The 4G Blog

<– Part 95 – May 14, 1916  | Part 96 – May 21, 1916 |  Part 96 – May 28, 1916 –>

May 15 saw the Austro-Hungarian forces in Northern Italy’s Asiago region seize the initiative in Trentino. After a massive artillery bombardment, they began an advance towards Vicenza. The Italian center is already weakening, despite a nearly 2:1 advantage.

Verdun and vicinity, May 1916

On May 18, the Ottomans entered Said near the Sinai canal, and captured the air field there. The British have responded to Turkish bombings with their own. Meanwhile, the railway in the area has been completed, allowing British reinforcements to arrive. Further south, the expedition into Darfur, while capturing some Fur scouts and bombing others, has had no other contact with the enemy force.

A French heavy mortar, of the type used against the fort

At Verdun, the French are assaulting the captured Fort Douaumont, which has inflicted serious casualties on them, with some divisions facing 90-95% casualties. Heavy bombardment of the fort has killed many of the defenders, as the shells turn the walls to dust, which mixes with exhaust, while exposed corpses spread disease. Additionally, French aircraft has been effective in destroying German balloons, rendering artillery ineffective.

Finally, there are rumors of a secret British-French meeting, in which the spoils of war were determined as they each look to expand their sphere of influence. The rumors seem partially true, as the diplomats Sykes and Picot have been spotted meeting.

<– Part 94 – May 7, 1916  | Part 95 – May 14, 1916 |  Part 96 – May 21, 1916 –>

The fighting in East Africa at Kondoa Irangi ended May 10, as several waves of German assaults were repulsed by the British defenders, who in turn were unable to completely drive their opponents away. Both sides remains in defensive positions. The German Empire also announced, once again, the suspension of unrestricted submarine warfare.

Battle_of_Kondoa_Irangi ends may 10. several waves of german assaults repulsed; ends may 10. each side remains in position

May 10 Germany suspends unrestricted submarine warfare.

On May 12, in Darfur, the British-Egyptian forces have begun an advance into the heart of Fur territory, while planes dropped propaganda leaflets earlier this week promising the deposing of the ruler and an increase in religious freedoms.

In Persia, the Turks have strengthened their defenses near Khanagin as they await the approaching Russian thrust. Turkish planes also bombed Port Said near the Sinai canal, killing 22.

<– Part 93 – April 30, 1916  | Part 94 – May 7, 1916 |  Part 95 – May 14, 1916 –>

Verdun, May 1916. Hill 304 is just to the left of center.

The Anglo-Egyptian force in Darfur has used the last week to reinforce its supply and communication lines, despite some interference by small Fur detachments. In East Africa, near Kondoa Irangi, a South African force of 3,000 is in prepared defensive positions, as a German force of 4,000, with artilley, advances towards it.

At Verdun, the German offensive on the west bank has captured the north slope on May 4 and the crest of Hill 304 on May 7, but were unable to advance further. They have successfully resisted French counter-attacks in the last few days.

<– Part 92 – April 23, 1916  | Part 93 – April 30, 1916 |  Part 94 – May 7, 1916 –>

A rebellion erupted April 24 in Ireland, Easter Monday, several thousand strong. It was the largest since the Rebellion of 1798. Despite the large size and success in seizing several government buildings; however, despite shooting dead a guard and occupying the gatehouse of Dublin Castle, seat and emblem of London Rule, the superior British forces put the rebellion down by the 29th. During this same time, a meeting of worldwide socialists was held in Kienthal, a Swiss village, who stated their opposition to the war and the Central Powers as well.

One of Townshend’s men, an Indian soldier, after the surrender.

General Townshend, commander of the forces at Kut

However, despite this reassuring news from Ireland, bad news in the form of a crushing defeat of British troops arrived that same day – the beseiged forces at Kut, ridden with disease and starvation, were forced to surrender – over 13,000 British troops have been captured in Mesopotamia by the Ottomans. It is the largest defeat in decades, and follows just 4 months after the defeat at Gallipoli. The failure of a paddle steamer to reach the troops was the final nail in the coffin.

On April 27, the Germans launched a gas attack against British troops, whose gas masks were unable to protect them. The beginning of an offensive in the Halluch area, it ground to a halt when wind position shifted in the following days, blowing the gas into the German lines and killed hundreds. Despite this, the German assault was ordered, but British troops drove them back into their trenches. The British lost 1,600 men to gas and another 350 in the actual fighting, while the Germans suffered 1,500 casualties from gas alone.

Aerial view of the trenches at Hulloch.

Also on April 27, Field Marshal Lord Kitchener, British Secretary of State for War, asked the Americans for military assistance in Europe.

On April 30, the Lake Naroch offensive by the Russian Empire was halted, as the Russian artillery and infantry was unable to breach the strong German defensive positions. Of the 372,000 Russians and 82,000 Germans present for fighting, approximately 100,000 Russians and 30,000 Germans are casualties.

Vickers machine gun crew with gas masks.

One of the 1915 PH gas masks worn by the British troops. This one is missing its ventilator.

<– Part 91 – April 16, 1916  | Part 92 – April 23, 1916 |  Part 93 – April 30, 1916 –>

Fighting continues at Verdun, as German forces attempt wide-front assaults with unlimited objectives. Intelligence from German command indicates that the Germans are assuming 5 French casualties for every 2 of their own, holding to last month’s orders to preserve infantry. In keeping with this, the Germans have begun using Storm Trooper assault forces – 2 infantry squads and one engineer squad, armed with flamethrowers, hand grenades, automatic weapons, and small mortars. However, even with this new assault method, German advances are limited.

