World War I page 7

April 21, 1918: German flying ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen (more commonly known as the Red Baron), is shot down.

Manfred Albrecht Freiherr von Richthofen (2 May 1892 – 21 April 1918), also widely known as the Red Baron, was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service (Luftstreitkrafte) during the First World War. He is considered the the ace-ofaces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. By 1918, he was regarded as a national hero in Germany, and respected and admired even by his enemies. He was shot down and killed near Amiens on 21 April 1918. He remains perhaps the most widely known fighter pilot of all time.

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July 15, 1918: The Second Battle of the Marne begins.

General John J. Pershing

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September 12, 1918:  General John J. Pershing led millions of Doughboys overseas to the Western Front.  Their huge numbers enabled Britain and France to impose the peace of the Versailles Treaty on Germany.  The resulting humiliation of anger led to the rise of Adolf Hitler and the eruption of the Second World War.

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November 9, 1918:  German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany.  He was the last German Emperor (Kaiser) and King of Prussia, ruling the German Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia from 1888 to 1918.  He was the eldest grandchild of the British Queen Victoria and realted to many monarchs and princes of Europe.

May y, 1919:  The Versailles Treaty was handed to Germany giving them 3 weeks to accept the Treaty.

November 11, 1918: Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

June 28, 1919: The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WW I.

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