Actual History: 100 Years Ago Today
 

Something I've been doing for a different website, thought I'd start it up here. Cobbling together things from different websites, comparing sources, and more-or-less liveblogging the First World War. Just 100 years late.

I have chosen today to start because one of the most significant developments of the entire War started today. To whit, the disastrous Battle of the Somme, which, despite much British propaganda to the contrary, did not in fact, result in the attrition of the German Armies in the West to a significantly greater degree than that of the British & French Armies. In fact, quite the opposite happened.

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: German forces at Verdun suspend their attack on Fort Souville due to heavy casualties. Heavy fighting at Fleury and west of Thiaumont. French thwart attempted German advance west of Fort Thiaumont. French gains in Fumin-Chenois Woods. War Minister General Roques visits.

Preliminary British bombardment along Somme front and northwards. British and French forces, stocked with 3 million artillery shells, begin preparatory bombardment of German lines at the Somme. (This much is standard Allied propaganda. What they don’t tell you is that the week-long bombardment was largely a failure, due to several factors:
1. Many, many, many of the British shells were duds, due to poor quality control & manufacturing practices in the British munitions industry.
2. A mistaken belief that shrapnel (actual shrapnel shell, a specific type of shell, unlike the more modern meaning of the word ‘shrapnel’) was effective in cutting barbed wire. In fact, shrapnel is almost useless for this purpose. As a result, roughly 75% of the shells fired by the british were shrapnel. Only about ¼ of the shells were high explosive.
3. Many of the British & French guns were the subset of Artillery known as “Guns” (as opposed to Howitzers or Mortars), which had insufficient elevation to hit a lot of the obstacles & trenches the Germans had installed on reverse slopes.
4. The Germans had partially adopted the idea of “Defense in Depth”: that is, the outermost line of fortifications & defensive positions, which usually (and at the battle did) receive the heaviest bombardment, were only lightly held. Most of the defensive troops were held in the second or third lines (where available), or sometimes even further back, for counterattacks. As a result, many of the German soldiers weren’t touched by the initial bombardment.)

British and French troops at Bray-sur-Somme as the Allied troops prepare to launch its offensive : http://imgur.com/4ioByXX

Royal Flying Corps spots 154 targets (5 German batteries silenced), fights 16 air combats and shoots down 6 German kite-balloons.

Flanders: BEF shell Lens.


Eastern Front
Russian advance from Bukovina; fighting on Dniester.


Southern Front
Trentino: Italians retake Asiago, Posina and Arslero regained (June 27), as Austrians begin silent and orderly general retreat from salient (night June 25) to prepared line holding 2/3 of gains since May 15 (until June 26).
Salonika: Sarrail told he may have to attack soon with French and Serbs alone.
Armenia: Turks after surprise crossing of Pontic Alps overwhelm 19th Turkistanski Regiment. By June 30 within 15 miles of coast road but held at ‘Serpent Rock Hill’.


Political, etc.
Roger Casement trial begins.

President of the German Food Regulations Board admits the rationing of meat is currently being considered for September onwards.

British War Office announces 500 more women have been accepted as army cooks, bringing the total up to 2000.

French Chamber of Deputies appropriates 25 million Francs for propaganda purposes overseas.

Araba Revolt: British in Cairo intercepts Djemal radio message to Fakhri Pasha in Medina allowing £5,000 spending in English gold. In Cyrenaica, Sayyid Idris meets Allied Mission for talks (until September).

Anglo-Italian Agreement not to sign separate deal with Senussi (June 31, France adheres March 1917).


Naval and Overseas Operations:

An Admiralty post-Battle of Jutland inquest with Jellicoe and Beatty agrees to improve armor protection.

BEF shell Lens.

British Expeditionary Force shells town of Lens.

26 June 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: French gain near Thiaumont work, but two-brigade attack fails at Fleury. German attacks west of Hill 304 and near Fleury. French 407th Regiments 1,200 survivors (from 2,800 on June 21) withdrawn.
British patrols active.
Battle Of the Somme: Allied bombardment continues. Royal Flying Corps observers engage 161 targets. 5 F. E. 2bs (1 lost) of No 25 Squadron including Capt A W Tedder (future Air Marshal of RAF) shoot down 2 Fokker Es; 3 German kite-balloons brought down in flames.

Eastern Front
German troops from the Western Front replace Austro-Hungarian troops from Kovel to Brody in order to face the Russians.

Southern Front
Austria-Hungary retreats along a 20-mile front in Trentino, Italy to transfer troops to the Eastern Theater.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians advance west in northern Persia.
Turks prepare to leave Mosul.
Turks driven from Lake Urmia (Persia).

Political, etc.
General demobilisation ordered in Greece.
Germans threaten to stop Swiss coal supply if their cotton purchases are not delivered.
Frankford Arsenal in Philadelphia announces it is producing gas bombs, incendiary bombs, and grenades for the U.S. Army.
Serb Prime Minister Pasic visits Paris.
President Wilson rejects a proposal by Latin American diplomats who offered to mediate between the U.S. and Mexico to avoid war.
Funeral of former President and Emperor of China Yuan Shikai takes place in Peking.
Rumania: 9 killed in Galati workers anti-war demo.
Britain: 7,000 Vickers Barrow engineers lose strike against partial call-up (until July 3).

The Battle of Verdun, 1916

27 June 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British bombardment continues. Despite Allied bombardment at the Somme, German “dugouts are still good. The [Germans] appear to remain…completely sheltered.” [Allied Intelligence report]
157 active German batteries reported by Royal Flying Corps.
Photo showing gas attacks by the British against German lines at the Somme: http://imgur.com/05227Sk
Battle of Verdun: Further local German attacks repulsed at Fleury.
German attack repulsed at Ypres.
British reconnaissance raids from La Bassee canal to Somme line.


Eastern Front
German troops under von Linsingen capture Russian positions in Volhynia, while German aeroplanes bomb Dvinsk (Daugavpils).
Germans repulsed in Riga and Dvinsk areas. (Note: these were likely ‘raids’, rather than attacks with intent to seize ground, thus, ‘repulsed’ is likely an overstatement).
Russian advance from Kolomea (Bukovina).

