World War I: Important Battles

Learn more about the most pivotal engagements

German soldiers fighting at the First Battle of the Marne Related Links World War I Primer World War I Timeline The Deadliest Battles in World War I Women's Role in World War I

Like most wars, the Great War consisted of a series of battles across many fronts. There is no such thing as an insignificant battle; every engagement in the War to End all Wars resulted in a loss of life. To be considered among the most "important," the battles below stand out for different reasons, whether it be the Kaiserschlact for most casualties, the Battle of the Somme for introducing the tank, the sinking of the Lusitania for setting the U.S. on a course for war, the Battle of Verdun for being the longest battle, or the Battle of the Marne for being the greatest strategic Allied victory.

• Tannenburg (Aug. 27–30, 1914)
• First Battle of the Marne (Sept. 6–9, 1914)
• Masurian Lakes (Sept. 1914, Feb. 1915)
• First Battle of Ypres (Oct.–Nov., 1914)
• Second Battle of Ypres (April 22–May 25, 1915)
• Battle of Gallipoli (April 25, 1915–Jan. 9,1916)
• Sinking of the Lusitania (May 7,1915)
• Battles of the Isonzo (June 1915–1917)
• Battle of Verdun (Feb. 21–Dec. 18, 1916)
• Battle of Jutland (May 31–June 1, 1916)
• Battle of the Somme (July 1–Nov. 18, 1916)
• Third Battle of Ypres (also known as Passchendaele) (July 31–Nov. 6,1917)
• Battle of Caporetto (Oct. 24–Dec. 20, 1917)
• Russian Revolution (Nov. 7, 1917)
• Battle of Cambrai (Nov.20–Dec. 3, 1917).
• Second Battle of the Marne (July, 1918)
• Battle of Argonne Forest (Sept. 26–Nov. 11, 1918)
• Vittorio Veneto (Oct.–Nov., 1918)

by Catherine McNiff