On This Day - 16 March 1917
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
Big advance on Somme: British occupy St. Pierre Vaast Wood, dominating Peronne.
Zeppelin raid on Kent and Sussex: no casualties.
Aeroplanes over Westgate.
Southern Front
Austrians destroy Italian defences in San Pellegrino valley (Dolomites) and occupy positions there.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Russians dislodge Turks from summit of Naleshkian (Persia) and occupy Alliabad, engaging enemy neat Kerind.
Political, etc.
British labour leaders send telegram of sympathy to Russian labour party.
Winter Palace declared State property.
Speech by M. Kerenski in Duma.
Turkish Senate approves agreement with Baghdad Railway Co.
Acute potato famine in England.
Sheikh-ul-Islam again proclaims Holy War; general mobilisation of Turks ordered.
