As General Milne, for his part, began his preparations [for a major spring offensive] he was plagued by the German bombing squadron at Hudova. The RFC [Royal Flying Corps] dropped bombs on its aerodrome at dawn on 4th March [1917], but that did not prevent the German bombers from carrying out an attack against the base area later in the day, causing 64 casualties, mostly in No. 29 General Hospital, which had now been twice bombed.
Category: Salonika Centenary
Items relating to the centenary of the Salonika Campaign of 1915-1918, other than specific centenary news from the Salonika Campaign Society.
Campaigns ‘Away from the Western Front’ explored with help from the National Lottery
Away from the Western Front, a registered charity, is delighted to announce that it has received a grant of £99,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its dynamic First World War centenary project which will explore the heritage of the men and women from Britain and its former Empire who served in the often overlooked campaigns of Salonika, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Mesopotamia and Africa. Continue reading “Campaigns ‘Away from the Western Front’ explored with help from the National Lottery”
Salonika … and all that jazz!
Yesterday (26th February) was the centenary of the what is reckoned to be the first ever commercial jazz recording: Livery Stable Blues by the Original Dixieland Jass Band (they had to change ‘Jass’ to ‘Jazz’ because naughty children kept scratching the ‘J’ out on their posters!). Continue reading “Salonika … and all that jazz!”
Fronte Macedone 1916-1918 : an Italian perspective
It was a pleasure to hear from Prof. PhD Fabio Cotifava from Mantova in Italy recently. With a group of like-minded friends Fabio has created a website dedicated to the Salonika campaign, to promote the campaign in Italy where, as in the UK, it is largely forgotten. Continue reading “Fronte Macedone 1916-1918 : an Italian perspective”
CWGC : Salonika Remembers
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, working in partnership with the British Council in Greece, has launched an exciting new project aiming to mark the centenary of the Salonika Campaign 1915–1918: Salonika Remembers. You can find out more about it here, on the CWGC website.
Christmas 1916 in the Struma Valley
This is not an exhaustive study of how the troops of XVI Corps celebrated the Christmas of 1916 but, rather, a brief seasonal offering taken from two War Diaries that I have to hand. Happy Christmas! Continue reading “Christmas 1916 in the Struma Valley”
Christmas Greeting 1916 from the Salonica Army
On behalf of the Salonika Campaign Society I wish our members, friends and visitors a very happy and peaceful Christmas and all the very best for 2017. We hope you will stay with us as the centenary commemorations continue. Notable events to be remembered in 2017 are the bloody First Battle of Doiran (April/May) and Salonika’s Great Fire (August). We will also do our best to remember some of the smaller events – and the people involved – which would otherwise be forgotten.
Continue reading “Christmas Greeting 1916 from the Salonica Army”
The Sound of Christmas, 1916
A traditional Greek tune used in ‘Aladdin in Macedonia’, first performed in 1916 by 85th Field Ambulance at the Kopriva Palace Theatre in the Struma Valley. Continue reading “The Sound of Christmas, 1916”
Christmas 1916 : Aladdin in Macedonia
A pantomime in two acts, given by members of the 85th Field Ambulance to the 28th Division, Christmas 1916 in the Struma Valley. Continue reading “Christmas 1916 : Aladdin in Macedonia”
Next Stop Salonika! Wessex Royal Engineers, December 1916
An interesting postcard this – purchased on eBay – in that it was taken in the UK but has a very clear Salonika connection. It is labelled: Wessex “Salonica” Draft. Dec 1916. Continue reading “Next Stop Salonika! Wessex Royal Engineers, December 1916”
Salonika Campaign Society, 1915-1918 