5 December 1916
 

Western Front
View of the devastated Somme battlefield after rain: http://imgur.com/2bfhZ6r* © IWM (Q 2795)
The ruins of the village of Souchez, France: http://imgur.com/gxMddhn* © IWM (Q 70424)
A queue of prisoners outside a prisoner of war camp, by Nico Jungman: http://imgur.com/cHSocp7* © IWM (Art.IWM ART 526)

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of the Arges ends (see 1st). Mackensen's demand for surrender of Bucharest refused; Austro-Germans advancing on Ploesti (oilfields);
Colonel Norton-Griffiths, Military Police, sabotages Ploesti oilfields (827,000t petrol lost) as Falkenhayn’s Group Morgen approaches and occupies on December 6.
Romanians abandon Predeal Pass; their Orsova rearguard gives battle on the Aluta.
Carpathians: Austro-Hungarian counter-attacks.

Southern Front
Greece: Much unrest at Athens, but comparative order.* Reservists concerned in attack dismissed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Turks retake Qunfideh on coast south of Mecca and drive Feisal back to Yanbo where Lawrence soon arrives.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Portugese invested at Newala, Marumba and Majembi but escape over river Rovuma to Nangedi which Germans occupy between December 8-20.

Political, etc.
Germany: Hindenburg Auxiliary Service law, all males from 17-60 years liable.
United Kingdom: King asks Bonar Law to form government but Asquith twice refuses to serve under him so Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister.
Barnbow National Shell Filling factory (near Leeds) explosion kills 35 munitionettes.
Belgium: Allies associate themselves with Belgian protest against German “slave raids” in Belgium.

Don't you turn left at Main St. and go three blocks to Marumba? :spin:

I love how news reports (old and new) are written like everyone would know just where all these locations are.

Oh, yeah, I think the Rovuma passes the Village Pharmacy on Glen. :faint:

:D

6 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: Germans capture trenches at Hill 304, French recapture it on December 7.

Eastern Front
Romania: Bukharest capitulates to the German forces (see November 30th, 1918). Mackensen rides in on a white charger, on his 67th birthday. Kaiser celebrates with champagne. 8,000 survivors of Rumanian 1st Division with 26 guns surrender on river Aluta after 125-mile retreat to east.
German, Austro-Hungarian, and Bulgarian armies enter Bucharest, the capital of Romania: http://imgur.com/MnWB9Dj* © IWM (Q 87134)
Field Marshal August von Mackensen in Bucharest: http://imgur.com/zAWO26z* © IWM (Q 85937)
Austro-Hungarian cavalry entering Bucharest: http://imgur.com/3AA9VEQ* © IWM (Q 69958)
German troops and civilian onlookers in Bucharest: http://imgur.com/XThkCKj* © IWM (Q 87112)
Pripet: Fighting west of Lutsk, around Tarnopol and Stanislau (Galicia) and around Dorna Vatra (Bukovina).

Southern Front
Italy: Reciprocal air attacks on Trieste and Aquileia (Isonzo mouth).
Greece: Royalists at Athens in control. British legation prepares to leave. Massacre of Venizelists in Athens (see 1st, and November 23rd).
Bulgarian activity on the Carso checked.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Atlantic: Destroyer HMS Ariel sinks SM UC-19 with modified explosive sweep (high-speed paravane).
East Africa: Action at Fort Kibata (until December 9): Lettow attacks 800 British troops with 3 (German) guns and seizes Picquet Hill, causing 127 casualties.

Political, etc.
Germany: Berlin Casualty Office ceases to publish regular casualty lists (Verlustliste), giving names, regiments or other particulars. Henceforward alphabetical lists of individuals appear with no indication of unit or even the front concerned.
German newspapers react to Prime Minister Asquith’s resignation, predicting that the war will end soon.
United Kingdom: King George signs an Order in Council giving the Board of Agriculture power to seize land to grow food.
United States: Special Note: 1865 –Slavery in the United States was officially abolished when the Thirteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified.
Greece: Greek Provisional Government at Salonika denounces Royalist Government at Athens as unrepresentative.

I knew I should have made that left turn at Albuquerque.

7 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: German attacks lead the capture of Hill 304 and 200 French prisoners; French subsequently regain trenches lost on Hill 304.

Eastern Front
Romania: Central Power armies in Romania capture 9000 Romanian troops, as its offensive continues after the fall of Bucharest.
Romanian retreat east on all fronts; Wallachia in Central Powers’ hands; latter checked on Moldavian frontier.
Russians attack in south-east Galicia.
Fighting in Oitoz and Trotus valleys.

Southern Front
Continued heavy fighting in Monastir region.
Action south of Seres.
Greece: Entente Governments announce forthcoming blockade of Greece from December 8th (see 1st). (Also reported for yesterday).
Sir G. Milne's despatch of 9 October 1916 issued, covering operations on Salonika front 9 July to 8 October 1916.
Troops from the Morea concentrating round Athens.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: Philip Chetwode GOC of new Desert Column.
Aden: British brigade retakes Jabir and Haturn (over 150 Turk casualties).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Suffren, the French battleship, sunk earlier (see 26 November), reported lost with all hands.
Atlantic: SS Mount Temple, a ship that responded to the Titanic’s distress signal, is captured by German raider SMS Möwe. Mount Temple is scuttled, resulting in loss of its cargo, which included 710 horses and 22 crates of dinosaur fossils: http://imgur.com/xpJS6hd
Africa:
Algeria: 1,200 Senussi besiege Agades inside the Sahara (until March 3, 1917), wipe out 54 camelry men on December 28. Senegalese battalion sails from Marseilles to Dakar (arriving January 4, 1917) and crosses to Nigeria.
Mediterranean: German submarine UB-46 hits a Russian mine near Bosphorus, resulting in the deaths of all 20 crew. Wreckage today: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...-46-wreck-2.jpg

Political, etc.
Germany: Germany rejects Belgian protest as unfounded.
France: Government wins confidence vote in the Chamber of Deputies 344-160.
United Kingdom: LLOYD GEORGE BECOMES PRIME MINISTER.
Call up of non-skilled munition workers agreed.
Turkey: Interior Ministry reports to Grand Vizir 702,900 Armenians ‘relocated’ by October 31.
Greece: “Persecution” of Venizelists continues. Official complicity in late outrages at Athens confirmed.

8 December 1916
 

Western Front
French daggers on display at Les Invalides, Paris: http://imgur.com/6DggMzP* © IWM (Q 107536)

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of River Cricov (until December 12) as Rumanians retreat northeast on Rimnicu Sarat. Germans claim 70,000 PoWs, 184 guns, 115 MGs between December 1 and 9 and advance 20 miles east of Ploesti by December 11. Hungarian 51st Honved Division occupies Sinaia south of Predeal Pass.
Heavy fighting in Galicia, in south of Bukovina, and on Moldavian frontier.

Southern Front
Greece: Entente Powers begin blockade of Greece (see 7th), as King Constantine remains friendly with Germany.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Italian battleship Regina Margherita blown up on Italian minefield.
East Africa: Portuguese retire from Nangadi (East Africa); Germans occupy it.

Political, etc.
Russia: Murman Railway (from Murmansk to Petrograd) declared open.
United Kingdom: Asquith and members of the Liberal Party agree to support David Lloyd George as the new Prime Minister of Great Britain.
Greece: Allied citizens leave Athens but Ambassadors see King on December 9.
Allies demand explanation of Greek troops concentrated round Athens.

