On This Day - 20 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
Struggle in Longueval and Delville Wood continued.
British advance 1,000 yards between Bazentin and Longueval.
North of Somme French carry enemy trenches from Hardecourt Hill to the river. South, they take enemy first position from Estrees to Vermandovillers, and Barleaux to Soyecourt.
French gain a position south of Fleury (Verdun).
French airman drops leaflets over Berlin; is captured in Poland.
Eastern Front
Sakharov defeats Austrians on south-west of Lutsk salient; attacks and carries Berestechko.
Heavy fighting on Riga front resumed.
Southern Front
Demobilisation of the Greek army nearly completed.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Russians continue advance in Armenia; they capture Gumishkhanek, on Trebizond-Erzingan road.
Turkish aeroplanes bomb Suez and Port Tewfik.
Political, etc.
Debate on Mesopotamia campaign in both Houses of Parliament.
An Anglo-French Loan is made to Greek Government.