Southern Front
Trentino: Italians take Posina and Arsiero; continued advance from the Bernta to the Adige. But otherwise, the Italians resume pursuit too slowly.
Carnia: Italian XII Corps ‘rectification operations’ (until June 29) cost 3,662 casualties.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arab Revolt: Fakhri Pasha sorties from Medina, massacres Arab suburb; Feisal blockades at distance.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
East Africa: British Lake Force (2,000 soldiers, Crewe GOC since June 17) advances south from river Kagera and via Lake Victoria. Major-General Gill and part of 3,000-strong Portuguese Expeditionary Force land (until September 6) at Lourenco Marques.

Political, etc.
Austria: A letter from the ambassador in Berlin says ‘Monarchy can no longer survive the war’.
Greece: King signs demobilization decree.
German Hentig enters Chinese Turkestan, escapes Russian cordon.
Recommendations of Allied Economic Conference ratified (see 14th). [http://www.greatwar.co.uk/timeline/...-1916.htm#june]
Chinese navy threatens to revolt.

28 June 1916
 

Western Front
{Brief repetition, as it's the immediate root}
Onehundredtwo years ago, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated by Serbian nationalist during a motorcade in Sarajevo, sparking World war I.
James Hutchinson VC (9 July 1895 – 22 January 1972) was 20 years old, and a private (Fusilier) in the 2/5th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers on 28 June 1916 when his actions in Ficheux, France earned him the Victoria Cross.
Citation:
For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy's position this soldier was the leading man, and, entering their trench, shot two sentries and cleared two of the traverses.
After our object had been gained and retirement ordered, Private Hutchinson, on his own initiative, undertook the dangerous task of covering the retirement, and he did this with such gallantry and determination that the wounded were removed into safety. During all this time this gallant soldier was exposed to fierce fire from machine-guns and rifles at close quarters.
He later achieved the rank of corporal.
Battle of the Somme: Zero day for Allied offensive postponed until 1 July (rain). As a result, the British continue their bombardment, combined with small raids as part of probing attacks.
Royal Garrison Artillery gunners carrying trench mortar ammunition at the Somme: http://imgur.com/l7heySL ©IWM (Q 747)
Heavy rains and low cloud until June 30 restricts aerial operations. 111 Royal Flying Corps personnel casualties since June 1 and 17,000 hours flown.
Verdun: French grenade attacks near Hill 329 and Thiaumont Works. German counter-attacks fail.


Eastern Front
Brusilov offensive, Galicia – Battle of Kolomea (June 24 to July 6): Lechitski shatters Austrian Seventh Army on 25-mile front east of Kolomea, taking 10,421 PoWs and 4 guns; enters Kolomea on June 29, reaches 12 miles south [until June 30].
Despite German use of gas, Russian troops repel German attacks south of Riga and on the Dvina River.
Heavy fighting on Lutsk salient.


Southern Front
Trentino: Italian cavalry reach Pedescala northeast of Arsiero.
Isonzo – First major gas attack on Italian Front (until June 29): with help of hydrocyanide gas shell Austrians inflict 6,600 casualties on sleeping Italian 21st and 22nd Divisions between Mt Cosich and sea in night raid before Regina Brigade and 10th Regiment regain trenches, but Austrians lose 1,988 (416 PoWs) men including gas fatalities from blowback.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arab Revolt: 3 British ships land 8 Egyptian mountain guns, 4 MGs and 3,000 rifles at Jeddah.
Persia: Baratov’s 8,500 men and 14 guns hold Turk 2nd Division at Karind until night retreat on Kermanshah (evacuated on June 30).

Naval and Overseas Operations:
SS Messanabie arrives at Liverpool from Canada with troops including Filip Konowal (Canadian Infantry) who will win the Victoria Cross in August 1917.
A Danish & an Italian ship are lost due to shipping accidents, whereas, the UK dredger Mercurius strucks a mine in the North Sea with the loss of 6 of her 7 crew.
East Africa: British Lake Force (2,000 soldiers, Crewe GOC since June 17) advances south from river Kagera and via Lake Victoria. Major-General Gill and part of 3,000-strong Portuguese Expeditionary Force land (until September 6) at Lourenco Marques.

Political, etc.
Britain and France completely [that is, formally] abandon London Declaration; they had been long ignoring it anyway. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Londo..._of_Naval_Wa r
Russia: CoS Alexeiev suggests to Tsar a military dictator for supply. A bill to permanently ban vodka is being discussed in the Russian Duma.
Germany: Karl Liebknecht, a German Socialist in opposition to the war, is given 2 and a half years hard labor (increased to 4 years on August 23) and dismissed from Army; 55,000 workers hold 3-day protest strikes.
Britain: 400 German firms reported still trading.
Report shows that the U.S. trade in May reached record highs due to the war. The favorable trade balance was $243 million.
Mexico deploys 40,000 troops along railways near the U.S. border in order to face a possible U.S. invasion.

29 June 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British bombardment continues.
Battle of Verdun: German attack on Hill 304 repulsed.
Champagne: German first and second line trenches taken at Tahure.
French 400 mm railway gun firing near Ravin d’Harbonnieres: http://imgur.com/ezCd1gV* © IWM (Q 70036)

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Russian troops piece three lines of Austro-Hungarian lines near the city of Kolomea and claims the capture of 10,000 prisoners.
Germans repulsed north-east of Vilna.

Southern Front
Italian advance in Trentino continues, and troops recapture Fort Mattassone and the ridge of Monte Trappola.
Italy forms 78a Squadriglia.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Royal Navy Air Service detachment withdrawn but 4 Royal Navy Air Service kite-balloons arrive in Mesopotamia.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Turkish steamers sunk by Russians in the Black Sea.
Italy loses two sailing vessels to SMA U-35; the UK loses a steamer to the same source, and a minesweeping trawler strikes a mine and sinks (a not uncommon occurrence).

Political, etc.
Roger Casement, Irish nationalist, is sentenced to death for treason. Roger Casement was sentenced based on reinterpreting the Treason Act of 1351. Casement writes he will be “hanged on a comma.” He is escorted to Pentonville Prison: http://imgur.com/49IVuFH
British Foreign Office send Casement diary homosexual extracts to US; Foreign Minister Grey rules against further copying on June 30.
New York City is experiencing a polio outbreak. 32 cases are identified today, bringing the total up to 206.
Győző Zemplén, Hungarian physicist in the field of hydrodynamics and kinetic theory of gases, is killed in action.
U.S. demands apology from Austria for the sinking of the "Petrolite".
Austria: Vienna Crown Council attacks CoS Conrad for first time, Emperor orders him to give more info.

