12 August 1916
 

Western Front
Two German seaplanes raid Dover, dropping four bombs, which results in the injury of 7 soldiers.
France: Joffre (with Foch) and Haig confer at Beauquesne. Haig proposes prelim combined attack from the Somme to High Wood on August 18. King George and President Poincare also meet at Beauquesne (5 miles south-south-east of Doullens). General Joffre, President Poincare, King George, General Foch, and General Haig at Beauquesne: http://imgur.com/DncURw6 © IWM (Q 949)
Battle of the Somme: British advance on a mile front northwest of Pozieres. German High Wood counter-attack (and on August 17-19). French gain German third line trenches north of river.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: Brusilov now claims 378,408 PoWs; 405 guns; 1,326 MGs, 367 mortars, 100 searchlights and 15,000 square miles of territory at cost of 550,000 casualties.
Galicia: Suedarmee finally yields Strypa winter line and retreats by night 10 miles to river Zlota Lipa. Russians cross the Zlota-Lipa and occupy Mariampol. Lechitski occupies Nadworna.

Southern Front
6th Battle of the Isonzo: Lombardia Brigade storms Nad Logern and San Grado di Morna, while Regina Brigade occupies Oppachiasella ruins; claims 1,565 PoWs in all. End of Battle of Gorizia.
General Cadorna, Chief of the Italian General Staff, on current operations: “All goes marvelously well.”
Salonika: Italian troops land at Salonika and join Allied force (see October 3rd, 1915 and July 30th, 1916).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turkish III Corps engages 5th Caucasus Rifle Division in Boran area but is blocked (until August 13).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British occupy Mpapwa.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Official casualty figures for the Germans are now 3,135,177 men killed, wounded, captured, or missing. It does not include naval or colonial losses.
Russia: Russian Premier and Foreign Minister Stürmer states he “will strive to strengthen the friendship between Russia, England and France.”

I agree. Very interesting.

Thank you.

13 August 1916
 

Western Front
RFC bombs Douai airfield 3 times (86 bombs).
Battle of the Somme: British 15th Division captures Munster Alley. Artillery duels north and south of the river on August 14. British troops gain ground toward Martinpuich and make 300-400 yard advances northwest of Pozieres.
Minor French progress south-west of Estrees.
Battle of Verdun: Grenade attacks in progress at Fleury.


Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Galicia: Russian troops advance on a 100-mile front. West of Nadvirna, they capture 12 Austro-Hungarian officers, 1000 soldiers, and 7 machine guns.
German attack repulsed in region of the Stokhod (Volhynia).
Transylvania: Austrian First Army (Arz) formed against Rumania.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Italians consolidate after the battle; Catanzaro Brigade takes Hill 246 and three other positions with 900 PoWs gained at heavy cost.
Salonika:

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: RFC No 30 Squadron (13 serviceable BE2cs plus 14 arriving or being overhauled) scores first victory, a Fokker over Shumran airfield (bombed at night August 14).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Dutch convoy escort destroyer HMS Lassoo mined and sunk (another source says the German submarine SM UB-10 was responsible for the sinking).


Political, etc.
United Kingdom: First 6 Tank Mk Is leave for France.

14 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: A German counterattack manages to win back 700 yards of trenches north of Pozieres, reversing yesterday’s gains by the British. Great artillery activity north and south of the Somme.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Galicia: Russian troops cross the Zolota Lypa River at several points and also put the city of Halych within range of Russian guns.

Southern Front
Isonzo: General Italian attack all along line (until August 17) without appreciable gains but heavy losses, claim 1400 prisoners. East of Gorizia, heavy fighting.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Ottoman forces continue their advance against the Russians in Persia in the Hamadan plain, taking 30 miles in five days.

Political, etc.
Germany: Hoffmann diary: ‘Continual friction with the Austrians and almost more with OHL’. (Oberkommando des Heeresleitung, the Army High Command).
United Kingdom: Final meeting between Italian and British delegates; complete understanding on economic questions.
Russia: Third and Guard (now Special) Armies returned to Western Front command.
Italy: Italy calls on its boy scouts to guard railroad stations, hospitals, and aeroplane hangars to free up manpower.

[QUOTE=gekkogecko]Western Front
RFC bombs Douai airfield 3 times (86 bombs).
Battle of the Somme: British 15th Division captures Munster Alley. Artillery duels north and south of the river on August 14. British troops gain ground toward Martinpuich and make 300-400 yard advances northwest of Pozieres.

[Transylvania: Austrian First Army (Arz) formed against Rumania.]

They advanced only 300-400 yards at a time?!!! Wow.
And were was Dracula during all this?

15 August 1916
 

Western Front
Oddly enough, none of my sources list anything for this day; the Battle of the Somme was entering a 'relatively' quiet phase, as the British consolidated, and prepared for the next push; likewise, both sides on the Battle of Verdun were pretty much licking their wounds.
All Quiet on the Western Front?

Eastern Front
Fighter Ace Oswald Boelcke on visit to Kovel; invites Manfred von Richthofen to join his new unit on the Western Front.
Brusilov Offensive: Brusilov has received 26 extra divisions since June 12 (but Austro-Germans 33 1/2, including 23 German).
Galicia: Lechitski reaches Solotwina west of Stanislau, gains heights south of Jablonitsa Pass (August 22). Another Russian force reaches Zlota-Lipa, south of Brzezany.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Italians take more trenches east of Gorizia.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Mush and Bitlis reoccupied by Turkish forces (see 24th, February 18th and March 2nd). Fighting starts south of Kigi between Turkish IV Corps and new 6th Caucasus Rifle Division which drives former south of Ognot (August 18-25).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy submarines E-41 and E-4 collide and sink on exercise (15 survivors); both boats salvaged and E-41 reused.
East Africa: Bagamoyo occupied by British forces. British clear of Nguru Mts., drive enemy force southward and eastward.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: British newspapers call for a quarantine of the U.S. to prevent the polio epidemic in New York City from spreading.
Britain announce an agreement with Italy to supply it with coal and other supplies necessary for the war effort.
The King returns from a visit to the Armies on Western Front.
United States: President Wilson meets with union leaders representing 400,000 trainmen to avert a possible national railway strike.
Treaty transferring the Danish West Indies to the U.S. for $25 million (about $553 million today) is signed.

