3rd May 1916
Western Front
Battle of Verdun: French success at Mort Homme; Germans bombard Hill 304.
Aviation
Aeroplane raid on Deal, 4 injured.
Zeppelin L20 6 reconnaissance missions; 2 attacks on England dropping a total 2,864 kilograms (6,314 lb) bombs; ran out of fuel after raiding Scotland on 3 May 1916, drifted and stranded near Stavanger (Norway). The crew destroyed the airship. 16 were captured, 3 died. Kapitänleutnant Stabbert escaped six months later.
The German crew survives the crash landing and is interned by Norwegian authorities.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Belgians occupy Shanzugu on Lake Kivu (German East Africa).
Political, etc.
Three Irish leaders shot; Mr. Birrell resigns Irish Secretaryship. The executions by the British will continue for the next few days, which turns public opinion in Ireland decidedly against British rule.
Military Service Bill, extending compulsion to married men, introduced. First reading of a military bill for immediate general conscription passes the House of Commons on its first reading, accompanied by cheers.
Judge Peter A. O’Boyle of Pennsylvania announces that members of the IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) cannot get U.S. citizenship.
Ship Losses:
Marie Molinos (France) The barque was intercepted, shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°35′N 5°05′W) by
SM U-20 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew abandoned ship before she was scuttled and were rescued the next day by
Wenceslao ( Spain).