On This Day - 12 August 1915

Theatre definitions: Western Front comprises the Franco-German-Belgian front and any military action in Great Britain, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Holland. Eastern Front comprises the German-Russian, Austro-Russian and Austro-Romanian fronts. Southern Front comprises the Austro-Italian and Balkan (including Bulgaro-Romanian) fronts, and Dardanelles. Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres comprises Egypt, Tripoli, the Sudan, Asia Minor (including Transcaucasia), Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Persia, Afghanistan, Turkestan, China, India, etc. Naval and Overseas Operations comprises operations on the seas (except where carried out in combination with troops on land) and in Colonial and Overseas theatres, America, etc. Political, etc. comprises political and internal events in all countries, including Notes, speeches, diplomatic, financial, economic and domestic matters. Source: Chronology of the War (1914-18, London; copyright expired)

Western Front

Zeppelin raid on east coast; 29 victims.

Eastern Front

Russians evacuate Sokolov, Syedlets, Lukow (east of Warsaw); material evacuated from Riga.

Austro-German armies in touch west of Brest-Litovsk and form unbroken line. Germans driven back beyond Aa, south-west of Mitau.

Russians capture Kovarsk and Toviamy (west-south-west of Dvinsk).

Southern Front

Italians leaving Turkey.

Serbians retaliate for Austrian bombardment of Belgrade by bombarding Semlin and Panchevo.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres

Russian left wing re-occupies Alashgerd (Armenia).

Naval and Overseas Operations

Naval engagement between German and Russian fleets near Oesel (Riga).

French cruiser shells and destroys German munition factory at Jaffa.

Political, etc.

10,000,000 francs in gold deposited in one week in Banque de France.

U.S.A. reply to Austria affirms export of munitions of war not against laws of neutrality.

King Albert made Colonel-in-Chief of 5th Dragoon Guards.