MARCH 1917: A large German withdrawal devastates swathes of French land, and the British acheive a major objective in taking Baghdad, however, focus is squarely on the cities of Washington and Petrograd, as political turmoil sets the scene for two major nations to drastically alter the war.
WAR AT SEA:
1 March: The British hospital ship HMHS Glenart Castle is damaged by a mine in the English Channel. In the same month, HMHS Asturias is sunk by UC-66 (20 March) with 43 lost and HMHS Gloucester Castle is torpedoed by UB-32 (31 March) with three killed, but the ship survives.
17 March: Eight German destroyers leave Zeebrugge in two groups and enter the English Channel. One group is tasked with attacking shipping, and torpedoes the Acasta-class destroyer HMS Paragon off Goodwin Sands. HMS Llewellyn is also torpedoed, but survives. The second group shells Ramsgate and Broadstairs.
HOME FRONT:
17 March: Zeppelin L-39 unsuccessfully raids Kent. Blown away by strong winds and blighted by engine problems, L-39 is destroyed over Compiègne by French anti-aircraft guns.
UNITED STATES:
