17th September 1914
Western Front
The Aisne: Heavy fighting around Soissons.
Sir John French's second despatch (published 19 October).
Eastern Front
On the Eastern Front, Austrian forces steadily retreat from the advancing Russian 3rd and 8th armies fighting in southern Poland and along the Russian-Austrian border. The Germans then send the newly formed 9th Army to halt the Russians. This marks the beginning of a pattern in which the Germans will aid the weaker Austro-Hungarian Army.
Southern Front
Syrmia: Serbians evacuate Semlin.
Battle of the Drina ends.
Naval and Overseas Operations
British Naval Mission leaves Turkey.
Admiral Souchon (Imperial German navy) assumes control of Turkish navy.
German New Guinea and surrounding Colonies capitulate to Australian Expeditionary Force.
South Africa: German raid near Nakob.
General Beyers dismissed from his command.
Political etc.
President Wilson receives a Belgian delegation to hear allegations of German war crimes.
The U.S. announces it will not seek indemnities from the new Mexican government for crimes committed under the Huerta regime.
Ship Losses:
Indrani ( United Kingdom): The cargo ship was scuttled in the Atlantic Ocean 145 nautical miles (269 km) north by west of Cabo São Roque, Brazil by SMS Karlsruhe ( Kaiserliche Marine).
FISGARD II, repair ship, was central battery ironclad Invincible, 6,010t, 1869, 10-9in/4-6in, relegated to harbour service, boy artificers training ship, renamed Erebus in 1904, Fisgard II in 1906, based at Portsmouth with engines, steering gear and armament removed. She was one of two old Fisgard's scheduled to become repair workshops at Scapa Flow, 64 passage crew, being towed west-about by tugs Danube and Southampton, accompanied by Fisgard I, departed Portsmouth on 16th. Next day, off Portland in very heavy weather, water shipped through hawse pipes, machinery shifted to try to correct trim, both tug captains aware she was in distress but could not get her into Portland, finally heeled over on beam ends and foundered 5 miles off Portland Bill around 1620 (wi - 50.25N, 02.30W); one of four boats smashed during launching, 6 ratings and 11 dockyard personnel lost plus non-naval dockyard civilians – various contracted labourers from Portsmouth Dockyard (Rn - total of 23; He – 6 ratings, 11 dockyard labourers; dx/wi - 21). Fisgard I got into Plymouth. As Scapa Flow needed to be converted from an anchorage into a well-equipped fleet base, Fisgard II was a real loss to the Grand Fleet.