IMNSHO, Douglas Haig was one of the worst Generals of all time; despite evidence to the contrary, he persisted in the utterly useless offensives, throwing away British lives for no or minimal advantage. He also consistently lied to the British Government about what was happening, suppressed press reports from the scene, passed on only those which showed the British in the best possible light, well and truly acknowledged intelligence reports which showed the Germans 'about to crack' (for literally, months on end). To this day, the German casualties on the Somme are vastly exaggerated. After the war, Haig wrote a self-apologetic memoir, claiming that his strategy all along was to wear down the German Armies, costing them inordinate amounts of manpower in exchange for all those British casualties. Utter rot, and honestly, Haig should have been court-martialled and shot for being one of the most effective German commanders of the war. And he was, of course, the British Commander-in-Cheif at the time.



Romania hasn't entered the war yet; their utterly cynical entry-entering the war only because they were bribed by the Western Allies, mainly with promises of territorial aggrandizement at the expense of Austria-Hungary-will be on the agenda soon. The Central Powers were utterly unsurprised by this; hence, the formation of the Transylvanian Army.

16 August 1916
 

Western Front
Second Lieutenant Albert Ball in Nieuport 17 attacks 5 Rolands, forcing 2 down, destroys 2 more on August 22 in 11 Squadron action with about 15 German aircraft (4 lost); makes another kill (with 60 Squadron on August 28) from 4 aircraft attacked; 2 more kills (on August 31).
Battle of the Somme: Foch visits Haig, latter then replies to Joffre‘s letter of August 11; certain local operations are inevitable, Haig has arranged with Foch a combined attack for August 18; another to follow August 22. But Haig can make no promises of subsequent operations dates, insufficient forces for early large-scale attack on Thiepval front.
British advance west and southwest of Guillemont. French capture trenches along 12-mile sector astride river with 1,300 PoWs, repel German attacks north of Maurepas on August 18.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Galicia: Heavy Russian attacks west of Sereth.
Total of Russian captures published. (It is unclear if this means Austro-Hungarian & German prisoners captured by the Russians, or the total number of Russians captured by the Central Powers).

Southern Front
Isonzo: Artillery active.
Salonika: French 17th Colonial Division captures La Tortue at second attempt but twice forced out Doljeli (second on August 17); 1,100 casualties since August 9. British battallion captures Horseshoe Hill in support to west on August 17.

Political, etc.
Germany: German authorities arrest 106 people for smuggling in food to Berlin and selling them at 300% profit.
United Kingdom: Terms of new British War Loan to be raised in U.S.A. announced.
Special Register Bill postponed.
France: Report shows that France is spending $397.4 million (about $8.8 billion today) a month for the war effort.
United States: U.S. House of Representatives approves Senate plan to build 157 warships in three years.

17 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British capture trench northwest of Bazentin. German counter-attack held northwest of Pozieres.
Violent artillery fighting north and south of the Somme.
The ruins of St. Quentin Cathedral after it was hit by British artillery: http://imgur.com/bMvrRZV © IWM (Q 87814)
Battle of Verdun: French Moroccan Colonial Regiment secure Fleury and Thiaumont (August 18) for good, repel German attacks (August 19 and 27-28).

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive: End of "Brusilov's Offensive" [Approximate date.] (see June 4th).
Russia announces a claim that they have taken 358,602 Germans and Austro-Hungarians prisoners during the Brusilov offensive.

Southern Front
Isonzo: At 1800 Cadorna suspends most successful Isonzo offensive yet after 3-4 mile gains on 15-mile front for 51,232 casualties (12,128 missing) vs estimated 49,035 Austrian (20,000 PoWs) and 30 guns.
Macedonia: Battle of Florina begins (see 19th): Pre-emptive Bulgar offensive into Greece (until August 28): 2 Bulgar columns attack Serb Danube Division near Florina and capture station, deploy 18,000 men (until August 19) to drive back Serb Third Army at West end of Allied line while Bulgar Second Army at east end begins advance to Struma.

Political, etc.
Germany: Meat ration fixed.
German and Bulgar notes to justify seizing Greek territory. {additional note: this highly implies that the German, Autro-Hungarian & Bulgarian incursions into Greece were otherwise unjustified, and illegal according to International law as it was understood in 1916. In reality, the Western Allies, France Especially, Russia & Serbia had long been unjustifiably & illegally (according to International Law as it was understood in 1916) occupying Greece & using it to launch attacks against the Central Powers.}
United Kingdom: Lloyd George: “Britain’s honor is not dead; her might is unbroken, her destiny unfulfilled, her ideals unshattered by her enemies.”
English writer Houston Stewart Chamberlain, a propagandist for Germany, becomes naturalized as a German citizen: http://imgur.com/EeNlAIY
United States: JP Morgan Bank announces $250 million two-year loan to Russia.
Romania: Government formally agrees to join the Allies by entering the war by August 28; signs military convention at Bukharest.

18 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British 33rd Division attack at High Wood fails (German counter-attack, also August 23 and 24), British advances towards Ginchy and Guillemont.
France takes parts of Maurepas village.
Violent German counter-attacks north of Maurepas beaten back by French.
Battle of Verdun: French take the whole of Fleury and make incremental progress at Thiaumont.

Southern Front
French forces establish the Autonomous Albanian Republic of Korçë after they captured the city of Korçë, Albania.
Macedonia: Bulgars take Florina, also occupy several Greek forts.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Whole High Seas Fleet puts to sea (until August 19) for penultimate time until April 1918 with aim of shelling Sunderland and drawing British warships onto five lines of U-boats (24 in all); 8 Zeppelins scout. Royal Navy submarine E-23 (one of 25 subs on patrol) puts 2 torpedoes into battleship Westfalen (one of 18 battleships and pre-dreadnoughts, together with 2 battlecruisers) forcing her back to port, but Scheer persists and Room 40 aided Jellicoe has sailed to meet him at 1700 hours, 5 hours before Scheer sorties.
East Africa: General Northey occupied Lupembe.

Political, etc.
Germany: Falkenhayn, Conrad and Enver sign convention for action against Rumania.
Russia: General Nikolai Ruzsky is appointed the commander-in-chief of the Russian northern armies.
United States: Gasoline prices in the U.S. drops to 23 cents per gallon, compared to 26 cents at the beginning of the week.