9 December 1916
 

Eastern Front
Romania: Field Marshal von Mackensen, commander of the German forces in Romania, takes up quarters at the Royal palace in Bucharest.
In the past week, German forces in Romania have captured 70,000 prisoners, 184 artillery guns, and 120 machine guns.
Russian military warns that if Germany conquers Romania, then the Central Powers would be free to concentrate on Russia.

Southern Front
Continuous fighting throughout Russian southern front.
Bulgars cross Danube near Silistria and Tutrakan, capturing towns on left bank.
Fighting near Monastir.
Turkish posts taken south of Seres.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Distress caused in Canary Islands by German blockade.

Political, etc.
Russia: Tsar at Tsarskoe Selo (until December 19).
Germany: Hindenburg given the first 1914 Grand Cross of the Iron Cross.
Raw Materials Office merger/closure agreement on nonessential industries to save transport.
France: Terrier letter from Paris to Lyautey ‘The name that is in every mouth is …General Nivelle‘.
United Kingdom: War Cabinet formed in Great Britain.[The War Committee (see November 3rd, 1915) which held their last meeting on December 1st ceased to function on the formation of the War Cabinet which undertook the duties of the War Committee.] First Meeting held (see 1st).
Italy: Italian Chamber of Deputies votes 376 to 45 in confidence of their government’s conduct of the war.
Japan: Natsume Sōseki, the renowned Japanese novelist, passed away: http://imgur.com/4HzJHCZ
Greece: British and U.S.A. Ministers have audience of King Constantine.

10 December 1916
 

Eastern Front
Romania: Stubborn fighting in Carpathians, south Bukovina and Trotus Valley.
Fighting north of Ploesti.

Southern Front
Italy: Heavy snows hit the frontlines of Italy and Austria-Hungary in the Alps, as heavy artillery exchanges continue.
Serbia: Russo-Serb attacks against Hill 1050 fail (until December 11) against German Guard-Schützen Battalion.
Bulgarian forces cross the Danube from the Dobruja, in an effort to cut off the retreating Romanian army’s retreat.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Merchant U-boat Deutschland returns to river Weser.
East Africa: British soldiers heading towards the wreck of the German cruiser SMS Königsberg in German East Africa: http://imgur.com/haPViHQ

Political, etc.
France: French government bans paper imports to help raise the exchange and to encourage the French paper industry.
United Kingdom: Members of Britain’s new War Cabinet are announced: Lloyd George, Earl Curzon, Andrew Bonar Law, Arthur Henderson, & Lord Milner.
British govt agrees to send railroad freight cars to France, as 20,000 freight cars are used to supply the British Expeditionary Force.
Japan: Field Marshal Prince Ōyama Iwao, one of the founders of the Imperial Japanese Army, passed away: http://imgur.com/Lp9bpQh
United States: Kirk Douglas (the future actor, producer, director & author), is born to an impoverished Jewish immigrant family in Amsterdam, NY. (Listed for yesterday)
Greece: Allies demand Greek demobilization and intercept King’s radio messages to Berlin.
Albania: The Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë is established by French forces in the occupied city of Korçë, Albania.

11 December 1916
 

Bad weather shutting most military opertions (most, not all), but massively active day in the political realm:
Western Front
Allied air-raids on Zeebrugge.
Somme: Violent Allied artillery bombardment.
Battle of Verdun: Preparatory French bombardment by 760 guns (350 heavy).

Eastern Front
Romania: Heavy rains fail to halt the German advance in Romania towards Buzău. Several thousand more Romanian prisoners are captured.

Southern Front
Battle of the Cerna and Monastir ends (see October 5th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Vice-Admiral Adrian Nepenin’s Fleet order against non-saluting becomes unpopular with officers and men.

Political, etc.
Russia: State Council of Russia urges the government to work with the Legislature and eliminate “irresponsible influences” from state affairs.
Germany: German reply to U.S.A. Note re: Belgian deportations.
France: Heavy shakeup of the French government and military is in the works in response to the Allied failure in Romania and stalemate in the West.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George's Coalition Ministry formed in Great Britain (see 7th, and May 25th, 1915):
Lord Derby appointed Secretary of State for War, Great Britain, in succession to Mr. Lloyd George (see September 30th, 1915, and July 7th and April 20th, 1918).
Viscount Edward Grey, British Secretary for Foreign Affairs, resigns. (Appointed December 11th, 1905.)
Mr. Arthur Balfour, First Lord of the Admiralty, Great Britain, resigns, and is appointed Secretary for Foreign Affairs, (see 12th and May 28th, 1915).
Ministry of Labour formed in Great Britain.
Italy: Italian government announces it will take complete control of meat supplies after January 1st and will ban sales on Thursdays & Fridays.
Romania: King Ferdinand of Romania arrives in Reni, Bessarabia (Ukraine) to meet with Tsar Nicholas II.
United States: President Wilson announces that he will retain his current Cabinet members for his second term.
Greece: Allied Note presented to Greece demanding complete demobilisation (see 1st and 14th).
French Admiral Louis Fournet relieved of command for December 1 action. (The French felt he had not pursued a more vigorous bombardment when he could have).
Report Venizelist rising in the Cyclades.

12 December 1916
 

Western Front
The Army Council approves the expansion of the Royal Flying Corps to 106 frontline squadrons.
Battle of Verdun: French soldier at the hallowed out hills of Fort Vaux near Verdun: http://imgur.com/naiulNX

Eastern Front
Romania: Fighting continues round Tarnopol and Stanislau (Galicia) and in south Bukovina.
With help of Russians, Romanians feebly rally on the Jalomitsa and south-west of Buzeu.

Southern Front
Greece: Venizelist troops land at Syra which with other Cyclades comes under National Government.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
A lone British soldier in Mesopotamia (Iraq) looking towards Ottoman positions: http://imgur.com/nHeC7tC
British feint on Sanna-i-yat, and move on Shatt-el-Hai.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Identical Notes presented by Austro-Hungarian, Bulgarian, German and Turkish Governments to United States Ambassadors in their respective countries requesting them to inform the Governments of the Entente powers that the four Allied Central Powers are ready to negotiate for peace (see 30th).
Germany: German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg (in concert with the note for Austria-Hungary, above) offers the Allied nations to start peace negotiations: http://imgur.com/hYUXa2Q
Von Bethmann-Hollweg reading the German government’s peace proposal at the Reichstag:
http://imgur.com/AJvJlof
Kaiser’s warlike speech to troops at Mulhouse, Alsace. General Groner addresses unique TU (Trade Union) Congress at Berlin, orders War Office bureaux to recognize unions (December 13).
France: Reorganisation of French Government. M. Aristide Briand remains Premier. New War Cabinet of five Ministers formed., includes Armaments Minister Albert Thomas. General Robert Nivelle becomes Commander-in-Chief of French Northern and North Eastern Groups of Armies (see May 15th, 1917); Nivelle cancels long-planned French blow south of Somme. General Joseph Joffre (see December 3rd, 1915) becomes Technical Military Adviser to the War Cabinet. Ferdinand Foch removed by Joffre from command of Northern Army Group (Franchet d’Esperey succeeds on December 27). Admiral Louis Dartigue relieved of command for Athens debacle, Vice-Admiral Dominique-Marie Gauchet takes over as French and titular Allied C-in-C (outside Adriatic and Aegean) on December 16, for duration of war.
United Kingdom: Sir Edward Carson succeeds Mr Balfour as First Lord of the Admiralty, Great Britain (see 11th and July 19th, 1917).
Munitions Ministry Trench Mortar committee formed.
Poland: Józef Piłsudski, founder of the Polish Legions, arrives in Warsaw in the newly-established Kingdom of Poland: http://imgur.com/BxtFXiu
United States: Wall Street reacts in turmoil to Germany’s announcement, and nearly 2.5 million shares are sold off.
Greece: King regrets Athens incidents via Paris Ambassador.
Netherlands: Government orders grain ships to only carry grain and to not mix cargo, in order to prevent them from being targeted by German submarines.