Lots of good info. Thanks guys!

The Somme: The battle that France forgot
 

30 June 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British bombardment continues. Nelson Victor Carter VC (6 April 1887 – 30 June 1916) was born on 6 April 1887 to Richard Carter, of Hailsham; husband of Kathleen Carter, of 33 Greys Road, Old Town, Eastbourne. His date of birth is often stated as the ninth, but his birth certificate states the sixth.
He was 29 years old, and a company sergeant major in the 12th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. He was awarded the VC for his actions on 30 June 1916 at Boar's Head, Richebourg L’Avoue, France. At 03:15 two battalions of the Royal Sussex Regiment, the 12th and 13th, with the 11th in reserve, go over the top at The Boar’s Head salient in the German lines near the small village of Richebourg l’Avoue in northern France. This is a diversionary attack is meant to confuse the enemy as to the extent of attacks on the Somme tomorrow.
Citation:
For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack he was in command of the fourth wave of the assault. Under intense shell and machine gun fire he penetrated, with a few men, into the enemy's second line and inflicted heavy casualties with bombs. When forced to retire to the enemy's first line, he captured a machine gun and shot the gunner with his revolver. Finally, after carrying several wounded men into safety, he was himself mortally wounded and died in a few minutes. His conduct throughout the day was magnificent.
Battle of Verdun: French recapture Fort Thiaumont, but heavy back-and-forth fighting continues. 65 French divisions have engaged against 47 German. June losses: French 67,000, German 51,567 (including 4 divisions which were losing 71-90% of their infantry). [Note: casualty figure for the Germans are highly suspect].
6 R.E. 7s of No 21 Squadron Royal Flying Corps bomb Lille St Saveur station engine sheds (repeated and successfully with 336 lb bomb, first use from 7,000-8,000 ft on July 1). Escort on both raids 2 Martinsyde and 2 Morane planes.
Ruins of a church in the village of Miraumont: http://imgur.com/DpCPrJ3 © IWM (Q 78454)

Eastern Front
Battle of the Strypa ends (see 11th).
Brusilov offensive, Galicia: 2 Austrian divisions from Italian Front begin arriving at Nadworna and Delatyn.

Southern Front
Trentino: Italian counter-offensive in the Trentino continues

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: General Abatsiev’s 10,000 men capture Bitlis after surprise night bayonet charge in blizzard, taking 1,000 PoW and 20 guns. 2 Russian battalions land at Atina to advance on Trebizond, 60 miles in the west, more land at Mapavri (night 6/7). General Lyakhov occupies Rize, port 30 miles from Trebizond (March 8), drives Turks beyond river Kalopotamus on March 9.

Mesopotamia: Gertrude Bell arrives at Basra to be Arab Bureau representative.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Baltic: Indecisive small British naval action.
North Sea: First Royal Navy minelaying submarine E24 lays minefield close to Elbe, but lost on next sortie.
First German 15 inch-gun battleship Bayern joins Fleet (sister Baden likewise February 1917).
British loose another cargo steamer to German submarines, another minesweeping trawler to mines (told you it was common), whereas the Germans loose U-10 to mines, as well.
During June German U-boats sink 43 merchant ships or 67,125t out of total (all seas) 87,293 t. French Marine Ministry rebukes Bizerta Prefet Maritime for suggesting convoy answer to U-boats.


Political, etc.
Germany: Chancellor Bethmann again informs Admiral Scheer of his opposition to unrestricted U¬-boat operations.
USA: Krupp representative Captain Tauscher acquitted of conspiracy charges. US Commissioner of Navigation reports 125,000t of shipping building for foreign owners (mainly British).
Gore-Mclemore Senate Resolution against American sailing in belligerent ships and denying passports, but defeated on March 7.
France: Alcohol duties increased.
Britain: Army Council takes over 1916 hay and straw crops.
Trades Union Congress, representing 3 million workers, meets in London to ask the British government to set food prices.
D H Lawrence rejected for military service at Bodmin.
British Government conclude further agreement with the Netherlands Overseas Trust for rationing of Holland.
Portugal: Portuguese seize 4 German ships at Madeira.

Battle of the Somme centenary
 

Western Front
ANGLO-FRENCH OFFENSIVE, BATTLE OF THE SOMME BEGINS (until November 18).
First phase: Battle of Albert: (until July 13). After 224,221 shells in 65 mins and explosion of 10 mines (0728 hours) Allied attack begins at 0730 hours. Combined Franco-British attack (19 divisions) on 25-mile front north and south of Somme. Despite the mines and heavy Allied bombardment, most German positions have survived intact: http://imgur.com/RsKArWD © IWM (Q 27637)
Aftermath of the Lochnagar mine explosion underneath German lines: http://imgur.com/iI6qIIZ
66,000 (later 100,000). British soldiers capture Montauban (early creeping barrage) and Mametz. French XX and I Colonial Corps strike for Peronne reach Hardecourt and Curlu outskirts taking c.80 guns and 3,000 PoWs. Northwest of Albert-Bapaume road British make little progress against strong German defences; small gain at Leipzig Redoubt south of Thiepval. British attacks at Gommecourt, Serre, Beaumont Hamel, Thiepval and La Boiselle all fail.
At 1900 hours Rawlinson’s casualties estimate 16,000, but in fact British casualties total 57,470 (incl. 19,240 killed and 2,152 missing (585 PoWs) largely to c. 100 German MG teams).*HEAVIEST LOSS EVER SUFFERED BY THE BRITISH ARMY IN ONE DAY: 32 battalions lose an average of 500 casualties. German casualties estimate 8,000.
French attack towards Peronne; reach outskirts of Hardecourt and Curlu; take Dompierre, Becquincourt, Bussus, and Fay.
Anglo-French aerial supremacy continues. 185 British (out of 421 RFC with 14 balloons) and 201 French against 129 German aircraft. Verdun and commitments elsewhere (plus Immelmann’s death) mean Germans have only 19 fighters against up to 66 British (Nos 24, 29, 32 and 60 Squadrons) and c. 72 French Nieuport 11s; DH2s andFE2s play havoc with reconnaissance planes and balloons and brush aside German fighters. BE2s and RE7s hit railways, trains, roads, headquarters, dumps; RFC drop 39t bombs (July 1-16), Farmans and Caudrons often at night; RFC reconnaissance and artillery observation units fly virtually unhindered while German aircraft are forced to defend within their own lines or over their own bases. But, from mid-July German reinforcements reach the Somme. Contact patrol, or liaison with infantry, first instituted in the Royal Flying Corps.
Battle of Verdun: 132nd day of battle.
During July Germans form 2nd Storm Battalion, 14 in all by December 31.
German combatant strength in West 2,260,000 soldiers. French Army 1,447,000 infantry; 93,500 cavalry; 495.000 artillery; 125.000 engineers; 24,000 air service in 4,677,000 mobilized strength.
Major Rees commander of No 32 Squadron Royal Flying Corps single-handedly disperses 10 two-seaters near Festubert and forces down 2 (Rees wounded, wins Victoria Cross. 7 RFC aircraft missing (14 aircrew casualties) including 4 who cause 170 casualties to 22nd Reserve Division at St Quentin station.
Citation
On 1 July 1916 at Double Crassieurs, France, Major Rees, whilst on flying duties, sighted what he thought was a bombing party of our machines returning home, but were in fact enemy aircraft. Major Rees was attacked by one of them, but after a short encounter it disappeared, damaged. The others then attacked him at long range, but he dispersed them, seriously damaging two of the machines. He chased two others but was wounded in the thigh, temporarily losing control of his aircraft. He righted it and closed with the enemy, using up all his ammunition, firing at very close range. He then returned home, landing his aircraft safely.
It should also be noted that there were several other Victoria Crosses awarded as a result of the generally disastrous day for the British. I have chosen to highlight Major Rees’, not to slight the others, but because his was unusual, being the result of aerial combat. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_...ross_recipients


