On This Day - 17 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
British take Bapaume and seven other villages after hard fighting; advance south of Somme and occupy Fresnes and six other villages.
Germans abandon line between Andechy and Oise held by them for two years.
French enter Roye and Lassigny.
Frankfurt bombed in reprisal for destruction of Bapaume.
Aeroplane raid on Kent: no casualties.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
British stated to be 35 miles north of Baghdad.
Russians occupy Kerind on Tehran road after heavy fighting and continue to pursue Turks.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Enemy destroyers shell Ramsgate and sink a destroyer.
Political, etc.
Germans send many prisoners into war zone as "reprisal".
M. Briand and cabinet resign owing to Lyautey crisis.
Albert Hall meeting in favour of national service for women.
