The Great War (1914-1918) in real time

Day 236 of the Great War, March 20th 1915

Aerial operations: Kaiser rescinded his order for army Zeppelins to bombard London

After giving his approval on the 11th for army Zeppelins to bombard London, the Kaiser has been typically plagued by second thoughts, and rescinded his order. Deprived of their primary target, three Zeppelins instead bombard Paris today.

Western Front: First Battle of Champagne

- The French 4th Army calls a halt today to major offensive operations, bringing an end to the 1st Battle of Champagne. Over the past two months of fighting, 4th Army has suffered over 93 000 casualties, while advancing an average of one kilometre over a three kilometre stretch of the front. On the other side, German casualties were only half those of the French. Among the lessons the French take from the campaign, which Joffre deems to have been a success, is the vital importance of heavy artillery to smash the way through enemy defenses and the need for better offensive tactics.

- After painstaking preparations, today the Bavarian 8th Reserve Division recaptures the summit of Reichsackerkopf, west of Munster in the Vosges.

Map: The front line in the Vosges, March 1915.



Eastern Front: Siege of Przemyśl

With the last breakout attempt defeated and food stocks exhausted, the fate of the Przemsyl garrison has been sealed, and today Emperor Franz Joseph sends a validictory message to the fortress commander:

It saddens me greatly that the bold breakout attempt by the Przemysl garrison was shattered yesterday by the enemy's larger force. Yet I gaze with a sad pride upon the incomparable self-sacrifice of the brave men whose efforts weren't crowned with success. I wholeheartedly thank everyone who fought for their heroic deed. I make the sign of the cross over every one of them who gave their lives on the field of honor. Even in the distant future, history will record what Austria-Hungary's warriors achieved during the stubborn defense of Przemysl. They were unflinching and brave until the end.

Naval operations: German East Africa

The old Canopus-class Battleship HMS GOLIATH, flagship of Admiral King-Hall, moves south to the mouth of the Lindi River and opens fire with her secondary guns. The ship's log doesn't say what the target is, but records 53 rounds of 6" Common and Lyddite shell fired, so presumably it is German or native troops on land.

SS KINFAUNS CASTLE moves from Zanzibar to Mombasa, where S920 performs a couple more short test hops.

Naval operations: Saudi Arabia

Hellmuth von Mücke and his men set sail northward from Al Qunfudhah in their zambuk. The next stop will be Al Lith, 76 nautical miles to the north-northeast.

Day 238 of the Great War, March 22nd 1915

Eastern Front: Siege of Przemyśl

YouTube (Fall of Przemysl)



Overnight the Austro-Hungarian artillery at Przemysl fire off their remaining ammunition, and this morning are destroyed. At 6am, the last of the fortifications are reduced to rubble, and at 7am an automobile carrying two staff officers depart Przemysl to negotiate the surrender of the garrison. As white flags flutter over the remnants of the defences, the first Russian detachments enter Austro-Hungarian lines by 9am.

As a result of the surrender of Przemysl, 9 generals, 93 staff officers, 2500 other officers, and 117 000 men march into Russian captivity. The rank-and-file of the Austro-Hungarian garrison has suffered terribly over the past months, their rations reduced to almost nothing. The Russians, however, cannot help but notice that the senior Austro-Hungarian officers have a well-fed look about them.

Poster: Siege of Przemyśl, Russian war poster 1915



The fall of Przemysl is undoubtedly a significant disaster for Austria-Hungary, it constituting one more military embarassment in a war that has gone completely off the rails for the Dual Monarchy. The fortress' surrender also formally ends the efforts undertaken by the army over the past few months to break through the Russian lines to relieve the garrison. Conrad's tunnel vision regarding the relief of Przemysl blinded him to the realities of attempting to conduct major offensive operations in mountainous terrain in the midst of terrible winter conditions. The Winter Battles of the Carpathians have been a shattering debacle far beyond the mere failure to reach Przemysl. Over the past few months, the Austro-Hungarian army has suffered 800 000 casualties, three-quarters as a result of sickness and exposure; the efforts to relieve the fortress squandered far more men than the besieged garrison itself contained. In the end, Conrad's offensive has resulted in the worst of both worlds: not only has Przemysl been lost, but the catastrophic losses further cripples the fighting capacity of the field army. It is one of Conrad's greatest failures in a war marked by them.

