Western Front
Somme: British take position near Le Transloy and capture 350-strong garrison.
At
Verdun, German forces successfully defend their gains at Hill 304 against two French counterattacks.
Eastern Front
Dobruja: Russians carry Central Powers’ positions between Kimpolung and Jacobeny (Bukovina), and take 1,218 prisoners.
Romania: Field Marhsal von Mackensen distributing Iron Crosses in occupied Bucharest:
http://imgur.com/xpEuNJI* © IWM (Q 52243)
Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: U-boat leader Bauer orders his commanders ‘
… unrestricted U-boat warfare is to force England to make peace and thereby decide the whole war. Energetic action is required and above all rapidity of action … expend only one torpedo on each ship stopped …’. Dover Straits route now compulsory to maximize time on station.
Atlantic: S.S. Artist torpedoed in a gale by German submarine; crew left to perish.
Political, etc.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm celebrates his 58th birthday. In the birthday message, he states the German people will obtain peace by the sword.
The celebration of Kaiser Wilhelm’s birthday in the arena at Bucharest:
http://imgur.com/G4j2dvb* © IWM (Q 87106)
Russia: Nikolai Pokrovski, Russian Foreign Minister, resigns (see December 12th, 1916 and March 15th, 1917).
Japan: Government asks Britain to approve her assuming German rights in China (done February 16).
Count Date Munemoto, head of the Date clan and last Daimyo of the Sendai Domain, passed away:
http://imgur.com/r5Etu8P