19 August 1916
 

Western Front
Since March 19, Escadrille 3 of French Cigognes (Stork) Group (Brocard) has scored 39 confirmed victories and 26 probable in 338 air combats over Verdun and Somme.
Battle of the Somme: German counter-attack until August 20. British advance to Thiepval Ridge.
Battle of Verdun: German attacks at Fleury repulsed; again, these were more likely mere raids, not actually designed to be attacks to gain some territorial advantage.

Eastern Front
German counterattacks against the Russians halt their advance towards Lemberg (Lviv) and recapture territory around Cârlibaba.

Southern Front
Macedonia: Battle of Florina [German name and dates.] ends (see 17th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British Grand Fleet cruisers Nottingham and Falmouth (3 hits each) sunk in actions between 0557 hours and noon (August 20) by U-52, U-63 and U-66, forcing Jellicoe’s 29 battleships northward during fleet moves that bring Beatty (6 battlecruisers) 42 miles north of Scheer before latter turns for home. Harwich Force (5 cruisers and 20 destroyers) shadows but not able to make night torpedo attack as Jellicoe wanted. British mistakenly claim two German submarines destroyed.

Political, etc.
Germany: Ruhr coal miners strike against food shortages and inflation (until around August 28).
Germany apologizes for sinking the Dutch steamer Rijndijk, which was carrying food aid supplies to Belgium.
United Kingdom: Lloyd George on war progress: “I feel for the first time in two years that the nippers are gripping and before long we will hear the crack.”
British news film “Topical Budget,” showing a bomb throwing contest, among other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5386
British government bans British subjects who have been abroad since March 1st and foreigners from entering Ireland.
United States: A hurricane makes landfall on Texas, resulting in 24 deaths and $28.6 million in damages (about $632 million today).
Greece: Crisis in Greece, owing to Bulgar occupation of Greek territory.

Love the old film!! The donkey races were so funny.

A little break from the war and all the terrible stuff.

Makes ya wonder how the guys survived mentality.

20 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Britain makes small gains north of Bazentin-le-Petit and France advances in the woods between Guillemont and Maurepas.
Great artillery activity on the Somme.

Southern Front
Salonika: Bulgaria takes two Greek forts near the river Struma and advances towards the port city of Kavala.
Sarrail and his five Allied commanders agree to postpone offensive but launch counter-offensive as Bulgar 7th Division causes 380 casualties to retreating French. Serbian General Jurisic-Stürm replaced in command of Third Army by General Vassic.
Serbs throw back Bulgarians in Moglena sector (Balkans).
Secret War: Austro-Hungarians crack new Italian cipher system in 38 hours.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: IV Caucasus Corps retakes Mus bridge and 500 PoWs.
Persia: Baratov halts on Sultanbulak Pass 50 miles north of Hamadan, has 7,000 fit troops and 22 guns against 17,000 exhausted Turks.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: U-35 (Arnauld) returns to Cattaro after record-breaking 25-day cruise (since July 26) total sinkings with 900 shells and 4 torpedoes: 54 ships (32 Italian carrying 50,000t coal), totalling 91.000t mainly in Western Mediterranean (French patrol areas).

Political, etc.
Germany: Germany announces that this year’s crops exceed those during peace and that there is no need to worry about food supplies.
United Kingdom: Sir Charles Monro is appointed the new commander in chief of British troops in India: http://imgur.com/U5kdGE9
Austria-Hungary: Austro-Montenegrin peace talks broken off.
Canada: A fire at a black powder factory in Drummondville, Quebec results in the deaths of five workers and over a dozen injuries.
United States: President Wilson: “The eight-hour [work] day now undoubtedly has the sanction of the judgement of society in its favor…”

21 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Fresh German counter-attack near Thiepval (2 more to south fail on August 22). Fighting south of Thiepval ends in slight British gain (August 23). British advance on 1/2-mile front northwest of Pozieres.

Southern Front
Salonika: British raiders (4 casualties) blow up 5 bridges east of river Struma (and on August 23).
Allied forces counterattack against Bulgaria, as Anglo-French troops cross the Struma River and Serbian troops move against Monastir.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy submarine E-54 torpedoes and sinks German mine-laying sub UC-10 at Schouwen Bank. The British submarine E-54 running on high speed: http://i0.wp.com/world-war-one.net/...2016/08/E54.jpg

Political, etc.
Germany: Due to protests, Germany cancels a $250,000 fine it levied on occupied Brussels for celebrating Belgian National Day.
Germany and Austria-Hungary warns Romania that allowing Russian troops passage through the country will result in war.
United Kingdom: Almost all exports to Sweden prohibited. Directorate of Graves Registration and Enquiries formed.
Premier Asquith states Germany has yet “to agree to peace except on terms that would be intolerable or humiliating to some of the Allies.”
United States: U.S. men’s soccer (football) team plays its first international match against Sweden in Stockholm. U.S. wins 3-2.

22 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Haig chides Rawlinson for failing to take Guillemont. German counter-attacks at Guillemont repulsed on August 23.
Germans gain a footing in trenches held by French south of Estrees (southern Somme).
Heavy aerial fighting on Somme front.

Eastern Front
Galicia: Turkish 19th (arrived August 13) and 20th Divisions (Gallipoli veterans) take over 12-mile sector between Suedarmee German divisions.
Russians gain heights south of Jablonica Pass (Carpathians).
German attack with gas south-east of Vilna, repulsed.

Southern Front
Italian successes in Dolomites (and on August 24).
Julius Arigi & Johann Lasi of the Austro-Hungarian air force become the 1st “ace in a day” by shooting down 5 Italian aircraft today.
Macedonia: Bulgarian First Army storms Serb ridge west of lake Ostrovo five times only to be thrown off; take only one position on August 23. British lorries bring up Serb reinforcements.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Russian offensive west of Lake Van.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British submarine HMS E-16 is sunk by a mine in Heligoland Blight with the loss of all hands.
Kilosa (German East Africa) taken by British forces. Germans fall back on Morogoro.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George in the House of Commons gives survey of military situation; announces 35 Zeppelins destroyed by Allies.
Romania: German correspondent in Bucharest, Romania reports the city has become “grave,” as the “country is getting ready for war.”