Naval operations - Dardanelles campaign

Senior Entente commanders in the eastern Mediterranean meet today in the wardroom of QUEEN ELIZABETH to plot the next move after the rebuff of the 18th. For several days Admiral Robeck has continued to ruminate on the losses suffered in that day's bombardment, and opens the conference by declaring his opinion that the Dardanelles cannot be forced by warships alone. Instead, the only way the minefields could be swept would be if the mobile batteries were destroyed and the enemy shore occupied by landing forces. This declaration finds support from General Sir Ian Hamilton, who had been dispatched by Kitchener to command the various British forces assembling in the eastern Mediterranean and had arrived on the 17th. His reaction to the failure of the 18th was that the army would now have to play a central part in the operation, and after communication with Kitchener had been informed by the latter that if large scale landing operations were necessary, then so be it. With Hamilton's support, Robeck is able to carry the room, and the conference unanimously resolves that the naval attack should be postponed until the landing operation was ready to commence. As the forces under Hamilton's command are scattered across the Mediterranean, he advises the admirals that it will be about three weeks before he is ready to move.

Keyes is absent from the meeting, attempting to reorganize the minesweeper fleet, and when he learns of the decision he works to change Robeck's mind. Keyes is convinced that the Ottomans are tottering, and that one more push will shatter the defenders and open the way to Constantinople. Robeck, however, still fearing additional warship losses more than anything else, refuses to budge.

Naval operations: English Channel

Claus Rücker, in SMS U-34, torpedoes British freighter CONCORD, 2,861 tons, carrying a cargo of mixed grains from Rosario to Leith. Rücker's score is now three ships and 11,650 tons.

Naval operations: Gibraltar

The monitor convoy stops off the coast of Gibraltar. The tugs DANUBE II, SOUTHAMPTON and T.A. JOLIFFE unship their towing lines and move into the harbor for recoaling. The convoy continues on at slow speed. After replenishing the three tugs rejoin the convoy and the same process is repeated with BLACKCOCK, SARAH JOLIFFE and REVENGER. As it is now late the latter three remain in harbor overnight.

Naval operations: Adriatic Sea

Egon Lerch, commanding Austro-Hungarian submarine KEK U-12, takes two prizes: Montenegrin sailing vessels FIORE DI DULCIGNO and HILUSSIE.

Photo: U-12 entering Pola Harbor in 1914



Naval operations: German East Africa

HMS GOLIATH anchors at Zanzibar, then departs for Mombasa.

Light cruiser HMS HYACINTH is patrolling down the coast from Mafia Island.

At Port Reitz, Mombasa, HMS KINFAUNS CASTLE again hoists S920 into the water. The plane makes three flights, the longest being nine minutes.

Day 240 of the Great War, March 24th 1915

Western Front: Joffre informs General Dubail

Joffre today informs General Dubail of the Provisional Group of the East that I, II, and XII Corps, along with a cavalry corps, will be transferred to his command to participate in the forthcoming offensive against the St.-Mihiel salient.

Eastern Front: Conrad plans to shift forces from 2nd and 3rd Armies eastward

In the Carpathians Conrad plans to shift forces from 2nd and 3rd Armies eastward to General Pflanzer-Baltin's command for a major offensive. However, the Russians have plans of their own, and General Ivanov aims to break the Austro-Hungarian lines in the central Carpathians, attacking the inner wings of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd and 3rd Armies and advancing towards the rail junction of Homonna. The Russians have ben the first off the mark, and in heavy fighting over the past few days have inflicted sharp defeats on the enemy, and in particular have secured a large bulge in the line by pushing back the Austro-Hungarian XVII Corps. Far from transferring forces eastward, 2nd and 3rd Army have found themselves in desperate fighting to prevent a Russian breakthrough, and Conrad has to send reinforcements from southern Poland to prop up his sagging line in the Carpathians. Undaunted, however, Conrad believes that the Russian attacks offer the opportunity to defeat the enemy outside of their strong defensive positions. Despite his ongoing optimism, a more accurate assessment of the situation is reflected in his request to Falkenhayn today of two or three German divisions to aid in the Carpathian fighting.

