24 February 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: Germans retreat from Serre salient, evacuating Serre, Miraumont, Petit Miraumont, Pys and Warlencourt.

Southern Front
French machine gunners in a foxhole near Koritza (Korçë), Albania: http://imgur.com/GNuqSBl

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Turks abandon Kut, retreat west on Baghdad losing 1,730 PoWs and 4 guns but British Cavalry Division fails to pursue vigorously although 2 armoured cars do damage on February 25. Royal Navy gunboat Mantis rehoists Union flag at Kut.
Indian Lancers marching through the streets of Kut, Mesopotamia (Iraq): http://imgur.com/ZhWU57B* © IWM (Q 25223)
Persia: Turkish 6th Division falls back from Hamadan to Kermanshah, 2nd Division follows on February 26.

Political, etc.
Russia: Russian government opens a special committee to discuss the future status of Poland.
France: French Chamber of Deputies approves a resolution to recall some farmers serving at the front in order to boost food production.
United Kingdom: Lord Arthur Balfour writes that more than 1.2 million Armenians living in the Ottoman Empire have been killed or deported.
Lloyd George states restrictive measures are needed to ration food in Britain, such as cutting beer & liquor production by two-thirds.
United States: US London Ambassador Page, having received Zimmermann Telegram from Balfour cables Wilson with news, received with ‘much indignation’ but awaits Secretary of State’s return.
U.S. War Department proposes a bill that would increase the Army size to 3,296,023 men, which will cost $472,258,746.
Spain: Mr. Gerard is received at Madrid by the King of Spain.

25 February 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: German forces withdraw from front line positions on the Ancre as part of the withdrawal to the Siegfried Stellung (aka Hindenburg Line). (see November 18th, 1916 and March 14th, 1917).
British troops advance on an 11-mile front, to a depth of 3 miles.
Destroyed sugar refinery in Serre captured by the British in operations around Ancre, France: http://imgur.com/lJ3wvw0* © IWM (Q 1769)
BEF 2nd Division and Anzac Corps fight for the Thilloys (until March 2) southwest of Bapaume.
Flanders: General Sixt von Arnim takes over Fourth Army from Duke Albrecht of Wurttemberg who now commands his own Flanders Army Group; both in command for duration of war.
France: Prime Minister Briand proposes that ‘In order to ensure unity of command on the Western Front, the French General-In-Chief will from the 1 March 1917 have authority over the British Forces … in all that concerns … operations … dispositions … allotment of material and resources … to the Armies’. Haig and Robertson object (plan modified February 27).
Successful raids at Monchy-au-Bois, Lens and in Champagne.
English Naval air raid on Brebach (near Metz).

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: 100 Royal Navy Division PoWs arrive at Reiskatte Reprisal Camp (c.3 miles from Front) to dig trenches, often under Russian fire (until June 10); another 500 PoWs join them. [Ed note: this “reprisal” action was one of the responses to the Allied “reprisal” actions of carrying U-boat officers as hostages aboard cargo vessels, or exposing German PoW work parties to German artillery fire on the Western Front. And of course, these two “reprisal” actions were themselves a response to Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare, which itself was a partial response to Great Britain’s illegal blockade methods.
Truly, and illustration of how absurd tit-for-tat actions in war can be.]

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: The pursuit to Baghdad begins (see 24th and March 11th). Turks destroy much war material.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: German destroyer raid on Margate and Broadstairs; 11 German destroyers (Heinrich (?) Tillessen) raid*Dover barrage*including 10-minutes shelling of Margate and*Broadstairs*(4 civilian casualties). (see March 18th).
Atlantic: British S.S. Laconia sunk by submarine SM U-50; this was exceptionally controversial, because earlier in the war, the Royal Navy had taken the Laconia into service as an armed merchant cruiser, and used her at several points in a naval capacity, particularly in the African campaigns. By the time she was sunk, though, the Laconia had been discharged from the Royal Navy, and handed back to Cunard. It is not clear if she was, however, completely disarmed; the British had long since, instituted their policy of arming merchant ships, so the Laconia may have still had some guns on board. However, armed or not, she was at the time of her sinking, a passenger liner in regular service. At least two of the deaths on the SS Laconia are American citizens, further increasing the support for war in the United States. http://imgur.com/NkjsDjc

Political, etc.
France: Due to rationing, only stale whole meal bread can be sold in Parisian restaurants and night work in bakeries are banned.
United Kingdom: (also reported for earlier in the month) New British War Loan subscriptions amount to (new money) £1,000,312,950.
United States: U.S. Senators express anger at President Wilson, who remains silent on the issue of German submarine warfare.

26 February 1917
 

Western Front
Anglo-French Military Conference assembles at Calais to discuss operations, the co-operation of the armies and the co-ordination of operations by the French Commander-in-Chief (continued on 27th) (see March 12th); fixes next Western Front offensive.
Somme: North and south of the Ancre British make further progress, capturing the village of Le Barque (south-west of Bapaume).
Due to the German withdrawal towards the Hindenburg line, British forces have gained 22 square miles of territory in France.
An artificial armored tree used by the French as an observation post in the Auberive sector: http://imgur.com/2k6HunP* © IWM (Q 78890)

Southern Front
Macedonia: 20 aircraft of KG 1 (transferred from Bucharest) surprise bomb French Gorgop airfield; 8 French aircraft destroyed, 4 damaged. KG 1 later bombs Yanesh airfield (RFC), British dumps and camps (28 casualties).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British 13th Division belatedly drives Turkish rearguard from Sheikh Ja’ad, but 3 Royal Navy gunboats (2 hit) destroy Turkish flotilla (4 ships and 1,500 PoWs) and recapture the gunboat HMS Firefly.
Turkish rearguard covers the retreat 15 miles from Kut.

Political, etc.
United Kingdom: British Government requisitions Dutch ships in British ports.
British government announces that it raised £1 billion in new war loans, raised by the contribution of 5 million subscribers.
United States: President Wilson in address to Congress asks for power to arm merchant ships (see February 21st, 1916 and March 12th, 1917). Bill introduced on February 28, but filibustered in Senate to session’s end, March 3.
President Wilson asks the Senate “blanket” authority to use “all instrumentalities” to meet emergencies if Congress is not in session.
American Committee for Armenian and Syrian Relief states $5 million a month is needed to save refugees in the region.
President Wilson signs the bill creating the Mount McKinley (Denali) National Park in Alaska.

27 February 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: On February 26 and 27 British troops capture villages of La Barque, southwest of Bapaume, and Ligny; in past week gains on 11-mile front (south of Gommeccourt to east of Gueudecourt) to maximum depth of 3 miles.
Flanders: Successful British trench raid east of Armentieres.

Eastern Front
Near Jakobeny the Germans take several Russian positions on high ground and 1,300 prisoners.

Southern Front
Macedonia: Salonika: KG 1 raids British Summerhill camp north of Salonika (376 casualties). Raiders intercepted by fighters of Nos 17 and 47 Squadrons; 1 Halberstadt escort fighter forced down and pilot taken PoW. Most of 47 Squadrons fighters damaged.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British cavalry reconnaissance Aziziyeh (until February 28) 50 miles west of Kut but supply shortage forces them back to river. Turkish losses since February 23 including 4,300 PoWs; 39 guns; 22 mortars and 11 MGs. Maude cables C-in-C India asking further advance approval after necessary supply pause till March 5.

Naval and Overseas Operations
US Cruiser USS Des Moines is sent to the Ottoman Empire to carry supplies & rescue American refugees. Germany refuses to give safe conduct.
Royal Navy purchases the HMS Nairana from Australia to be converted into a seaplane carrier: http://imgur.com/WRzp1MF

Political, etc.
Germany: von Bethmann-Hollweg hails U-boat success and justifies breaking agreement with USA, saying it was conditional on America insisting on Great Britain respecting international law concerning "Freedom of the Seas".
Russia: Re-opening of Duma.
France: Calais Agreement: Lloyd George and French War committee (Briand and Lyautey) agree on Nivelle-Haig plan of operations. British agree (Haig reluctantly) that general conduct of imminent campaign should only be in hands of the French C-in-C subject to Haig’s usual right of appeal to London.
United Kingdom: British government seeks 2000 U.S.-made tractors to help support food production in Britain.
United States: President Wilson states that he considers sinking of Laconia the "overt act" for which he was waiting (see 25th and April 6th).
Wilson thanks Balfour for ‘information of such inestimable value’ (Zimmermann telegram).
John M Browning demonstrates his new short recoil, water-cooled machine-gun. In a very short space of time the US Browning M1917 machine-gun was ordered into production in large numbers. https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...wning-M1917.jpg
Standard Oil Company seeks $150 million from the Allies for destroying Romanian oil fields during their retreat from the Central Powers.
Sweden: Train carrying invalided captured Russian soldiers, sent home by Germany through Sweden, suffers a crash, resulting in 50+ deaths.

More interesting data. Thanks, gg. Really enjoy this series of posts. :thumbs:

28 February 1917
 

Western Front
End of February British make first pigeon drops by balloon (after 3 agents so sent), 40% return rate by end of war.
Somme: British troops in the Somme capture Thilloy, Gommecourt, Puisieux, and Sailly-Saillisel, as the German retreat continues. British have captured 11 villages and 2,133 PoWs during February.

Eastern Front
Romanian counter-attacks in Bukovina partially successful.

Southern Front
Austrian “attacks” on Asiago Plateau and north of Gorizia repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Turkish losses in Mesopotamia in last three months estimated at over 20,000.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: In February British 10th (Minesweeping) Sloop Flotilla transferred from*Immingham*on East Coast (Humber) to Queenstown to meet mine threat off Southern Ireland, loses 2 ships in March.
7 Arethusa-class cruisers from*Harwich Force*and Grand Fleet converted to lay 70-74 mines each (February to November); carry out 35 operations (2,553 mines laid by November 1918).
Allied February shipping losses: 254 ships of 500,673t (German figure 520,412t) including record 105 British ships worth 313,486t. Mediterranean toll is 105,670t.
French destroyer Cassini torpedoed in Mediterranean.