Eastern Front
German combatant strength only 590,000 soldiers.
River Pruth: Russians advance north-west of Kolomea.
Pripet: Austro-Germans progress north-west of Tarnopol. Austro-Germans regain 3 miles southwest of Lutsk (until July 2).
Brusilov Offensive: Carpathians: Lechitski advances northwest of Kolomea, cuts railway at Mikolichin (July 4), despite Austro-German counter-attacks (July 2-3). Russian troops attack Austro-Hungarian lines along the Carpathians, capturing 14,574 prisoners.

Southern Front
Italian Front: Italian losses 524,760 men since January 1, including 275,190 sick, but 800,000 called to colors in same period.
Isonzo: Italian VII Corps launches diversion at Sell (Carso, south of Gorizia), some gains and PoWs (until July 3).
Salonika: In July 6 Royal Navy Air Service aircraft and French flight on Thasos island drop incendiary bombs on ripening crops in south Bulgaria.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Royal Flying Corps Middle East Brigade (total 8 squadrons) formed under Brigade-General W Salmond to administer Salonika, Mesopotamia and East Africa units as well.
Persia: c.16,000 Turks (Ali Ihsan Pasha) reoccupy Kermanshah, defeat Russians to north (until July 19).
Arab Revolt – Yemen: Idrisi’s tribe captures Qunfidah on coast.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Adriatic: Austrian raid on Straits of Otranto.
Mediterranean: During July U-boat ace Arnauld de la Periere perfects technique of destroying ships by long-range (8,000 yards) gunfire with new 4.1-inch deck gun (replaces 3.5-inch/88 mm), saving torpedoes and lessening risks to U-boats, who also, through signals intelligence and captured documents learn which Allied routes are patrolled, sink 33 ships (86,432 t) in July.
Baltic: In July Russian submarines and destroyers sink or capture 4 German steamers.

Political, etc.
Britain: Retail Food Price 61%, now 766,000 women in industry and commerce. Record low union unemployment of 0.4%. Somme barrage heard on Hampstead Heath.
France: In July Le Canard enchaine satirical journal first published. Heavier excess profit taxes. French Ministry of Interior reports that 46,263 houses, 331 churches, and 900 public buildings have been wrecked due to war.
Germany: In July radical anti-war art weekly Kampf founded at Duisburg.
Santo Domingo: US Marines defeat rebels.

BTW, I would like to thank Jseal for his addenda to my posts. Quite relevant supplements, they are.

I'll again thank both of you guys for this historical commentary on WWI. Fascinating information presented in a great, clear-cut way. Thanks.

The end of the age of European empires did, indeed, change the world.

2 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Allied forces at the Somme have managed to push in 6 miles in some areas (mainly in the southern, French, sector) and claim to have captured 10,000 Germans. British capture Fricourt; relinquish captured trenches at Gommecourt. French take Curlu, Frise, Bois de Mereaucourt and Herbecourt.
A dump of empty 18-pounder shell cases, expended during the British bombardment at the Somme: http://imgur.com/EHNTtnt* © IWM (Q 111)


Eastern Front
Battle of Baranovichi begins (see July 9th): Russians take offensive at Smorgon and Baranovichi, and penetrate German lines.
Germans continue advance on Lutsk salient. South of Dniester they regain Tlumacz.

Southern Front
Skirmishes near Salonika; artillery duels on lower bank of Vardar.
Heavy artillery fire and sharp infantry attacks in Trentino and Carso.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turks consolidate Kermanshah; Russians driven east on road to Hamadan.

Political, etc.
Germany: Former German Chancellor von Buelow warns that the Allies will be “unforgiving” towards Germany after the war.
It is estimated that around 500,000 Jewish men are currently fighting on both sides of the war.

3 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: French capture Chapitre Wood, Feuilleres, Buscourt, Flaucourt; also Assevillers to the South. British capture Ovillers-La Boisselle, 9th Scottish Division captures Bernafay Wood (east of Montauban). Falkenhayn visits Fritz von Below at St Quentin, replaces his Chief-of-Staff for allowing withdrawal south of Somme; Below obediently orders counter-attacks ‘I forbid the voluntary evacuation of trenches’.
“Y” Wood & German trenches at the Somme. Snow-like appearance on ground is due to bombardment: http://imgur.com/HbxSZ6T ©IWM (Q49323)
Battle of Verdun: Germans take and lose Damloup work, their attacks on Avocourt and Hill 304 fail on July 5.
North of Ancre actions indecisive.
12,300 prisoners to date.
30 Anglo-German air combats. Royal Flying Corps (7 aircraft missing) bomb Cambrai, and Comines stations, shoot down 3 German aircraft. Haig and Rawlinson thank RFC for its work.


