31st July 1915
Western Front
End of big movement lasting ten days, of German troops from Eastern to Western front.
Eastern Front
Germans cross the Aa (Riga), after tow days' fighting.
Desperate fighting and German advance on Kamienka front (Vistula).
Russians ejected from positions near Kurow (Lyublin).
Kholm occupied by Germans.
Southern Front
Riva (and Garda) bombarded by seaplanes, Austrian positions there taken.
Aviation
John Aidan Liddell, English pilot & Victoria Cross recipient, is mortally wounded, but manages to fly back to base.
Naval
Atlantic off SW England
Two Admiralty fleet messengers sailing in company from Glasgow under sealed orders, bound for Dardanelles, heavy seas with SW force 8 gale blowing, sunk by
U.28 (Georg-Günther Freiherr von Forstner) off the Scillies.
TURQUOISE, ex-coaster, 486/c1892, Glasgow-reg, W Robertson, hired 2/7/15, Pennant No.Y4.30, 15 crew, Lt John McNicol RNR, sailing for Bizerta in ballast. In the afternoon sighted surfaced submarine on starboard bow which rapidly approached, ordered to stop but attempted to ram,
U.28 opened fire around 1600 making several hits, ship immediately abandoned and sank at 1615, 60 miles SW of Scillies (wi - attacked in 49N, 07.08W, sank 40 miles SW of, in 49.00N 07.00W); one life lost, probably Merchant Navy (He/wi - chief engineer killed by gunfire, two crew wounded), survivors picked up by patrol trawler, landed at St Mary’s next day.
NUGGET, ex-coaster, 405/1889, Glasgow-reg, W Robertson, hired around 23/7/15, Pennant No.Y4.38, 15 crew, Lt Charles Amburger RNR.
U.28 approached at speed and ordered crew to abandon ship in spite of conditions, when close enough Nugget went to full-speed and tried to ram, U-boat opened fire hitting the hull with 14 shells, sank at 2100, 45 miles SW of (wi - in 49.05N 06.58W); no lives lost, all crew picked up by Dutch sailing vessel Annetta at 2200, transferred next morning at 0545 to patrol boat, landed at St. Mary's next day at 1030.
Political, etc.
French Note on German outrages at Roubaix published.
M. Radoslavov declares Bulgaria has no intention of joining Central Powers or of attacking Serbia.
US Department of Labor announces that any immigrants who fight in Europe will lose their progress in the naturalization process.
German Province of Brandenburg expropriates all supplies of copper, brass, and nickel. Pots and pans can still be kept, but cannot be sold.
Ship Losses:
Galicia ( United Kingdom): The passenger ship struck a mine and was damaged in English Channel 2 nautical miles (3.7 km) off the North Goodwin Lightship ( United Kingdom). She was beached but was later refloated, repaired and returned to service.
Gypsum Queen ( United Kingdom): The schooner was abandoned in the Atlantic Ocean (approximately 48°N 23°W). Her crew were rescued.
HMS Nugget ( Royal Navy): The fleet messenger was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 45 nautical miles (83 km) south west of the Isles of Scilly (49°05′N 6°58′W) by
SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
HMS Turquoise ( Royal Navy): The fleet messenger was shelled and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 60 nautical miles (110 km) south west of the Isles of Scilly (49°00′N 7°08′W) by
SM U-28 ( Kaiserliche Marine) with the loss of a crew member.
Prince Albert ( Belgium): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel off the Shipwash Lightvessel ( United Kingdom).
MERCHANT SHIPPING
British, Allied and Neutral ships lost to enemy submarines, mines and cruisers etc in the month - 101 ships of 112,000 tons gross (Lloyd's War Losses).