Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Langemarck 1917 begins. (until August 18): British advance on 9-mile front north of Ypres-Menin road, capture Langemarck and cross river Steenbeek, and temporarily capturing all objectives. Furious German counter-attacks only push back British line a short distance, though depleted 16th Irish and 36th Ulster Divisions driven back to start. French marine battalion captures Drie Grachten bridgehead on Yser canal.
Aisne: French advance on Craonne Plateau.
Meuse: Germans capture some trenches on east bank, but French recapture on August 18.
Group of German soldiers captured at Ypres: © IWM (Q 2720):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday...759912117272576
Eastern Front
Russo-Romanian army still retreating before Mackensen's offensive up Sereth valley. Baltareta bridgehead lost.
In Ocna region Germano-Bulgarians take offensive, also in Susitsa valley.
Further South, Romanians hold their ground.
Naval and Overseas Operations
British and German destroyers in inconclusive action in Bight of Heligoland.
Political, etc
Germany: OHL remove General Groener from War Office (to 33rd Division at Verdun), General Scheuch succeeds, but put under War Minister on August 22.
Lieutenant-General Wilhelm Groener (1867-1939) was highly gifted and also politically open-minded, but could not prevail against the rigid attitude in Germany. He will play an important role in the Weimar Republic:
https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/w...oener.jpg?ssl=1
France: City of Dijon, France considers resolutions to compel children over the age of 12 to work and to send prisoners to the front.
United Kingdom: Prime Minister speech on shipping losses, appeals for canal use instead of railways.
Netherlands: Shipment of several million eggs to Germany is stopped by the Dutch govt when Germany offers to pay for them with paper money, not gold.