Eastern Front
Battle of Baranovichi continues south of Vilna.

Southern Front
Italian Second Army reformed (HQ Cividale) for Isonzo offensive.
French air raid on Sofia from Salonika.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians again resume offensive in Armenia, west of Erzerum.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
North Sea: Two lines of U-boats patrol Heligoland Bight in support of the High Seas Fleet (until August 4).
Russian sea-attack on German lines near Riga.
British advance in East Africa, in region between Lake Tanganyika and Victoria Nyanza.

Political, etc.
Alfred Kleiner, a Swiss physicist & Albert Einstein’s doctoral advisor at the University of Zurich, passed away.
Russo-Japanese Far East mutual consultation treaty, Russia cedes 60 miles of Chinese Eastern Railway.
Easter Rising: Irish Rebellion Commission Report published makes Chief Secretary ‘primarily responsible’.
Stock Exchange minimum prices finally removed, first wartime free market.
Germany: Settlement Law for military pensions farm purchase, esp. in Baltic area.

Addendum to the Battle of Verdun: Falkenhayn issues (Possibly yesterday, the records are unclear) ‘The unequivocal order for the complete cessation of the attack’, begins to transfer 60 heavy guns to the Somme, 2 divisions from Verdun plus a division from every other army on Western Front.

4 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: A thunderstorm causes a cold wet day. Low clouds inhibit both flying and ground operations (until July 6). British attack La Boisselle (until July 6), take Bernafay Wood, east of Montauban; manage to make air attacks on Comines, Combles, St. Quentin, despite the weather. Gough’s Reserve Army in command of 8 divisions on British left flank, La Boisselle-Hebuterne (8 miles). French capture Estrees, Belloy-en-Santerre, and Sormont Farm: advance from Curlu towards Hem, south of the Somme River (US war poet Alan Seeger (uncle of folk singer Pete Seeger) is killed at Belloy-en-Santerre, aged 28, with Foreign Legion: http://imgur.com/VJGxpQ5), now have 4,000 PoWs and 6 miles of German second line.
Battle of Verdun: Germans regain Thiaumont for the fourth time.

Eastern Front
Battle of Baronovichi (until July 14): Ragoza’s Fourth Army (1,000 guns, 21 infantry and 5 cavalry divisions) takes Austrian front line after shelling since July 2.
Brusilov Offensive, Pripet: second Great Russian advance: Lesch’s Third Army crosses river Styr at Kolki and Rafalovka, drives Linsingen west to river Stokhod. Further south they cut Carpathian railway at Mikolichin.

Southern Front
Trentino: Italian advance continues (until July 7).

Naval and Overseas Operations:
East Africa: NRFF resumes advance through 6,000-ft Ukinga Mountains.
North Sea: Admiral Scheer’s report on the Battle of the Skagerrak (known in English as the Battle of Jutland to Kaiser stresses ‘A victorious end … can only be achieved by using the U-boats against British trade’. Beatty’s Battlecruiser Fleet Gunnery committee reports on Jutland.
Black Sea: Goeben and Breslau shell Tuapse and Lazarevskoye, sinking steamer Kniaz Obolensky.
Eastern Mediterranean: Colonel Kress requests U-boat support for imminent Turk Suez Canal offensive, but only one sent, too late.

Political, etc.
Rumania: Prime Minister Bratianu puts three intervention conditions to French Ambassador. These terms include Salonika offensive against Bulgars.
Mexico: Conciliatory Carranza answer to US June notes; joint commis*sion proposed July 12, US accepts July 28.
Germany: Colonial and Interior Ministers visit Hindenburg’s HQ until July 6. Mueller diary: Kaiser ‘suffers so from loneliness’.
Prince Wilhelm, grandson of Kaiser Wilhelm, is made lieutenant in the 1st Guards Regiment at the age of 10.
United Kingdom: Ignatius Tribitch Lincoln, ex-M.P., sentenced to three years penal servitude for forgery.
United States: U.S. Census Bureau announces that there are 21 million able-bodied men of military age in the United States.
New York City closes down all motion picture theaters in the city to children under age 16 in order to combat the polio epidemic.

Really interesting stuff! Thanks for all the work you're going to remind us of this major part of 20th Century history. :thumbs;

5 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British storm Horseshoe Trench, improve their position between Somme and Ancre; advance slightly in some sectors.
Germans massing in Mametz Wood, and recapture Estrees south of Somme.
French capture the village of Hem; north of Somme they repel counter-attacks at Belloy-en-Santerre. French Foreign Legion (869 casualties) relieved after sending back 730 PoWs and 4 MGs and repulsing 2 night counter-attacks.
A German shell exploding near a British camp near Albert: http://imgur.com/T6oRXSo* © IWM (Q 778).
Battle of Verdun: German attacks at Verdun on Avocourt and Hill 304 “fail.”


Eastern Front
Battle of Baronovichi (until July 14): On the Riga and Baranovichi sectors, fighting continues.
Brusilov Offensive: In Galicia, Russians continue their attacks south of Dniester. Russian Army cuts the Delatyn-Korosmezo railway, which supplies the Austro-Hungarian Army defending Galicia.

Southern Front
Risings and guerrilla warfare in Serbia and Montenegro, owing to weakening of Austrian garrisons; continue for duration of war.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Ottoman troops drive out the Russians from the Persian town of Kermanshah after two days of fighting.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Eastern Mediterranean: U-39 sails, lands Lieutenant Todenwarth and 7 men with munitions for Senussi, North Africa (fetched back October 13).
North Sea: U-boat campaign against fishing vessels begins (36 sunk).

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: King George V decides to confer peerage on Sir Edward Grey, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Mexican government agrees to negotiate with the U.S. in order to defuse tensions, and U.S. decides not to further reinforce the border.
Germany remains confident in their defense of the Somme, with Major Moraht accurately stating that Allied advances are “very scant.”

6 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Allied advance stalls as they consolidate gains and face German counterattacks. Britain makes slight gains at Thiepval.
Battle of Verdun: Artillery active.
UK troops stage two successful raids on Loos salient.

Eastern Front
Brusilov offensive: Disorderly German retreat in Chartorysk salient between river Styr and river Stokhod; 30,000 PoWs and 30 guns lost since July 4. Russian troops force Austro-Hungarian units to retreat five miles to Kolomea and claim the capture of 13,000 more prisoners.