I don't know why but I found todays entry made me really sad. For some reason I kept thinking about the civilians. It doesn't say anything about the bomb shelters, all the homes and families blown away and the unknown to us fear. How did they make it through?

"United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George in the House of Commons gives survey of military situation; announces 35 Zeppelins destroyed by Allies."
35 Zeppelins..... and how many fathers, brothers, sons, husbands and lovers were killed?

Gonna go do something fun. :)

23 August 1916
 

Western Front
Zeppelin raid on east coast of England; LZ-97 scatters 34 bombs over Suffolk (night 23/24), no casualties.
Battle of the Somme: Fighting south of Thiepval results in a slight British gain.
Strong German attacks at Guillemont repulsed.
Fierce artillery duel on French section of Somme front.
Germans form first regular fighter squadron, Jasta (Jagdstaffel) 1 (Captain Martin Zander), Boelcke’s Jasta 2 (August 30), both and two more units assigned to Somme.
Battle of Verdun: French progress south of Fleury.

Southern Front
Italian XVIII Corps begins advance to drive Austrians from Fassa Alp.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Russians retake Bitlis (lower Vau).
Persia: Turks defeated at Rayat; 2,300 prisoners.


Naval and Overseas Operations
Return of submarine "Deutschland" to Germany.
East Africa: Smuts’ main advance resumes from Dakawa, but 2nd SA Mounted Brigade checked at Mlali (August 24-26) though 2 German naval guns abandoned.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Female workers spinning aeroplane cord at a factory in Wakefield, England: http://imgur.com/SDTKz7N © IWM (Q 109940)
British government reports that German Zeppelin raids against Britain have resulted in 334 civilian deaths and 50 military deaths.
Lloyd George states he sees the end of the war is approaching, while Churchill warns Britain must be prepared to fight even longer.
France: Escort of French General Frachet d’Esperey (nicknamed by the British as “Desperate Franky”) at Saint-Clemens: http://imgur.com/rxSrqQ7 © IWM (Q 70647)
United States: U.S. warns the Ottoman Empire that any massacre of Armenians in Persia will be “regraded with great disfavor.”

Strategic bombardment fromt he air was still new enough experience that there weren't any bomb shelters (that is, no effort to provide civilians with such); people sheltered in their basements and such like, as they desired. Some Londoners, in a preview of the Second World War, took shelter in the subways.
The National Air & Space Museum, in its Aviation int he First World War gallery, has a German propaganda poster, with a picture of a dirigible hovering over London, searchlights blaring, trying to find it, and a huge crowd, panicked and running for the tube entrance. The caption reads, "Zeppelin kommt!" (The Zeppelin is coming!).
In fact, there is no record of anyone panicking due to an air raid, either by dirigibles, or by fixed-wing aircraft; although one of the earliest civilian deaths in Britain is that of an old lady by heart attack, claimed to have been brought onto by the shock of being bombed from the air.
British civilians were often slow to take cover, in fact: several of the casualties atributed to German bombs, were in fact, caused by falling pieces of anti-aircraft shells.


While the number of dirigibles (not by a long shot were all of them "Zeppelins") imagined destroyed to date was far in excess of those that actually were, the actual number is quibbling. You point still stands. And from there, we can logically proceed to those killed and maimed at sea, in the wasteful Battles of the Somme & Verdun on the Western front, the something like 12 Battles of the Isonzo in Italy, the failed offensives by Russia in Eastern Europe, the...yeah, the list really is never ending.

So sad and such a waste of lives.

Ahhhh.... that's the way it goes I guess.

OK, now i'll read todays post and think only of the facts. ;) :)


PS. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us. I did not know there were no bomb shelters then.

24 August 1916
 

Western Front
6 of 12 Zeppelins (L-13 damaged by cruiser Conquest) cross Eastern Coast, L-31 drops 44 bombs on East London (first since October 14, 1915), causing 49 civilian casualties (night August 24-25); 2 of 15 defending aircraft crash on landing (thunderstorms thwart 8-Zeppelin raid on August 29).
French Morane biplane at the Esquennoy aerodrome: http://imgur.com/TKrqohs © IWM (Q 56599)
Battle of the Somme: British GHQ letter to General Rawlinson (Fourth Army) emphasizes it is vital to secure Ginchy, Guillemont and Falfemont Farm without delay. Foch’s co-operation secured (August 25); attack to be launched on August 29 but thunderstorms postpone it repeatedly to September 3. German attacks west of Ginchy. British advance towards Thiepval and Delville Wood. French battalion Frere (2nd battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Division) advances 250 yards and completes the capture of Maurepas village (until August 25) from Bavarians.

Southern Front
Italian troops continue their advance in the Dolomites, taking positions in the Fassa valley from Austria-Hungary.
Salonika: Greek IV Corps hands over forts north of Kavalla to Bulgars. Royal Navy monitor Picton shells the Bulgar troops in two villages on coast.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Mush and 2,300 prisoners again taken by Russian forces (see 15th, and April 30th, 1917) on way to Mosul.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British Battleships Valiant and Warspite (only just out of Battle of Jutland repairs) collide, repairs until September 28.
H.M.S. Duke of Albany, boarding S.S., torpedoed and sunk.

Political, etc.
Germany: German government announces that meat will be rationed starting on October 2nd with a maximum 250 grams of meat per week.
United Kingdom: Harold Cressy, teacher, activist, and the first black man to earn a degree in South Africa, passed away: http://imgur.com/KVVtlTb
France: Anglo-French Conference on finance held at Calais.
French Army orders its soldiers to shave except their mustaches. An estimated 120 tons of beards will be shaved.
Austria-Hungary: Austria-Hungary increases its control and surveillance of ethnic Romanians in its territory as Romania prepares to enter the war.
Austria-Hungary loots the artifacts and treasures of Visoki Dečani, a Serbian Orthodox monastery built in the 14th century.

25 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: British secure Delville Wood and repulse attacks south of Thiepval.
Champagne: German attack west of Tahure repulsed.
Ypres: New 4th Canadian Division arrives.
Battle of Verdun: Germans active in Verdun region.

Eastern Front
Dobruja: Russian Dobruja Detachment (50,000 men in 3 divisions) crosses Danube into Rumania, invades Bulgaria (August 27).