Political, etc.
Germany: Only 60,000 Auxiliary Service Law Volunteers (mainly women) instead of 200,000 hoped for. Women transport blanks for 15 cm shells in a national German ammunition factory: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...tionsfabrik.jpg
Russia: Duma member Kerensky calls for end to ‘medieval regime’.
France: Nivelle letter to government warns of ‘pacifist propaganda’ reaching troops.
Canada: Canadian government states it seeks a $150 million loan in order to fund the war effort.
India: Act forms Indian Defence Force (all British European subjects).
United States: German proposals to Mexico for alliance against the United States published in the American Press (see January 19th).
China: Allied Minister present Memorandum to Chinese Government.

1 March 1917
 

Western Front
French troops working at a heavy artillery repair park at La Neuville-Sire-Bernard: http://imgur.com/PX4Dq3b* © IWM (Q 78229)
British falsely claim that German air losses during February are twice those of Allies.
Aeroplane raid on Broadstairs: six injured.

Southern Front
The ruined town of Leskovik on the Albanian-Greek border: http://imgur.com/RpbY7m7

Naval and Overseas Operations
While under construction, the battlecruiser HMS Furious is ordered to be converted into an aircraft carrier.
During March an average of 40 U-boats at sea per day and maximum of 57. Shipping entering British ports in February and March is only 25% of February to March 1916 levels. 16 British oilers (Fleet tankers) sunk March to September. Germany announces end of safe period for sailing ships in Atlantic.
British hospital ship Glenart Castle damaged by mine between Le Havre and Southampton (see February 26th, 1918). Further mine or torpedo disasters to hospital ships on March 20 (Asturias; 14 killed), March 30 (Gloucester Castle, no lives lost); April 10 (Salta, 52 killed); April 17 (Lanfranc, 35 killed including 20 German PoWs) and ambulance-transport (red crosses and distinctive marks dropped) Donegal (41 killed). Germans convinced, probably erroneously, that the hospital ships were carrying munitions and radioing U-boat positions, both blatant violations of international law. This excuse was used to explain Germany’s blatant violations of the same when attacking hospital ships.
Mediterranean: From mid-April British hospital ships sailing zigzag course and get 2 destroyer escorts. French embark 70 German officer PoWs as hostages (April 15 to c.August 15) in 5 hospital ships and notify Berlin (which sends 200 French officer PoWs to Western Front areas shelled by Allies). Again, these last two acts were both blatant violations of international law, and were further illustrations of the stupidities of tit-for-tat tactics.
First weekly statement of shipping sailings, arrivals and losses issued.
Germany announces end of safe period for sailing vessels in Atlantic.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Arthur Arz, Baron von Straussenburg, succeeds Franz Conrad as CoS.
Germany: Speech by Herr Arthur Zimmermannn on torpedoing of neutrals.
Colonel Richard Hentsch (Marne decision) made CoS German Romania military occupation.
United Kingdom: British government announces that during February, it captured 2,133 German prisoners, including 33 officers.
A remotely controlled bomber is tested unsuccessfully at Upavon.
Government of India's offer of £100,000,000 towards cost of war accepted.
Turkey: The Ottoman Empire realign its Rumi calendar to the Gregorian calendar, although years are still based on Muhammad’s migration (Hegira).
United States: Wilson hands press Zimmermann Telegram. The Zimmermann telegram produces widespread condemnations of Germany among U.S. politicians, press, and the public.
In March DW Griffith sails for Europe to make two British-funded films on Western Front.
(listed for yesterday): U.S. House of Representatives pass a law 276 votes to 143, imposing prohibition of alcohol in Washington D.C.
(Also listed for yesterday): President Wilson meets with pacifist groups at the White House and promises he would do everything to avoid war.
Switzerland: Rice and sugar rationing cards issued (2 meatless days per week since February 12).

2 March 1917
 

Western Front
A large trench raid at Vimy, led by the 4th Canadian Division, fails, resulting in 637 Canadian casualties.
British lines advanced north-west of Puisieux and north of Warlencourt (Ancre).
German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line slows, as they launch limited counterattacks against the British advance.
A French caterpillar artillery tractor at a training ground near Bouy: http://imgur.com/NXyH7Mb*© IWM (Q 78891)

Eastern Front
Fighting continues in southern Bukovina.
Activity round Riga and on Narajowka river (Galicia), where Germans claim success.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Turks fall back towards Baghdad, one column from Hamadan and one to Dauletabad.
Hamadan, Kangavarand Sehna (March 5) (Western Persia) recaptured by Russian forces (see also August 10th, 1916, and March 16th, 1918).
A Russian army 107-mm Field Gun Model 1910 in action with Armenian gunners in Middle East https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...mm-FieldGun.jpg

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Charles’ Army reforms begin to take effect.
Germany: Zimmermann tells press his telegram is true.
France: 1918 recruits called up.
Poland: State Council, Warsaw, reported organising national army against Russia, using Polish legions as cadres.
United States: U.S. Congress passes resolution for arming merchant ships.
China: Allied nations offer to cancel China’s indemnity for the Boxer Rebellion and revise tariffs if it enters the war on their side.
Mexico: Mexican and Japanese embassies reassure the U.S. that they had nothing to do with the Zimmermann Telegram.

3 March 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: British advance east of Gommecourt (until March 5).
Aisne: German 51st Reserve Division raid south of Ripont and captures Nivelle’s memo on general offensive from December 16, 1916.

Eastern Front
Western Russia: Russian gas attacks north of Lake Naroch near Krevo (March 4).
Pripet: German 1st Landwehr Division (with 400 field guns and mortars support) attack west of Lutsk and nets 9,000 PoWs; 15 guns; 200 MGs and mortars.

Southern Front
Fierce fighting near Monastir; Italian troops in action.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Captain Newcombe and Arabs wreck Hejaz Railway a Dar-el-Hamra Station. During these days Cairo intercepts Djemal Pasha cable to Medina indicating evacuation plan, Lawrence urges Felsal to act.

Political, etc.
Germany: Zimmermann on submarine warfare: “We regret that neutrals [nations] have to suffer by it, but we cannot help it.”
Russia: The first major protest of the February Revolution occurred on 3 March [18 February in the Julian calendar, still in use in Russia at the time] 1917 as workers of Putilov (later called Kirov Plant), Petrograd's largest industrial plant, announced a strike to demonstrate against the government. Strikes continued on the following days. Due to heavy snowstorms, tens of thousands of freight cars were stuck on the tracks, with the bread and fuel. On 7 March [22 February O.S], the Tsar left for the front. http://imgur.com/5kWLpWw
United Kingdom: British Major-General Frederick B. Maurice predicts that there will be another winter of war, as the German Army is still capable.
U.S. Ambassador Page and Premier Lloyd George confer to discuss the possible entrance of the U.S. into the war.
British government reports 933,000 women are now occupying jobs once held by men called to the front or other war-related services.
Turkey: Ottoman Empire borrows $48 million from Austria-Hungary, on condition that it be used to buy Austro-Hungarian goods.
Belgium: Council of Flanders group in Germany (sees Kaiser) to petition independence.
United States: [yesterday ?] Jones-Shafroth Act is signed by President Wilson, which grants anyone born in Puerto Rico citizenship & creates the Puerto Rican Senate.
Special Preparedness Fund and first Excess Profits Acts passed.
President Wilson is sworn in for a second term as President of the United States.
President Wilson and the First Lady riding a carriage through the streets of D.C.: http://imgur.com/6SK19Hq
Scandinavia: Scandinavian liners resume service to the United States, but will not carry passengers due to the threat of U-boats.

4 March 1917
 

Western Front
General d’Esperey (Northern Army Group) vainly asks Nivelle to let him attack retreating Germans (and on March 6 again), asks for tanks on March 9.
Aisne: French advance between rivers Oisne and Aisne, south of Mouvron.
German withdrawal on the Ancre and Somme front still continues. British troops advance two-thirds of a mile on a two-mile front.
Somme: British 8th Division (1,137 casualties) captures Bouchavesnes with 217 PoWs and repels six counter-attacks.
Verdun: German 28th Division attack on a 2-mile line, penetrates Caurieres Wood, and manages to capture 572 French prisoners. French artillery checks further advances.
French troops transporting a 240 mm heavy artillery gun near Beaurieux: http://imgur.com/0cLcJTA* © IWM (Q 78287)
Naval aeroplanes bomb Brebach (Saarbrucken).

Eastern Front
Germany: Hoffmann diary ‘The Russian Army is deteriorating.’
Romania: Romanians troops bombard near Calieni, but lose Magyaros Ridge on March 8 and fail to regain it on March 10 and 28.
Russia: Another Russian gas attack near Krevo (south-east of Vilna).

Southern Front
Isonzo: Italians form Gorizia Defence Command (3 corps) for Mt Kuk to Mt Santo sector under General Capello, Second Army reduced to IV Corps because of this.
Austrian attack east of Gorizia repulsed. Italians occupy heights in Costabella Mountains. Fighting in the Dolomites.

Political, etc.
Russia: Food riots in Petrograd (and on March 6 and 7).
France: Tubercular Ex-Soldiers Flag Day.
United Kingdom: War Office decides to form 9 tank battalions (total of 1,000 tanks).
Belgium: Flemish deputation received by German Chancellor.
United States: US Secretary of the Navy Daniels announces he will immediately exercise emergency powers to commandeer private shipyards to produce warships.
China: Chinese Cabinet decides to cut off ties with Germany, but President Li Yuanhong rejects the Cabinet’s decision.

5 March 1917
 

Western Front
At Verdun, French troops attack German positions and capture trenches north of Caurieres Wood.
British progress on Ancre front towards Bapaume Ridge.

Eastern Front
Russia: Romanian people of Austro-Hungarian PoWs in Darnitsa Camp near Kiev sign oath to fight Dual Monarchy. [That is, Austria-Hungary]

Southern Front
Sharp fighting in the Dolomites.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians occupy Kangavar, south of Hamadan.
Palestine: Turks abandon strong position west of Shalal (Sinai Peninsula): Kress evacuates Wadi Sheikh Nuran for Gaza-Beersheba line.
Mesopotamia: Maude resumes advance; 13th Hussars’ charge foiled by second trench line.

