The 4G Blog

<– Part 61 – September 19, 1915  | Part 62 – September 26, 1915 |  Part 63 – October 3, 1915 –>

The Allies have launched an enormous campaign on the Western Front beginning with an artillery bombardment on September 21 lasting four days. Afterwards they attacked for the third time at Artois. This is significant as the bombardment was mapped out using aerial photography. September 25 also saw and attack at Loos and Champagne.

On September 23, following the British defeat at Gallipoli and the Russian retreat at Gorlice-Tarnow, the king of Bulgaria, Ferdinand, signed a treaty with Germany, entering the war. In response, British troops have begun to march on Baghdad.

Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich of Russia. A bit of a disappointment…

With the Czar having taken control of all Russian troops, Grand Duke Nicholas, recently removed from command, has

General Yudenich.

been promoted to Supreme Commander of all Russian forces in the Caucasus. Of course, General Nikolai Yudenich maintains operative command.

Also on September 24, while attacking SS Urbino, German sub U-41 was attacked by SS Baralong while the latter was flying an American flag. There are reports that German lifeboats were run down and sunk. If true, this would be the second criminal act of war against that vessel.

<– Part 60 – September 12, 1915  | Part 61 – September 19, 1915 |  Part 62 – September 26, 1915 –>

Reports from the eastern Dardanelles indicate that German subs are being kept from progressing through.

Following Germany’s decision to cease unrestricted submarine warfare, the High Seas flotillas have been withdrawn from the merchant east, effective September 18.

September 19 saw the German army occupy Vilnius, and it would appear that their attack at Gorlice-Tarnów has ended. Additionally, their offensive at Sventiany has been halted due to a lack of support and reinforcements, and the Russians are moving to cause the gap.

<– Part 59 – September 5, 1915  | Part 60 – September 12, 1915 |  Part 61 – September 19, 1915 –>

<– Part 59 – September 5, 1915  | Part 60 – September 12, 1915 |  Part 61 – September 19, 1915 –>The last week has been relatively quiet, especially on the western front. The Russian retreat continues, with some fighting near Sventiany. In Gallipoli, the Entente hope for victory is fading, especially as clamor back home grows. Otherwise, the horrors of war continue – disease, starvation, civilian suffering.

<– Part 58 – August 29, 1915  | Part 59 – September 5, 1915 |  Part 60 – September 12, 1915 –>

August 31 saw the Russians forced out of Poland and German forces drawing their wildly-successful offensive to a close. With the Russian

Tsar Nicholas II of the Russian Empire in a naval officer’s uniform. From Wikipedia.

armies still withdrawing, Tsar Nicholas II has removed the general in charge and assumed full and personal control of the Russian armies.

The new month opened with Germany announcing that they will no longer wage unrestricted warfare with their submarines on merchant ships, ending the policy they began this past February. Undoubtedly, the notes from the American government factored into their decision.

Gallipoli continues to be an embarrassment for the Allies as the HMS E7, mentioned in the July 18 dispatch, became trapped in an anti-submarine net. She was scuttled September 4.