August 16th 1915
According to RFC and RAF records there were no deaths recorded today.
In 1915 it was a Monday and not a great deal was reported from that day
Eastern Front
Russian army withdrawn to Brest-Osovyets-Kovna line.
Byelostok (Grodno) partially evacuated.
Kovna bombarded; breach made in defences.
Austrians cross Krzna (Brest).
Germans repulsed fro Mitau (Riga).
Southern Front
Montenegrin success on border against Austrians.
Admiral de Robeck's despatch of 1 July 1915 on Dardanelles landing 25-26 April 1915 received.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Russians enter Van (Armenia).
Russian communique announces defeat of Turks and occupation of Kep (Euphrates); Turks driven back near Olti (Transcaucasia).
Naval and Overseas Operations
Cumberland coast towns shelled by German submarine U-24. Lowca and Harrington, near Whitehaven (Cumberland), shelled by German submarine.German attacks on coastal communities along the east coast of England during World War One have been well documented.
But the west coast also suffered at the hands of U-boats. In the early hours of 16 August 1915, the Cumbrian settlements of Lowca and Parton, near Whitehaven, were bombarded by shells meant for a nearby chemical works. Families fled their homes as the submarine surfaced and fired 55 shells from its deck gun.
SM U-24 was one of 329 submarines serving in the Imperial German Navy in World War I. She was engaged in commerce warfare during the First Battle of the Atlantic.
In seven patrols, U-24 sank a total of 34 ships totalling 106,103 GRT, damaged three more for 14,318 tons, and took one prize of 1,925 tons.
Her second kill was the most significant. The victim was HMS Formidable, torpedoed 30 nautical miles (56 km; 35 mi) south of Lyme Regis, at 50°13′N 03°04′W. She was hit in the number one boiler room on the port side. Out of a crew of approximately 711 men, 547 died as a result. This was one of the largest ships sunk by U-boats during the war.
In 1915, U-24 claimed another noted victim, the passenger steamer Arabic, causing 44 deaths, including three Americans. Arabic sank in 10 minutes. This escalated the U-boat fear in the U.S. and caused a diplomatic incident which resulted in the suspension of torpedoing non-military ships without notice.
German fleet attacks at entrance of Gulf of Riga.
LUNDY, Admiralty trawler, 188/1908, Hull-reg H993, Hull Steam Fishing & Ice, hired 5/15, 1‑3pdr, Admiralty No.1791, patrol vessel, Skipper Henry Charles Taylor RNR. In collision, sank in Suvla Bay; one ratings lost (+Lr/C/D/He/dk/hw; ADM.137/3135)
Political, etc.
Manifesto on National Service signed by notable men of all parties in England.
Venizelist candidate elected President of Chamber; Greek Government resigns.
Also in the news
Destruction of 28th Infantry Camp, Fort Crockett, Texas (USA) by the Galveston hurricane of August 16-17, 1915
Bookmarks