May 24, 1895
China Trying to forestall Japanese control, Formosa declares itself an independent republic, but it is defeated by Japanese troops by early 1896.
May 24, 1915
Western Front After a relatively quiet two-week interlude, German 4th Army resumes the offensive at Ypres, releasing a cloud of gas against British troops holding Bellewaarde Ridge. The British give up some ground in the north and south, but generally hold firm. General Plumer concedes that a counterattack is doomed without heavy artillery, but the British are nearly out of shells. French troops take Les Corneilles.
Eastern Front After a week of counterattacks achieving only temporary relief from the Austro-German onslaught at various points along the front, the Russians fall back again. Mackensen batters V Caucasus Corps, taking 21,000 prisoners and advances 11 miles to the east of the San River. Austrian troops take Radyno in Galicia.
Italian Front Italian troops make several minor advances, occupying Caporetto and Cormons on the Isonzo front. There is an air raid on Venice.
Adriatic The main Austrian fleet puts to sea to raid the Italian Adriatic coast. Ancona is extensively damaged.
Dardanelles After several days of slaughter and two days of meetings between opposing officers, the Anzacs and Turks allow a nine-hour truce to allow for the burial of the dead. At 4:45, the shooting begins again. The Turks do not attack with the same force, however. Their offensive here has cost them 13,000 men.
May 24, 1916
Western Front, Verdun The Germans capture Cumieres and drive the French from the vicinity of Douaumont.
Italian Front The Austrians break off their unsuccessful assaults on Monte Pasubio.
Caucasus The Russians capture Mamakhatun.
May 24, 1917
Italian Front The Italians continue to improve their position on the southern Carso.
Black Sea The Russians conduct a major minelaying operation off the Bosporus. Even at this late date, the Black Sea Fleet is still active and aggressive.
May 24, 1918
Russia White forces under General Semyonov are on the offensive against Soviet units in Siberia. More British troops land at Murmansk.
Mesopotamia Too far from their supply sources, Marshall’s troops leave Kirkuk and reestablish bases at Tuz and Kifri from which to watch over the Persian border.
Britain The Cabinet receives the Montagu-Chelmsford Report on India. Some concessions are made, but the Viceroy remains solely responsible to London. It is a partial response to the seditious activities of Indian nationalists who have been working throughout the war with German aid to end British rule in India.
May 24, 1920
United States Wilson proposes an American mandate for Armenia; the Senate rejects the proposal the following week.
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