13 December 1916
 

Western Front
Ruins of the commune of Vitrimont, France: http://imgur.com/8PKyk4o* © IWM (Q 78962)
Western Allies estimate total German losses in killed, wounded, and missing now numbers 3,921,869 men, excluding naval and colonial losses.
Heavy bombardments on Somme front continue.

Eastern Front
Romania: Romanians again forced back from the Jalomitsa and the Ploeshti-Buzeu road.
Central Powers advance towards Braila and Galatz.

Southern Front
Italy: Near Mount Marmolada, Italy, an avalanche hits Austro-Hungarian Army barracks, resulting in around 200 deaths.

Asiatic and Egyptian
Mesopotamia: British operations for the capture of Kut begin with the Tigris offensive with 48,500 men; 174 guns and 24 planes against 20,600 Turks with 70 guns: Sannaiyat shelled and Shalt-el-Hai Canal bridged (6 pontoon bridges by December 18). (see May 19th, 1916, and January 9th, 1917).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Black Sea: Russian warships shell Bulgarian grain mills at Balchiknorth of Varna.
Eastern Atlantic: Destroyer HMS Landrail depth charges and sinks coastal submarine UB-29 in southwestern Approaches.
USS Pennsylvania, the lead ship of her class commissioned just this June, at Hampton Roads: http://imgur.com/OuFAAEb* © IWM (Q 58276)

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Austrian Premier (Dr. Korber) resigns. Dr V. Spitzmuller forms new Ministry.
France: Prime Minister Briand sums up German peace note as*‘Heads I win, tails you lose.’.
Prototype Renault FT-17 light tank ordered (conceived by Colonel Estienne and Renault in July), limited production approved on December 30.
United Kingdom: Allied nations reject German proposal to enter into peace negotiations, as they do not believe the offer is serious.
British news-film “Topical Budget,” showing a Belgian armored car in action, and other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5408
Portugal: Military coups until December 14 fail.
Spain: German Madrid Military attaché radios Berlin speculating that Mata Hari perhaps knows Allies can read code.

14 December 1916
 

Western Front
Heavy reciprocal raiding near Ypres.

Eastern Front
Romania: Falkenhayn enters Buzeu in push for Braila and Galatz (Danube towns); Danube army over the Jalomitsa; all of Wallachia in German hands, military government established at Bucharest.
German Army announces the capture of the Romanian oil fields in Campina and reveals they are undamaged by the fighting.
Russians again in Carpathian struggle, and along Moldavian frontier.

Southern Front
Fighting near Monastir.
Strong artillery action in Lake Doiran zone.
Turkey: RNAS bomb Kuleli-Burgas rail bridge 20 miles south of Adrianople (and Razlovci in Occupied Serbia on December 15).

Asiatic and Egyptian
Mesopotamia: RFC B. E. 2C scatters Turk Shumran pontoon bridge, leaving only Tigris Ferry till December 17. 2 RFC B. E. 2cs shoot down Albatros near Kut on December 20. 2-10 aircraft attack Turk depots east of Kut (December 21-22).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: British horse-transport SS Russian is sunk eat of Malta, resulting in 28 crew member deaths: http://imgur.com/XTsVsxL ; general cargo ship SS Westminster torpedoed.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Prime Minister Dr Ernst Körber resigns against Emperor’s talks with Hungary. Count Heinrich Clam-Martinic succeeds on December 20.
Germany: Berlin fixes the upper price limit for horse meat at 39 cents a pound for the best cuts.
United Kingdom: House of Commons votes £400m war credit (total 1916-17 £1.75 billions: war costs £5.5 million per day). This will add 1 million men to the Army.
British government threatens to punish strikers at the Port of Liverpool, as they are impacting Royal Navy operations.
Greece: Allied 24-hour ultimatum (accepted on December 15). Greek withdrawal of entire Greek Armies from Thessaly demanded (see 11th and 15th).
Denmark: Denmark holds a referendum on whether or not to sell the Danish West Indian Islands to the US. Yes for the sale wins with 64.2% of the vote.

15 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: GREAT FRENCH ATTACK (north of Fort Douaumont): The Allies claim the following:
2-mile penetration at 1000 hours recaptures Vacherauville, Hill 342 (Poivre Hill), Louvemont and Les Chambrettes with 3,500 PoWs. Mangin employs 4 divisions (with 4 in reserve) against 9 German divisions. Within 4 days French front east of Meuse is reestablished almost as on February 20. French take 11,387 PoWs; 115 guns; 44 mortars; 107 MGs.
Nivelle leaves Verdun for GOG that evening with farewell words ‘The experiment has been conclusive … I can assure you that victory is certain’. Guillaumat takes over French Second Army.
In reality, almost all of these claims are grossly exaggerated; the ones that aren’t involve the recapture of militarily insignificant territory.

Eastern Front
Romania: Central Powers’ success on Tarnopol Railway, west of Lutsk.
Romanian and Russians still resisting north of Buzeu, but retiring from Jalomitsa.
Strong Russian defence on Moldavian frontier.

Southern Front
Naval aeroplanes bomb Razlovci, 37 miles east of Istip (Serbia).
Bulgarians bombarding Monastir.
Fighting on the Struma; repulse of Bulgarians.
British warships shell Greeks at head of Gulf of Orfano (south-west of Kavalla).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British Government recognize the "King of the Arabs" as the King of the Hejaz (see November 4th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Fort Kibata: Baluchis warriors retake Picquet Hill in night attack with first use Mills grenades in this theatre; Gold Coast Regiment takes hill to west.

Political, etc.
Russia: Vigorous speeches in the Duma.
Romanian treasures and gold reserves are evacuated to Russia for safekeeping (most of the gold reserves are never returned).
Germany: German Minority Socialists' manifesto against "oracular utterances"; demand Government should state peace conditions.
United Kingdom: King George V visiting the National Shell Filling Factory at Chilwell, Nottinghamshire: http://imgur.com/71j2kZQ
British government bans the manufacture of hairpins to conserve metal.
United States: Special Note: 1791: The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified.
Greece: Greek Government accept Allied Ultimatum (see 14th).

Interesting comment on the Bill of Rights being ratified in 1791 ... but ... er ... 1791??

:D

16 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: French 133rd Division (Passaga) claims to clrecapture Bezonvaux and Hardaumont. Again, most of the militarily significant territory remained in German hands. German counter-attack regains Les Chambrettes Farm on December 17. French further claim that 11,000 prisoners and much war material are captured.
{Copied verbatum, cause even if not accurate,the comparison is cool} German lines being bombarded by French artillery at Vacherauville, France: http://imgur.com/kxECDqA While I cannot say for certain, this might be the same view today via Google Earth: http://imgur.com/hRv6PF8

Eastern Front
Pripet: Russian positions between Kovel and Lutsk captured (restored on December 18).
Dobruja: Sakharov retreats north on Braila (until December 20).

Southern Front
Greece: Greek Army begins evacuation of Thessaly under Allied supervision (Anglo-French control officers).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: General Cunliffe's Nigerian brigade reaches Dar-es-Salaam.

Political, etc.
Russia: Russia dismisses German peace offer, stating it was a “sensational act of publicity calculated to prepossess the neutral powers.”
Germany: Friedrich Ernst Dorn, German physicist who discovered radium emits a radioactive substance, passed away: http://imgur.com/ZpQqfwG
Prussian General Max von Fabeck commits suicide after he was evacuated from the front due to serious illness: http://imgur.com/rVbRgy5
United Kingdom: British news film “Topical Budget,” showing blind soldiers being taught to become masseurs, among other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5409
Ireland: Government decides to take over Irish railways, to satisfaction of Irish public.
Romania: Ion Bratianu forms Coalition Goverment, Tache Ionescu joins on December 25.
Portugal: Creation of the Portuguese Expeditionary Corps to serve in France alongside the rest of the Allies is announced.

Yes; the Main body of the Constitution was adopted in 1789; Wikipedia give a fairly decent summary: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unite..._Bill_of_Rights

17 December 1916
 

Western Front
Artois: Marwitz takes over German Second Army from Gallwitz (until September 22, 1918) who goes to Fifth Army at Verdun.
Battle of Verdun: French offensive continues and succeeds in taking minor parts of Caurieres Wood and Bezon-Vaux.
German counter-attack near Verdun; they recover Les Chambrettes.
British prisoners taken to prisoner of war camps by German soldiers: http://imgur.com/ULBL8EY

Eastern Front
Fighting continues in the Tarnopol region; Romanians and Russians continue to fall back.
Dobruja: Bulgars break through, causing chaos; 1 st Cossack Division’s radio station with cipher code captured, new code from December 21 no more secret.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Strong Turkish cavalry attacks checked south of Falahiya (Kut).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Fighting at Kibata continues.

Political, etc.
Germany: A postcard from Chicago was flown in an aeroplane to New York, where it traveled by U-Boat to Germany, and it has now arrived in Berlin.
German government: “Germany will never give up Alsace and Lorraine while there is a German living.”
Germany reports it seized 60 million bushels of cereals in Romania to help alleviate food shortages in Germany.
France: General Nivelle, new French commander-in-chief: “Victory is certain: I give you assurance. Germany will learn it to her cost.”
Turkey: Government ends extra-territoriality agreements with Turkey due to her treatment of Armenians and Syrians.
Greece: Greek Government issue warrant for arrest of M. Venizelos on charge of high treason (see August 30th and September 29th, 1916 and June 26th, 1917). Athens Archbishop anathematises him on December 26.

18 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of Verdun: "First Offensive Battle of Verdun” ends (see October 24th, 1916 and August 20th, 1917). Fourth (French 126th Division) Zouaves recapture Les Chambrettes Farm, a fairly irrelevant success.
The standard Allied claim is: Battle of Verdun ends in a French victory. France suffered 315,000-542,000 casualties, Germans suffered 281,000-434,000 casualties. Which estimates are highly doubtful on the German side. Mangin thanks his XI Corps ‘We have the method and we have the leader [Nivelle] It gives us the certainty of success’.

Eastern Front
Romania: Surviving elements of the Romanian Army begins reorganization in order to defend the Siret (AKA Sereth) River from Central Power attacks. Mud slows German pursuit; Falkenhayn checked 30 miles west of Braila, but Braila and Galatz still threatened.
Dobruja: RNAS armored car unit leaves Tulcea by barge for transfer to Braila (8 cars arrive there on December 21).
Russian position between Kovel and Lutsk restored.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British move round Sanna-i-Yat and reach Tigris above Kut, severing Turkish lateral communications and commanding river upstream of Khadairi Bend.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: British government announces plans that it will end game preserves, as an effort to mitigate social class divisions.
Canada: Canada begins transferring 1000 miles of its own rails to France in order to facilitate movement of troops and supplies.
Italy: Italian Chamber declares solidarity with Allies.
United States: President Wilson issues Circular Note suggesting negotiations for peace (see 26th); note asks national objectives.
General Hugh L. Scott testifies to Congress that the U.S. will require 3 million trained soldiers to adequately defend the U.S.

19 December 1916
 

Eastern Front
Romania: German forces in Romani advance towards Brăila, Romania, capturing 1000 prisoners and large supplies of food and military equipment.
Dobruja: Russians in the Dobruja fall back towards Braila; eventually, the Austro-German advance from the west is checked 30 miles from Braila.

Political, etc.
Russia: Russia threatens to restrict German prisoners’ food unless Russian prisoners in Germany are allowed to receive food sent from Russia.
Germany: Postcard sent by Adolf Hitler while recovering from injuries in Munich, stating he is ready to go back to the front: http://imgur.com/tKzss7X
United Kingdom: British Government decide to:
A) institute National Service (see November 1st, 1917)
B) initiate imperial Conference (see March 20th, 1917)
C) recognise Government of M. Venizelos (see September 20th).
Lloyd George’s first speech as Prime Minister rejects peace talks without definite proposals ‘… we shall put our trust rather in an unbroken army than in broken faith’. British safe conduct for Austrian Ambassador from US.
British in Cairo meet a French request for £40,000 in gold to give Arabs.
Turkey: Halil Bey, the Ottoman Foreign Minister, says that Russian “dream” of capturing Constantinople is “fantasy.”
Greece: Greek Government protests re: Venizelist occupation of islands under Allies' “protection”.

20 December 1916
 

Western Front
Five Jasta 2 fighters (led by Richthofen) shoot or force down 5 DH2s. RFC observers engage 85 targets including destroying 3-gun anti-aircraft batteries, takes 741 photos.

Eastern Front
German Navy airships L-35 (Ehrlich) and L-38 (Dietrich) arrive at Wainoden for Operation Eisernes Kreuz (Iron Cross), a raid on Petrograd advocated since early 1915 by Grand-Admiral Prince Heinrich, C-in-C Baltic Fleet.
Romania: Russian 12th Cavalry Division reaches Odobesti 15 miles northwest of Focsani (after 450-mile ride without losing a single horse).
Galicia: Severe fighting west of Brody.

Southern Front
Fierce local encounters Cherna bend (Monastir).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turks evacuate El Arish (northern Sinai) and fall back 20 miles south-east of Magdhaba.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: British troopship Itonus is sunk by the German submarine SM U-38 off Malta, resulting in 5 crew deaths: http://imgur.com/0j816LL
East Africa: Germans retire from Nangadi (East Africa).

Political, etc.
Germany: Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg comes under sustained pressure from German Army and Navy for unlimited U-boat warfare without delay (December 20-26). Ludendorff urges immediate unrestricted U-boat war in view of Lloyd George reply.
German War Loan M 535,000,000.
United States: U.S. War Department orders 4000 Vickers machine guns for the cost of $5.5 million ($121 million today).
President Wilson's Peace Conference Note handed to Belligerents.