Southern Front
Italian pressure on the Trentino and Isonzo fronts continued.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arab Revolt: Sherif gets £125,000 per month by 27 for duration of war. Murray to prepare to occupy El Arish and Aqaba. GIGS cables him suggesting helping Arabs sabotage Hejaz Railway.
Russian troops in Iraq have retreated more than 80 miles from the Tigris due to Ottoman attacks and the intense desert heat.


Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Hospital ships land 10,112 Somme wounded at South¬ampton and Dover. MI5 circular warns Chief Constables that Germans seeking to recruit circus and stage performers as spies.
Ministerial changes: Mr. Lloyd George becomes Secretary of State for War. Lord Derby, Under Secretary for War. Sir Edward Grey raised to Peerage as Viscount Grey of Falldon.

7 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British 38th Division (nearly 4,000 casualties until July 12) repulsed at Mametz Wood; they capture a part of the Leipzig Redoubt (and night July 8-9), Contalmaison (lost in evening). 2 division commanders replaced for failure on July 9. Fighting at Ovillers and east of La Boiselle. Contalmaison won but not held.
British fighter pilot, Captain Albert Ball is awarded the Military Cross.

Eastern Front
Hindenburg cables Falkenhayn urging one Eastern Front command.
Brusilov offensive: Russians reach Manevichi station on Kovel-Sarni railway in northern Lutsk salient.
Austrian generals sabre back fleeing German troops in front of Russian general Lechitskl.

Southern Front
Trentino: Italians advance between Brenta and Adige; they carry two enemy positions north of Asiago.
Italian counter-offensive then ends (see June 16th).


Naval and Overseas Operations:
British submarine HMS E26 is reported lost with all 30 hands in the North Sea. Cause of sinking is unknown. (May have been reported for yesterday.)
Tanga (German East Africa) occupied by Royal Navy and 500 Indian infantrymen (landed on July 5) (see November 5th, 1914).
Minelayer sub UC-7 depth-charged off Lowestoft by HM motor boat Salmon. Royal Navy strengthens cruiser patrol north of Shetlands. Minelayer U-77 sunk by Royal Navy escorts.

8 July 1916
 

Western Front
Heavy rain continues to hamper operations. Despite this, c. 7 RNAS aircraft and a balloon direct Anglo-French heavy gun shelling of Tirpitz Battery at Ostend (until July 9); photo-reconnaissance plane hit by anti-aircraft fire at 13,000 ft (better photos taken from 14,000 ft on July 29).
Battle of the Somme: British 30th Division penetrates southern part of Trones Wood; hand to hand fighting in Ovillers. German shelling and counter-attack compels withdrawal.
French take Hardecourt. French Foreign Legion has 433 casualties failing to storm ‘Chancellor’s Trench’ (until July 9), (not captured till August 1).
British soldiers wounded at the Somme leaving Charing Cross Station: http://imgur.com/S3ZdUSz © IWM (Q 56277)
Battle of Verdun: Violent artillery duel, but there is little infantry action.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Pripet: Russians break through north of Lutsk and cross Upper Stokhod at Ugli and Arsenovich, having advanced 25 miles in four days on a 40-mile front. Kaiedin’s cavalry blocked 25 miles from Kovel. South of Dniester they capture Delatyn and threaten right flank of Bothmer's army.
Carpathians: Lechitski captures Delatyn rail junction, under 32 miles from Hungarian border.
Due to the Russian offensive, German and Austro-Hungarian troops are forced to abandon the Styr River & retreat to the Stochod River.

Political, etc.
The polio epidemic that started in New York City has now spread to the Midwest and Canada.

9 July 1916
 

Western Front
Better weather enables 24 Anglo-German air combats (RFC lose 3 aircraft, Germans 2); RFC makes 7 bombing raids including Cambrai and Bapaume stations.
Battle of the Somme: English make slight progress at Ovillers; fighting continues in Trones Wood until July 14.
French advance along Bray-Peronne road, taking Biaches and Hill 97 with La Maisonette Farm (July 10); repulse counter-attacks there (July 15 and 17), reach outskirts of Barleux.
Two German aeroplane raids on south-east coast of England, no damage.
French air squadrons bomb Ham and Bolancourt.

Eastern Front
There is a claim that the Battle of Baronovichi ends today, but there is conflicting information that it continued until 14 July, 1916.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turks threaten attack on Tigris.
Up to 16,000 Turks (3rd Division under Kress) with German technical units march mainly at night from Sheilah, northwest of Beersheba, in direction of Suez Canal.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Austrian cruiser Novara (Horthy) sinks 2 RN Otranto barrage drifters; damages 2 more and takes 9 British PoWs, line later moved south (37 drifters in 5 groups on July 13; but 75 really needed).
Battlecruiser Goeben only slightly damaged by 3 RNAS bombs dropped on Stenia Creek by Handley-Page bomber flown from Hendon, north of London (May 22) via France, Italy, Salonika and Mudros (June 8).
German cargo submarine Deutschland breaks the British blockade and arrives in Norfolk (Virginia) from Bremen; proceeds with mails and cargo to Baltimore (Maryland): http://imgur.com/RBSmZ55
Russian hospital ship "Yperyod" torpedoed in Black Sea.

Political, etc.
Germany: Socialist members of the Berlin City Council attacks the German government’s claim that there is no hunger in the city.
Official German casualties now number 3,012,637 men, with 757,327 of them killed in action.
United Kingdom: Winston Churchill: “No democratic country like Great Britain, the United States or France…can plan and prepare an aggressive war.”
Edwin Samuel Montagu is appointed the new Secretary of Munitions to succeed Lloyd George.
London clergymen, including the Dean of Westminster, urge people to abstain from drinking in order to “save” Britain.
Belgian government accuses Germany of forcing Belgian citizens into the German Army.
Argentina celebrates the centennial of its Declaration of Independence today.

10 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Very hot weather, no wind. British 38th Division attacks Mametz Wood; most of wood secured until July 11 and finally occupied at noon of July 12 (c.2,400 Germans evacuated it on night July 11-12) by British 62nd Bdrigade of 21st Division. Green Howards of 23rd Division capture remains of Contalmaison village and taking 188 PoWs. Germans regain footing in Trones Wood.
British gain ground east of Ovillers.
French advance further towards Peronne; take Hill 97 (south-east of Biaches) with La Maisonette Farm.
British Intelligence now claims German casualties at 40,187 excluding lightly wounded.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Russians claim 300,000 PoWs since June 4.
Pripet: Germans stiffen resistance (reinforced July 11) on Stokhod West bank.
Austrians concentrate troops for big offensive on south side of Lutsk salient.

