick facts about the "War to End All Wars."

Over 35 million casualties

More than 15 million soldiers and civilians were killed in WWI. Another 20 million were wounded, the sixth deadliest war in history.

Deaths due to combat

It was the first major war in history where deaths due to combat outnumbered deaths due to disease.

The first tank

Was named “Little Willie” and it had a top speed of 3 MPH. Tanks received their name because the British tried to conceal their identity by calling them water storage tanks, hence the name tank. They originally were called “landships.”

Pool of Peace

A 40-foot deep lake was created after British forces detonated 45 tons of explosives were used to create a hole in German lines. It is located near Messines, Belgium.

Americans in WWI

We all know America officially entered the war in 1917 but prior to that Americans served in the French Foreign Legion, Canadian and British Army. Some even went to Germany to fight on the side of the Germans.

Cost of war

It cost the United States more than billion to fight the war.

Trenches

The Western Front, which ran from the English Channel to Switzerland, had over 25,000 miles of trenches dug.

Chemical weapons

France first used chemical weapons, using tear gas grenades in August of 1914. Germany was the first to use poisonous gas, firing chlorine gas in April 1915.

Adolf Hitler's mustache

During WWI, Adolf Hitler was wounded by poison gas after he couldn’t get his mask to seal because of his mustache. He clipped his mustache into the famous shape because of that experience. We can only speculate his exposure and fear of gas is why Germany never used gas in WWII.

Choctaw Code Talkers

The Navajo Code Talkers of WWII weren’t the first time American forces employed Native American language in war. The Choctaw language was used by American forces because Germany intercepted Allied messages with ease. The original members came from the Oklahoma National Guard.

Sgt. Alvin York

York won the Medal of Honor after he attacked a line of German trench and captured 32 machine guns, killed 28 German soldiers and captured 132 others.

New European nations

Finland, Estonia, Poland, Lithuania, and Latvia all emerged as new nations. For Estonia, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia the period between WWI and WWII would be the longest stretch of independence for those countries until the Soviet Union fell as they were occupied by the Germans in WWII and Soviets after.

Middle East transformed

Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Palestine were declared mandates by the League of Nations following WWI. Britain controlled all but Syria which was ruled by France. They had all been part of the defeated Ottoman Empire. Today, those nations are making headlines for the continued unrest and war that erupts on tribal and religious lines.

Russia laid waste

Although it left WWI after becoming the Soviet Union, Russia suffered over 75 percent casualties. It mobilized 12 million. Over 9 million were killed, wounded or captured. Millions more would die between WWI and the start of WWII. Tens of millions more after.

France ripped apart

Over 73 percent of the over 8.4 million French soldiers mobilized were casualties. Over 6.1 million would be killed, wounded or captured. Thousands of square miles would be destroyed by the war. Much that was rebuilt would be destroyed again during WWII.

Armistice Day

November 11, 1918 is known as Armistice Day. Despite the peace accord being signed at 5 AM, over 11,000 were killed that day.

Young soldiers

In Britain, soldiers had to be 19 years-old. Over 250,000 lied about their age to serve overseas. The youngest discovered was 12.

WWI Soccer

During the truce called during Christmas 1914 British and German forces took part in a soccer match. The pitch was in No Man’s Land. Germany won 3-2.

Famous authors

The British army alone saw AA Milne, Winnie the Pooh’s creator, and JRR Toklien serve in its ranks. Ernest Hemmingway served in the US military. Milne is pictured above in uniform.

Metal helmets

Among the many inventions was the metal helmet. It was introduced by the French in 1915. All sides soon wore a metal helmet.