21 December 1916
 

Eastern Front
Romania: German advance on Brăila, Romania slows down due to overextended supply lines and resistance by Russian Cossacks.
Thousands of Romanian flee across the border into Russian Ukraine, which threatens to exacerbate the refugee problem.
Dobruja: Sakharov drives Bulgarians into Lake Babadagh south of Tulcea.
Russia: Fighting south of Dvinsk.
In the Carpathians, hand-to-hand combat occurs in dark tunnels as Russian troops attempt to attack Austro-Hungarian lines in the mountains.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: El Arish occupied by British forces (see November 15th). (1,600 Turks evacuated to Magdhaba on December 20). Royal Navy N arrives on December 22.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Two Royal Navy destroyers are sunk by collision; flotilla leader HMS Hoste and HMS Negro. At least 55 are killed.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: V. Spitzmuller (Austria) unable to form Cabinet; Count Heinrich Clam-Martinitz appointed Austrian Premier (see 14th, and June 18th, 1917).
Russia: Germany and Russia both agree to give better treatment to their prisoners of war.
Germany: German newspaper “Tageblatt” says British demands for reparations after the war are “impossible.”
United States: President Wilson backs Germany’s peace move and suggests all the belligerent countries to state their terms.
Jewish groups in the U.S. raise $3 million at Carnegie Hall in order to aid Jewish people suffering in Europe due to the war.
Possibility of a peace in Europe causes another sell-off of stocks on Wall Street as 3.176 million shares are sold off.
Greece: Greek government protests that the Allied nations and Greek rebels are seizing Greek islands.
Allied response note demands control of communications and Venizelists‘ release. Similar conditions demanded on December 31 before blockade lifted.

22 December 1916
 

Western Front
Charles Mangin put in command of French Sixth Army, Joseph Micheler to head Reserve Army Group for 1917 spring offensive, Denis Duchene takes over latter’s Tenth Army.
Ruins of the Cathedral at Ypres: http://imgur.com/ZKywr9T* © IWM (Q 6213)

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Casin begins (until January 16, 1917): Fairly steady Austro-Hungarian advance until the Allies eventually check Archduke Joseph’s 4-division advance along three Carpathian valleys.
Dobruja: German and Bulgarian troops defeat Russian forces in Dobruja, Romania and capture 900 Russian prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British positions south of Kut consolidated; second air raid on Baghela; also on Beersheba.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British submarine HMS E.30 hits a mine in the North Sea and sinks with the death of all 30 crew: http://imgur.com/71cD6rd
Adriatic: Four Austrian destroyers raid Otranto Barrage (night December 22-23): only 1 drifter damaged but 2 French destroyers hit, 2 Italian damaged plus one in collisions.
Greece: British ships again shell mouth of Struma (Gulf of Orfano).

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Count Ottokar von und zu Czernin succeeds Baron Stephan Burian as Austro-Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs (see January 13th, 1915, and April 15th, 1918).
Germany: Henning von Holtzendorff memo urges unrestricted U-boat war, promises it can force England to peace table in 5 months I.e. before August 1 1917 and harvest if begun February 1.
France: French Chamber of Deputies approve new taxes on theatre and vaudeville tickets to cover the costs of war.
United Kingdom: Great Britain forms the following ministries: Food (see 26th); Shipping (see January 27th); Pensions.
New Shipping Ministry orders five types of standard merchant ship (3,000-8,000t) until April 1917.
King George V makes a speech proroguing Parliament, stating the war will go on until victory: http://imgur.com/JmOVLGh
It is decided to widen the role of the Air Board, under the presidency of Dickinson Pierson, Lord Cowdray, giving it limited executive powers. A section of the New Ministries and Secretaries Act, 1916, which brought the Board into being, laid down that "for the purpose of this Act the President of the Air Board shall be deemed to be a Minister appointed under this Act"
Switzerland: Swiss Note to Belligerents to support U.S.A. peace efforts.
Mexico: Forces under Mexican rebel Pancho Villa captures the city of Torreon after routing Mexican government forces.

23 December 1916
 

Western Front
Hostile activity in Champagne.

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Rimnicu Sarat (until December 27): Falkenhayn‘s 10 divisions take town on December 27, together with 10,000 PoWs, 2 guns and 58 Mgs.
Australian soldier manning a Lewis machine gun at the ongoing Battle of Magdhaba: http://imgur.com/l1P9PCv
Fierce struggle for Moldavian frontier positions.
Dobruja: Russians from Dobruja retire to Bessarabia, leaving some troops at Macin (Braila).

Southern Front
Bad weather last fortnight on Italian front.
Two successful British attacks along Doiran front (Macedonia)

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: Battle of Magdhaba: Chauvel’s Anzac Mounted Division and Camel Corps (146 casualties) storm five redoubts, taking 1,282 PoWs and 4 guns. http://imgur.com/fQy8ZEm
Further success to the south at Mitla Pass and Abu Aweigila.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: NRFF (1,900 soldiers with 6 guns) advances from Lupembe against Captain Langenn to Mkapira (arriving January 16, 1917) without trapping foe.

Political, etc.
France: French government admits that the nation is facing a severe coal shortage due to the war and difficulties in transportation.
United Kingdom: British news film “Topical Budget,” showing a French priest blessing artillery shells, among other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5410
United States: Cover of the “Scientific American” showing “an observatory car suspended from a zeppelin airship.” http://imgur.com/UQxqh0w
President Wilson offers to abandon America’s isolationist policy if it is done to bring peace in Europe.

24 December 1916
 

Western Front
Battery of 9.2 inch howitzers in action on the Western Front: http://imgur.com/dVqxAS8* © IWM (Q 3881)
British troops purchasing geese for their Christmas dinner at Bailleul, France: http://imgur.com/53mw2wU* © IWM (Q 1629)

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Rimnicu Sarat: German and Bulgarian armies reach the south fork of the Danube River, threatening the town of Tulcea, Romania.
Dobruja: Bulgars attack Sakharov Macin bridgehead east of Braila, fails again on December 31.

Southern Front
Lively British raids on Doiran front.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British cavalry blow up Arab Fort Gusab 18 miles southeast of Kut. First British aircraft over Baghdad since November 1915, Hereward de Havilland‘s B.E. 2c.

Political, etc.
France: General Hubert Lyautey is officially named the new French Minister of War: http://imgur.com/CX5cIAO
United States: “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” film directed by Stuart Paton, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...%281916%29.webm

25 December 1916
 

Western Front
First Pup Squadron (https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...sopwith-pup.jpg) (No 54) arrives in France, now 38 active squadrons with 700 aircraft against 33 German Jagdstaffeln (establishment 14 planes each). No day flying possible.
Major Wetzel and OHL estimate that US expeditionary force on Western Front not possible before spring 1918.
Heavy artillery exchanges mark Christmas on the Somme battlefields. Aside from this, and minor raids, there is very little fighting on the Western Front due to bad weather and the approach of Christmas. Canadian artillerymen writing “Xmas Greetings from Canada” on a shell at the Somme: http://imgur.com/vKgmjhx* © IWM (CO 1015)
British take over more French line.

