Real time Discusion thread

The French and other Allied governments had been in long negotiations with Romania, and finally it seemed they were close to joining the war. The Russian successes in the Brusilov offensive just to the north of them had impressed them, and the Germans seemed distracted with Verdun and the Somme. It was planned that the Romanians would attack Bulgaria from the north as Sarrail attacked from the south; just as Bulgaria’s entry had doomed Serbia, it was hoped Romania’s entry would lead to a swift defeat of Bulgaria, a liberation of Serbia, and perhaps the defeat of Austria-Hungary. However, the details of Romania’s entry had not yet been worked out in full, and the Romanians themselves were more concerned with the liberation of their brethren in Transylvania than an occupation of Bulgaria.

Otto Steinbrinck, commanding UB-18, stops and scuttles fishing smacks GERTRUDE, 57 tons, Glance, 60 tons, LOCH NEVIS, 58 tons, LOCH TAY, 44 tons, V.M.G., 59 tons, and WAVERLEY, 59 tons. This brings his score to 48 ships and 37,234 tons.

NEW ZEELAND

The US 1st Marine Division issues its plan for Operation Watchtower. The Marines are just about finished the massive task of singlehandedly unloading and reloading their ships for the invasion of the southern Solomon Islands. They have had no help from the New Zealand weather or the Dock Unions.

German occupied Belgium: Belgians Again Embarrass Germans on their National Day

Although some in Belgium attempted to use the occupation to address pre-war political grievances, it also saw great demonstrations of national unity, even under German military rule. At no time was this demonstrated greater than on July 21, the Belgian national day. Last year, the Belgians had embarrassed the Germans by wearing red and yellow flowers pinned to black clothes (the colors of the national flag), and by closing shops and restaurants throughout Brussels.

The Germans believed they were prepared for a repeat this year, and decreed that flowers should not be worn, and that all shops should stay open. In response, the Belgians wore green leaves, to symbolize hope. The shops stayed open, but were boycotted; shopowners raised their prices to exorbitant levels–one charging 50,000 francs for a hat. One brave woman paraded throughout the city with her three daughters, one wearing yellow, one wearing red, and one wearing black.