The 4G Blog

<– 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.

<– Part 152 – June 17, 1917  | Part 153 – June 24, 1917 |  Part 154 – July 1, 1917 –>

Alexander Kerensky

German forces in Belgium captured a British patrol June 19, who revealed plans for an amphibious landing behind German lines. Although a surprise landing by Allied forces across the channel would perhaps be successful if a surprise, now that the attempt is expected, the Germans are sure to be ready.

On June 21, more turmoil arose in Russia as Georgy Lvov was replaced by Alexander Kerensky as head of the Provisional Government.

<– Part 151 – June 10, 1917  | Part 152 – June 17, 1917 |  Part 153 – June 24, 1917 –>

King Constantine I of Greece in a German Field Marshall uniform in 1913, an honor bestowed on him by German Emperor Wilhelm II

King Constantine I of Greece abdicated June 12 under Allied pressure, as he was suspected of being overly-friendly towards the German Empire. His eldest son likewise was bypassed (he is a veteran of the German Army), leaving Alexander to ascend to the throne.

At Messines, the British Army’s advances were secured June 14, with no other fighting expected. Each side lost 25,000 soldiers, although nearly half the German losses are missing or captured.

Under pressure from conscientious objectors and other pacifists, the United States passed the Espionage Act on June 15, which makes it illegal to interfere with military operations or to discourage anyone from enlisting in the army.

<– Part 150 – June 3, 1917  | Part 151 – June 10, 1917 |  Part 152 – June 17, 1917 –>

The Battle of Messines

The British assault at Messines, an attempt to crush a large German salient, began the morning of June 4 with 19 large mines detonated beneath the ridge, killing 10,000 German soldiers, and the sound reportedly heard in London and Dublin. Weeks of miners laying miles of tunnels beneath the site have paid off, as the nearly 10-mile front has begun its assault. British planes buzzed the German defenses, masking the sound of tanks moving into position, as the Allies have followed-up on the mine detonation with a rolling artillery barrage just in front of 80,000 soldiers. The Allies reached their second objectives one-half mile behind the front lines in only 35 minutes. By 8:40, the British had achieved their early objectives, and due to lower than expected casualties (estimates were 50-60%), the higher than expected number of surviving troops clustered into the same area led to a seven-hour delay. Attacks and counter-attacks continue, although the British have held their positions without serious issue.

Earlier today, the Italian Sixth Army attack Austro-Hungarian defenders on Mount Ortigara, in southern Trentino, to secure the strategic position. Although the peak was captured, Austrian counter-attacks are imminent.

At the Isonzo, fighting has ceased, with both sides suffering 225,000 casualties, of a total of 600,000 soldiers engaged.

<– Part 149 – May 27, 1917  | Part 150 – June 3, 1917 |  Part 151 – June 10, 1917 –>

Major General John J. Pershing

Following a two-day battle, Allied forces have captured Skra, Greece, on May 31, taking it from the heavily-outnumbered Bulgarian defenders.

Along the Isonzo, the impressive Italian gains have been completely erased by a concentrated Austrian counterattack earlier today, returning all units essentially to their starting positions, although the Italian forces are still advanced from their initial trenches.

In Belgium, odd troop positions among British troops indicate possible future activities along the coast.

Scattered reports indicate that U.S. General John J. Pershing has arrived in France, in preparation for the American Expeditionary Force’s own arrival.

<– Part 148 – May 20, 1917  | Part 149 – May 27, 1917 |  Part 150 – June 3, 1917 –>

The Resident-Governer of Morocco, Hubert Lyautey

The Romanian army seems to have rebuilt from in the last few months, and rested, supplied, and trained soldiers have been seen preparing for some type of offensive.

The Resident-General of Morocco, Louis-Hubert Lyautey, has returned to his headquarters, preparing to launch a new offensive against the Zaian Confederation and other rebels.

The use of convoys for naval transportation has paid off for the Allies, as losses to U-boats seem to have begun dropping.

Fighting at Monastir ground to a halt May 26, with the Central Powers firmly in control of their lines. It would appear the Allied attack has failed, losing 14,000 soldiers.

<– Part 147 – May 13, 1917  | Part 148 – May 20, 1917 |  Part 149 – May 27, 1917 –>

On May 15, Philippe Petain replaced Robert Nivelle as the French Chief of the General Staff. He has promised an end to suicidal attacks, rest for beleaguered troops, and no executions for the mutinies, which have affected nearly 1/2 the French army and seen 20,000 deserters. Petain is popular with the soldiers already, having risen up through the ranks for the last 40 years.

In the Mediterranean, a naval sortie by the Austro-Hungarian Navy against the Otranto Barrage, the Allied blockade of the Otranto Strait, was somewhat successful, although the attackers were forced to withdraw as reinforcements sailed towards them.

Fighting at Arras ended May 16. Although minimal territorial gains were had by the Allies, it was nevertheless successful in tying down German troops, preventing them from reinforcing other parts of the front. 158,000 British troops fell, with approximately 125,000 Germans with them.

At Monastir, Bulgarian forces have taken the Crvena Stena Ridge May 18, following weeks of stagnation in the trenches.

<– Part 146 – May 6, 1917  | Part 147 – May 13, 1917 |  Part 148 – May 20, 1917 –>

Another series of British assault against Bulgarian lines at Doiran on May 8 failed after five waves and massive casualties. Although the opposing sides’ artillery dueled until the next day, the British attack was called off. 12,000 British casualties – nearly 1/3 of the forces – effected only 2,000 on the Bulgarian side.

At Aisne, the fighting ended in failure May 9, along with the entire Nivelle plan. Serious mutinies in the French army have erupted following the failure, which included 350,000 Allied casualties and 165,000 German. The French General Staff is working to halt the mutinies.

In Italy, the 10th Battle of the Isonzo was launched May 10. Whereas the previous nine had focused on small, focused thrusts, this one has seen fighting along a wide front towards Trieste. Indeed, it seems to have been a minor Italian success, with some territory gained, although at the expense of 150,000 Italian casualties to the Austro-Hungarian’s 75,000.

At Arras, fighting continues, although stiff German resistance has halted any possible Allied advance.\