On This Day - 18 July 1916
Theatre definitions:
Western Front comprises the Franco-German-Belgian front and any
military action in Great Britain, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Holland.
Eastern Front comprises the German-Russian, Austro-Russian and
Austro-Romanian fronts. Southern Front comprises the
Austro-Italian and Balkan (including Bulgaro-Romanian) fronts, and
Dardanelles. Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres comprises
Egypt, Tripoli, the Sudan, Asia Minor (including Transcaucasia), Arabia,
Mesopotamia, Syria, Persia, Afghanistan, Turkestan, China, India, etc.
Naval and Overseas Operations comprises operations on the seas
(except where carried out in combination with troops on land) and in
Colonial and Overseas theatres, America, etc. Political, etc.
comprises political and internal events in all countries, including Notes,
speeches, diplomatic, financial, economic and domestic matters.
Source: Chronology of the War (1914-18, London; copyright expired)
Western Front
North of Ovillers British advance on 1,000 yards front.
Germans make strong counter-attacks at Longueval and Delville Wood; retake part of latter.
Germans again repulsed at Biaches (Somme).
For third day, close fighting round Fleury (Verdun).
Eastern Front
German seaplanes drop bombs on Reval (G. of Bothnia).
Sakharov continues pressure against Austrians; drives them south of the Lipa.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
In Armenia, Russians continue advance; capture Kighi, an important junction on Erzerum-Baiburt road.
Naval and Overseas Operations
General Smuts reports steady clearance of Usambara district; enemy forces driven down Pangani river.
Political, etc.
Mr. Asquith makes short statement on Mesopotamia in House of Commons and refuses papers.
