[Ennath]

May 25, 1904
China The Japanese take Russian positions at Nanshan, beginning the Siege of Port Arthur. Japanese assaults against Russian positions suffer losses of 4500 men out of 30,000, a sign of things to come.

May 25, 1913
Russian Intelligence Colonel Alfred Redl, head of Austro-Hungarian counterintelligence, commits suicide. He has been for ten years Russia’s top spy. He provided mobilization plans, attack plans, orders of battle, and details of Austrian fortifications. He is probably one of history’s most damaging spies.

May 25, 1915
Britain Asquith’s Liberal government reorganizes as a multi-party coalition; the price is Churchill, who is shunted off to become Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. Balfour replaces Churchill at the Admiralty. Sir Henry Jackson becomes First Sea Lord. David Lloyd George heads the new Ministry of Munitions formed to mobilize British industry. Irish Nationalist John Redmond refuses to participate.
Western Front The 2nd Battle of Ypres winds down. Both sides lack artillery ammunition. The Battle of Festubert comes to a close. French advises Haig that shell stocks are low, the Germans have restored their defensive line, and he thinks it “improbable” that Haig’s offensive can succeed due to the difficult terrain and German defenses. The battles at Aubers Ridge and Festubert have cost the British 59,000 casualties and the front line has barely moved. German casualties have been about 35,000.
10th Army, after five days of small advances, launches a general attack, but makes almost no gain; the French revert to small take and clear operations.
Eastern Front Austrian and German troops establish a bridgehead on the San at Zagrody. 5th Caucasian Corps is overrun.
Italian Front Italian troops take Monte Altinino on the Trentino front.
Mediterranean The pre-dreadnought Triumph is torpedoed off Gallipoli. De Robeck orders other ships to Mudros, leaving behind only one battleship, the Majestic, off Cape Helles, with an escort of destroyers. The submarine E-11 sinks a freighter at dock in Constantinople, then escapes.
Persia Russian troops occupy Miandob.
Diplomatic Relations A compromise treaty is signed by Japan and China. The treaty, with its modified terms, gives Japan little it did not already possess in China, while the bullying of China has raised concerns in Washington and London concerning Japanese ambitions.

May 25, 1916
Western Front, Verdun The Germans attack around Haudromont Wood.
Italian Front The Austrians attack Buole Pass, beginning a six day battle. Austrian troops take Bettale and Monte Cimone, opening the possibility of an advance to Arsiero.
Russia STAVKA receives alarming reports of revolutionary propaganda in factories and barracks.
Libya Two Italian battalions land west of Sollum.
German East Africa British troops from Rhodesia cross into the German colony, 2600 strong, under Brigadier Northey.
War in the Air The French government gives the air service authority to bomb German cities, but still restricts and monitors targets. Only “industrial objectives”, communications and “military objectives” may be hit. Fearing retaliation, the French still hold back from a total war.

May 25, 1917
War in the Air With the Zeppelins now too vulnerable for use as bombers, the Germans have developed the Gotha GV, specifically for the strategic bombing of England in the daytime. German bombers raid Folkstone, killing 95 people. 3 bombers are lost.
Western Front The Germans make gains near Braye, on the Aisne front.

May 25, 1918
Diplomatic Relations Costa Rica declares war on Germany.

May 25, 1919
Russia The Allies issue conditional recognition of Kolchak’s government.
Hungary Kun’s offensive is expanded to the Tisza front.
Arabia The Ikhwan surprise and destroy the Hashemite army in camp.
India Waziristan rises in revolt. A major campaign is required to suppress it.