On This Day - 20 October 1917
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
Violent artillery action on Aisne front.
Eastern Front
Islands of Dago and Schilden captured by Germans.
Germans retire to Skuli-Lemburg line 30 miles east of Riga to prepared positions.
Southern Front
Germans report French attack repulsed between Skumbi valley and L. Ochrida (Macedonia).
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Turkish troops driven across Diala river (Mesopotamia).
Naval and Overseas Operations
British submarine sinks German Dreadnought and transport in Gulf of Riga.
Political, etc.
Archbishop of Athens degraded for "Anathema" ceremony of 25 December 1916.
Allies recognise Polish National Committee.