On This Day - 23 April 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 capture rest of Trescault and greater part of Havrincourt Wood - Second phase of Battle of Arras begins.
British attack north and south of the Scarpe (Arras), capturing two villages.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
British occupy Samarra (60 miles north of Baghdad), 937 prisoners.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Between Blankenberghe and Zeebrugge three British seaplanes attack five German destroyers and sink one.
Political, etc.
Diplomatic relations broken off between U.S.A. and Turkey (no state of war followed).
