On This Day

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15/9/1914

Western Front
The Aisne: Heavy German counter-attacks: Soissons shelled.
The Argonne: Germans begins slow advance, continued to 21 October.
Arras occupied by Germans.
Eastern Front
East Prussia: Russians prepared to resist German puruist on the Niemen.
Bukovina: Russians occupy Czernowitz.
Southern Front
Serbia: Austrians pushed back across the Drina save at a few points: their second invasion of Serbia suspended.
Naval and Overseas Operations
South Africa: Meeting of rebels at Potchefstroom.
Delarey accidentally shot on his way thither with Beyers

arnhem44

15/9/1915

Western Front
Lord Kitchener states eleven new Army divisions sent to France; 17 miles more French front taken over.
Eastern Front
Fighting west and south of Dvinsk.
Germans aim at dividing Russian Vilna and Dvinsk groups; the enemy advances on Pinks; driven back across Strypa in the south.
Southern Front
Removal of Turkish heavy artillery from fortresses to Gallipoli.
Political, etc.
Agitation in Bulgaria against Germanophil policy.
Lord Kitchener anxious about falling off of recruiting.
Mr. Asquith on Vote of Credit.

arnhem44

15/9/1916

Western Front
Great British advance (third phase) on the Somme, a six-mile front to depth of 2 or 3,000 yards.
Flers, Martinpuich, Courcelette and whole of High Wood taken.
New heavy armoured cars (Tanks) used for first time, north of Pozieres to east of Guillemont.
French capture trenches south of Rancourt, and system of trenches north of Le Priez Farm, south of Somme, east of Deniecourt, etc.
Southern Front
Lower Isonzo: Italians take San Grado, strong entrenchments towards Loquizza, and over 1,800 prisoners.
Naval and Overseas Operations
General Smuts' columns reach south of Uluguru Hills, and join near, and occupy, Kissaki; Van Deventer approaching the Great Ruaha river towards Mahenge (East Africa).
Sudi Bay occupied by British naval forces.

arnhem44

15/9/1917

Western Front
Second phase of Third Battle of Ypres: London troops capture strong point north of Inverness Copse (Ypres).
Enemy repulsed by Portuguese at Neuve Chapelle.
Southern Front
Four successive Austrian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau fail; Italians gain ground to south-east.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Hottest season on record at Baghdad.
Troops' health and spirits excellent.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Seaplanes successfully attack shipping between Blankenberghe and Ostend.
Political, etc.

arnhem44

15/9/1918

Western Front
British capture Maissemy, five miles north-west of St. Quentin.
Germans make ineffective counter-attacks south of the Oise.
Americans continue advance on 33-mile front; they come within reach of fortress guns of Metz.
Karlsruhe and Mainz heavily bombed by R.A.F.
Southern Front
Battle of the Vardar begins.
French and Serbian offensive in the Balkans; Bulgarian position carried on front of seven miles, and 800 prisoners taken.
Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary sends a Note to U.S.A. and all belligerent and neutral powers suggesting a "confidential and non-binding" discussion on peace terms

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Western Front
The Aisne: General Joffre abandons frontal attacks and forms plan to turn the German right.
Germans enter Valenciennes.
Eastern Front
Galicia: Russians advance towards Przemsyl

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Eastern Front
Situation Vilna-Dvinsk critical, but Russians stubborn.
Pinsk occupied by Germans.
Political, etc.
Taff Vale Railway dispute ended.
Prorogation of Russian Duma till 14 November

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Western Front
Somme near Courcelette the British front advanced 1,000 yards; "Danube" trench taken, and Mouquet farm (Thiepval) captured.
Eastern Front
Halicz front, Russians capture a position right bank of Zlota Lipa and many prisoners.
Along the Narajowka many Germans taken as well as Turks.
In the Dobruja, General Averesco (new Commander-in-Chief Romanian Army) arrives at front.
Romanians occupy Baraoltu dominating railway from Brasso to Foldvar (30 miles from Romanian frontier).
Naval and Overseas Operations
Lindi (port in southern German East Africa) occupied by British.
Political, etc.
Athens: New Cabinet formed, under M. Kalogeropoulos, expected to observe benevolent neutrality towards Entente.

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Western Front
German attack on Apremont Forest (St. Mihiel) fails.
Stuttgart, Colmar, Thionville and Saarburg bombed by French.
Naval and Overseas Operations
German position at Kalimoto (north of Mahenge) captured.
Belgian troops (Colonel Huyghe) pursue.
Political, etc.
General Kaledin, Hetman of Don Cossacks, declares loyalty to Government.

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Western Front
Slight advance by British in neighbourhood of Ploegsteert and east of Ypres.
French capture Vailly (north-east of Soissons) and Mt. des Singes.
Americans advance along west bank of Moselle.
Air raid on Paris by Gothas during the night: 6 killed, 15 injured, 2 raiders brought down.
Eastern Front
Archangel front; successful operation by naval units and Allied troops on the River Dvina; two enemy ships sunk, three guns captured.
Southern Front
Franco-Serbian advance continued; the troops advance to a depth of five miles on 16-mile front in region of Dobropolje.
Italians makes successful raid north and north-west of Mt. Grappa; capture over 300 prisoners and some machine guns.
Political, etc.
President Wilson refuses suggestion of peace conference put forward by Austria-Hungary.
Recognition by Japan of Czecho-Slovakia as belligerent Allies.

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Western Front
The Aisne: Heavy fighting around Soissons.
Sir John French's second despatch (published 19 October).
Southern Front
Syrmia: Serbians evacuate Semlin.
Naval and Overseas Operations
South Africa: German raid near Nakob.
General Beyers dismissed from his command.

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Eastern Front
Vilna and Dvinsk dangerously threatened; Russians retire between Vilia and Pripet Rivers, but check enemy about Rovno.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Loss of submarine E-7 in Dardanelles announced.
Political, etc.
Debate in House of Commons on National Service.
Austria, much annoyed, recalls Dr. Dumba "for consultation".

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Western Front
Southern Somme: French attack, taking Vermandovillers and Berny, Deniecourt surrounded, German reserves much cut up, many prisoners.
Eastern Front
Romanians between Petrozseny and Hatszeg (Western Transylvania).
Southern Front
Italian success on the Carso.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
British attack and occupy Mazar (northern Sinai).
Turks withdraw to El Arish.

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Eastern Front
Riga front: fighting between advanced posts continues.
Political, etc.
Central Powers decree appointing Polish Regency Council.
Germany apologises to Argentina over Count Luxburg affair.
9d loaf order in operation.
"Summer Time" ends at 2 am.

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Western Front
British make local progress north-west of St. Quentin and in the north near Ploegsteert.
Germans counter-attack at Moeuvres.
French gain ground north-east of Soissons, capture several strong points.
Americans consolidate their line between the Meuse heights and the Moselle.
Good bombing attacks by R.A.F. on German objectives.
Southern Front
Italians repulse strong counter-attacks north of Mt. Grappa.
In Macedonia the Franco-Serbian advance continues; Allied troops reach the Cherna river.