Southern Front
Trentino: Alpini battalion fails to take Corno di Vallarsa, 2 Expatriate Austrian Trentino volunteers with it captured, court-martialled and shot by Austrians at Trent.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Russians retake Mamahatun.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Italian destroyer Impetuoso torpedoed and sunk by Austrian submarine U-17 in Lower Adriatic.
North Sea: British freighter*Calypso*torpedoed.
The crew of the German cargo submarine Deutschland, which traveled from Germany to Baltimore: http://imgur.com/YC3bErX

Political, etc.
Germany: Berlin opens municipal kitchens and eating houses, capable of feeding 7000 people daily, in order to combat food shortages.
United Kingdom: Premier Asquith makes an appeal to the House of Commons, urging them to accept the Irish Home Rule plan.
United States: 40 soldiers of the 9th Massachusetts Infantry get food poisoning from eating canned salmon and are sent to hospitals.

More good stuff. I love the little details like the food poisoning from canned salmon. Seems to add "life" to the story being related to us. Thanks for all the work you guys are doing on this. :)

11 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British repel counter-attacks on Contalmaison. BEF now claims 7,500 PoWs and 26 guns captured. [Interesting that the reference is still to the “British Expeditionary Force”, when in fact, that designation had long been superceded.]
Lt-Col Dowding commander of RFC 9th Wing (Later, Air marshal during the Battle of Britain, 1940) wounded by German fighters leading 17 aircraft bombing of Bois d’Havrincourt.
Battle of Verdun: 5 German divisions attack, 30 German soldiers reach outskirts of Fort Souville (all killed), but overall gains 436 yds deep by 872 yds (until July 12), south of Fleury, all lost to counter-attacks; further gains in Damloup battery and east of Firmin and Chenois Woods.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Germans receive reinforcements and heavy artillery to defend passage of the Stokhod. Russia claims to have captured 271,000 prisoners since the Brusilov Offensive’s start.

Southern Front
60,000 Austro-Hungarian troops used in the occupation of Serbia and Montenegro are transported to the eastern front to face Russia.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians begin a fresh offensive in Armenia.
Mesopotamia: General Maude takes over British Tigris Corps from General Gorringe. [yes, his surname rhymes with “orange”]

Naval and Overseas Operations:
HM armed trawlers Era, Nellie, Nutten, and Onward sunk by gunfire by U-46, U-49, U-52 and U-69. U-69 shells Seaham (Durham), 1 woman killed. [Another source states that it was a man who was killed].

Political, etc.
United States: President Wilson makes a speech in front of 50,000 people at a Ford plant in Detroit, stating the Democratic Party is a friend of business.

Remember, the salmon is what did everybody in at the dinner party in "The Meaning of Life."

No canned salmon today, but take a look at the Mesopotamian note.

12 July 1916
 

Western Front
French ace-to-be Xavier de Sevin scores his first victory over Chamouille (Champagne).
Battle of the Somme: British repulse further counter-attacks at Contalmaison. RFC No. 18 Squadron night bombs 8 targets (night 11-12) including La Bassee.
French medical orderlies walking through the ruins of Meharicourt: http://imgur.com/nJri7Ke © IWM (Q 61233)
Battle of Verdun: Germans gain some ground at Chapelle St. Fine, at intersection of Fleury-Vaux roads.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Furious fighting continues on the Stokhod, with no decisive results.

Southern Front
An Austrian attack on the Adige driven back.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians under General Yudenich advance west of Erzerum on the Erzingan road; Mamakhatun (Armenia) again taken by Russian forces (see May 31st).

Political, etc.
United States: President Wilson signs the Federal Aid Road Act, which provides the first federal highway funding in the U.S. Polio epidemic continues in New York City with 195 new cases and 32 deaths in the past 24 hours. $100,000 reward is offered for a cure.

More interesting stuff! Thanks.

13 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Battle of Albert ends; British capture German howitzers and munitions.
Champagne: French trench raid success.
Flanders: German raids west of Wytschaete and south of La Bassee Canal repulsed.
French soldiers with a Chauchat machine gun at Chalons-sur-Marne: http://imgur.com/1BN6gDl © IWM (Q 99246)

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Heavy fighting in Südarmee centre northwest of Buczacz on river Styrpa; Russian Seventh Army claims to take 12,000 PoWs.
Still no decisive results on the Stokhod.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
German submarine sinks two trawlers and two fishing boats off Whitby.

Political, etc.
Finance ministers of Britain, France, Russia and Italy meet in London to discuss the coordination of finances for the war (continues until 15th).
United Kingdom: Lloyd George on Battle of the Somme: “We have crossed the watershed and now victory is beginning to flow in our direction.”
Premier Asquith asks munition workers to dispense with their August holidays, as a constant supply of shells is needed for the Somme.
Bank Holiday suspended.
France: Government announces that tax revenues for the first six months of 1916 were 14% higher than last year at 1.7 billion francs.
United States: Shark attacks today along Jersey Shore results in two deaths and one injury, bringing the total to five attacks in the past 2 weeks.
Americans offer up to $50,000 (today $1.1 million) to travel in a submarine to Germany. North German Lloyd Line refuses the offers.
President Wilson meets with a delegation of Polish organizations and promises aid to relieve the “tragical” situation in Poland.
Greece: Tatoi Forest fire nearly consumes royal summer palace and King.
Spain: Martial law declared across the country due to a railroad strike, which has caused rioting and a standstill in transportation.

