<– Part 166 – September 23, 1917 | Part 167 – September 30, 1917 | Part 168 – October 7, 1917 –>
Fighting at the Menin Road Ridge ended September 26, following a German counterattack exhausting itself regaining some ground. The British forces lost 20,000 men to the Germans 28,000, 3000 of whom are prisoners.
Following the end of that battle, fighting flared up at nearby Polygon Wood September 26, with another successful British offensive campaign. The Allied forces lost 21,000 in the one day of fighting to the 13,500 Germans. Although the British forces have proven themselves superior in offensive operations, fresh German defenders were encountered. Both sides are scrambling to eliminate the enemy’s advantage.
From September 28-29, British forces in Mesopotamia marched on Ramadi, following a failed attack two months ago. That attack failed due to intense heat (measuring 160 degrees in sunlight, and responsible for half of British casualties), as well as an advance alongside the Euphrates river. This time, an attack from the south, with forces cutting off Ottoman paths of retreat, was successful. The British suffered 1,000 (mostly minor) casualties, to the Turks’ 3,500 (primarily prisoners).
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