THE IRISH IN UNIFORM

1916

These two recruiting posters show very different images of the women of The British Isles. Those of the mainland are depicted as timid, seeking solace from each other as they bravely bid farewell to their menfolk. In contrast, the Irishwoman is shown in an unusually assertive pose, considering the early date of this Twentieth Century war. She holds a rifle and is obviously quite prepared to take up the armed struggle herself - a forerunner, perhaps of the women of Cumann na mBan who fought for freedom in Ireland from 1916 to 1922.
DATE MAJOR EVENTS NOTES ON THE EVENTS & BATTLE ACTIONS
21 February 1916 to 18 December 1916 Battle of Verdun, Western front German troops try to capture the French city of Verdun, and the French fight back strongly. Each side in this long and arduous battle sustain casualties in excess of 400,000.
9 March 1916 War declared Germany declares war on Portugal
20 March 1916 Partition The partition of Turkey is agreed between the Allies
24 to 29 April 1916 The Irish Easter Rising The Irish Republican Brotherhood, supported by Sinn Fein, mount an uprising in Dublin. This is put down and 15 of the leaders are executed.
21 May 1916 Battle of Vimy Ridge After a fierce battle, the British forces lose their positions on this strategic high-point to the Germans
31 May to 1 June 1916 Battle of Jutland Naval battle in The North Sea between the German and British fleets. Britain lost more ships than Germany, but managed by this battle to force the German fleet to remain in harbour for the rest of the war.
1 June 1916 Rationing A disastrously bad harvest forces Germany to introduce food rationing, and the shortage of food there leads to what became known as "The Turnip Winter"

4 June to 10 August 1916

Brusilov Offensive

 Russian troops of the Eastern Front force back the front line of the Austro-Hungarian troops south of the Pripet Marshes, Galicia. Some German reinforcements manage to slow the attack.
5 June 1915 Loss of a leader British military leader Lord Kitchener drowned at sea
1 July to 19 November 1916 Battle of The Somme This massive offensive by French and British forces lasts for four and a half months, but results in an eventual advance of only 5 miles (8 Kilometres). The losses of personnel in this battle were enormous. The French and British Allies lost over 620,000 men and the Germans lost about 450,000. On the first day alone, the British Army suffered 60,000 casualties, including over 20,000 dead.
27 August 1916 War declared Romania joins The Allies, declares war on Austria-Hungary, and begins an offensive in Transylvania (which was at that time in Hungary)
27 August 1916 New leaders General Hindenburg and General Ludendorff take command of the German forces
28 August 1916 War declared Italy declares war on Germany, Romania declares war on Austria-Hungary
29 August 1916 War declared Germany declares war on Romania
30 August 1916 War declared Turkey declares war on Russia
15 September 1916 Battle of Flers-Courcelette (Somme Plateau) The first use of tanks in warfare, by 32 tanks of C & D Companies of the 'Heavy Section', of the British Machine Gun Corps at Flers-Courcelette on the Somme Plateau, between Combles and the Ancre Valley.
4 October to 23 December 1916 Eastern Front Austro-Hungarian and German forces attack Romania. Romania sustains severe losses.
16 October 1916 Capture of Athens Allied troops in Greece occupy the capital City of Athens.
9 to 18 November 1916 Battle of the River Ancre The Battle of The River Ancre, on the British Right Flank on The Somme Plateau, brings the fiercely fought Battle of the Somme to an end.
7 December 1916 New leader David Lloyd-George suceeds Anthony Asquith as British Prime Minister
20 December 1916 Peace urged President Woodrow Wilson of The United States of America, issues a 'Peace Note' to the nations waging war in Europe

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