World War One Timeline
Events of 1916
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January 4
The Battle of Sheikh Sa'ad is the first attempt to relieve the besieged British in Kut, Mesopotamia. The Turkish finally withdraw but the British casualties number 4,000, a situation exasperated by the poor medical facilities.
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January 8
Allied evacuation of Helles marks the end of the Gallipoli campaign.
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January 24
Introducing conscription, the British Government passes the
Military Service Act, to become law on 25 May. -
February 21
The Battle of Verdun starts with a German offensive against the
Mort-Homme Ridge. The German plan is to bleed the French dry of men and resources. The battle lasts 10 months and over a million men become casualties. -
March 9
Germany declares war on Portugal. Six days later, Austria follows suit.
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April 5
The Battle of Kut. The third and final Allied attempt to relieve Kut flounders in the mud along the Tigris, with 23,000 Allied casualties.
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April 29
Besieged garrison at Kut in Mesopotamia surrenders after 143 days and 3,000 British and 6,000 Indian troops go into captivity. The majority of these die of disease and starvation in prison camps.
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May 31 - June 1
The Battle of Jutland. The German High Seas Fleet is forced to retire despite inflicting heavier losses on the Royal Navy (14 ships and 6,100 men), but the German fleet remains irreparably damaged for the rest of the war.
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June 4
The Russian Brusilov Offensive begins on the Eastern Front. It nearly cripples Austria-Hungary out of the war.
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June 5
TE Lawrence aids Hussein, Grand Sharif of Mecca, in the Arab revolt against the Turks in Hejaz.
Lord Kitchener sails for Russia on board HMS Hampshire. The ship is mined off Orkney and Kitchener is lost along with 643 other crewmen and general staff. -
June 8
Voluntary Enlistment in Britain is replaced by Compulsion.
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July 1
The Battle of the Somme sees 750,000 Allied soldiers unleashed along a 25 mile front. By the end of the day nearly 60,000 are dead, wounded or missing for very little gain. It is the worst single day's fighting in British military history.
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July 14
The Battle of Bazentin Ridge marks the end of the first Somme Offensive. The British break the German line but fail to deploy the cavalry fast enough to take full advantage. Some 9,000 men are lost.
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July 23
The Battle of Pozières Ridge marks the second Somme Offensive. Close to the highest point of the Somme battlefield, Pozières dominates the surrounding countryside. The action to take the village costs 17,000 Allied casualties, the majority of whom are Australian.
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August 26
Under General Smuts, Britain enters the Morogoro Campaign in East Africa. The Germans lead a deadly guerilla campaign, but disease kills 30 men for every one that dies in combat.
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August 28
Italy declares war on Germany
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September 2
The first Zeppelin is shot down over Britain. The Royal Flying Corps uses a new combination of explosive and incendiary bullets to
great effect. -
September 9
The Battle of Ginchy. The British capture Ginchy - a post of vital strategic importance, as it commands a view of the whole
Somme battlefield. -
September 15
The Battle of Flers-Courcelette signifies the start of the third stage of the Somme Offensive. Tanks are used for the first time. Despite initial gains the Allies fail to break through German lines.
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September 26
The Battle of Thiepval. Tanks play a crucial role in the capture of this strategic village.
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November 13
The Battle of Ancre. The fourth phase of the Somme Offensive is marked by the British capturing Beaumont Hamel and St Pierre Division, taking nearly 4,000 prisoners.
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December 7
David Lloyd George elected British Prime Minister.
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December 12
Germany delivers Peace Note to Allies suggesting compromise.
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December 18
The Battle of Verdun ends. It is the longest and costliest battle on the Western Front.
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