Naval and Overseas Operations
According to a British report, 123 British vessels were sunk by the Germans in February, while 9,463 ships were able to safely enter port.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Government reply to USA backs U-boat war.
A second report that Marshal Arz von Straussenburg is appointed the new Chief of the General Staff of the Austro-Hungarian Army: http://imgur.com/1zo1W9I
Russia: Food riots in Petrograd continue.
Lord Milner returns from Petrograd saying ‘it is quite wrong to suppose that in Russia there is any controversy about the waging of the war’.
United States: Wilson’s second term inaugural address ‘We stand fast on an armed neutrality.’
London Ambassador Page cables to US ‘France and England must have … enough credit in the US to prevent collapse of world trade’.
12 pacifist US Senators successfully filibuster a bill that would have armed merchant ships to protect them from German submarines.
“The Poor Little Rich Girl,” starring Mary Pickford and directed by Maurice Tourneur, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe...%281917%29.webm

6 March 1917
 

Western Front
First DH4 fast, high-flying S/E bombers [ed note: I think this is a typo, referring to De Haviland light bombers: the S/E series were Royal Aircraft Factory products, the “S E” standing for Scouting Experimental] with first Constantinesco cc MG synchronizing gear (6,000 issued to December) join No 55 Squadron Royal Flying Corps. Wikipedia has this to say about No 55 Squadron: No. 55 Squadron was formed at Castle Bromwich on 27 April 1916. It initially operated as a training unit, flying a mixture of types, including the Avro 504, Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 and the Armstrong Whitworth F.K.8, but in January 1917 it changed its role to a day-bomber squadron and re-equipped with the Airco DH.4, being the first squadron to receive the new light bomber.
Despite a blizzard, fighting continues in Verdun, with French forces successfully defending their trenches from German attacks.
British line extends south of Somme to neighbourhood of Reims, twice the length of a year before.

Eastern Front
Night attack on German positions south of Brzezany fails.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British occupy Lajj and Ctesiphon.
British cavalry 14 miles from Baghdad.
Members of the 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron on horseback during their advance on Baghdad: http://imgur.com/WXUb4lH

Political, etc.
Germany: 250 British PoWs entrain at Minden to work in Ruhr coal mines (2,000 Allied PoWs there already).
German Reichstag budget committee unanimously approves Zimmermann’s attempts to secure an alliance with Mexico against the U.S.
Russia: Food riots in Petrograd continue.
France: Paris is suffering from a potato shortage, and French women are urged to grow potatoes and other foodstuffs instead of flowers.
United Kingdom: Controller of Potatoes appointed. Army Demobilization Trades Register begun.
United States: 18,000 soldiers parade past President Wilson (picture is incorrectly labeled March 4th): http://imgur.com/0jm9cum
U.S. Supreme Court decides S S Appam case in favor of British owners.

7 March 1917
 

Western Front
Occupied Belgium: New German Gotha bomber base of Scheldewindeke operational south of Ghent.
Britain: 11 home air defence squadrons have 147 aircraft instead of 222 establishment and 113 pilots of 198. Field Marshal French orders no anti-aircraft gun firing at hostile planes (until June 7) except in specific coastal defenses; crews reduced to send men to France.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British fail to cross river Diyala but cross Tigris to southern bank by steamer (bridged on March 8).
Three Turkish columns in western Persia continue retreat, converging on Baghdad road at Kangavar; main column thrown from Assadabad Pass by pursuing Russians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Austria: C-in-C Njegovan urges hastened U-boat and MTB construction.
North Sea: Royal Navy CMBs torpedo German destroyer leaving Zeebrugge during air raid.
Black Sea: Russian submarine Kashalot sinks 8 Turk sailing coasters and 3 tugs east of Bosphorus.

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: 1920 class called up in Austria.
Russia: Food riots continue. Tsar Nicholas II leaves Petrograd (St. Petersburg) and head towards the front, even as demonstrations against the government continues.
France: National manifestation at Sorbonne, Paris, for triumph of right.
United Kingdom: Recruiting for W.A.A.C. temporarily completed. 114,803 enrolled for National Service to date.
Turkey: Proclamation by Ulema of Mecca to the Faithful published
United States: U.S. Secretary of State Lansing & Secretary of the Treasury McAdoo signs a check to buy the Danish West Indies: http://imgur.com/MYkPjKP
Joint committee of 11 U.S. Senators work to limit the power of the filibuster.
Survey of Princeton students reveal 41 students think kissing a girl is “highly immoral,” yet 14 of them have engaged in the practice.
Philippines: City of Manila, Philippines orders that everyone on public streets must wear a shirt.

8 March 1917
 

Western Front
France: Canadian Prime Minister visits BEF, Haig and Nivelle (until March 12).
Champagne: French regain most of salient lost on February 15 (Butte de Mesnil-Maisons de Champagne); more gains in eastern sector on March 12.
Flanders: 5 raids on British trenches north of Wulverghem (Messines).
Slight British advance in Ancre valley.
Great air activity.

Eastern Front
Romanians lose three heights (late Russian positions) north-west of Ocna (Moldavia).
Germans “repulsed” near Mitau (Riga).

Southern Front
Several days' shelling of Monastir reported.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British forces begin engaging Ottoman defenders on the confluence of the Tigris and Diyala River south of Baghdad, Mesopotamia (Iraq).
Russians on road from Hamadan rout Turks, who withdraw to Hajiabad.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Italy: Rear-Admiral G. Mortola First Inspector of Shipping Defence.
North Sea: Norwegian relief ship Storstad torpedoed.

Political, etc.
Germany: Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin dies, aged 79, pioneer of giant metal-framed rigid airships (civil and military) since 1891 and of giant LR biplane aircraft. http://imgur.com/dHC9QGK
Prussian government blames the illegal use of ration cards for contributing to the lack of potatoes and bread in Germany.
Russia: The February Revolution begins in Petrograd (different calendar, remember). Demonstrations in Petrograd grow as people celebrating International Woman’s Day join the protests. Women, in particular, were passionate in showing their dissatisfaction with the implemented rationing system, and the female workers marched to nearby factories to recruit over 50,000 workers for strike. Both men and women flooded the streets of Petrograd, demanding an end to Russian food shortages, the end of World War I and the end of autocracy. By the following day 9th March [O.S. February 24], nearly 200,000 protesters filled the streets, demanding the replacement of the Tsar with a more progressive political leader. The protesting mob called for the war to end and for the Russian monarchy to be overthrown. By 10 March [O.S. 25 February] 1917, nearly all industrial enterprises in Petrograd were shut down by the uprising. Although all gatherings on the streets were absolutely forbidden some 250,000 people were on strike. The president of the Imperial Duma Rodzianko asked the chairman of the Council of Ministers Nikolai Golitsyn to resign; the minister of Foreign Affairs Nikolai Pokrovsky proposed the resignation of the whole government. There were disturbances on on the Nevsky Prospect during the day and in the late afternoon four people were killed.
France: Civil mobilisation report tabled in French Senate: civilians of both sexes, 17 to 60, included.
United Kingdom: Irish Nationalists in the House of Commons demand immediate Home Rule and call Premier Lloyd George a “turncoat.”
Interim report of Dardanelles Commission issued.
British Government accepts Nizam of Hyderabad's offer of £100,000 towards anti-submarine campaign.
United States: George W. Guthrie, U.S. ambassador to Japan and former mayor of Pittsburgh, dies in Tokyo while playing golf: http://imgur.com/uDqGRXD
Wireless communication between U.S.A. and Germany suspended.
President Wilson decides to arm American ships against submarines.

Following the events in Russia is especially interesting. A great deal of transition from Czar to Communist Rule is not well understood in the U.S. This helps build some of the basis for what happened there. Thanks.

9 March 1917
 

Western Front
Richthofen (petrol tank and engine hit) leads fighters that shoot down 4 of 9 No 40 Squadron’s FE8s. The Royal Aircraft Factory F. E. 8 was a single-seat fighter with a monosoupape Gnome pusher engine. https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...2017/03/FE8.jpg
French repulse attacks in Champagne and north of Bois des Caurieres. French troops made advances in the Champagne front yesterday and today, taking 170 German prisoners.
Germany claims that during February, it lost 24 airplanes across all fronts, while the Allies lost 91 airplanes.

Asiatic and Theaters
Mesopotamia:Gertrude Bell letter to father ‘That’s the end of the German dream of domination in the Near [Middle] East … their place is not going to be in the sun’. Captain Reid’s 100 men cross river Diyala and repel six Turkish attacks (Reid gains Victoria Cross). South of Tigris Turks forced back to inner line.
Asia Minor: Russians attack retreating Turks near Sivas.
Persia: Turkish XIII Corps reaches Karind. Russian scouts advance south-west from Sakis; Sinnah (Persian Kurdistan) captured. Russians invite Persian Government to repossess reoccupied towns, Baratov reoccupies Kermanshah (March 11) and Karind (March 17).

Political, etc
Germany: Ludendorff warns War Minister and Chancellor home front having an ‘unhealthy influence upon the moral of the Army’.
Alfred Zimmermann: “[Germany] is prepared to place herself at the head of an alliance of states for the maintenance of the world’s peace.”
Russia: Food problem at Petrograd becomes urgent. Around 200,000 protesters flood the streets of Petrograd, demanding the end to the war and overthrow of the Tsar.
France: GQG, persuaded by Estienne, orders 1,000 Renault FT-17 light tanks. Prototype tested on March 14, order approved April 10.
World shortage of wheat foreshadowed by French Chamber.
United Kingdom: British loan of £40,000,000 to Romania.
Lord Devenport sanctions maximum food prices.
Due to food shortages, Britain conducts negotiations with Canada to buy its entire surplus wheat crop for 1917.
Canada: Canada bans women and children from traveling on ships that would pass through areas where submarines are active.
Netherlands: Dutch authorities officially notified by Germany that safety is guaranteed for shipping along a strip of North Sea from Holland to Norway.

10 March 1917
 

Western Front
British capture Irles (on the Ancre); 292 prisoners.