Southern Front
Macedonia: Bulgars occupy Seres in northeast Greece.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Correspondence between British and Swedish Governments about the detention of mail packets by either Government is published.
United States: New York City estimates the ongoing polio epidemic in the city has caused 1760+ deaths & left 1000 children crippled for life.

26 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: German counter-attack near Thiepval. Australians capture heavily fortified Mouquet Farm. (Both also reported for yesterday). 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment returning from Thiepval and wearing captured German trophies: http://imgur.com/5P5uqj4 © IWM (Q 3930)
British take a short length of German trench north of Bazentin-le-Petit.

Eastern Front
2 French pilots arrive at Bucharest, Romania, from Verdun via London, Oslo and Archangel; request 50 pilots and 55 aircraft from Paris.
Galicia: Russians make slight advance towards Halicz.

Southern Front
Salonika: Activity on left flank of Salonika front.
Serbs beat off Bulgar counter-attacks north-west of Kukuruz and progress in Ostrovo region.
Macedonia: Bulgarian troops continue to push into Greece and have captured 50 square miles of Eastern Macedonia.
General Moschopoulos appointed Chief of Greek General Staff in place of General Dusmanis.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Austrian air raid sinks a Royal Navy Otranto drifter (96 on strength on September 10; spending 10 days at sea, 3 1/2 in port).
East Africa: Rhodesians and Baluchis occupy Morogoro on Central Railway (Smuts enters August 27), 115 miles east of Dar-es-Salaam; 28,000 British oxen lost since May 25. Lake Force begins advance south on Tabora, awaits news from Belgians 50 miles to west.

Political, etc.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm attempts to send Duke Albrecht as a special envoy to the Romanian King, but King Ferdinand rebuffs the Kaiser’s moves.
United States: President Wilson signs the “Organic Act,” which establishes the U.S. National Park Service.
Romania: Romanian Council of Ministers increases credit for its army from $40 million to $120 million, as Romania prepares for war.

27 August 1916
 

Western Front
Storms hit the Western Front, bringing to a halt major operations. Small attacks are beaten back by both sides.
British and French aeroplanes bomb Ghent and hit an ammunition depot, causing several civilian casualties.
France claims they shot down five German aeroplanes today; Germany also claims they shot down 5 Allied planes.
Battle of the Somme: British 3rd Brigade attack Grevillers.

Eastern Front
In nothing short of a blatant land-grab, Rumanian Government orders mobilisation and declares war on Austria-Hungary (see 17th and 28th). RUMANIA INVADES HUNGARIAN TRANSYLVANIA (Austria-Hungary) via eight major passes, a month earlier than Falkenhayn expected; Kaiser’s reaction ‘The war is lost’.
Russians attempt to revive the Brusilov offensive, in the Carpathians: Lechitski (17 divisions) attacks on 75-mile front between Nadworna and Dorna Watra, takes Mt Pantyr (August 29).

Southern Front
Italy declares war on Germany (to this date, having only officially been at war with Austria-Hungary, and possibly Bulgaria.)
Salonika: Some ground gained by Serbs near Vetrenik in a general offensive.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British 1st and 2nd Divisions link on Railway 12 miles east of Kilosa.

Political, etc.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm orders the postponement of any executions of French prisoners both civilian and military.
United Kingdom: British railroad union members march in Hyde Park to protest the increasing cost of living.
Russia: Russia states it is willing to cooperate with the U.S. to feed starving Polish civilians under German occupation.
Romania: During the Crown Council session at Cotroceni Palace, King Ferdinand rebuffs opposition to split with Berlin ‘Then I have conquered the Hohenzollern who was in me, I fear no one’.
United States: Democratic Senator Reed of Missouri accuses the Republican “old guard, in control of the party and the candidate, want a corrupt election.”
Greece: Venizelos addresses Athens protest meeting against King’s policy (Metaxas dismissed August 26).

28 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Army Group Crown Prince Rupprecht created for duration. General Gallwitz in command of German Second Army records that since June 26 1,068 field guns of 1,208 plus 379 of 820 heavy guns have been captured, destroyed or become unserviceable in his two armies.
British troops eating rations in a ruined house in Mametz: http://imgur.com/YL4UT0G © IWM (Q 4182)
Battle of Verdun: French gain ground south-east of Thiaumont work and repulse German attacks against Fleury and against a position near Vaux Fort.

Eastern Front
Germany declares war on Romania.
Prince Leopold of Bavaria replaces Hindenburg as C-in-C East (Hoffmann his CoS is the “real” chief; the reflects a widely misunderstood aspect of the German Command Structure.).
Austro-Hungarian river monitors shell Danube towns in Romania.
First German Army Zeppelin raid on Bucharest (night August 28/29, 4 more in September).

Southern Front
Serbians progress east of Cherna River.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Sir Stanley Maude succeeds Lieut.-General Sir Percy Lake as Commander-in-Chief, Mesopotamia. Major-General Cobbe (Victoria Cross) takes over Tigris Corps which now has 64 river steamers supplying 460t per day (but 560t needed), 3 railways being built. 11,000 troops invalided out in August.
Armenia: Encounters take place south of Erzerum.

Political, etc.
France: Around a thousand Chinese laborers arrive at Lyons, France to work in munition factories.

Thanks for including the old pictures. A picture tells a thousand words.

I am surprised at the quality of them actually. And surprised they are still around.

29 August 1916
 

Western Front
Germany: ERICH von FALKENHAYN (German CoS) DISMISSED BY KAISER, REPLACED BY FM PAUL von HINDENBURG WITH GENERAL ERICH LUDENDORFF (1st QMG) AS HIS ASSISTANT.
Battle of the Somme: Since July 1, British have taken 15,469 PoWs, 86 guns and 160 MGs.
French soldier using a rifle with a periscopic attachment at Pont-Arcy: http://imgur.com/6cnxmAz © IWM (Q 45927)
Ruins of the French village of Tracy-le-Val: http://imgur.com/8NpSQ5S © IWM (Q 78219)

Eastern Front
Germany: PAUL von HINDENBURG CHIEF OF STAFF, ERICH LUDENDORFF FIRST QMG (GHQ at Pless until February 1917).
Transylvania: Rumanians occupy evacuated Kronstadt, Petrosani, Brasov, and Kezdiasarhely (see 28th, and October 7th).
On the borders of Bukovina, Romanian and Russian troops join forces to strike at Austria-Hungary.
Russians capture Mount Pantyr (north-west of Jablonica Pass, Carpathians).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Iringa taken by British forces (760 Germans evacuate on August 27) in Southern Highlands, 250 miles marched since May 25. Hannyngton’s 2nd East African Brigade (1st Division) crosses river Msumbisi in heavy rain.

