On This Day - 31 May 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
Battle of Verdun: Fierce fighting between Mort Homme and Cumieres; French take a work south-west of Mort Homme.
Much artillery activity on Vimy Ridge.
Southern Front
Austrians occupy Asiago and Arsiero; Italian prisoners 30,000 since beginning of Austrian offensive.
French occupy Poro (Salonika front).
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
New Zealand troops raid Bir Salmana (20 miles east of Katiya), Mamakhatun retaken by Turks.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Battle of Jutland.
Germans retreat from Mombo on Tanga railway towards Hendeni (German East Africa); British occupy Bwiko and Belgians Usumbara.
Political, etc.
Allies protest to Greece against Bulgarian occupation of Fort Rupel.
Sir C. Dobell's and Brigadier-General Cunliffe's despatches of 1 March 1916 (27 September 1914 to 29 February 1916), and 16 March 1916 (14 August to 16 February) published.
