The 4G Blog

<– Part 157 – July 22, 1917  | Part 158 – July 29, 1917 |  Part 159 – August 5, 1917 –>

Romanian forces at Marasti continue their rapid advance, which is on pace to become the largest offensive rate of advance for the Allied powers in the entire war – nearly 3km per day across a 35km front.

On July 29, 3,000 German defenders at the Kiawe bridge, in German East Africa, were attacked by a 4,000-strong British force. After intense fighting, in which 122 British soldiers and 500 Germans were killed, the remaining German force surrendered, and the British have captured the bridge.

<– Part 156 – July 15, 1917  | Part 157 – July 22, 1917 |  Part 158 – July 29, 1917 –>

The Romanian Armies in Eastern Romania, with assistance from Russian Republic forces, launched their offensive against the Central Powers June 22 towards Mărăști. The German and Austro-Hungarian forces, although outnumbered nearly 2:1, expect to easily repel the assaults before launching their own counter-attacks. However, expert artillery fire coordinated with infantry attacks has broken the German defenses along a nearly 30km front and the Romanian infantry is advancing quickly.

To the north, the Russian forces in the failed Kerensky Offensive are in full retreat, having withdrawn nearly 240km. The German advances in their wake seems limited only by an inability to hold occupied territory.

In Petrograd, Bolshevik forces assisting in unrest against the Provisional Government have been crushed; Lenin has fled to Finland while Trotsky has been arrested. However, Bolshevik membership has swelled nearly ten-fold in the last few months, so their power remains substantial.

<– Part 155 – July 8, 1917  | Part 156 – July 15, 1917 |  Part 157 – July 22, 1917 –>

Pershing and staff visiting Lafayette’s tomb

U.S. General Pershing has revised his number up of requested troops to nearly 3 million, in anticipation of greater involvement in the war. During a visit to the tomb of the Marquis de Lafayette, famous French advisor and supporter of General George Washington during the American Revolution, Pershing saluted the grave while his aide, Colonel Charles E. Stanton, was heard to say, “Lafayette, we are here.

<– Part 154 – July 1, 1917  | Part 155 – July 8, 1917 |  Part 156 – July 15, 1917 –>

US General Pershing formally requested an army of 1 million soldiers earlier this week in preparation for his maneuvers in Europe.

On July 6, 5,000 Arab rebels led by T.E. Lawrence captured Aquaba, defeating its garrison of 350, with an additional 450 Ottoman infantry. Two Arabs were killed, while half the Ottoman force was killed before the rest surrendered soon after British warships arrived off the coast and began shelling the defenses. T.E. Lawrence was almost killed when he shot his own camel in the head and fell off it.

Kerensky’s offensive continues with some Russian success against the Austro-Hungarian armies. Across Europe, the British war planners have postponed the amphibious landing in Belgium due to the plans being leaked and a German spoiling attack disrupting their lines.

<– Part 153 – June 24, 1917  | Part 154 – July 1, 1917 |  Part 155 – July 8, 1917 –>

“Blessed are the Peacemakers” – protest published in newspapers July 1 against the US Espionage Act

Austro-Hungarian shock troops assault the peak of Mount Ortigara June 25, taking it from the Italians and ending the fighting there. 23,000 Italians fell, to Austria’s 9,000.

The following day, the first U.S. troops landed in France. The men, approximately 14,000, are members of the 1st Division. The war for the Allies improved again June 30, with Greece officially entering the war on the side of the Allies, following last week’s replacement of the Germanophile Constantine I with his son Alexander as king.

In Russia, new minister Alexander Kerensky, head of the Provisional Government, ordered an offensive in Galicia, despite calls for peace, couple with power having officially been taken from officers and given to “soldiers committees.” Following heavy artillery bombardment, 4 armies (three Russian, and one Romanian) attacked the three armies of the Central Powers. While German forces are holding, 5,500 Austrian troops at Zborov have been pushed back by 3,500 members of the Czechoslovak Legions. The Czechs suffered 1,000 casualties, while the Austrians lost 3,500, primarily captured.

In the United States, protests against the newly passed Espionage Act are increasing, with many seeing it as an attack on the First Amendment.

In Romania, nearly 2 million men in 9 armies, with enormous field supplies and artillery, have been massed. A large offensive seems imminent.