Eastern Front
Romanians and Russians counter-attack to attempt to regain Magyaros Ridge (Moldavia) lost on 8 March.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy submarine G13 sinks UC-43 off Shetlands with loss of all hands. HMS ‘G 13’ was part of the 10th Submarine Fleet and was mainly used for sub hunting in the North Sea. https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...S-G13.jpg?ssl=1
Eastern Atlantic: Epic action between NZ Shipping Co SS Otaki (4.7-inch gun) (A Bisset Smith, posthumous Victory Cross) and German raider Möwe (15 casualties), 350 miles east of Azores. Otaki sinks after c.30 hits but hits Möwe 7 times.
Western Mediterranean: In tragic error troopship-escorting sloop HMS Cyclamen rams and sinks Italian submarine Guglielmotti (14 die) off Capraia Island.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British bridge river Diyala and turn Turk west flank 3 miles from Baghdad. Khalil Pasha grudgingly lets subordinates evacuate city and leaves by train. 9,500 Turks with 48 guns retreat before 45,343 British with 174 guns; German radio station blown up.

Political, etc
Russia: Martial law declared in Petrograd as food riots and protests turn into a general strike (until March 19). The Tsar took action to address the riots on 25 February (O.S.) by wiring garrison commander General Sergey Semyonovich Khabalov, an inexperienced and extremely indecisive commander of the Petrograd military district, to disperse the crowds with rifle fire and to suppress the "impermissible" rioting by force. There were disturbances on on the Nevsky Prospect during the day and in the late afternoon four people were killed. Petrograd Soviet elected.
Turkey: Talaat Pasha obtains Chamber 3.5 million Turkish Pounds food board credit, promises radical solutions.
Romania: Romanian royal family and Romanian soldiers attending a service in Iasi: http://imgur.com/RnNYyzP © IWM (Q 76461) http://imgur.com/RnNYyzP

11 March 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: French First Army reports 40 villages in flames, explosions in and south of Noyon.
Aisne: General Max von Boehn takes over Seventh Army (until August 6, 1918) from Richard von Schubert (in command since August 28, 1916).
Meuse: Georg Fuchs replaces Boehn (since February 2) in command of Army Detachment C at St Mihiel.
Continuous air fighting; loss of 26 Allied and Central Powers machines reported.

Eastern Front
Russian gas attack east of Mitau fails.

Southern Front
Albania: Spring campaign in Macedonia begins (until May 21: French 76th Division advances from Koritza on Resna but blizzard and Austrian-paid Irregulars force suspension on March 19. Snow continues into April.
Salonika: Sarrall and Venizelos at a review.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: FALL OF BAGHDAD (population over 150,000). British troops enter before 0900 hours, find 600 sick and wounded Turkish soldiers. (another source says More than 9000 Ottoman soldiers are captured during the battle. Not actually a contradiction: the first figure refers to the number of soldiers actually in Baghdad itself, the latter to the number of Turkish PoW during the overall battle). Maude lands from steamer at 1530 hours. His troops have marched 110 miles in 15 days.
British troops march into Baghdad: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ghdad.jpg?ssl=1
Kirmanshah (Western Persia) again taken by Russian forces (see July 1st, 1916 and February 25th, 1918).

Political, etc
Germany: Siegfried Heckscher, German Reichstag member, predicts that after the war “Japan’s life interests demand…that she draws nearer to Germany.”
Russia: Mikhail Rodzianko to the Tsar: “The situation is serious. The capital is in a state of anarchy. The Government is paralyzed.” Strikers' food demonstrations and rioting increase in Petrograd; Government agrees to hand over food question to local bodies.
Fourth Company of the Pavlovski Replacement Regiment becomes the first military unit to mutiny in Petrograd, but are quickly disarmed: During the late afternoon of 11 March [O.S. 26 February] the Fourth Company of the Pavlovski Replacement Regiment*broke out of their barracks upon learning that another detachment of the regiment had clashed with demonstrators near the Kazan Cathedral. After firing at mounted police the soldiers of the Fourth Company were disarmed by the Preobrazhensky Regiment.
On the 11th March [O.S 26 February ] the center of the city was fenced off. That evening Golitsyn used a (signed, but not yet dated) ukaze [“Imposition”, “Edict” or “Decree” having the force of law] declaring that his Majesty had decided to interrupt the Duma until April, leaving it with no legal authority to act.
Student militias in Petrograd: http://imgur.com/PNofOmx
France: Sugar-cards (rationing) in Paris.
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): Captain Charles Bathurst, the Assistant Food Controller of Britain, warns that the lack of food could result in the loss of the war.
China: Chinese Congress votes overwhelmingly to cut off diplomatic ties with Germany due to its unrestricted submarine warfare.

12 March 1917
 

Western Front
French gain ground in eastern Champagne.
British raid near Arras.
Soissons bombarded with incendiary shells.
A British fighter pilot, James McCudden, wins the Military Cross. His final tally of medals also included the Victoria Cross, a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and a bar to his Military Cross, and the Military Medal. McCudden was one of the most decorated combatants of World War One.

Eastern Front
Russia: Tsar Nicholas's initial response on 12 March [O.S. 27 February], perhaps based on the Empress's earlier letter to him that the concern about Petrograd was an over-reaction, was one of irritation that "again, this fat Rodzianko has written me lots of nonsense, to which I shall not even deign to reply". Eventually, the Tsar leaves STAVKA for Petrograd.
By now CoS Alexejev convinced no offensive to support Nivelle possible; only by the end of July.
Galicia: Successful German raids near Zloczow-Tarnopol railway, Brzezany and on river Narajowka.

Southern Front
British advance on Doiran front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Q-ship Privet sinks U-85 (Petz) off Start Point near Plymouth (UC-68 blows up on own mines there on March 13). US SS Algonquin torpedoed without warning. The crew survives.
British submarine HMS E.49 hits a mine off the Shetland Islands and sinks with the loss of all 30 crewmembers.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Tripoli: Italians occupy Bukamez (west of Tripoli).
Mesopotamia: Soldiers of the 1st Australian Wireless Signal Squadron enjoy a meal following the capture of Baghdad: http://imgur.com/e8Diopd

Political, etc
Russia: Russian February Bourgeois Democratic Revolution begins. Starting with the Volinsky Regiment, the garrison of Petrograd begin to mutiny one by one. Eventually, the whole 17,000-strong Petrograd garrison joins crowds. http://imgur.com/8LSrdVs
Temperature 0°F.
Duma prorogued at first: then some delegates decided to form a Provisional Committee of the State Duma, led by Rodzianko and backed by major Moscow manufacturers and St. Petersburg bankers. However, the Duma refused to head the revolutionary movement as a whole. Its first meeting was on the same evening and ordered the arrest of all the ex-ministers and senior officials. In the Marinsky Palace the Council of Ministers of Russia, assisted by Rodzyanko, held its last meeting. Protopopov was told to resign and offered to commit suicide. The Council formally submitted its resignation to the Tsar.
No bread or transport. Only 2 regiments and the police loyal to Tsar in sporadic street fighting.
Students and army deserters fire on police in Petrograd: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...reien.jpg?ssl=1
Petrograd protestors burn symbols of the Russian monarchy: http://imgur.com/yvfrKtv
United Kingdom: Anglo-French Conference assembles in London to discuss relations of British and French commanders in the Western Theatre and employment of prisoners of war in the fighting zone (see February 26th, 1917 and March 26th, 1918).
Bread order makes sale by weight compulsory.
British Lieutenant General Smuts states German colony in East Africa is immensely rich and suggestions to return it is “preposterous.”
Canada: Third War Loan opens.
United States: United States Government announce arming of all merchant vessels in the war zone (see February 26th).
112 labor unions in the U.S. meet in Washington, D.C. to discuss how to aid the American war effort if it was to enter the war.
Mexico: The 1917 Mexican general election is held. Venustiano Carranza is elected President with 97.9% of the vote: http://imgur.com/2RyKgp1

13 March 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: British advance guard now 11 miles from Bapaume. Further gains east and northeast of Gommecourt.
Aisne: Germans repulsed at Hill 185.
Meuse: Fighting near St Mihiel.
“Lively” fighting north-east of Soissons.

Eastern Front
Bulgarians bombard Galatz from the Danube.

Southern Front
Field hospitals at Vertekop (Serbia) bombed: two British nurses and others killed.
British line south-west of Doiran advanced 1,000 yards.

Naval and Overseas Operations
USA: Navy Department authorizes armed merchant ships to take action against U-boats.
France: Parliament Commission de la marine de guerre urges anti-U-boat directorate and priority to patrol craft.
Norwegian relief ship Lars Fostenes, carrying grain, torpedoed outside blockade zone.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians take Kermanshah (Persia) after two days' fighting.
Another column approaches Bana (140 miles north-west of Kermanshah).
British 30 miles north of Baghdad.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Impending cabinet crisis in Austria-Hungary.
Russia: On 13 March (O.S. 28 February), at five in the morning, the Tsar left Mogilev, (and directed also Nikolay Iudovich Ivanov to go to Tsarskoe Selo) but was unable to reach Petrograd as revolutionaries meanwhile controlled railway stations around the capital. Around midnight the train was stopped at Malaya Vishera, and turned back. In the evening of 14 March Nicholas arrived in Pskov. In the meantime the units guarding the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo either "declared their neutrality" or left for Petrograd and thus abandoned the imperial family. The Provisional Committee declared itself the governing body of the Russian Empire. [13 March] http://imgur.com/HMp343H Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia, abdicates. [14 March]. Prince Georgy Lvov appointed Russian Premier. Pavel Milyukov appointed Russian Foreign Minister. General Alexandr Guchkov appointed Russian Minister for War. "Chief among them [the Aims of the Provisional Government] was the desire to bring the war to a successful conclusion in conjunction with the Allies; and the very cause of their opposition was the ever deepening conviction that this was unattainable under the present government and under the present regime. The socialists had formed their rival body, the Petrograd Soviet (or workers' council) on the 27th of February [O. S.; 12 March]. Izvesteya paper first published. Crowd storms military Hotel Astoria but British present save many Russian officers. Revolutionaries execute captain of cruiser Aurora, refitting in the Baltic, crew elect first ship committee. Mutiny at Kronstadt naval base (just west of Petrograd proper; mutiny lasts until March 14) kills c.40 officers and NCOs, 162 officers arrested. Fleet C-in-C first main one to accept Provisional Government (on March 14).
Emblems of the Russian royal family are torn from shops and thrown into the Fontanka Canal, Petrograd: http://imgur.com/69vkG5h
France: Political crisis in France grows serious, as the Opposition Party refuses to vote due to disagreements with PM Briand on military decisions.
United Kingdom: In London Haig and Nivelle sign clarifications of command spheres.
Government takes over all quarries and mines (non-coal).
First WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) enrolled, mainly ex-Women’s Legion.
General Smuts sworn of the Privy Council.
Statement on mastery of air in House of Commons.
Government intends to stand by new Indian cotton duties.
Australia: The explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, while speaking in Sydney, states he seeks war service, as all able-bodied Britons should fight.

