Monthly Archives: June 2016

BRITISH GROUND ASSAULT AT SOMME POSTPONED

Ferocious British Guns, but the Germans Well Dug In; Their Barbed Wire Defenses Hold. Starvation Growing in Germany; Hundreds Die Each Day Special to The Great War Project (26-29 June) The British Command decides to launch its offensive on the River Somme in northern France on this June 29th a century ago. The Germans have…

MASSIVE BRITISH BARRAGE AT SOMME

Ground Attack Coming Germans Well Dug In; Fears British Offensive Will Fail Special to The Great War Project (21-25 June) The British open their enormous bombardment at the river Somme on June 24th a century ago. It is sustained along a twelve-mile front, reports historian Martin Gilbert. “More than 1500 guns and howitzers fired more…

FRENCH DESPERATE FOR HELP AT VERDUN

French Town on Verge of Collapse; Pleas to British: Launch Offensive at the Somme Now. Haig Hesitates. Special to The Great War Project. (17-20 June) The French are putting intense pressure on Great Britain to launch a massive attack on German forces at the River Somme in northern France. The Allies have been planning this…

GOOD NEWS FOR THE ALLIES IN RUSSIA AND ARABIA.

Hundreds of Thousands of Austrians Taken Prisoner Swift Hashemite Gains in the Arab Revolt. Special to The Great War Project. (16 June) The Russians continue to make significant gains on the Eastern Front in what is being called the Brusilov offensive. It’s the most progress the Russians make since the beginning of the war in…

CHIVALRY ON THE BATTLEFIELD

In the West, Death of a Pigeon In the East, Collapse of an Army Special to The Great War Project. (6-10 June) On June 7th a century ago in northern France near Verdun, Fort Vaux falls to the Germans. The French may have been beaten in this defense of Verdun, but it’s an awe-inspiring story. And it…

IT’S NOW A TEN FRONT WAR

Russians Mount Massive Offensive In Middle East, the Arab Revolt. British Lose a Leader Special to The Great War Project (2-5 June) It’s 2nd June, the day after the Jutland naval battle left thousands of sailors on both the British and German sides dead. The Germans launch “a massive attack,” reports historian Martin Gilbert, “on…