21st May 1916
Western Front
Battle of Verdun: French capture quarries of Haudromont and take two trenches on Esne Haucourt road; German attack on western slopes of Mort Homme succeeds.
Southern Front
Austrians capture Armenterra Ridge (south of the Brenta, Trentino).
Italy asks for the Allies to launch attacks after Austria-Hungary’s offensives shatters Italian lines and take 13,000 Italians prisoner.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Russians repulse Turks south of Trebizond.
Russians occupy Serdasht (Persia).
Port Said bombed.
Aviation
German aeroplanes raid Dunkirk twice over two days and more than 120 bombs are dropped. At least 40 people are killed and injuries.
Political, etc.
German food control board created; Herr Batocki, president.
Daylight savings time begins for the first time in the United Kingdom, as clocks go forward one hour.
Shackleton and 2 other reach Stromness whaling station after almost 7 months of leaving the Endurance. Station manager gives them shelter.
Shackleton to station manager-"Tell me, when was the war over?" Manager-"The war is not over. Millions are being killed...The world is mad."
Ship Losses:
Birmania (Italy) The passenger ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea off Marettimo (38°20′N 11°32′E) by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine). All on board were rescued by Taormina ( Italy).
Myosotis (France) The sailing ship was sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 32 nautical miles (59 km) off Port Soller, Majorca, Spain by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
Rosalia Madre (Italy) The sailing ship was sunk in the Straits of Messina by SM U-39 ( Kaiserliche Marine).
Tjømø (Norway) The cargo ship was scuttled in the Mediterranean Sea 50 nautical miles (93 km) north east of Formentor, Mallorca, Spain (40°21′N 2°51′E) by SM U-34 ( Kaiserliche Marine). Her crew survived.
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