On This Day - 5 February 1917
Theatre definitions: Western Front comprises the Franco-German-Belgian front and any military action in Great Britain, Switzerland, Scandinavia and Holland. Eastern Front comprises the German-Russian, Austro-Russian and Austro-Romanian fronts. Southern Front comprises the Austro-Italian and Balkan (including Bulgaro-Romanian) fronts, and Dardanelles. Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres comprises Egypt, Tripoli, the Sudan, Asia Minor (including Transcaucasia), Arabia, Mesopotamia, Syria, Persia, Afghanistan, Turkestan, China, India, etc. Naval and Overseas Operations comprises operations on the seas (except where carried out in combination with troops on land) and in Colonial and Overseas theatres, America, etc. Political, etc. comprises political and internal events in all countries, including Notes, speeches, diplomatic, financial, economic and domestic matters. Source: Chronology of the War (1914-18, London; copyright expired)
Ten miles south of Kieselin (Volhynia) enemy attacks Russian positions, but is repulsed.
Italian line heavily attacked by the Austrians in various sectors. All attacks beaten off.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theatres
Siwa evacuated by the Senussi and entered by British, who capture Munasib Pass, cutting off enemy retreat.
Referring to the break with U.S.A., Germany says: "The struggle is for our existence. For us there can be no retreat."
Switzerland in a message to U.S.A. decides not to break off diplomatic relations with Germany.
Russian Conference on future of Poland announced.