Political, etc.
France: President Poincare of France congratulates Romania and Italy for declaring war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Turkey: Sipahsalar A'zam, Persian Prime Minister, resigns, and is succeeded by Vossuq ed Douleh, who also acts as Foreign Minister (see March 6th, 1916, and May 29th, 1917).
United States: Army and Navy Appropriation Acts authorize $580 million spending and create Council of National Defense. Marine Corps Reserve created and USMC increased to 15,578 men.

30 August 1916
 

Western Front
British No 24 Squadron encounters first time 3 Albatros D-I Destroyer-Scouts (Jasta 1). http://i0.wp.com/world-war-one.net/...Albatros-D1.jpg
France: Colonel Estienne promoted Brigade-General and commander of French Assault Artillery (tanks).
Battle of the Somme: Bavarians surrender south of Martinpuich.

Eastern Front
Turkey declares war on Romania.

Southern Front
Tepelini (Albania) occupied by Italians.
Allied air raid on Buk bridges northeast of Drama.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Germans retire from Morogoro over Ruwu river. British 1st Division pursues across (August 31 – September 1).

Political, etc.
Romania: Romania severs diplomatic relations with Bulgaria
United States: U.S. Congress enacts the “Jones Law,” which creates a fully-elected legislature in the Philippines, a U.S. colony:
USS Tennessee is wrecked in Santo Domingo harbour due to heavy storms, resulting in 43 dead or missing: http://imgur.com/s1mEfld
Greece: A coup is launched by Greek officers in Thessaloniki who want to fight the Central Powers. Venizelist revolt in Salonika (see September 25th and October 9th); seize Salonika barracks and proclaim provisional republic.

31 August 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: 4 German counter-attacks fail at Delville Wood; British XV Corps suffers heavy casualties. Fierce German counter-attacks between Ginchy and High Wood. By this time BEF has consulting psychiatrist and neurologist for ‘shell shock’ cases.
German aircraft losses in combat since July 1 are 51. Royal Flying Corps on Western Front destroyed and missing are 66.
Artois/Flanders: British gas attacks at Arras and Armentieres.
Battle of Verdun: French defensive Battle of Verdun ends [This is the French date. The German list carries the battle up to September 9th.]
French 305 mm railway gun firing near Lihons: http://imgur.com/kGEVvz9 © IWM (Q 78885)
A captured German Rumpler C-IV biplane at Ricquebourg aerodrome, France: http://imgur.com/ziUYcwc © IWM (Q 55598)

Eastern Front
Austro-Hungarian losses since 4 June 614,000, German 150,000 including 15,000 today.
Transylvania: Romania allows Russian troops to pass through the Dobruja region as they prepare to push further into Transylvania.
Fighting at Halicz and east of Lemberg; many prisoners taken in Lutsk area by Russians.

Southern Front
Buk (north-east Drama, Macedonia) air raid on bridges.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied shipping losses 205,000t (British 23 ships worth 43,354t with 8 lives lost). Total including 77 ships (129,368t) to U-boats in Mediterranean. 2 U-boats lost.
At Pless Hindenburg and Ludendorff press for unrestricted U-boat war without delay, Bethmann-Hollweg’s opposition now confined to timing and fear of breach with Scandinavia. Fronts must be stabilized lest Holland or Denmark declare war while Germany has no reserves.
East Africa: Smuts’ advance split by Uluguru Mountains; 600 South African mounted troops go round west side, 1,900 British march on Dar-es-Salaam.
Western Desert: British armoured cars capture Senussi convoy northwest of Jaghbub
West Africa: Slavery formally abolished in Nigeria.

Political, etc.
Germany: Hindenburg letter to War Minister demands doubled munitions, trebled artillery and machine-gun production by May 1917.
Germany moves Russian Navy prisoners to “reprisal camps” in retaliation for the harsh treatment of German Navy prisoners in Siberia.
Canada: Canadian casualties to date (published 22 September 1916): 8,644 killed (or died), 27,212 wounded, 2,005 missing.
Romania: Romania bans the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages across the country.
United States: U.S. War Department pulls back 15,000 National Guardsmen from the U.S.-Mexican border.
Ford Motor Company announces they made a record $1 million per week during the past year due to rising demand.
U.S. railway companies recruit 2000 strikebreakers in case the railroad general strike goes ahead.

1 September 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: 4 German counterattacks fail at High Wood (and on September 3, 8 and 15) but they recapture East side of Delville Wood.

Eastern Front
Bulgaria declares war on Romania.
Turkish VI Corps placed under Mackensen.
Transylvania: Romanians capture Hermannstadt. Sibiu also taken by Rumanian forces (see 26th).
Fresh successful Russian advance in Volhynia.
Galicia: Russian General Shcherbachev takes 19,000 PoWs on river Zlota Lipa (until September 4).

Southern Front
Bulgars in possession of 17 Greek forts.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turk IV Corps attacks south of Kigi but Russian reinforcements stabilize front by September 10. French Arab Mission reaches Alexandria.
Mesopotamia: Chormuk, N. Euphrates, captured by Russians.
25 bombs dropped on Port Said.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel, North Sea: Flanders UB-type boats sink over 30 ships in a week without encountering one warship (570 ASW vessels available); 1,949 British merchantmen now armed with guns.
Black Sea: New Russian dreadnought battleship Imperatritsa Maria fires at and pursues Goeben (rescues Turk seaplane) to within 60 miles of Bosphorus.
Aegean: 23 Allied warships and 4 transports (from Salonika) anchor 4 miles off Piraeus near Greek Fleet at Salamis, in a “demonstration” of Allied fleet.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Russian and British Governments conclude "Sykes-Picot" agreement as to eventual partition of Asia Minor (see April 26th, and May 9th and 23rd).
Retail Food Price 65% (up 5%). Munition factories total 4,212 (with 435 canteens for 640,000 workers). Civilian war prisoners to be supplied to private firms. In September War Propaganda Bureau starts monthly War Pictorial magazine (circ 750,000 by November 1917).
Russia: In September Anglo-Russian Bureau (propaganda) opens in Petrograd.
United States: In New York, value of German Mark at 30% discount.
New Zealand: Compulsory Military Service Bill comes into operation (see June 10th).
Greece: Allied fleet seizes 13 interned Austro-German ships.

2 September 1916
 

Western Front
Combined raid on London by 12 Navy and 4 Army dirigibles (“Zeppelins”) thwarted by adverse weather, navigational and technical problems; (another report: The raid was a failure. The raiders were scattered by adverse winds, heavy rain and high-altitude icing, and only one airship came within seven miles of Charing Cross.) c. 16t bombs scattered across 11 counties and North London suburbs (only 16 casualties) (again, another source is more specific: 4 Britons were killed and a further 12 injured. ). At 0223 hours Second Lieutenant Leefe Robinson (awarded VC, first in Britain) in BE2 of No 39 Squadron Royal Flying Corps destroys SL 11 (Schramm) at Cuffley, Herts (all 16 crew killed).
17 RNAS aircraft drop 82 bombs on Ghistelles airfield southeast of Ostend (repeated September 9 and 23), St Denis Westrem attacked by 18 aircraft (September 7), as well as Zeppelin sheds near Brussels (September 27).
Hoboken, near Antwerp, British drop bombs on shipbuilding yards.
 Rawlinson inspects British Tank Mk I force and is dissatisfied with readiness.

Eastern Front
Transylvania: Romania troops capture the city of Orsova, pushing Austro-Hungarian forces across the Cerna River.
Bulgarian 3rd Army attacks the Romanian fortress of Tutrakan/Turtucaia, defended by the Romanian 3rd Army.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Egypt: Commanding general and McMahon confer on Arab Revolt at Ismailia.
Arabia: Turkish Berne Legation press release denigrates Sherif’s revolt, most Arabs fighting for Sultan.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Aegean: Greek arsenal seized at Athens; three more German vessels seized at Piraeus by Allies,

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Vienna introduces the “third meatless day” to conserve food, but mutton can still be eaten.
Canada: The city of Berlin, Ontario officially changes its name to Kitchener, after the late Lord Kitchener, due to anti-German sentiment.
United States: The U.S. House, by a vote 239 to 56, approves a bill mandating an 8-hour workday to prevent a possible railroad strike. (Possibly actually yesterday). U.S. Senate approves a bill mandating an 8-hour workday for interstate railroad workers by a vote 43 to 28.
Greece: Allies demand control of posts and telegraphs.

3 September 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: Fourth major joint Allied push to aid Rumania. At 1200 hours French Sixth Army attacks north of Somme, captures most of Ciery and German defences along road north to Le Forest and Le Forest village, but at junction with BEF (on extreme left) little help possible and Germans launch strong counter-attacks (September 4).
Battle of Guillemont sub-phase of the Battle of the Somme begins (until September 6): large-scale British attack, 20th Division captures Guillemont and part of Mouquet Farm.
Battle of Pozieres sub-phase of the Battle of the Somme Ridge ends. Continuous fighting near Falfemont Farm. British attacks on Schwaben Redoubt and High Wood fail.
Battle of Verdun: German attack fails on Vaux-Chapitre defences. French gradual if costly advances (until September 13).
Ypres: I Canadian Corps hands sector to I Anzac Corps and is switched to Somme.
British naval air squadron effectively attacks Ghistelles (five miles south-east Ostend).
The “Zeppelin” SL 11 in flames in the night sky. All crewmembers were killed: http://imgur.com/39JreZM
Margaret Lloyd George inspecting the ruins of “Zeppelin” SL 11: http://imgur.com/neGsJva © IWM (Q 73559)

“Zeppelin” is in quotes, because the British consistently referred to all German dirigibles as “Zeppelins”. In reality, the initials S-L stand for Schüte-Lanz, the manufacturer of the dirigible in question. As a further note, it seems that members of any particular nation are systematically incapable of correctly identifying another nations’s military equipment-witness the Germans constantly mis-identifying the Royal Aircraft Factory F. E. 2 as a “Vickers” (similar configuration, but the Vickers was an early pusher type that had long since been withdrawn from front-line service).


Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Carpathians: Lechitski success near Dorna Watra, takes 4,500 PoWs southeast of Halicz (September 5). Russians close to Zlota Lipa capture position near Brzezany, taking many prisoners. Near Orsova on Danube, Austro-Hungarians withdraw to west bank of Cherna.
Dobruja: Mackensen’s tri-national Danube Army invades Rumania.
Constanza (Romania) bombed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: Unrestricted U-boat warfare to be postponed until peace initiative (Pless council, Chancellor, Admiral Holtzendorff, Hindenburg and Ludendorff present).
East Africa: Dar-es-Salaam, capital of German East Africa, surrenders to British Naval Forces.

Political, etc.
United States: President Wilson signs the Adamson Act, which mandates an eight-hour day and extra pay for overtime work for interstate railroad workers.

On an more individual level: How an Olympic hammer thrower chosen to hurl grenades at the Germans died on first day of the Somme.

4 September 1916
 

Western Front
Battle of the Somme: French troops advance on a 12-mile front, capturing three villages (Barleux to south of Chaulnes, village of Chilly), and claiming 6000 German prisoners.

Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Carpathians: Russian troops break through the Zolota Lypa line and claim the capture of 19,405 Austro-Hungarians and Germans in 4 days.
Unsuccessful German gas attacks near Baronovichi (C.).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: South-west of Lake Nimrud, west of Lake Van, British armoured cars engage Kurdish forces.
Armenia: South of River Elen, west of Trebizond, Russian offensive continues; over 500 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dutch East Indies: Rebellion in Sumatra against Dutch colonial control grows, rebel forces take control of four towns on the island.

Political, etc.
Germany: Prince Leopold of Bavaria says the Romanians “will get their whacks, you may be sure, and if others come in they will get their whacks too.”
Greece: Due to military pressure, Greece allows the Allied forces to take control of the country’s postal, telegraph, and wireless systems.
Athens reports that King Constantine will reconsider the attitude of Greece.