14 March 1917
 

Western Front
German forces withdraw from the Somme sector to the Siegfried Stellung (Hindenburg Line) (see February 25th and April 5th). German Second and First Armies involved. BEF Fifth Army follows cautiously including 4th (1st Indian) Cavalry Division.

Southern Front
Monastir front “lively” (ed note: there’s that word again; personally, I can’t see military action as ‘lively’ it is way more likely to be quite deadly): Austrians attack west and Italians advance east of town.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Crew of the German merchant raider SMS Möwe returns from their 2nd raiding voyage, having sunk or captured 25 ships: http://imgur.com/jtXqtDS

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Action of Mushaidiya Station. 20 miles north of Baghdad, west of Tigris: Cobbe’s 7th Division (518 casualties) with 46 guns smashes Turk rearguard (800-1,000 casualties) after night march from Baghdad (returns on March 17). British 40th Brigade occupies Kasirin (28 miles north of Baghdad, east of Tigris).
Turks hurrying north to position at Mushaidiya (20 miles north of Baghdad).

Political, etc
Russia: New Provisional Government proclaimed, meets Petrograd Soviet. Petrograd Soviet Order No 1 ordering soldiers to obey their officers as long as it did not contradict the Petrograd Soviet; also orders elected committees to control weaponry and one representative per company to Soviet; saluting off duty abolished. Another source claims this order is to “demoralize Army”.
Soldiers guarding the Alexander Palace in Tsarskoe Selo abandon their posts and leave the Russian royal family.
Tsar’s train stopped at Pskov.
Strikes and 30,000-strong march at Reval (until March 15).
Moscow, Kharkov and Odessa declare for Provisional Government.
France: War Minister Hubert Lyautey resigns because of Socialist hostility.
United Kingdom: Both Houses accept India's war contribution of £100,000,000 and authorize increase in cotton duties.
United States: New York City mayor urges its citizens to sign a declaration of “unconditional loyalty” to the United States.
China: German minister at Peking handed his passports. German merchant ships in Shanghai are seized by China.

15 March 1917
 

Western Front
British progress on 2.5 mile front between St. Pierre Vaast Wood and Saillisel (north of Somme).
German delaying attack east of Achiet-le-Petit.
French progress between Avre and Oise.

Southern Front
Turkish concentration in Asia Minor contemplated.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Dover Patrol destroyer Foyle mined,
Red Sea: British sloop Odin intercepts minelayer Iltis (originally a prize of the raider Wolf; 26 German PoWs) in Gulf of Aden where she laid 25 mines (swept by Somali-manned tugs within 2 months for 1 ship lost).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Action of Mushaidiya Station: British take Mushaidiya; Turks in full flight towards Samarra (Tigris).

Political, etc
Germany: Sixth War Loan opens.
Russia: Nicholas II, Tsar of Russia, abdicates (see 12th, and July 16th, 1918). https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...us-II.jpg?ssl=1 He did so on behalf of himself and his son, Tsarevich Alexei. In the afternoon at 3 o'clock Nicholas nominated his brother, the Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, to succeed him. The next day the Grand Duke realised that he would have little support as ruler, so he declined the crown. Prince Lvov appointed Russian Premier (see 13th, 14th and July 19th). M. Milyukov appointed Russian Foreign Minister (see 14th, January 27th, and May 16th). General Guchkov appointed Russian Minister for War (see 13th, 14th, and May 16th). Alexandr Kerensky Justice Minister; Guchkov War and Marine Minister. (One highly suspect source claims: Political and religious amnesty declared plus widespread freedoms. Immediate preparations for Constituent Assembly (universal suffrage) announced. However, another more realistically states: the Provisional Government lacked support from the population. The Provisional Government was an alliance between liberals and socialists who wanted political reform. Their goals were to set up a democratically elected executive and constituent assembly. Or, IOW, these ‘widespread freedoms’ were to happen at some unspecified point down the road). Ukrainian National Rada formed at Kiev.
France: Army has received 160 tanks (208 by April 1).
French Chamber pass summertime bill.
United Kingdom: British news film showcasing a snow sculpture exhibit in Geneva: http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/i...ject/1060023444
Turkey: (special 1921): Talaat Pasha, considered the main perpetrator of the Armenian Genocide, was assassinated by the Armenian Revolutionary Federation.
United States: U.S. railway men threaten strike.
Switzerland: Vladimir Lenin in forced exile, gets news of Revolution, envisages train journey through Germany (March 19), publicly opposes new Provisional Government (March 27).

Snow sculptures were pretty neat. Hadn't seen those before.

16 March 1917
 

Western Front
German airship L-39 shot down by French anti-aircraft fire near Compiegne (night March 16-17).
Guynemer achieves first French ace’s triple victory and receives Russian Order of St George (4th class) from President Poincare.
Abortive German Navy airship operation against London; adverse weather. First sortie by 4 R-class ‘height climber’ Zeppelins at 17,000 – 19,000ft.
Somme: British occupy St Pierre Vaast Wood, dominating Peronne. First marching day of Operation Alberich: 35 German divisions begin synchronized retreat to Hindenburg Line.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarians destroy Italian defenses in San Pellegrino valley (Dolomites) and occupy positions there.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Action between German raider Leopard and H.M.S. Achilles and Armed Boarding Steamer Dundee: Leopard sunk 200 miles northeast of Faroes during attempted breakout into Atlantic.
Black Sea: Russian Fleet shells Derkos.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians dislodge Turks from summit of Naleshkian (Persia) and occupy Alliabad, engaging Turkish forces near Kerind.

Political, etc
Germany: German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg states Germany will give more power to the people after the war.
Russia: Tsar Nicholas II announces his abdication of yesterday, bringing 3 centuries of Romanov rule over Russia to an end: http://imgur.com/dp08csM . As related, Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich declines the Russian throne, realizing that he has little support as ruler: http://imgur.com/79WaAPY. Russian 2nd Battleship Brigade (4 ships) leads revolution at Helsinki (night Mach 16-17, c.50 officers and NCOs killed) but no bloodshed at Reval (March 15) or elsewhere. Fleet has over 89,000 members of all ranks.
Winter Palace declared State property.
France: French Army agrees to send 5 of its officers to the U.S. to help train American soldiers.
United Kingdom: Despite German submarine warfare, British Board of Trade announces overseas trade in February increased by £4.5 million.
British labour leaders send telegram of sympathy to Russian labor party.
Acute potato famine in England.
Turkey: Turkish Senate approves agreement with Baghdad Railway Co.
Sheikh-ul-Islam again proclaims Holy War; general mobilization of Turks ordered.

17 March 1917
 

Western Front
Roye occupied by French forces (see August 30th, 1914 and March 26th, 1918).
Bapaume occupied by British forces (see September 26th, 1914 and March 24th, 1918). imgur.com/1vigRqS © IWM (Q 1822)
Germans blow up all public and commercial buildings and leave secret huge mine under the mairie (explodes on March 27, killing 2 French deputies and British staff). BEF occupies 13 villages. British Lucknow Cavalry Brigade ordered forward.
British troops with French inhabitants of Bouvincourt, sitting around a fire: http://imgur.com/Hjc994X © IWM (Q 1896)
Aisne: German Seventh Army evacuates Crouy for position 5 miles to north; French can enter Lassigny.
Future French ace Renė Fonck fights off 5 Albatrosses, destroying 1 (his second kill).
German aircraft drops 4 bombs near Dover submarine pens.
Allies bomb Frankfurt in reprisal for destruction of Bapaume. Germans send many prisoners into war zone as reprisal.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: HM sloops Migonette and Alyssm (March 18) mined and sunk off southwest Ireland.
U.S. cargo ship Vigilancia is sunk by the German submarine SM U-70, resulting in the deaths of 15 American crew.
Channel: 16 German destroyers raid Ramsgate and Broadstairs (night March 17-18) also sink destroyer HMS Paragon (10 survivors) and torpedo destroyer Llewellyn.
East Africa: Hoskins asks for 15,000 porters per month to replace wastage plus 500 American light lorries (200 promised for mid-May), orders 300 new KAR (mainly ex-German Askari) to leave Morogoro by rail for Tabora. They leave there for south on March 23.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Karind (West Persia) occupied by Russian forces.
Royal Flying Corps Flight moves from Rabegh up coast to Wejh.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Franz Brentano, influential German philosopher, psychologist, and priest who taught Sigmund Freud and many others, passed away.
Russia: C-in-C Russian fleet Nepenin resigns, is shot and murdered by lone sailor. Vice-Admiral Maksimov elected in his place; restores order with 2 Provisional Government envoys.
Russian Provisional Government pledges universal suffrage, freedom of speech, amnesty for prisoners & other reforms: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source...provgovt.htmAnd but the final paragraph: “The Provisional Government wishes to add that it has no intention whatsoever of taking advantage of the military situation to delay in any way the carrying through of the reforms and the measures outlined above.” proved to be only the ghost of a promise.
France: General Pierre Roques, French Minister for War, resigns (see 20th and March 16th, 1916).
United Kingdom: Albert Hall meeting in favor of national service for women.