Eastern Front
Romania: Field Marshal von Mackensen leaving Christmas morning church service in occupied Bucharest: http://imgur.com/YX4kGJI* © IWM (Q 23978)
Battle of Rimnicu Sarat: German troops and other Central Power forces capture the cities of Isaccea and Tulcea, Romania.
Severe fighting west of Lower Sereth; Macin bridgehead attacked.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Fighting round Lake Van, Turks driven south on December 28.
South Persia: Action of Dasht-i-Arjan: c.400 British & Persians troops forced back to Shiraz (until December 28).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Combined offensive by Generals Northey and van Deventer begins, pushing Germans east and south.

Political, etc.
A partial solar eclipse occurs off the shore of Antarctica: http://imgur.com/duLpgT3
Russia: Tsar replies to German Peace overtures. Tsar‘s Order to Army and Navy stresses no thought of Peace till ‘final victory’.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm prays: “God bless the third war Christmas of all those away in the field and of those at home in our dear fatherland!”
United Kingdom: King's Christmas message.
Premiers of self-governing Colonies and Indian representatives invited to War Conference.
Romania: Coalition Government formed in Romania, including M. Take Jonescu.
Poland: Albert Chmielowski, Polish professed religious known helping the poor, passed away (he was sainted in 1989): http://imgur.com/vwkR8vK
United States: USS Arizona passing by New York City after initial sea trials: http://imgur.com/9w9KX4k . Arizona was later destroyed at Pearl Harbor.

26 December 1916
 

Western Front
Naval air-raid on Zeebrugge.

Eastern Front
Romania: Severe fighting along whole Romanian front; the German-led offensive in Romania steadily advances, capturing 6,500 Russian prisoners. Russian 124th Division holds Vizural against Bulgars until December 28 mainly due to 8 RNAS cars before retreating. Austrian First Army begins Trotus valley offensive until January 7, 1917.
Russia: Heavy shelling of Russian positions in Galicia.

Southern Front
Italy: Italian troops at on the Carso, gaining 330 yards on the Carso Plateau and taking 150 cases of artillery shells.
Naval aeroplanes bomb Turkish camps at Galata (Dardanelles).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Weather broken; operations much hindered.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: German, Austro-Hungarian and Turkish Governments send reply to President Wilson's Note; immediate meeting of delegates suggested (see 18th, and January 10th, 1917).
Charles I of Austria prepares for his formal coronation. Princess Zita, his wife, will wear a gown worth $10,000.
Germany: German school children also contribute to the war effort by subscribing $475,000 to the new German war loan.
France: General Joffre created Marshal of France (see 12th); first since 1870.
United Kingdom: Anglo-French Conference meets in London to discuss the German and United States Peace Notes; also the situation in Greece, the Salonika expedition and the division of the front in the Western Theatre. (Discussion continued on the 27th and 28th.)
Lord Devonport appointed Food Controller, Great Britain (see 22nd).
Poland: Governor General von Beseler orders the creation of the Polish State Credit Bank.
United States: Medical Society of New York Country votes 210 to 72 against dissemination of birth control info. All 4 women doctors were in the minority.

27 December 1916
 

Western Front
Big French air-raids on German industrial works (Rhineland, etc.).

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Rimnicu Sarat: Falkenhayn takes Ramnicu Sarat.
Dobruja: The Bulgars seize position east of Macin.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Aegean: Escorted French battleship Gaulois sunk by coastal submarine UB-47 (Steinbauer) 30 miles east of Cerigo between Crete and Peloponnese. https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w.../BB-Gaulois.jpg
Eastern Mediterranean: Royal Navy seaplane carriers Ben-my-Chree and Raven II launch 9 aircraft which hit with 4 bombs and damage strategic Chikaldir bridge (Baghdad railway), near Gulf of Alexandretta; Turkish heavy guns for Baghdad delayed.

Political, etc.
Germany: Germany limits the sale of "deluxe" shoes to two pairs per person per year, and only if old pairs are turned in.
Germany reassures Switzerland that it will continue to respect Swiss neutrality.
France: Foch moves to new assignment at Senlis as ‘Military Adviser to French Government’.
United Kingdom: British and French Governments conclude agreement regarding temporary administration of Togoland (see August 26th and 31st, 1914).
Britain contracts to buy all the exportable supply of New Zealand meat until three months until (ed note: until? after?) the end of the war.
Sweden, Norway & Denmark: Three Scandinavian Governments agree to present Note to Belligerents in support of peace efforts.
Spain: King Alfonso of Spain persuades Germany to send home some Belgian civilians who were deported as forced labor.

28 December 1916
 

Western Front
RFC aid British artillery to get 25 direct hits on trench points and gun pits.
Verdun: Fierce German counter-attack at Mort Homme.
French soldier displaying his military chauffeur’s uniform: http://imgur.com/fD8nQ6e* © IWM (Q 102997)

Eastern Front
Poor weather rules out Operation Eisernes Kreuz; primary target Petrograd; nor can alternatives (Reval, Helsinki, Oesel, Dago) be reached due to severe icing. Airship L-35 force-lands in pine forest at Seemuppen; damaged beyond repair (night December 28-29).
Romania: Allied retreat in Romania continues, destroying $150 million worth of oil fields on the way. British armoured cars engaged.
Battle of Casin: German troops capture another 3000 Romanian and Russian troops. Brăila, Romania is now within artillery range.

Southern Front
Salonika: Serb Colonel Dragutin Dimitrievic (codename*Apis) of Black Hand secret society arrested at Serb Third Army Headquarter on charges of planning a mutiny and murder of Crown Prince.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: On the Caucasian Front, Russian troops defeat Ottoman troops near the city of Van, forcing them to retreat to the south.

Political, etc.
Germany: Germany hands appreciative reply to Swiss Note.
United States: President Wilson celebrates his 60th birthday today.
New York City requests hotels and restaurants to stop serving liquor at 3 am on New Year’s Day to control the celebrations.

29 December 1916
 

Western Front
Haig’s [ed. note: self-serving, disingenuous] Battle of the Somme Dispatch published, covers BEF operations from May 15 to November 18, 1916. He divides battle into four phases, lists capture of 38,000 PoWs and 125 guns. Haig stresses that fully half German Army engaged and defeated and that British troops (many only partially trained) surpassed all expectations.
Further, Haig declares that the “great victory” at the Somme proves the Allies will be able to defeat the Germans in the war.
Bad weather hampers flying until December 30.

Eastern Front
Romania: Heavy fighting continues on Moldavian frontier; some Central Powers progress in the Oitoz valley.
Battle of Rimnicu Sarat: German advance north and east from Ramnicu Sarat continued.

Political, etc.
Russia: STAVKA conference until December 31 includes Tsar and all three Front C-in-Cs, Aleksei Brusilov decides, in principle, to launch 1917 offensive.
Murder of Russian monk Rasputin (ed. note: also reported for earlier in December, 1916).
Germany: Germany warns its citizens that food shortages will continue next year even if the war ends.
France: Sitting of National Socialist Congress in Paris. [ed. note: a horribly charged phrase: the French Socialists, who called themselves by this title, had nothing to do with the later National Socialist German Workers’ Party in Germany. The German NSDAP was later shortened to “Nazi”.]
United Kingdom: Some members of the British Labour Party urge a 25% levy on capital and to break up large estates to raise money for the war.
Mexico: Mexico buys $500,000 worth of artillery and anti-aircraft guns from Japan.

