17th April 1916
Western Front
Battle of Verdun: Germans repulsed at Douaumont, but gain footing in Bois de Chaudfour salient.
Southern Front
Italians blow up Col di Lana and take west part of Monte Ancona (Dol.).
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Russians occupy Surmeneh and reach Assene Kalessi (Armenia).
British take Beit Aiessa (Mesopotamia).
Naval and Overseas Operations
Germans in force at Kondoa Irangi (German East Africa).
Political, etc.
Sir Douglas Mawson urges the British Admiralty to send a relief expedition to Shackleton and his men who are trapped in Antarctica.
Russian government release a 35-page report alleging German cruelty against Russian prisoners of war.
French farmers respond to the tax on wheat by switching to oats, barley, and other grains.
Committee appointed to investigate recruiting.
Italy prohibits trading with Germany.
Anti-American riots develop in Chihuahua in protest of the U.S. intervention in Mexico after U.S. aviators were stationed in the city.
Ship Losses:
Ernest Reyer (France) The full-rigged ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean north west of Ouessant, Finistère (49°07′N 7°49′W) by
SM U-69 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Although her 29 crew were allowed to take to the lifeboats, they did not survive.
Terje Viken (Norway) The cargo ship struck a mine laid by
U 73 (Gustav Sieß) and sank in the Atlantic Ocean off Cabo Guia, Portugal. Her crew survived.
African American soldiers guarding Pancho Villa’s soldiers.