14 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: The next phase, The Battle of Bazentin Ridge begins (see July 17th). 4 BEF divisions (22,000 men) break into German second position on 3 1/2-mile front after dawn 0325 hours surprise attack and 5-minutes bombardment, (660 pounds of shells were expended for every yard of German trench), capture Longueval and Bazentin le Petit with 2,000 PoWs. 2nd Cavalry Division (102 casualties) rides on High Wood, has one charge causing 48 casualties (withdrawn at nightfall); 18th Division secures Trones Wood. Haig and Foch visit Rawlinson to congratulate him on success. Germans hurry 3 divisions up to plug gap.
France celebrates Bastille Day today, as heavy fighting continues at Verdun and the Somme: http://imgur.com/g9NwEhU

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive:
Battle of Baronovichi ends: Russian losses 80,000, mainly to shellfire. STAVKA decided to abandon it, German losses 16,000 men.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
After repelling Ottoman attacks, Russian forces recapture Kermanshah in Persia and move towards Bayburt in Turkey.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
SMS U -51 torpedoed by HM submarine H-5 in Ems estuary.
Damaged Italian submarine Balilla scuttles off Cape Pianka, northwest of Lissa island, to escape surrender to two Austrian torpedo boats.
Mwanza, on Victoria Nyanza (German Fast Africa) taken by British forces, but 500-man garrison escapes south.
Deventer’s 2nd Division takes Mpondi on Central Railway, resumes advance south ( until July 19). German rearguard mauls 2 Belgian battalions at Djobahika.

This is really fascinating reading. :thumbs:

15 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme:
Royal Flying Corps bombs 13 targets and claims 6 German aircraft for no loss.
Battle of Bazentin Ridge: Battle of Delville Wood (Yes, the Battle of the Somme is so elaborate, even the various phases have sub-phases (until July 20, but another sources until September 3)):
3,153-strong South African Brigade, ordered to capture and hold wood at all costs, secures most of it. For five nights and 6 days South Africans hold out against 3 divisions counter-attacks and shelling by 180 guns. British cavalry fail to break through at High Wood, withdraw on July 16. British claim 2,000 prisoners taken; second defence lines penetrated.
Comparison photo of German trenches at “The Point” south of Thiepval on June 1st and July 15th: http://imgur.com/dKKDlyf © IWM (Q 63950)
South of Somme, Germans re-enter Biaches and La Maisonette, and are again driven out by French.
Battle of Verdun: French recapture and then lose Battery C and CP 119 near Fleury (until July 16).


Eastern Front
Riga front Russians, supported by sea and land artillery, make slight advance west of Kemmern.
Brusilov Offensive, Pripet: Sakharov’s Eleventh Army (night July 15-16) pre-empts Marwitz attack on Southern Lutsk salient thanks to agent network’s warning, reaches river Lipa, takes Mikhailovka and claims 13,000 PoWs.
German troops launched three attacks against Russian lines at Baranovichi today, but all are repulsed with heavy losses.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
The Middle East (Air) Brigade is formed in Egypt under the command of Brigadier General W.G.H. Salmond, concentrating all Royal Flying Corps units in Macedonia, Mesopotamia, Palestine and East Africa under one headquarters.
Armenia: Russian right wing, under General Yudenich, occupies evacuated Bayburl (also spelled Baiburt); the left drives back Turks south-west of Mush.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
Adriatic: British submarine H-3 mined and sunk off Cattaro.

Political, etc.
Germany: German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg meets with the Kaiser to discuss whether or not to resume unrestricted submarine warfare.
United Kingdom: Sir Edward Grey: “Every week now the Allies are gaining confidence and the enemy is losing it.”
France: A French commander had criticized the British attack, describing it as “an attack organized for amateurs by amateurs.”
United States: Municipal Pier (later Navy Pier) opens in Chicago, Illinois. The pier under construction: http://imgur.com/Fj8BdkF
Austria: Ex-Reichsrath Trentino deputy Cesare Battisti (Italian PoW) executed as traitor.
A partial lunar eclipse occurs, visible the most in South America and Antarctica.

Late Addendum, 15 July 1916
 

William E. Boeing incorporates the "Pacific Aero Products Co"., later to become the Boeing Company.

... and the echoes of the end of the age of European empires continue to shake our world.

16 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British troops launch four assaults on German lines at Ovillers and Bazentin-le-Petit, but fail to make further advances. British consolidate their positions; withdraw from Bois des Foureaux (High Wood).
German troops attacked and captured La Maisonette and Biaches, but a French counterattack recaptures the towns.
British 62nd Brigade relieved at Mametz Wood (night July 15-16). Since July 12, heavy German guns have inflicted 950 casualties.
Battle of Verdun: French make slight advance west of Fleury.
Russian and French patrols work together on the Champagne front in one of the first actions by the Russians on the Western Front.
German prisoners carrying a wounded soldier in a sheet: http://imgur.com/3jIfgCc © IWM (Q 3971)

Eastern Front
Slight Siberian (Russian Twelfth Army) advance southeast of Riga peters out against Below’s Eighth Army (until July 21).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arab Revolt: Egyptian 4-gun mountain battery shells Taif, a Turk stronghold.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: “War Savings Week” begins today in Britain to encourage citizens to invest in the financing of the war.
Sir Victor Horsley, a British physician and neuroscientist, passes away in Iraq while serving in the Army.

17 July 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Battle of Bazentin Ridge at the Somme comes to an end with most British objectives completed, but German lines still hold. British storm and capture German second line positions on front of 1,500 yards. Take Waterlot Farm, east of Longueval; Ovillers cleared of the remaining Germans by 48th Division.
French repulse attacks at Biaches and La Maisonette Farm.
Allied forces report that only a single French civilian has been found alive in the 30 villages retaken at the Somme.
Two British and a German wounded help each other reach a dressing station: http://imgur.com/© IWM (Q 3974)

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Russians make progress in the Carpathians, claim 13,000 prisoners are taken.

Southern Front
Macedonia: Serbs begin to move to take over 60 miles of front west of river Vardar. Sarrail told to be ready to attack on August 1 in combination with Russo-Rumanian thrust south of Danube. (See Political developments, below).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
In Sinai Peninsula a Turkish and German force under von Kressenstein advances westward on Katiya.

Naval and Overseas Operations:
British capture two German steamers on Lake Victoria Nyanza.

Political, etc.
Germany: German HQ: “Never has the world experienced anything so stupendous as the present battles. Never has an army braved what ours has braved.”
United Kingdom: Trade Unions recommend postponement of all holidays in connection with munitions production.
Munition workers pay rates fixed, 4 1/2 d per hour for over 18 years old.
Daily cost of war, six millions.
Austria: Count Mihály Károlyi of the Hungarian Parliament declares Austria as corrupt and demands peace for Hungary.
Romania: Draft Russo-Rumanian treaty sent to Bucharest, envisages August 7 war entry.