<– Part 137 – March 4, 1917  | Part 138 – March 11, 1917 |  Part 139 – March 18, 1917 –>

50,000 British soldiers advanced towards Baghdad March 5, reaching the Diyala river 35 miles south three days later. Following an initial assault the next day, the 25,000 Turkish defenders left their defensive positions and tracked the British, leaving one regiment behind. A surprise assault on that sole regiment March 10 destroyed it, forcing the Ottomans to retreat towards Baghdad, which was evacuated later that day. Baghdad was taken March 11 by the British, who were greeted enthusiastically. 10-15,000 Turks have been taken prisoner.

In Imperial Russia, protests broke out March 8 in the capital of Petrograd on International Women’s Day, comprised largely of women. The protests, initially started against government food rationing, has grown to over 200,000 calling for the Tsar to be replaced. Many in the crowd are waving red flags and banners, supporting the local communist. Industry shut down March 10, and the Tsar (on vacation) ordered the garrison to open fire on the crowd to disperse them. The 180,000 soldiers in the capital, mainly reservists and new recruits (only 12,000 are considered reliable) are low in both morale and officers, and are hesitant to fire on those they know (and many women). Rumors earlier today of police stationed in windows with machine guns have led to attacks on policy. Some troops have mutinied and joined the protesters. Earlier this evening, the Tsar issued a decree suspending the duma (state assembly), leaving it unable to act.