Excellent supplementary information, jseal. Thank you.

5 September 1916
 

Western Front
Leefe Robinson, the first British pilot to destroy a Zeppelin over Britain, is awarded the Victoria Cross: http://imgur.com/iDCHdnv

Captain William Leefe Robinson, V.C. - Awarded the Victoria Cross

On Monday Major General W. Shaw memoed Lieutenant General Henderson Commander of the Royal Flying Corps, on Lord French's behalf.
"The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has seen the attached reports, and will be glad to know if you have any recommendation to make with regard to any reward which you may consider the Officer concerned may be deserving of. He will be glad of an early reply."

Lieutenant General Henderson's reply was immediate.
"I recommend Lieut W. L. Robinson for the Victoria Cross for the most conspicuous gallantry displayed in this successful attack."

On the 5th September 1916, the London Gazette announced the award;
"War Office 5th September 1916. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer, Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson, Worcestershire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps. For most conspicuous bravery. He attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck. He had been in the air for more than two hours and had previously attacked another airship during his flight."

The evening papers on Tuesday carried the headline "The Zepp. V.C. for Airman," and the celebrations, which had hardly died away, began again. Now the hero of Cuffley was to receive the highest award for gallantry there was no restraining the tide of adulation, the picture postcards, the reams of bad prose and terrible poetry, the matchbox covers, the medals, and still the letters and telegrams. Robinson was a modest man, not at all an extrovert. He was also good looking. The British public had the perfect 'gentleman' hero.
Battle of the Somme: The battle rages across a 30-mile front. French troops make further gains, taking Omiécourt. The Allies hold most of Leuze Wood, and occupy the whole of Germany's former second line on the Somme.

Eastern Front
Seven miles south-east of Halicz the Russians claim success; ‘many’ prisoners taken.
Russian and Bulgarian troops clash for the first time during a cavalry engagement in the Romanian province of the Dobruja.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian aeroplanes bomb Venice, Lucinico, Sdraussina, and Gorizia today.
Bucharest bombed by Bulgars.
In the Dolomites operations now developing, the whole of Val Cismone “free”.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British bomb Turkish aerodrome at El Arish (90 miles east of Port Said).

Political, etc.
Germany, Austria-Hungary: Polish autonomy granted by Central Powers.
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour at Glasgow appeals to local trade unions re: shipyard labour.
Trade Union Congress at Birmingham rejects invitation of U.S.A. Federation of Labor, re: "Terms of Peace".
France: During the two years of war, the French government has spent $12.2 billion (about $270 billion today) on its budget.
United States: D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance,” considered a masterpiece of the silent era of film, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe..._%281916%29.ogv

6 September 1916
 

Western Front
British news-film “The Topical Budget,” showing footage of the downed dirigible, among other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5390
Battle of the Somme: Battle of Guillemont phase of the Battle of the Somme ends (see 3rd).
British gain Leuze Wood.
South-west of Barleux and south of Belloy, Generals von Stein and Kirchbach make ten attempts against the French, all counter-attacks beaten by "75's" and "105" guns.

Eastern Front
Tutrakan (Dobrudja) taken by Bulgarian forces (see 2nd).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: At Mazar, British airmen raid camps, supply depots and camel lines, good results.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British checked north of Kissaki (Uluguru Mountains).


Political, etc.
United Kingdom: Trades Union Congress insists on restoration of Trade Union customs and practices after the war.
Simla, India: Viceroy's important speech, re: supply of labour to Colonies, and record of India's great services during the War.

Almost hard to believe that virtually every day during that long war there were so many battles fought in so many places and how "human intensive" those battles were. Lord, have mercy on mankind as we flounder our way through life. :(

7 September 1916
 

Western Front
Footage of the funeral for the crew of the SL 11, a German zeppelin shot down over Britain: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45623


Eastern Front
Halicz (on the Dniester) on fire, and taken by Russians. Turk XV Corps loses 1,500 casualties (until September 8) but stands firm after 10-mile retreat.
Orsova (Austrian bank of Danube) occupied by Romanians.
In connection with yesterday’s capture of Tutrakan bythe Bulgars; they claim 20,000 prisoners and 100 guns.
Bulgarian troops win the Battle of Dobrich, pushing back Romanian and Russian troops from Southern Dobruja.


Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British pursuit of retreating German force in East Africa checked at Affair of Kisaki: (until September 8): c.2,600 Germans with 22 MGs beat 1,700 South Africans troops, forcing retreat and halt.
Kilwa (Kivinje), 135 miles south of Dar-es-Salaam, and Kilwa Kissiwani, still further south, surrender to British naval forces.

Political, etc.
Turkey: Baghdad railway, over Taurus Mountains being constructed by Turkish peasants, large bodies of Turkish troops moving to Aleppo, for Mesopotamia.
United States: US Shipping Board created to form Government-owned merchant fleet. Congress authorizes Wilson to retaliate against Britain, signs legislation (September 8). Emergency Revenue Act doubles normal income tax (September 8).
Around 2,500 railway and subway workers in New York City go on strike, crippling transportation in the city.
Piggly Wiggly, the first self-service grocery store in the U.S., is founded in Memphis, Tennessee.
Greece: Baron von Schenck and other Germans and Austrians expelled from Athens.

Really make you understand what "World" War means. Yet another reason the war was so influential: it was the first, full-scale industrial war the world had ever experienced.

8 September 1916
 

Western Front
Hindenburg and Ludendorff, in first visit to Western Front, hold meeting at Cambrai to develop new tactical doctrine of defence in-depth; OHL publishes key lessons.
Dutch soldiers shoot at a German aeroplane that wandered over Dutch territory, forcing the pilot to land in the Netherlands.
British naval aeroplanes bomb aerodrome at St. Denis Westrem (5 miles west of Ghent).
Battle of the Somme: Glos Regiment suffers heavy casualties in attack near West end of High Wood. German counter-attacks on Mouquet Farm (until September 12).
From Vermandovillers to Chaulnes, Germans make four massed attacks; the French take 200 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dover Patrol monitors shell Flanders coast between Middlekerke and Westende (until September 15) as diversion for Somme offensive.