Ottoman troops at Katia

The German general commanding the Ottoman troops in the Sinai campaign: Friedrich Freiherr Kress von Kressenstein

On the 19th, US President Woodrow Wilson gave a speech in which he called on the German submarines to stop attacks on any ship in enemy waters without first issuing a warning, and attempting to determine if it is, in fact, an enemy ship. In Mesopotamia, the German general has died of cholera.

The German submarine SM U-69 has avoided being destroyed by the new British “depth charges,” shedding further light on this revolutionary weapon.

New Zealand infantry in the Sinai campaign

Near the Sinai canal, Ottoman troops under a German general have achieved a surprise attack against scattered British cavalry guarding a water pipeline at Katia on April 23. British forces have been sporadic and scattered in the area; it is assumed that they will increase and strengthen their patrols.

<– Part 90 – April 9, 1916  | Part 91 – April 16, 1916 |  Part 92 – April 23, 1916 –>

Although their defensive positions are exposed to artillery fire on three sides, and cover is minimal due to their own previous artillery bombardment, the German forces at Verdun have voted to continue the fight rather than withdraw. The sausage grinder continues.

The garrison at Abiad was attacked by Fur forces on April 14 & 15, but no casualties have been reported to the Anglo-Egyptian DarFur expedition.

The German submarine SM U-67 reported that on April 15 a British ship attempting to sink it dropped several charges into the water which detonated at specific depths. This could, perhaps, be the new weapon that sunk her sister ship U-68 on March 22.

Finally, the Ottoman forces have evacuated Trebizond/Trabzon, and the elements of the Russian Caucasus Army occupied it April 15.

<– Part 89 – April 2, 1916  | Part 90 – April 9, 1916 |  Part 91 – April 16, 1916 –>

On April 4, rumors began of planning by American military attaches in Europe to mobilize US shipping to bring an American army to Europe, should the necessity arise.

“Whatever happens we have got / the Maxim gun, and they have not.” – Hilaire Belloc

On the Western front, fighting at Verdun continues, although the Germans have only reached their first day’s objectives after nearly a month of fighting. French reinforcements are arriving, while the German reinforcements have been spent with little gain. Unless the German offensive on the Eastern bank is successful, the offensive seems doomed to an expensive failure.

In the Sudan, the Anglo-Egyptian Expedition has captured Abiad and left a garrison in place. Entrenched resistance by the Fur people has been brushed aside with artillery and Maxim machine guns. The Fur have some rifles, but many are armed with spears and chainmail armor.

<– Part 88 – March 26, 1916  | Part 89 – April 2, 1916 |  Part 90 – April 9, 1916 –>

French infantry charging with fixed bayonets

The Russian offensive at Lake Naroch ended March 30 with no gains. The long bombardment was ineffective; the 10km penetration of the front caused minimal damage to German defenses, and the 5:1 numerical superiority (375,000 Russians to 82,000 Germans) was wasted in human wave attacks. Russian morale is crushed, and the French (hoping the offensive would relieve pressure on the Western front) is similarly weakened. The Russians lost approximately 100,000 men, to the Germans’ 30,000.

<– Part 87 – March 19, 1916  | Part 88 – March 26, 1916 |  Part 89 – April 2, 1916 –>

The Anglo-Egyptian Darfur expedition brushed aside Fur army forces on March 22 and has taken Jebel el Hella, opening the way for further advance against the Fur.

Just south-west of Ireland, the British Q-ship HMS Farnborough sunk the German sub SM U-68 on the sub’s first week of the war. The successful attack is surprising, as Q-ships – heavily-armed merchant ships with hidden weaponry – are generally not as dominant in a conflict with a sub. Her ability to sink the sub is surprising, and perhaps indicative of advances in British anti-sub weaponry.

On March 24, the French passenger ship Sussex was torpedoed by the German SM UB-28. Approximately 75 of the 375 on board were killed. Several Americans were among those wounded, leading to further protests and complaints from the United States against the German Empire.

<– Part 86 – March 12, 1916  | Part 87 – March 19, 1916 |  Part 88 – March 26, 1916 –>

In an odd event earlier this week, Russian anarchist Peter Kropotkin, with several other noted anarchists, issued a manifesto proclaiming support for the Allied war effort on March 14.

“Los Generales” at Fort Bliss 18 months ago – Álvaro Obregón, Villa, and Pershing.

On March 15, in response to the incursion by Mexican revolutionary “Pancho” Villa last week, US General John J. Pershing has been ordered to pursue Villa into Mexico from his base at Fort Bliss. Pershing’s wife and his three daughters were killed in a house fire six months ago, and Villa personally sent his condolences – the two had a friendly relationship.

In Italy, the Italian offensive at Isonzo – the fifth to date – has been halted, with approximately 2,000 casualties on each side. In North Africa, the Senussi have been scattered into the desert.

On March 16, after refusing to adhere to treaty stipulations, and having begun recently to mobilize his army and proclaim support for the Ottoman war cause, the Sultan of Darfur finds himself at war with a joint Anglo-Egyptian force advancing on Um Shanga.

In the German East Africa colony, on March 18, the retreating German forces from Latema Nek, some 2,000 strong, were surrounded at Kahe (south of Mount Kilimanjaro) by 500 British and South African troops. 700 Germans were killed and a further 200 captured, to the loss of 21 Allied soldiers. The remaining German forces have retreated into the colony.

U-6 on a pre-war postcard

Renaudin’s sister ship Bisson

The Russians have launched an offensive at Lake Naroch, at the request of the French, in an attempt to relieve pressure on the Western front. 375,000 Russians are attacking 82,000 Germans in strong defensive positions. After an extended 2-day artillery bombardment, the advancing Russians are encountering stiff German resistance, as their bombardment apparently has had limited effect due to poor aerial reconnaissance of German lines.

The Austro-Hungarian sub SM U-6 sunk the French destroyer Renaudin at Durazzo.