30 December 1916
 

Eastern Front
Romania: Very heavy fighting on whole Romanian front.
Battle of Casin: Bulgars and Turks advance slowly towards Macin.
Battle of Rimnicu Sarat: Austro-German progress at various points in mountains and south-east of Ramnicu Sarat, but checked between here and Focsani.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles I (of Austria) crowned King Charles IV of Hungary at Budapest. http://imgur.com/6xU2j0s* © IWM (Q 70806)
The ceremonial guards at the coronation of Charles I: http://imgur.com/6zn0DIK* © IWM (Q 88222)
Charles I of Austria-Hungary: “Our enemies are finally commencing to understand that they cannot conquer us.”
Russia: Tsar tells British Ambassador ‘In the event of revolution, only a small part of the Army can be counted to defend the dynasty.’
Germany: War Ministry dismounts 16 cavalry regiments.
Germany announces it will release 100 French POWs who have at least three children. If France reciprocates, it will release more.
France & United Kingdom: ALLIES REJECT GERMAN PEACE NOTE as ’empty and insincere’. https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/E...cember_30,_1916
Anglo-Chinese labor agreement for Western Front.
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Government reply accepting President Wilson's Note (see 18th, and January 10th, 1917).
Serbia: Southern Slavs Committee issues declaration at Coronation of Austrian Emperor.
Greece: Greek Note to Allies requests rising of the Blockade.
Spain: Spain declines to second President Wilson's proposal.

These are sure interesting. I've enjoyed following "the course of the war" on this day-to-day basis. Fascinating looking back into history. Thanks, GG for your work putting his together. :thumbs:

31 December 1916
 

Western Front
106 French, 56 British, 6 Belgian and 1 Russian division oppose 127 German divisions (44 new divisions formed in 1916).
French military announces (that is, claims) it took 78,500 German prisoners during the Battle of Verdun.

Eastern Front
Romania: Further Austro-German progress in Moldavian mountains and west and south of Focsani.

Southern Front
Italy: Avalanches in the Italian Alps have killed around 10,000 Austro-Hungarian and Italian soldiers this month.
Salonika: Bulgars fail in attack on Braila bridgehead, but carry positions east of Macin.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: Magharah Wells, Hassana and Nakhl (Sinai) cleared of Turkish forces.

Naval and Overseas Operations
In last quarter of 1916 only 958,000t neutral shipping (723,000t Norwegian) enters British ports compared with 3,442,000 in January to March. Grand Fleet now mostly equipped with Poulsen-arc jam-resistant radios.
North Sea: Dover Patrols has 5 cruisers and 35 destroyers and many smaller craft with 10 French destroyers (Admiral Ronarc’h).
East Africa: Campaign of the Sudan forces in Darfur comes to an end (see March 1st).
Convoy of Indian sappers traveling in trucks on the road to Rufiji, German East Africa: http://imgur.com/Ow2tfRT* © IWM (Q 15609)

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Nearly 5 million men mobilized (800,000 killed, 1 million wounded and sick) but 20 new divisions formed.
Russia: Raspútin murdered in Petrograd. (also reported for 17 December (Old Style) and 30 December (New Style).
By now 14,648,000 Russian men mobilized including 47.4% of the male peasants.
Russian Duma adopts a resolution stating “dark forces” inside the nation are hampering its war efforts.
Germany: German Army has now 16,000 MGs, each division has 48 mortars. In 1916 it has raised 1,050 batteries (4,200 guns).
Kaiser Wilhelm to troops: “All their [Allied] assaults, East and West, have collapsed owning to your bravery and devotion.”
Bankruptcies in Germany fell this year with 2,277 cases, compared to 4,580 in 1915 and 7,738 in 1914.
France: French Army has now 40,000 motor vehicles.
Paris Municipal Council adopts “decisive victory” as the New Year’s resolution for France.
United Kingdom: Douglas Haig promoted to Field Marshal.
United States: Alice Ball, African American chemist who discovered an effective treatment for leprosy, passed away at age 24: http://imgur.com/B1aYptk
Greece: Entente Note to Greece calling for reparation for events of 1 and 2 December, with other demands.

1 January 1917
 

Western Front
The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) School of Photography is formed at Farnborough.
After his Albatros D III’s lower wing cracks in combat in January, Richthofen switches temporarily to a more conventional Halberstadt fighter. Despite modifications wing failures continue to plague the ‘Vee-strutter’ Albatros D III and D V/Va.
No 53 Squadron with B E 2 arrives in France. No 43 Squadron with Sopwith two-seater on January 17; No 35 Squadron with Armstrong-Whitworths on January 24.
Normal activity proceeding.

Eastern Front
Romania: Stubborn fighting in Carpathians. Austro-Hungarian troops advance against Romanian troops in Bekas Pass, crossing the Moldavian frontier.
Dobruja: Austro-Germans in touch with Bulgarians along the Sereth lines at Focsani and Fundeni.

Southern Front
Salonika: Captain G Murlis Green (17 Squadron) forces down 2 Albatros two-seaters behind British lines.
Lieutenant W S Scott of RFC 17 Squadron lands second agent behind Bulgarian lines (first on December 17, 1916).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: During January battlecruisers Courageous and Glorious (Nicknamed ‘Outrageous’ and ‘Laborious’, respectively) join Grand Fleet.
In January. HMS Muskerry, world’s first fleet minesweeper enters service, 19 sister ships follow by August 1917. Beatty proposes 157-mile minefield with 80,000 mines (only 1,100 in stock) to encircle Heligoland Bight, officially announced on January 23. 
Eastern Mediterranean: Egypt-bound British troop transport Ivernia sunk by coastal submarine UB-47 off Cape Matapan (120 lives lost).
Caribbean: During January US Atlantic Fleet maneuvers until April.
East Africa: British carry German lines near Lissaki in the Mgeta valley (German East Africa), and pursue Germans towards the Rufiji valley at Kibambawe.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: RFP (Retail Food Price) 87% (up 3%).
During January Wheeldon family arrested for farcical plot to murder Prime Minister on golf course with air rifle poison dart (charged at Derby on January 31, jailed March).
Official film Battle of the Ancre and the Advance of the Tanks released.
Rail fares up 50%.
J.R.R. Tolkien, while on medical leave, is currently writing the early versions of The Book of Lost Tales.
Turkey: Bank of National Credit formed.
Publication of denunciation by Turkey of Treaty of Paris (1856) and Treaty of Berlin (1878).
United States: Sketch by Theodore Roosevelt on his “unsuccessful effort to draw bats from the belfry of WA White.” http://imgur.com/Efc7h0d
Thomas Van Lear becomes the first (and only) Socialist mayor of Minneapolis: http://imgur.com/uOkr2sL
Tuskegee Institute reports that 50 African Americans were lynched in the United States last year.
Egypt: General Sir R. Wingate becomes High Commissioner of Egypt.

