Western Front
9 Zeppelins scatter 173 bombs over East England and Scotland (night August 8-9, 21 of 26 casualties in Hull). Admiralty now has 114 warships with anti-aircraft guns able to engage Zeppelins.
3 FE 2bs of No 25 Squadron defeat 6 Roland biplanes over Bethune, forcing them to jettison bombs over own lines.
Battle of the Somme: British gain 400 yards at Guillemont – Germans still hold south end of village, repulse Allied attacks on August 9. British 2nd Division attacks Waterlot Farm to northwest (until August 9). German troops launch further counterattacks against British positions near Pozieres and recapture at least 50 yards of trenches. Two German attacks beaten back east of Monacu Farm (northern Somme).
Battle of Verdun: Fierce fighting in Verdun region: Germans gain and lose Thiaumont work.
Eastern Front
Brusilov Offensive, Pripet: Russian Guard and Third Armies attack towards Kovel, make no gains (until August 9). Guard losses 55,292 men; July 25 – August 9. Russian troops secure 9 villages in their drive towards Stanislau (Ivano-Frankivsk) including Tysmienica (Stanislau, Galicia), capture between 7,400 and 8,500 prisoners.
Southern Front
6th Battle of the Isonzo: Italians clear western bank of middle Isonzo, secure all Podgora; 4 battalions cross road bridge to enter Gorizia on east side, also claim the capture of 10,000 Austro-Hungarians. Lieutenant Baruzzi (28th Regiment, 12th Division) first in, raises Italian flag on station, winning gold medal.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sinai: Turks abandon Oghratina but repulse Anzac Mounted Division pursuit (322 casualties) at el-Abd (August 9), but evacuate it on August 11.
Armenia: Turks occupy Mush and Bitlis.
Turks abandon Oghratina and fall back to cover Bir el Abd (Sinai).
Political, etc.
Germany: Lily Braun, German journalist and feminist writer, passed away:
http://imgur.com/OCKXk6i
United Kingdom: King George V and Prince Edward arrive in Calais to inspect British and ANZAC operations.
Portugal: Portugal decides to extend military help in war at Europe (see November 23rd, 1914, December 4th, 1914 and January 3rd, 1917).
Romania: Allies agree on terms for Rumania.