From Verdun and the Somme to Jutland and Gallipoli
The First World War was a conflict like no other and unprecedented in the history of warfare to that point.
Between 1914-1918, Europe’s largest empires fought a new kind of war with modern weapons, masses of troops and huge death tolls.
From the largest naval battle and the longest battle, to the most deadly battle, and the battle that marked the end of mobile warfare on the Western Front, there were many significant battles during the First World War.
Gallipoli, the Battle of Jutland, the Battle of Verdun and the Battle of the Somme are among the many battles we explore in our video below.
From the longest, deadliest and most difficult battles of the First World War to the battles which would define nations and change warfare forever, discover the 10 most important battles of the First World War.
Watch on YouTube: Battles of the First World War: Top 10 most important
Please note: This video is age-restricted and only available on YouTube.
Ten First World War battles
Learn more about ten First World War battles and the experiences of those involved in them:
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© IWM (Q 51489)
The First Battle of the Marne
The First Battle of the Marne (6 -10 September 1914) marked the end of mobile warfare on the Western Front. Following their retreat, the Germans re-engaged Allied forces on the Aisne, where fighting began to stagnate into trench warfare.
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© IWM (Q 13400A)
The Gallipolli Campaign
The Gallipoli campaign (25 April 1915 - 9 January 1916) was the land-based element of a strategy intended to allow Allied ships to pass through the Dardanelles, capture Constantinople (now Istanbul) and ultimately knock Ottoman Turkey out of the war.
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© IWM (Q 20633)
The Battle of Jutland
The Battle of Jutland (31 May - 1 June 1916) was the largest naval battle of the First World War, involving 250 ships and around 100,000 men. It was the only time that the British and German fleets came to blows.
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© IWM (Q 69971)
The Battle of Verdun
The Battle of Verdun (21 February - 18 December 1916) became the longest battle in modern history. It was originally planned by the German Chief of General Staff, Erich von Falkenhayn to secure victory for Germany on the Western Front. The aim was to crush the French army before the Allies grew in strength through the full deployment of British forces.
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© IWM (Q 98440)
The Brusilov Offensive
The Brusilov Offensive (4 June - 20 September 1916) was the most successful Russian operation and one of the most successful breakthrough offensives.
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© IWM Q70164
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme (1 July - 18 November 1916) was a joint operation between British and French forces intended to achieve victory over Germany on the Western Front after 18 months of trench deadlock.
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© IWM (CO 2241)
The Third Battle of Ypres
The Third Battle of Ypres (31 July - 10 November 1917) is also known as Passchendaele and has shaped perceptions of the First World War on the Western Front. The Ypres Salient was one of the most intensely fought-over sections of the Western Front.
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© IWM (Q 51464)
The German Spring Offensives
The German Spring Offensives (21 March - 18 July 1918) ) represented a calculated gamble for Germany in trying to tip the balance on the Western Front once and for all.
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© IWM (Q 9271)
The Battle of Amiens
The Battle of Amiens (8 - 11 August 1918) marked the beginning of the Hundred Days Campaign; a four-month period of Allied success.
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© IWM (Q 12371)
The Battle of Megiddo
The Battle of Megiddo (19-25 September 1918) marked the beginning of the final British-led offensive in the Sinai and Palestine Campaign. It successfully combined cavalry, infantry, artillery, armoured vehicles and aircraft to achieve a decisive victory over the Ottoman Turks and their German allies.