2 January 1917
 

Western Front
Reports claim Allied nations captured a combined total of at least 582,723 prisoners on all fronts last year.
Haig issues orders for Arras offensive on April 8.
Lorraine: Mudra (from Eastern Front) takes over German Army Detachment A (until June 18, 1918) from General d’Elsa (in command since April 15, 1916).
The ruins of the Chateau at Contalmaison, France. The cellar was used as a dressing station: http://imgur.com/TpyoNTn* © IWM (Q 6194)

Eastern Front
Galicia: Südarmee attack near Zloczow repulsed.
Dobruja: Germano-Buolgarian advance between frontier and Focsani; Russian successful counter-attacks south-east of that town.
Mackensen’s Bulgars take Macin and Jijila.
Baltic Provinces: General Scholtz takes over Eighth Army (until April 22) from Mudra (in command since October 22, 1916). General Hutier replaces Scholtz in command of Army Detachment D.
Moldavia: Continued heavy fighting in Moldavian mountains. Austro-Hungarian troops penetrate 8 miles into Moldavian territory and capture 3 villages from the Romanians.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Lawrence and 35 camel men ambush Turk camp southeast of Yanbo. Feisal’s 10,400 men, 4 guns and 10 MGs march on January 3 to Owais wells, 15 miles north of Yanbo for 185-mile advance on Wejh.

Political, etc.
Italy: Italian government orders its cities to increase food production by cultivating available public land, including city parks.
Japan: Japan notifies the U.S. that its merchant ships passing through the Panama Canal will be armed to protect against German U-boats.
Romania: M. Bratianu, Premier of Romania, reconstitutes Cabinet.

3 January 1917
 

Western Front
First units of Portuguese Expeditionary Force land in France (see August 8th, 1916, and June 17th, 1917).

Eastern Front
Galicia: Lechitski attack succeeds near Mt Botosul, 2,218 German PoWs taken between Kimpolung and Jakobeny (January 27 and 30); 3 German night attacks fail on January 31.
Dobruja: Focsani (Rumania) taken by German forces.
Baltic Provinces: Germans take Dvina Island near Glandau northwest of Dvinsk but Russians recover on January 8.
Romania: Cossack Division leaves Rumanian III Corps for Russian one causing gap that Falkenhayn exploits on January 6.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Emir Faisal and his army on the attack. Picture taken by T.E. Lawrence: http://imgur.com/l0SvLqP* © IWM (Q 58863)

Naval and Overseas Operations:
East Africa: Action of Beho-Beho (until January 4) continues German retreat, but big game hunter Captain Selous DSO, is killed, aged 65 on January 4. Beves’ South African advance guard crosses river Rufiji in four Berthon boats.

Political, etc.
Russia: Imperial family buries Rasputin at Tsarskos Salo by night. His murderers exiled in January 6.
United Kingdom: Admiralty reasserts "immemorial" right of merchant-ships to defend themselves against attack or search by an enemy.

And the war goes on. Amazing info, GG! Thanks. What a great history lesson.

In a lot of ways, 1917 was the decisive year; after the utterly futile battles of the Somme, Verdun, and the Brusilov offensive, the Allies started to (and only really then started to) get their shit together.
1917 saw the entry of the US into the war, the first use of tracked, armored fighting vehicles (tanks), the two Russian revolutions.
Lots of stuff to come.

4 January 1917
 

Western Front
France: Nivelle visits and impresses King Albert from Belgium, tells him ‘We must gain our objectives in the first two days of the offensive’. Nivelle also forms a General Staff 4e bureau to handle all logistics at army level.

Eastern Front
Dobruja: Russians defeated at Vacareni, and begin evacuating out of the Dubruja region of Romania as Central Power’s gains threaten to cut off supply lines.
Baltic Provinces: Germans fail to cross to right bank of Dvina near Glandau.
Romania: Mackensen takes Gurgueti and Romanul, piercing Braila bridgehead which Russians evacuate. Falkenhayn begins Battle of the Putna until January 8.

Southern Front
Salonika: British airmen bomb Maritza bridge at Kuleli Burgas (south of Adrianople).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Due to nearly 6 feet of snow, military operations by the Russians and Ottomans in the Caucasus come to a halt.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Mediterranean: Russian pre-Dreadnought battleship Peresviet sinks on U-boat (probably U-73) mine off Port Said; ship was a Russo-Japanese War prize bought back from Japan. http://imgur.com/89MfteL
East Africa: Action of Beho-Beho ends (see 3rd).

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Emperor and Empress of Austria-Hungary sends an envoy to the Vatican to urge the Pope to intervene for peace.
Germany: London and Berlin agree to swap all internees over 45 years of age.
Kaiser Wilhelm visits Vienna to meet with Austro-Hungarian officials to discuss the war.
France: New French tax on tobacco causes the closure of more than half of the retail shops, leading to shortages.
Belgium: German Governor General of Belgium issues decree ordering the collection of household goods made of brass, copper, tin, nickel, or bronze.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): Former President Theodore Roosevelt says Wilson’s attempts to mediate a peace is “immoral,” as it helps Germany.
Wilson speech ‘There will be no war … it would be a crime against civilisation for us to go in’.
U.S. Federal Reserve Board estimates the belligerent nations have accrued $49.455 billion in new debt since the start of the war.

Interesting Theodore Roosevelt's comment on President Wilson's attempt to mediate a peace.

5 January 1917
 

Western Front
British capture two minor posts near Beaumont Hamel.

Eastern Front
Dobruja: Dobruja entirely cleared of Russians and Romanians.
Baltic Provinces: Battle of the Aa (until February 3): Surprise Russian Twelfth Army (Radko) offensive with 2 Latvian brigades (3 other regiments refuse to attack, 94 soldiers executed), without prelim shelling, between Lake Babit and Tirul Marsh, west of Riga. It gains 4 miles plus 8,000 PoWs and 36 guns by January 11 despite German counter attacks from January 11-13.
Romania: Braila (Rumania) taken by German forces. (also listed for yesterday); 1,400 soldiers and six machine guns are also captured.
Central Powers advance at various points on Romanian front, especially between the rivers Rimnic and Buzeu.

Southern Front
Salonika: Sarrail and Milne attend Rome Conference, (see Political developments, below), but Italians decline to reinforce them although former impresses Lloyd George. General Sir H Wilson temporarily in command of Salonika Army (January 3-10). British 65th Brigade raid on Akinjali village only takes 4 PoWs.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Battle of Kut-el-Amara begins.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Biscay: French steamer Alphonse Conseil escapes twice only to be caught after 15-hour chase (until January 6) during SM U-48’s patrol claiming 11 ships worth 27,000t.
Black Sea: 4 Russian pre-Dreadnought battleships, 1 cruiser and 3 destroyers sink 39 Turk sailing coasters off Anatolia (until January 9).
East Africa: British occupy Kibambawe in Rufiji valley.

Political, etc.
Germany: (Special 1919): The German Workers' Party, the forerunner to the Nazi Party, was founded by Anton Drexler.
Italy: Inter-Allied Conference assembles in Rome to discuss co-operation, and the questions of Macedonia, Greece, the command of the Salonika expedition and to convene a shipping conference. (Discussions continued on the 6th and 7th.) Fifth Meeting of Allied military and political leaders. Cadorna asks for 8 divisions and 300 heavy guns (later 10 divisions and 400 guns) to capture Laibach and Trieste and so eliminate Austria. Anglo-French only willing to lend guns till April (Western Front offensive), first month when Italian large-scale operations possible. Conference also acts to improve communications to Salonika via Southern Italy.
Belgium: Lieutenant-General Félix Wielemans, Belgian Army Chief of Staff, died due to pneumonia contracted in the trenches: http://imgur.com/LVYytO4
Netherlands: After negotiations, the Netherlands agrees to export 220 pounds of fresh pork to Germany for 176 pounds sent to England.