Western Front
Leefe Robinson, the first British pilot to destroy a Zeppelin over Britain, is awarded the Victoria Cross:
http://imgur.com/iDCHdnv
Captain William Leefe Robinson, V.C. - Awarded the Victoria Cross
On Monday Major General W. Shaw memoed Lieutenant General Henderson Commander of the Royal Flying Corps, on Lord French's behalf.
"The Field Marshal Commanding-in-Chief has seen the attached reports, and will be glad to know if you have any recommendation to make with regard to any reward which you may consider the Officer concerned may be deserving of. He will be glad of an early reply."
Lieutenant General Henderson's reply was immediate.
"I recommend Lieut W. L. Robinson for the Victoria Cross for the most conspicuous gallantry displayed in this successful attack."
On the 5th September 1916, the London Gazette announced the award;
"War Office 5th September 1916. His Majesty the King has been graciously pleased to award the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer, Lieutenant William Leefe Robinson, Worcestershire Regiment and Royal Flying Corps. For most conspicuous bravery. He attacked an enemy airship under circumstances of great difficulty and danger, and sent it crashing to the ground as a flaming wreck. He had been in the air for more than two hours and had previously attacked another airship during his flight."
The evening papers on Tuesday carried the headline "The Zepp. V.C. for Airman," and the celebrations, which had hardly died away, began again. Now the hero of Cuffley was to receive the highest award for gallantry there was no restraining the tide of adulation, the picture postcards, the reams of bad prose and terrible poetry, the matchbox covers, the medals, and still the letters and telegrams. Robinson was a modest man, not at all an extrovert. He was also good looking. The British public had the perfect 'gentleman' hero.
Battle of the Somme: The battle rages across a 30-mile front. French troops make further gains, taking Omiécourt. The Allies hold most of Leuze Wood, and occupy the whole of Germany's former second line on the Somme.
Eastern Front
Seven miles south-east of Halicz the Russians claim success; ‘many’ prisoners taken.
Russian and Bulgarian troops clash for the first time during a cavalry engagement in the Romanian province of the Dobruja.
Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian aeroplanes bomb Venice, Lucinico, Sdraussina, and Gorizia today.
Bucharest bombed by Bulgars.
In the Dolomites operations now developing, the whole of Val Cismone “free”.
Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British bomb Turkish aerodrome at El Arish (90 miles east of Port Said).
Political, etc.
Germany, Austria-Hungary: Polish autonomy granted by Central Powers.
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour at Glasgow appeals to local trade unions re: shipyard labour.
Trade Union Congress at Birmingham rejects invitation of U.S.A. Federation of Labor, re: "Terms of Peace".
France: During the two years of war, the French government has spent $12.2 billion (about $270 billion today) on its budget.
United States: D.W. Griffith’s “Intolerance,” considered a masterpiece of the silent era of film, is released:
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipe..._%281916%29.ogv