Western Front
Somme: German attack on Havrincourt (SW of Cambrai), at first successful, beaten back later.
Aisne: N.E. of Craonne, German counter-attack broken up.
British forces claim to have taken 10,687 German prisoners since July 31st on the Western Front.
British report that BEF divisions average 2,000 men under strength.
General John Pershing opens AEF GHQ at Chaumont on upper Marne.
In September Royal Flying Corps makes 226 bombing raids (7,886 bombs worth 135t to German 969 bombs) ranges (that is, artillery-spotting) 9539 targets, issues 930 new aircraft, only surpassed in March and May 1918; takes 14,678 photos; 214 personnel killed and missing, second worst 1917 month. During September two German night raids destroy 85 French aircraft in Verdun area. In September US air training school opens at Issoudon.
Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (also known as the
Battle of Jugla) begins (see 3rd and 5th): 1159 German artillery guns fire on Russian forces defending Riga; Russia only has 66 artillery guns to answer. Subsequent German infantry attack E. of Riga; their troops enter the city.
Dvina river evacuated by Russians, and crossed by Germans at Uxkull.
Another source gives more detail:
HUTIER’S GERMAN RIGA OFFENSIVE (until September 5) begins with 2-hour Bruchmueller gas shelling (116,400 gas shells inflict over 1,000 Russian casualties) causing panic. By 0840 hours 3 bridges being built and 2 islands stormed 18 miles east of Riga. 3 divisions cross Dvina in 225 pontoons covered by low-flying aircraft, carve out 7-mile bridgehead by 1035 hours but then halt. Klembovski evacuates Riga bridgehead and Riga until September 2.
Above a blown-up bridge, which has been repaired, German troops cross the Dvina:
https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...ssing.jpg?ssl=1
Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Julian front: slight Italian advance, taking 340 prisoners.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Jutland coast: Grand Fleet’s 4th Light Cruiser Squadron and 15th Destroyer Flotilla raid Horn’s Reef; British destroyers drive four German mine-sweepers ashore, two on fire.
Britain: During September Royal Navy at last has the efficient H2 mine (copy of German Herzhorn contact mine) in volume production; 12,450 of 100,000 ordered by end 1917, sink 9, possibly up to 16, U-boats. During September 31 air stations have 190 aircraft and 50 airships for anti U-boat work.
Atlantic: 300 ships sailing weekly in convoys (inward and outward).
East Africa: Highest British ration strength since December 1, 1916 and for duration of war. 58,317 soldiers (including 22,052 whites and 16,853 Indians) with 38 guns; 140,590 porters; 16,606 animals (August 31, including 6,033 oxen).
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
TE Lawrence holding a mortar bomb near Aqaba, Jordan:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...283807725465602
Palestine: EEF total ration strength 225,176 including 20,207 Anzac and 19,141 Indian soldiers with 117,449 animals (August 25) including 44,502 camels.
Egypt: During September NACB takes over 41 canteens.
Mesopotamia: Turkish railway has now only reached Nisibis. During September US Persian Famine Relief Commission arrives in Baghdad (also American oil interests).
Political, etc
Russia: Anti-government agitation continues in Petrograd, with militia having to tear down pro-Bolshevik posters and dispersing demonstrators.
The Petrograd Soviet passes a resolution protesting the reestablishment of the death penalty in the Russian army.
United Kingdom: Air fighting schools are established in Britain.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): U.S. government recognizes the Mexican Carranza government to ensure Mexican neutrality.
Poland: In German-occupied Poland, Polish judges are for the first time allowed to administer justice in the courts.