7th May 1916
Western Front
Battle of Verdun: Germans make progress on Hill 304 and between Haudromont Wood and Douaumont Fort.
Political, etc.
Number of volunteers in Canada dropped to the lowest in April, leading to calls for a military draft.
The Government of Canada authorizes the creation of an all black battalion that became No. 2 Construction Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Outrage grows at the May 5th Mexican raid in Texas. Journalist Robert Dunn: “All Northern Mexico is in a state of anarchy.”
General Robert Nivelle succeeds General Philippe Pétain as commander of the 2nd Army at Verdun.
Ship Losses:
Speed (Norway) The cargo ship collided with another vessel and sank in the Bristol Channel off Barry, Glamorgan, United Kingdom with the loss of five of her thirteen crew.
Today is the 1st year anniversary of RMS Lusitania’s sinking. Satirical medal of the event printed in Germany.
