Exhausted British soldiers rest during the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, Western Front, France, July 1916. Image courtesy Imperial War Museum ©IWM (Q 172).
- The Battle of Bazentin Ridge begins in the northern part of the Somme. British troops launch a barrage of artillery attacks at 3.20am; enemy lines are pummelled with fire five times more intense than the first day of the Somme. Just five minutes later, at 3.25am, the bombardment ceases and 22,000 British infantrymen attack from their position in no man’s land. They surge five kilometres into enemy territory, occupying the villages of Bazentin and Longueval. The battle continues until 17 July.
- Norbert Ambrose Gahan writes to his aunt, Mrs James Neal. He says that France is “a very nice place, and its people are exceedingly good to us.” He adds: “Do not be surprised to see me soon, for the general impression amongst the troops is that the war will soon be over.” [The First World War would last a further 863 days] Five Times In The Trenches
- The stalemate continues in the Battle of Verdun. French casualties now number 275,000, including 70,000 dead. German casualties number nearly 250,000.
- The Baranovichi Offensive ends on the Eastern Front in present day Belarus. Russian troops are unsuccessful in their attempt to penetrate German positions after three weeks of fighting.
- British troops under the command of Brigadier-General Sir Charles Preston Crewe capture Mwanza on Lake Victoria