18 March 1917
 

Western Front
German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line continues on a front of 70-miles, yielding 400-600 square miles & 70 villages to the Allies.
Somme: Péronne and Noyon occupied by Allied forces (see September 21st, 24th and 25th, 1914; and March 24th and 25th, 1918).
BEF GHQ Intelligence summary reports wells at Barleux southwest of Peronne poisoned with arsenic. French reoccupy Noyon (population 12,000; streets mined and booby-trapped, explosions till mid-April). British 48th Division occupies Peronne and BEF Chaulnes. Allies enter Nesle together.
British officers studying maps after entering the French town of Peronne: http://imgur.com/iEW3d3o © IWM (Q 4957)
Verdun: German ‘attacks’ in Avocourt-Mort Homme sector ‘repulsed’ (until March 19).
Great air activity.

Southern Front
Salonika: Two attempted KG1 raids broken up by Royal Flying Corps fighters; Captain Murlis Green in BE12 shoots down 1 bomber, damages another.
After five days' fighting French capture 1,200 Bulgarians, a mile of trenches north-east, and village of Svegovo, north of Monastir.
French troops sleeping in the frontlines of Florina and Monastir (Bitola), Macedonia after an attack: http://imgur.com/z6mKJah

Naval and Overseas Operations
American steamer Illinois is sunk by the German submarine SM UC-21. Its crew were saved: http://imgur.com/6KBVjIA © IWM (Q 58104)
German crew of the SM UB-6 scuttle their own submarine, after it had run aground in Dutch territory and interned by the Dutch government.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Mustafa Kemal appointed C-in-C Turk Second Army (Deputy since March 5) in new Army Group Caucasus (Ahmed Izzet Pasha), only 40,000 strong, and still typhus-ridden. Russians reoccupy Van.
A Turkish staff officer with a ten-year-old boy soldier who has his slain father’s rifle and medal at the Caucasus front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ldier.jpg?ssl=1
Mesopotamia: British occupy Baquba (35 miles northeast of Baghdad) after 240 lorried infantry with 4 armoured cars fail to seize bridge there on March 14.

Political, etc
Russia: Holy Synod of the Russian Orthodox Church removes the Tsar’s chair from their conference rooms, symbolizing break with the monarchy.
The Russian Duma in session in the aftermath of the February Revolution: http://imgur.com/dnrbM3G
Russian Press urges loyalty to Allied cause; commission inquires into delinquencies of former ministers; food question, in hands of Zemstva, etc., becomes less acute.
United States: Political cartoon showing women suffragists on a steamroller labeled “Progress”: http://imgur.com/5LWcQcd
Loretta Perfectus Walsh becomes the 1st woman to enlist in the U.S. Navy and also the 1st woman to join the US military in a non-nurse role.

19 March 1917
 

Western Front
Allied forces capture another 62 French villages from the Germans, who are continuing their planned withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. Over 170 villages taken by Allies in three days.
French advance beyond Ham (Somme) and take Chauny (Oise).
Heavy German “attacks” between Avocourt Wood and Hill 304 (Verdun) “repulsed”.

Eastern Front
Bavarian cavalry withdrawing after fighting a rearguard action near Chauny: http://imgur.com/YBmV25W © IWM (Q 69959)

Southern Front
Germans re-occupy railway station at Poroj, previously entered by British.
Renewed activity in Pass of Tonale, in areas of Pasubio, Asiago, Tolmino, east of Gorizia and on Carso.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: U-64 sinks modern French battleship Danton (296 lost) southwest of Sardinia. The French battleship Danton (completed March 1911) was classified as a ‘Semi-Dreadnought’ with 18,400 tons and just 4 x 12-inch main guns plus 12 x 9.4-inch guns. https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...anton.jpg?ssl=1
Kaiser Wilhelm II approves announcement that Allied hospital ships in Mediterranean no longer to be spared except in neutral corridor under strict conditions. [ed note: The Germans were, by now, convinced that the Allies were using Hospital Ships as very thinly-disguised troop transports, and the actual wounded carried by them, and the medical staff of doctors, orderlies, and nurses on board was what today would be called “human shields”.]

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Maude’s proclamation to Baghdad promises Arab freedom. British take Falluja (west of Baghdad) ending Turkish control of Euphrates sluice gates.
Capture of Deltawa and Sindia.

Political, etc
Germany: (Special 1911): Socialist German politician Clara Zetkin established the first International Women's Day.
Russia: Petrograd Soviet Executive Committee appoints commissars to all units. Parade of military schools in Palace Square, Petrograd after the Revolution: http://imgur.com/uRNhh76
Workers in Petrograd are ordered by the Committee of Workmen's and Soldiers' Delegates to resume work in the factories. Back pay will be given for days during the Revolution.
Attempted murder of Aleksandr Kerenski.
France: Alexandre Ribot is named the new Prime Minister of France: http://imgur.com/1UETxTm
United Kingdom: Lloyd George in the House of Commons congratulates the “free people” of Russia, but he is jeered by Irish Nationalist MPs.
British Government opens relations with M. Miliukov, but Government not officially recognised.
Financial statement by Mr. Bonar Law in House of Commons.
United States: Roosevelt criticizes Wilson’s inaction over submarines: “We have been content to shelter ourselves behind the fleet of a foreign power.”
President Wilson settles U.S. railway strike; eight hours day legalized.

20 March 1917
 

Western Front
Aisne: Germans demolish irreplaceable medieval castle of Coucy-le-Chateau, 10 miles north of Soissons, to remove potential observation post.
A house set on fire by retreating Germans explodes in Mons-en-Chausee, France: http://imgur.com/B1IoSPp © IWM (Q 1907)
Artois: BEF preparatory bombardment for Arras offensive opens.
British soldiers with French children in the newly-liberated village of Vraignes on this day. In the background is the German goodbye “Gott strafe England’ (‘God punish England’; this is, BTW, where the English word “strafe” comes from): https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ignes.jpg?ssl=1
Department of Oise entirely liberated.
French take Tergnier and cross St. Quentin Canal. French carry railway junction of Jussy (east of Ham).
German casualties reported at 4,148,163 (to end of February).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: Raider Möwe returns to Kiel.
British hospital ship Asturias torpedoed without warning during night of 20-21 March: 41 lost.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
The Victoria Cross is awarded to Lieutenant F.H. McNamara of No.67 (Australian) Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, the only Australian airman to be so decorated. The Victoria Cross is awarded for his rescue of a downed fellow pilot, Captain D.W. Rutherford, after a bombing attack on a railway across Wadi Hesse at Tel el Hesi in Palestine. http://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/images/...s/pc76-23-5.jpg

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Princes Sixtus and Xavier in Vienna until March 25.
Russia: Ex-Tsar Nikolai Romanov reviews troops at STAVKA, urges loyalty to Provisional Government and war’s continuation.
Appointment of Grand Duke Nicholas to supreme command of army annulled.
Casualties at Petrograd 2,500.
Proclamation by Provisional Government. [the one promulgating freedoms]
France: M. Paul Painlevé appointed French Minister for War (see 17th, September 12th and November 14th).
United Kingdom: First meeting of British Imperial War Conference attended by dominion and colonial officials, to discuss the war and the empire’s future. (see December 19th, 1916).
At the House of Commons, former Premier Asquith defends the late Lord Kitchener’s part in the Battle of Gallipoli.
Ministry of National Service formed.
Romania: CoS General Iliesca blames Russia for autumn 1916 disasters.
United States: US Cabinet agree war inevitable, Wilson summons Congress for April 2, 1917.
American Note to General Carranza (Mexico) published.
China: Chinese Navy takes over 2 interned German river gunboats before declaration of war (on August 14, 1917); 20 interned steamers (21,000t) already seized on March 14.

21 March 1917
 

Western Front
Oise: French Third Army occupies Tergnier on Crozat Canal, fights its way across on March 22.
German Army completes Operation Alberich, the planned withdrawal of around 25 miles (40km) to the Siegfried Stellung (Hindenburg Line).
(Listed for yesterday): Canadian forces begin preliminary bombardment and trench raiding of Vimy Ridge: http://imgur.com/cVkmteV
A British soldier lifts a damaged figure of Christ at Le Barque, France: http://imgur.com/Xti2WuH © IWM (Q 3874)
French civilians greet British soldiers in the ruins of Mons-en-Chausee: http://imgur.com/8pZ78DU © IWM (Q 1874)

Eastern Front
Germans active near Lida (Beresina), in Galicia and on Romanian front.

Southern Front
Fighting by French, lasting for over a week, frees Monastir from daily bombardment. Central Powers make serious counter-attack but are repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: US tanker Healdton sunk (20 die) by U-boat in Holland safety zone.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians continue to pursue Turks from Sakiz (Persia) towards Kermanshah.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Government empowered to seize all supplies and fix prices (likewise in Hungary on March 23).
Germany: Philipp Scheidemann, leader of the Socialists in the German Reichstag, warns that Prussia must learn from the Tsar’s fate in Russia.
Russia: Ex-Tsar Nikolai Romanov arrested at Mogilev. Munitions and food problem in Petrograd being satisfactorily dealt with. Proposed eight hours day.
France: Vote of confidence in French Chamber.
United Kingdom: The first British guided missile anti-tank weapon is designed by Professor A.M. Low and begins flight trials at Upavon. The tests are unsuccessful.
Belgium: German decree partitions country with centers at Brussels and Namur; Flemish official language in West, French in Walloon districts.
United States: French Military Mission sails for New York.

22 March 1917
 

Western Front
(Listed for yesterday): Prince Friedrich Karl of Prussia’s plane is brought down over France. He is injured & captured by Australian troops: http://imgur.com/evonpd0
British troops cross the Somme River across a newly-constructed pontoon bridge at Peronne: http://imgur.com/TfGal3X © IWM (Q 5834)
German lines on the Western Front stiffens, and begin launching counterattacks against British and French positions.
French progress north of Tergnier (Oise) and north of Soissons, despite stiffening defence.
French refugee children at a British field kitchen in Nesle: http://imgur.com/i2ikzoD © IWM (Q 5806)
Heavy snow storms.

Eastern Front
German aircraft shoots down Russian Morane Parasol (No 317) into German wire southwest of Dünaburg.
German troops attack Russian positions near the city of Lida (today named Vilna)along a front of 2.5 miles, but are driven back in a counterattack.
Russians eventually retake lost trenches near Lida.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Archangel route in danger zone.
British danger zone in North Sea extended towards Holland and Jutland from 2 April.