Naval operations - Dardanelles campaign

As the Entente mission at the Dardanelles shifts from a naval to an amphibious operation, the bombardment to date has also served to highlight to the Ottoman government the weaknesses of their defences along the straits, especially the Gallipoli peninsula which forms the northern shore. In an effort to reorganize its defense, Enver Pasha today appoints General Otto Liman von Sanders, head of the German military mission to Constantinople, to command Ottoman forces on Gallipoli. The task before Sanders is substantial - though 80,000 soldiers garrison Gallipoli, they lack sufficient guns, ammunition, and even clothing and footwear, and are strung out along the 150 mile coastline of the peninsula.

Naval operations: Africa

HMS GOLIATH departs Mombasa to return to Zanzibar.

HMS HYACINTH rounds the Cape Delgado lighthouse to examine Keonge Bay and Lindi Bay.

Naval operations: Saudi Arabia

After four days at sea Hellmuth von Mücke and his party arrive at Al Lith which he calls "Leet".

Day 242 of the Great War, March 26th 1915

YouTube (The Fall of Przemyśl - Changing Strategy On The Western Front)



United Kingdom: Landships Committee reports to Churchill the preliminary results of its investigations

- The Landships Committee has reported to Churchill the preliminary results of its investigations of possible vehicles that could be adapted to combat use, and has focussed on two potential designs: a six-wheeled vehicle and a tracked vehicle using Pedrails. Today, Churchill authorizes the construction of prototypes of each for testing.

Western Front: Joffre cancels an attack planned in the Vosges

- Due to a lack of resources, Joffre cancels an attack planned in the Vosges, originally intended as a preliminary diversionary operation prior to the main offensive against the St.-Mihiel salient.

- Today the French 152nd Infantry Regiment, alongside 1st Chasseur Brigade, succeed in wresting control of the summit of Hartmannswillerkopf from the Germans.

Naval operations - Dardanelles campaign

Admiral Robeck sends a further telegram to the Admiralty today, providing a more detailed justification of his decision to abandon the naval assault on the Dardanelles:

I do not hold the check on the 18th to be decisive, but having met General Hamilton . . . I consider a combined operation essential to obtain great results and object of campaign . . . To attack the Narrows now with fleet would be a mistake, as it would jeopardize the execution of a better and bigger scheme.

Naval operations: German East Africa

In a pouring rain storm HMS GOLIATH returns to Mafia Island. HMS HYACINTH moves from Mafia Island to the Rufiji Delta. HMS WEYMOUTH returns from Rufiji to Mafia to repair a damaged steering gear.

At Mombasa, HMS KINFAUNS CASTLE is discharging all the seaplane stores. The RN has finally given up on the Sopwith seaplane.

Naval operations: Saudi Arabia

In an attempt to gather enough animals to transport his party over land, Hellmuth von Mücke contacts the Sheik of Al Lith. The town is small - only a few hundred people - and even the Sheik is poor. He invites von Mücke to dinner at his home. Von Mücke describes it as a hut with no windows, with weapons hanging on all the walls. The only furniture is described as "smoking apparatus". To eat they lie on mats on the floor. The meal consists of a large pile of rice and a whole roast sheep.

The Sheik agrees to do everything he can to acquire sufficient camels for the journey.

Day 244 of the Great War, March 28th 1915

Eastern Front: Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army continues to deteriorate in the Carpathians

The situation of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army continues to deteriorate in the Carpathians, as on its left wing 32nd and 13th Landwehr Division are forced to retreat when the Russians seize the Manilow Heights.

Naval operations: unrestricted submarine warfare

In the first month of the German campaign of unrestricted submarine warfare, twenty-five merchant ships have been sunk, sixteen of which had been torpedoed without warning. These numbers, however, have to be placed in the context of the overall flow of merchant traffic - over the same month over four thousand vessels had sailed into and out of British ports.

Naval operations: Black Sea

Today the Russian Black Sea Squadron, consisting of five pre-dreadnoughts, two cruisers, and ten destroyers, appears off the mouth of the Bosphorus and ineffectively bombards the Ottoman forts guarding the strait. The attack is little more than a token gesture, and naturally comes too late for the British and French on the other side of the Dardanelles, who have already decided to abandon a purely naval operation in favour of a combined assault.

Naval operations: Celtic Sea

Today a twenty-sixth vessel is sunk, the 5000-ton British cargo and passenger liner FALABA. In the St. George's Channel off the Irish coast, it is halted by U-28, and its captain is given ten minutes to abandon ship. During this period, extended on request to twenty-three minutes, Falaba's wireless continued to broadcast signals requesting assistance. When an armed British trawler appears, U-28 puts a torpedo into FALABA, which rapidly sinks. One hundred and four lives are lost, including an American passenger, who becomes the first American citizen to die at sea as the result of the attack of a German submarine. The response of the American government is to ask the German ambassador for clarification regarding details of the sinking; a muted reaction reflecting that only a single American life was lost. The Germans, however, can hardly count on such forbearance in the future.

