Diary May 15, 1916

05-1916, Diary WWI, Year 1916 / 1 minute of reading

An Austro-Hungarian trench mortar opens fire on the Italians in the Trentino.

Diary for Monday, May 15, 1916:

Southern Fronts

AUSTRIAN TRENTINO OFFENSIVE begins on 21-mile front with 4 hours intensive barrage from 0600 hours. Elite XX Edelweiss Corps (Archduke Charles) has 253 guns in direct support plus 140 from III Corps, captures Costa d’Agra and Mt Coston (5,745 ft) breaking Italian first line until next day, but VIII Corps to West fought to a standstill by Roma Brigade and Alpini; as is XXI Corps though XVII Corps secures parts of Armentera Ridge (4,954 ft) in eastern diversion along Val Sugana that Pecori-Giraldi mistakes as main threat.

Western Front

Artois: British mine and storm 250 yards trenches on Vimy Ridge but Germans take crater on May 17.

Middle East and Sea War

Arabia: Allied blockade of Hejaz coast begins.

Politics

Britain: Foreign minister Grey states Allies fighting for a free Europe. Bethmann replies on May 23 that Germany will make peace on basis of security against attack.

Occupied countries

Belgium: Gouverneur-General Bissing decrees unemployed will accept work for Germany.

Home Fronts

Ireland: Casement charged with high treason for Easter Rising.

About The Author

Kretaner

My name is Norman 'Kretaner' and since my childhood I am interested in history and strategy games. Later, I have learned programming and the development of computer games, and finally with the Internet, also web design. I'm in the fortunate position to combine all my interests with my work and to live on a place of my choice, on Crete. All information, figures, specifications and statistics used here had been compiled from a variety of sources and the large, over decades collected, library of the author about military history, WW2 and weapons.