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prisoners of war
Tag
(19)
1916
April
26
News of an agreement on prisoners in Switzerland
The British chronology records on 26 April 1916 an agreement to send sick prisoners of war to Switzerland. Other sources point to the beginning of May.
May
10
German note on prisoner labour
On 10 May 1916 Berlin announced that, in reprisal for German prisoners working in French ports, it would send 2,000 Britons to occupied Russian territory.
13
Ratification of the prisoner agreement on Switzerland
On 13 May 1916 London finally accepted the German terms for interning sick and wounded prisoners in Switzerland. Transports were to begin at the end of May.
29
British reply on prisoner labour
On 29 May 1916 Grey demanded from Germany full reciprocity and American inspections for 2,000 British prisoners sent to work in occupied Russian territory.
June
02
Germans take Fort Vaux
On 2 June 1916 the Germans broke into Fort Vaux at Verdun. Major Raynal's garrison held out underground until 7 June, when the water ran out.
September
06
The Bulgarians take Tutrakan
On 6 September 1916 the Romanian fortress of Turtucaia (Tutrakan) capitulated. Its commandant fled across the Danube, and about 28,000 soldiers were captured.
October
24
Key event
The French recapture Fort Douaumont
On 24 October 1916 three French divisions attacked in fog at Verdun. The colonial regiment from Morocco retook Fort Douaumont, lost eight months earlier.
December
08
Opening of the Murmansk railway
On 8 December 1916 the Murmansk railway was officially opened. Built in under two years, partly by prisoners of war, it linked Petrograd with an ice-free port.
18
Key event
End of the Battle of Verdun
On 18 December 1916 Zouaves retook Les Chambrettes farm, ending Mangin's December attack and the Battle of Verdun, under way since February, the war's longest.
1917
April
17
Sinking of the Lanfranc and Donegal
On 17 April 1917 German submarines sank two ships carrying wounded from Le Havre in the Channel. The Lanfranc also carried 167 wounded German prisoners.
July
02
Hague agreement on prisoners of war
On 2 July 1917 Britain and Germany signed an agreement on prisoners at The Hague. The Netherlands offered places for 16,000 internees from both sides.
September
11
First repatriated prisoners from Switzerland
On 11 September 1917, according to a British chronology, the first group of prisoners sent home from internment in Switzerland reached England.
1918
February
24
Wolf returns home
On 24 February 1918 the raider Wolf returned to Kiel after 451 days at sea, with 467 prisoners on board. That day her prize Igotz Mendi ran aground off Skagen.
March
26
Fighting at Khan al-Baghdadi
On 26 March 1918 the 15th Division's infantry took the Turkish trenches at Khan al-Baghdadi on the Euphrates; cavalry and armoured cars cut off the retreat.
28
British occupy Ana
On 28 March 1918 British armoured cars drove unopposed into Ana on the Euphrates, and beyond the town freed two officers whom the Turks had taken prisoner.
May
07
End of the Finnish Civil War
In early May 1918 the Whites took Kotka and Hamina, and the last Reds laid down their arms on the Kymijoki. The Finnish Civil War was over.
June
06
Sinking of the Koningin Regentes
On 6 June 1918 the Dutch hospital ship Koningin Regentes, carrying prisoners for exchange, was torpedoed in the North Sea. Seven seamen were killed.
09
Hague conference on prisoners of war
In June 1918 a second Anglo-German conference on prisoners opened at The Hague. London sent the Home Secretary, George Cave.
October
30
Surrender at Sharqat
On 30 October 1918 the encircled Turkish Tigris Group surrendered on the Tigris at Sharqat. Ismail Hakki Bey gave himself up with several thousand men.