Drawing: sinking of FALABA



Naval operations: Saudi Arabia

Having gathered ninety camels, Hellmuth von Mücke and his men depart Al Lith at 1600 hours. He has purchased a number of straw mats for shade while resting. Most of the camels carry water, with the remainder packing the supplies and machine guns. The men march with loaded rifles due to the number of bandits in the region. Their route is northward, paralleling the coast. They also have an escort of one Turkish officer and seven troops.

Day 246 of the Great War, March 30th 1915

Western Front: Germans conclude the battle of Champagne is at an end

- Though the French offensive in Champagne was halted ten days ago, it is only today that the Germans conclude the battle is at an end, as aerial reconnaissance indicates the withdrawal of French corps from the front.

- The French offensive against the St.-Mihiel salient begins today when 73rd Division attacks along the Moselle River, near the eastern end of the southern face of the salient. It is hoped that this attack, and subsequent ones planned to begin in the next several days in what will become the Battle of Woëvre, will draw German forces south before the primary French attack hits the western face of the salient.

- Colonel Seeckt, newly-appointed Chief of Staff of the German 11th Army, submits his proposal to OHL for an offensive on the Western Front by 11th Army, as per Falkenhayn's directive earlier this month. After studying the line between La Bassée Canal and Roye, Seeckt concludes that the most advantageous sector for an offensive is a twenty-five kilometre stretch running from just south of Arras to just north of Albert, as it lays just sixty-five kilometres from the coast and is less-well defended than nearby sectors. Further, the area to the west of the line is less developed, offering fewer possible points of resistance should the Germans break through, and the southern flank of a German advance would be in part shielded by the Somme River.

To achieve the initial breakthrough, Seeckt calls for the use of thirty heavy artillery batteries and 125 howitzer batteries, each of the latter covering two hundred yards of the front. Five corps would be assigned responsibility for breaking the enemy line, and would be supported by a second wave of four corps designed to cover the flanks and maintain forward momentum. A further army of five corps would then be necessary to carry the offensive to Doullens, the point at which he believed the Entente armies would be irretrievably split. Overall Seeckt's plans calls for the employment of fourteen corps, of which eleven were to be newly-built. This stands in contrast to the fourteen new divisions now available as a result of the reorganization of the German army; in other words, insufficient for Seeckt's operation. Though Falkenhayn now has the outline of a plan for achieving the great victory he desires in the West, he is now confronted by the reality of insufficient forces to execute the operation.

Eastern Front: a officer describes the mood at Austro-Hungarian army headquarters as 'below zero'

As the situation continues to deteriorate in the Carpathians, one officer describes the mood at Austro-Hungarian army headquarters as 'below zero', with Conrad constantly 'grumbling'.

Naval operations: Off the English Channel, south of Cornwall

Georg-Günther von Forstner scores his last victory of this patrol when he stops SS CROWN OF CASTILE, 4,505 tons, bound from St. John, New Brunswick for Le Havre, carrying a load of oats and hay. The crew are allowed to abandon ship and the freighter sunk with scuttling charges. U-28 heads for home with a final score of 9 ships and 25,508 tons.

Naval operations: Malta

The three monitors are battened down. Even the governor of Malta is not allowed below decks when he visits. The six tugs are pressed into service towing military equipment to the Dardanelles and Lemnos in preparation for the upcoming operations there.

Naval operations - Dardanelles campaign

British General Hamilton tells Admiral de Robeck that they should renew the naval attack, since "It is always possible the opposition may crumple up. If you should succeed be sure to leave light cruisers enough to see me through my military attack in the event of that being after all necessary."

Naval operations: German East Africa

HMS HYACINTH joins GOLIATH at Kilindini Harbour, Port Reitz, Mombasa. KINFAUNS CASTLE and WEYMOUTH are still guarding the mouth of the Rufiji river.

Naval operations: Saudi Arabia

The German caravan sets out on its third night's journey. Short of water they comfort themselves with the knowledge that there are other watering holes ahead and they are only two nights' ride from their next destination, Jeddah (von Mücke calls it Djidda).