Political, etc
Germany: Interior Minister Dr. Karl Helfferich give Reichstag speech which praises Auxiliary Service Law, states food restrictions not serious, health surprisingly good, infant mortality lower than peacetime.
(Listed for yesterday): Alfred Einhorn, German chemist who 1st synthesized procaine (Novocain), passed away: http://imgur.com/smsKiwf
Russia: Provisional Government in Russia by now recognized by Great Britain, France, Italy, United States of America, Romania, and Switzerland (see 14th).
The former Tsar was reunited with his family and placed in Protective Custody by the Provisional Government at the Alexander Palace at Tsarskoye Selo.
France: Decree forbids imports except essential foods.
United States: The Arion Society, a German-American music society, condemns the mayor of New York for urging people to sign a “loyalty” pledge to the U.S.

23 March 1917
 

Western Front
Germans flood Oise valley and La Fare (French near suburbs on March 24). Nivelle confesses to King Albert that ‘many people are against the offensive’.
French success at Artemps (south of St. Quentin).
New detachments cross Ailette; progress north of Soissons.
Some fighting on British front between Arras and Bapume-Cambrai road.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Germans mass on Riga-Dvinsk front; seriously menaces Petrograd.
Romania: Russians lose trenches west of Moinesci near river Trotus.

Southern Front
Allied Offensive in Macedonia ends (see 11th).
Bombs on Mudros from German airship.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles and Count Czernin meet Princes Sixtus and Xavier at Laxenburg Castle, drafts letter to Poincare (March 24).
Germany: German proclamation to Russian soldiers blames English for war & Tsar’s abdication.
United Kingdom: Lloyd George cables Russian Prime Minister Prince Lvov Revolution a portent for Prussian military autocracy.
Lord Devenport on food consumption; shortages looming.
United States: 13,000 people rally in Madison Square Garden in New York City to demand war against Germany.

24 March 1917
 

Western Front
The Royal Flying Corps' first night-bombing squadron, No.100 Squadron, equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b aircraft, departs for France.
Somme: British troops occupy Roisel east of Peronne. Ruins at Peronne after British capture. German sign reads, “Don’t be angry, just be amazed.” http://imgur.com/wTig7iE © IWM (Q 78871)
Raiding party from the Scottish Rifles begin their attack on German lines near Arras: http://imgur.com/Cv2dXpy © IWM (Q 5101)
French occupy right bank of Oise from north of Vaudreuil to suburbs of La Fere and progress on east bank of Ailette Canal.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British destroyer HMS Laforey strikes a mine and sinks off Boulogne, France, resulting in the deaths of 59 of her 77 crew.
Britain announces that it will expand its mine zones to cover the mouths of the Weser and Elbe rivers of Germany.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British offensive into Palestine begins (see 26th).

Political, etc
Germany: Germany announces that bread rations will be cut by one-fourth starting on April 1st. Meat rations will be increased by 250 grams per week.
Russia: Russian Army proclaims loyalty to Provisional Government: Junior officer writes ‘There was a gulf between the troops and the officers which could not be bridged’.
Swearing of Russian troops on the new Provisional Government, which wanted to continue the Tsar’s war. But the loyalty of the soldiers is fragile. https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...daten.jpg?ssl=1
France: Government protests to neutrals against German devastation in newly evacuated French territory.
Bulgaria: Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria advises German Minister not to exploit Russia’s weakness by offensive (none planned on March 27).
United States: Council of National Defense creates Commercial Economy, and General Munitions Boards (March 31).
The 1917 Indianapolis 500 is canceled due to the war and disputes with local hotels.
Greece: Greek Government demands Italian troops’ withdrawal from Epirus. Allied Ministers return to Athens.

25 March 1917
 

Western Front
Billy Bishop gains first of credited 72 victories. Only one of 6 Sopwith two-seater (No 70 Squadron) survive reconnaissance to Valenciennes (2 lost before on March 24).
Heavy fighting develops along the Western Front, as French and British troops approach the town of St. Quentin.
A British officer watches demolition work by the Royal Engineers at the Somme River: http://imgur.com/nM6ZXsb © IWM (Q 1928)
A delegation of Chinese students visit the Western Front at the town of Peronne: http://imgur.com/SgY0tOF © IWM (Q 1923)
395 shells on Reims.

Eastern Front
Western Russia: German gas attack in Dvinsk area repulsed, but attack on March 26 southwest of Baranovichi gains east bank of river Shchara and 300 PoWs.

Naval and Overseas Operations
French take Ouijan (Morocco).
Dunkirk bombarded from sea.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Qasr-i-Shirin (Western Persia) again taken by Russian forces (see June 20th, 1916 and July 8th, 1917).
Battle of Jebel Hamrin: Having bridged two canals on March 24, Keary GOC 3rd Indian Divisions’s 4,600 men (1,165 casualties) with 26 guns repulsed by 5,650 Turks and 24 guns (Ali Ihsan’s XIII Corps from Persia who cross to Diyala West bank on March 29).

Political, etc
Russia: General Mikhail Alexeiev made C-in-C by Provisional Government (until June 4) instead of Grand Duke Nicholas, Tsar’s choice (arrived from Caucasus on March 23) .
Following the overthrow of the Russian Tsar Nicholas II, Georgia's bishops unilaterally restored the autocephaly of the Georgian Orthodox Church.
Death penalty abolished and medals except St George Cross. All Tsar’s property and income transferred to State.
France: French government protests German “acts of barbarism and devastation” in occupied-French territory.
United Kingdom: Commons votes £60 million war credit.
Italy: National Board for War Invalids authorized.
Belgium: U.S. Legation at Brussels removed to Le Havre; Belgian relief work to be undertaken by other neutrals.
United States: U.S. Navy Secretary Daniels announces censorship rules that would prevent the press from criticizing the administration’s policies.

26 March 1917
 

Western Front
Heavy snow and rain (plus hail on March 27).
Somme: Australians capture Lagnicourt (c.50 PoWs), 6 miles northeast of Bapaume.
Aisne: Heavy clashes occur between French and German forces around St. Quentin, with two towns falling to the French. French Third Army push back Germans beyond Barisis-Servais line and recapture Coucy-le-Chateau.

Eastern Front
German troops advance on Russian lines near Dvinsk (Daugavpils), aided by poison gas attacks, but only make limited gains.
Russians attacked south-west of Baranovichi (centre), retire on east bank of Shchara, losing 300 prisoners.

Southern Front
French artillery active on the Salonika (Thessalonica) Front in Macedonia: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/170
Austro-Hungarians occupy Italian advanced trenches south of the Vipacco (Carso).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
First Battle of Gaza begins (see 27th): Dobell’s British Eastern Force (39,000 men and 136 guns against 16,000 Turks with 74 guns) cuts off Gaza with 8500 cavalry and belatedly captures Ali Muntar Ridge above city, but ceases battle at nightfall. Late in the afternoon, on the verge of capturing Gaza, the Desert Column was withdrawn due to concerns about the approaching darkness and large Ottoman reinforcements. British incur 3,967 casualties including 246 PoWs and 2 planes; Turkish forces 2,447 casualties (837 PoWs) including 48 Austro-Germans, 2 guns and 1 aircraft.
Germans (8 Rumplers and a few Halberstadt fighters) outperform Royal Flying Corps (21 serviceable aircraft) in vital reconnaissance role during First Battle of Gaza (until March 28).

Political, etc
Russia: Russian War Minister warns that the “foe is at the gate,” pointing to the buildup of German troops threatening Petrograd.
Leon Trotsky leaves his exile in New York City and heads back to Russia: http://imgur.com/CKc1WfZ
United Kingdom: Statement re: prisoners of war in House of Commons.
Mr. Bonar Law appeals to engineers on strike at Barrow to resume work.
Bread rises to 1s. per 4-lb. loaf, and new standard of flour applied to bakers.
United States: Pres. Wilson issues executive order putting the Navy at war strength. U.S. Navy recruiting station in New York City: http://imgur.com/X5NoAvi
25 additional U.S. National Guard units are called out for Federal service today, putting the total at about 46,000 men so far.

27 March 1917
 

Western Front
Aisne: French reach Aisne-Oise Canal north of Soissons. Allied advances on the Western Front continues near St. Quentin, with French forces taking 4 towns and British taking 3 towns.
A memorial to both German and French dead raised by Germans at Champlieu, France: http://imgur.com/aV40199 © IWM (Q 78230)
A wooden mock-up of a French tank prototype at La Seyne: http://imgur.com/babZ5YC © IWM (Q 70879)

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany forms Long-range Ocean U-cruiser Flotilla with U-155; 5 boats by September 22. In or outside prohibited zones ships without lights to be sunk without warning. U-155 was converted from the commercial submarine Deutschland and was one of a class of 8 long-range U-boats. The boats were obsolete in the last year of the war, but were important as the first long-range subs ever: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...U-155.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
First Battle of Gaza ends (see 26th, and April 17th). Ottoman counterattacks recaptured Ali Muntar and a portion of Green Hill, but the 1/7th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, (161st Brigade, 54th Division), retook the positions before consolidating and re-establishing their posts. Meanwhile the Ottoman force, appeared on Sheikh Abbas and shelled the rear of the British position, "including his reserves, medical units and transport camels." The Turkish artillery batteries at Sheikh Abbas targeted all the tracks across the Wadi Ghuzzeh, employed by the Egyptian Camel Transport Corps, who were at the time attempting to supply food, water and ammunition, to the forward units. Turkish presence and severe command confusion among the British eventually prompted the withdraw of all efforts to attack Gaza.

Political, etc
Russia: Petrograd Soviet appeals to peoples of the world for peace.
Grand Dukes and Princes renounce hereditary rights, formally pledging their support to the new government and to turn over crown lands to the state.
France: French Chamber votes for calling up of 1918 class in April.
A French soldier writes ‘Victory is smiling on our arms.’
United Kingdom: Commons debate on the blockade.
United States: Wilson tells Edward House war decided: ‘What else can I do?’.

