Diary May 3, 1916

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

Hell Verdun — Hell – the horror of Verdun.

Diary for Wednesday, May 3, 1916:

Western Front

Verdun: French storm positions northwest of Mort Homme, but 500 German guns on a mile front shell Hill 304 (until May 5); one French battalion reduced to 3 men.

Middle East

Persia: Russian general Baratov occupies Kasr-i-Shirin on border (110 miles from Baghdad) and learns Kut’s surrender by radio, takes Khanikin (on May 15).

African Fronts

East Africa: Belgian troops occupy Shanzugu (Lake Kivu) and Kigali on May 6.

Sea War

North Sea: Weather thwarts British carrier raid with Vindex and Engadine on Tondern Zeppelin sheds (until May 4), but cruisers Galatea and Phaeton force Zeppelin L7 down. Submarine E31 finishes it off and rescues 7 survivors, also survives 5.9-inch shell hit and ramming attempt by cruiser Rostock. Main rival fleets briefly sortie in support (May 4-5).

Air War

Eastern Front: Zeppelin ZX11 raids Luninetz and LZ86 Minsk railways.

Home Fronts

Russia: Ex-War Minister General Sukhomlinov arrested on treason charges.
Britain: 10% lighting reduction requested to save coal.

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.