28th August
Western Front
Joffre orders the creation of a new force under Foch (which will later be designated the 9th Army) between the French 4th and 5th Armies
German forces take Montmédy, southwest of Sedan
The French fortress of Longwy, near Luxembourg, surrenders
Hard fighting north of Peronne, on the northernmost flank of the armies
British II Corps reaches the Somme, having retreated 35 miles from Le Cateau in a day and a half
British on line Noyon-Chauny-La Fere: British cavalry successful near latter.
In a rare old-fashioned cavalry charge, the British 12th Lancers ride down and spear German Uhlans at Cerizy
Haig’s proposal to coordinate an attack between his I Corps and the French 5th Army is refused by Sir John French, to the disgust of Lanrezac
The BEF abandons its forward base at Amiens
Violent meeting between Joffre and Lanrezac at Marle [830.AM]: Joffre gives direct orders for 5th Army to attack westward
The retreating French 5th Army reaches the upper Oise
Kluck begins to consider wheeling inward to catch 5th Army in the flank
Hausen’s German 3rd Army is advancing toward Rethel on the Aisne to Aug.29 - intense fighting at Signy-l’Abbaye
German forces take Fort Manonvillier, at Avricourt east of Nancy
The French 2nd Army renews its attacks in Lorraine
The French Belfort garrison advances slowly into southern Alsace
Refusing to divert troops for the defense of the capital, Joffre’s deputy Belin scoffs “What does Paris matter!”
Gallieni is given direct authority over Paris and decrees a ‘state of defense,’ intensifying work on the fortifications
Eastern Front
Russians beat Austrians at Lutzow (Galicia).
On the Northwest Front, the Germans halted the Russian 1st Army advance on Koenigsberg. The left wing of the Russian 2nd Army had fallen back 21 km without informing General Samsonov. In a disastrous defeat, the 2nd Army lost over 92,000 prisoners with over 30,000 killed, wounded or drowned at the Battle of Tannenberg. The Germans captured over 500 guns and 400,000 artillery shells. Germans losses were put at between 10-15,000 men.
German Zeppelin Z V, flying in heavy rain during a bombing raid on Mlava, was shot down by Russian ground fire, the entire crew was captured, while Z.V commander Hauptman Ernst Gruener was killed.
Naval and Overseas Operations
Battle of Bight of Helgoland: the German cruisers "Mainz", "Koln", and "Ariadne" sunk.
Ship Losses:
SMS Ariadne: Battle of Heligoland Bight: The Gazelle-class light cruiser was shelled and sunk in the Heligoland Bight by HMS Lion, HMS Queen Mary and HMS Princess Royal (all Royal Navy)
SMS Cöln : Battle of Heligoland Bight: The Kolberg-class light cruiser was shelled and sunk in the Heligoland Bight by HMS Lion, HMS Queen Mary and HMS Princess Royal (all Royal Navy) with the loss of 484 of her 485 crew.
SMS Mainz: Battle of Heligoland Bight: The Kolberg-class light cruiser was shelled and sunk in the Heligoland Bight by HMS Lion, HMS Queen Mary and HMS Princess Royal (all Royal Navy) with the loss of 89 of her 437 crew.
SMS V187: Battle of Heligoland Bight: The V180-class destroyer was shelled and sunk in the Heligoland Bight by Royal Navy warships.
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