28 March 1917
 

Western Front
5 Halberstadt fighters shoot down 3 FE2bs (No 25 Squadron) covering BE2 artillery observation aircraft.
Foch hands back command of Eastern Army Group to Castelnau.
Verdun: French troops “recapture” Hill 304.
French repulse Germans in Maisons de Champagne, but lose a few trenches.
British established along Bapume-Cambrai road beyond Beaumetz.
Ground gained round Croiselles-Arras.
German long-range gun shells Soissons.

Eastern Front
Germans report that spring thaw prevents fighting on large scale.
Russian attacks on Magyaros Ridge (Moldavia) fail.

Southern Front
Unsuccessful Austro-Hungarian attacks in the Carso.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Two British destroyers reported to have been sunk recently.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Gaza: British troops retreat from Gaza. British forces suffered 532 dead, while Ottomans suffered around 300 dead.
Macedonia: 10 KG 1 bombers attempt raid on Snievche airfield (No 47 Squadron Royal Flying Corps) but are intercepted by 4 Sopwith 1-1/2-Strutters, 1 Sopwith triplane & and BE 12 (Murlis Green) and chased all the way back to their Hudova base. Just 150 Sopwith Triplanes were built and served only with Royal Navy Air Service units as a counter vs Albatros fighters. In summer 1917 the famous Canadian Collishaw destroyed 18 German aircraft only in June: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...plane.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Hindenburg and Ludendorff in Berlin food talks with Austrians.
Russia: All Romanovs have taken oath of loyalty to Provisional Government.
France: France prohibits all foreign imports unless a special permit is received from the Minister of Finance.
United Kingdom: Electoral reform debate in House of Commons: Asquith announces conversion to female suffrage (Lloyd George announces bill on March 29).
India: Viceroy asked if 100,000 troops could be raised to relieve British.
United States: The Cabinet offers President Wilson a plan of action for war, which will have 10,000 regular troops as the first U.S. units to go to France.
Argentina: Export of wheat from Argentina prohibited.

29 March 1917
 

Western Front
Manfred von Richthofen scores 4 victories (total 10 in March).
Attack of German “Albatros” [ed note: Although titled “Albatros”, the aircraft in question are clearly Halberstadt] fighters over the Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...aeger.jpg?ssl=1
British troops capture four more villages near St. Quentin. French forces recapture trenches at Verdun.
A church vault opened in Misery, France by Germans in search of metal © IWM (Q 1936)
The devastated town of Misery, France after its capture by the Allies: pic.twitter.com/n6q8VTVpXN
German retreat slackens.

Eastern Front
(Listed for yesterday): Near Berezhany, Russian troops explode a mine underneath German trench and conduct a raid, capturing 20 German prisoners.

Southern Front
Heavy Austrian attacks in the Carso repulsed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Action of Duqma (‘the burning Marl’): Caley’s 13th Division (514 casualties including Second Lieutenant Slim wounded) defeats but fails to trap 3,000-strong Turk 52nd Division (over 380 casualties) against Tigris.

Political, etc
Germany: Bethmann-Hollweg declares no German intention of meddling in Russian home affairs nor to be blamed for Sino and US hostility.
Russia: Provisional Government acknowledges Poland’s independence.
In the Russian Duma, workers, soldiers, and politicians urge Germans and Austro-Hungarians to overthrow their monarchies.
United Kingdom: It is announced that after April, Britain will forbid the use of petrol for private motors due to shortage of supply.
Speech by Mr. Bonar Law; 100,000 men from India needed.
Military Service (Review of Exemptions) Bill passed.
Spain: Spanish government suspends all constitutional guarantees in its provinces due to a threat of popular unrest and revolt.
Sweden: Hamarskjold (Conservative) Ministry in Sweden resigns.

Correction: yesterday's post included "Macedonia" in the "Egyptian/Asian" Theaters. Macedonia includes parts of six Balkan countries: the Republic of Macedonia, Greece, Bulgaria, Albania, Serbia and Kosovo. Thus, it should have been included in the "Southern Front"

30 March 1917
 

Western Front
Somme: Heavy rain. British occupy 8 villages (4 more on March 31) towards Cambrai.
French infantry and cavalry push German troops out of Château de Coucy and find the medieval castle demolished by German forces.

Southern Front
Salonika: Due to investigations into Black Hand and internment of 180 suspect officers at Bizerta (Tunisia), General Bojovic abolishes Serb Third Army and splits its formations between the other two armies.
Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Gloucester Castle torpedoed by UB-32 between Le Havre and Southampton, but towed in.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British Cavalry Division occupies Delli Abbas, Keary occupies Jebel Hamrin (March 31).
Palestine: War Cabinet telegram makes Jerusalem Murray’s objective.

Political, etc
Germany: At the German Reichstag, Arthur Zimmermann again admits that his telegram offering alliance with Mexico against the U.S. is genuine.
German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg declares, “Germany never desired war against the USA and does not desire it today.”
Electoral Reform debate in Prussian Parliament.
Australia: People of Brisbane, Australia watching the movie “Why We Went to War,” shown during a recruitment campaign: pic.twitter.com/54fuzYMDlA

31 March 1917
 

Western Front
In March Royal Flying Corps losses 120 aircraft. German fighters claim 60 Allied aircraft in February and March for loss of 7. [Take note of these figures: they’re about to get a lot worse].
Eight villages along the Siegfriedstellung (Hindenburg Line) fall to British troops. French forces also gain north of Soissons.

Naval and Overseas Operations
For March Allied shipping losses 556,775t or 310 ships (German official figures 564,497t or 281 Allied ships including 61,917t in Mediterranean). Of 1,200 British collier March sailings (convoyed) to France only 3 ships lost. 3 U-boats lost.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British and Russian troops meet up at the town of Qasr-e Shirin, Persia © IWM (Q 25197)
British occupy Deli Abbas (River Diala).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: The Emperor of Austria, Karl Hapsburg, makes secret proposal, conveyed in a letter to prince Sixte of Bourbon, to the French President (M. Raymond Poincaré) to open conversations with a view to peace (see April 11th, 1918).
Germany: Army ration strength 7,630,456.
Social Democrats in the German Reichstag declare that a republic is inevitable, causing cries of “treason” in the chamber.
Russia: Pig iron production down 17.6% compared to first quarter of 1916.
Russian government offers Poland “freedom” and self-government and condemns German efforts to create a Polish state.
France: During March French order 150 Renault FT-17 light tanks. French government introduces a bill to provide 300 million francs for agricultural aid, especially in areas affected by the fighting.
French politician Denys Cochin declares France will “war to the bitter end” due to Germany’s destruction of occupied French areas.
United Kingdom: Only 9 weeks supply of wheat and grain in country. Now 300 War Pensions committees (68,269 widows pensions granted). First WAAC draft arrives in France (6,023 by March 12, 1918).
Order limiting output of beer in United Kingdom issued.
Italy: War costing £30 millions per month (£730 millions so far).
United States: Dunk, the first elephant to reside at the National Zoo in Washington DC, passed away: pic.twitter.com/U7xRdChOEf
U.S. Bureau of Mines conducts a census for engineers and scientists so they will not be sent to the front if the U.S. enters the war.
A “Patriotic Rally” in Philadelphia as the U.S. prepares to go to war: pic.twitter.com/s1GMDuACCp

1 April 1917
 

Western Front
During the first week of April, the Royal Flying Corps loses 75 aircraft in combat over the Western Front. The aircraft and tactics of the German Jagdstaffeln (Fighter Squadrons) are shown to be greatly superior to those of the Royal Flying Corps and its French and Belgian allies. By the end of the month the British air services lose 150 aircraft and 316 aircrew in what would become known as 'Bloody April'. The French and Belgian air services lose an additional 200 aircraft.
Another source says: Only the exploits of Collishaw, Dallas, Little and the Sopwith Triplanes of RNAS ‘Black Flight’ hold promise the tide will eventually turn. Royal Flying Corps has 754 aircraft (41 squadrons) in France.
BEF establishment strength 1,893,874 men (including 139,353 Anzacs and 130,255 Canadians).
Somme: British Fourth Army capture Savy with Savy Wood 4 miles west of St Quentin, and begin an indiscriminate bombardment of the area. French President Poincare visits liberated area.
British troops manning a 9.2-inch howitzer to bombard German positions near Arras, France: © IWM (Q 6460) https://t.co/bvkbQmreo5
Aisne: French push back Germans to Vauxaillon northeast of Soissons.
Champagne: Germans shell Reims (25,000 shells in one week).

Southern Front
Bulgar-Germans bombard Monastir (asphyxiating shells).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: APRIL SHIPPING LOSSES (373 Allied ships) REACH RECORD MONTHLY TOTAL OF 545,200t (world-wide losses 873,754t). Now 120 German U-boats in service. In April British Aircraft join seaplanes on anti-U-boat patrols.
USA: 600,000t German merchant shipping (interned since 1914-1915) seized by US.
U.S. armed cargo ship Aztec is torpedoed by the German submarine SM U-46, resulting in 28 crew deaths.
Mediterranean: In April Japanese 2nd Detached Squadron (Rear-Admiral K Sato), cruiser Akashi and 8 wartime-built destroyers arrive (c.April 17), based at Malta (made public by lord R Cecil on May 24). Cruiser Idzumo arrives with 4 more destroyers in August, 2 Royal Navy destroyers turned over in June.
Adriatic: Austrian U-30 lost by unknown cause in Otranto Straits (or following day).
Baltic: In April Bolsheviks claim 1,400 members aboard 22 ships.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians progress towards Khanikan (85 miles north-east of Baghdad).
Turks retreat towards Kasr-i-Shirin (Persia).
British and Russian cavalry officers at Kizil Robat, Mesopotamia, which fell unopposed: © IWM (Q 25199) https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...5050112/photo/1

Political, etc
France: Paul Langevin tests his first quartz transmitter for detecting submarines in laboratory tanks, it kills fish in its path.
United Kingdom: British Government decide to interfere in Barrow strike.
They adhere to principle of an independent Poland.
United States: Thousands of pacifists, carrying tulips, march to Washington D.C. to protest against the U.S. entering the war.
Scott Joplin, African American composer and pianist known as “King of Ragtime Writers,” passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...3789698/photo/1