Battle of Putna
Begins the first day of the Battle of Putna
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1917 in Germany
Explore 140 historical events and records for Germany in 1917.
Historical records for Germany in 1917
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 140 unique records.
140Unique records
1 of 4Page
28Named events on this page
18Named people on this page
22Places on this page
January
Capture of Gurgueti
Captures Gurgueti
Capture of Romanul
Captures Romanuli
Mobilization
At a GHQ meeting agrees to unrestricted submarine warfare
Battle of Verdun
A mile long stretch of French trenches is stormed at Hill 304 but recaptured
Capture of Germany
Consolidates German control of Romania
February
Capture of Jijila
Captures Jijila
Capture of Macin
Captures Macin
Operations on the Ancre
German forces begin abandoning exposed positions on the Ancre front under British pressure.
Operations on the Ancre
German forces withdraw from exposed positions on the Ancre front.
German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
Supports the withdrawal to a shorter defensive line known to the Allies as the Hindenburg Line.
German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
Authorises Operation Alberich to withdraw German forces to the prepared Siegfried defensive system.
Operation Alberich
The German withdrawal plan toward the Siegfried Line is accelerated by a preliminary retirement.
March
German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
The main German withdrawal toward the Hindenburg Line begins after preparations under Operation Alberich.
Battle of Verdun
German attacks in the Avocourt-Mort Sector are repulsed
German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line
German forces complete the withdrawal from exposed Somme positions to the new defensive line.
April
Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD)
The USPD was founded at a conference in Gotha, with Hugo Haase as the party's first chairman
Party Chairman
The USPD was founded at a conference in Gotha, with Hugo Haase as the party's first chairman
Battle of Arras
Commands German Sixth Army defending the Arras sector against British and Canadian attacks.
Battle of Arras
The British begin the Nivelle offensive against the German 6th under von Falkenhausen. A British tactical victory
Nivelle Offensive
The British begin the Nivelle offensive against the German 6th under von Falkenhausen
Chairman
Appointed Chairman of the Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD)
Peace Negotiations
Demands immediate peace negotiations
May
Peace
Offers an immediate peace to Russia
Regimental Adjutant Appointment
Jodl serves as a regimental adjutant after his period of battery command.
June
Flanders Reserves Shifted toward Ypres
Rupprecht moves additional divisions toward Flanders as German commanders anticipate a major British offensive.
German Reinforcements Transferred to Flanders
Transfers 10 Divisions from the Lens-Lille sector to Flanders
Siege of Baghdad
Reports that an offensive against Baghdad is feasible
Commander of U-Boats
Appointed Commander of the U-Boats
Commander of U-Boats
Appointed Commander of the U-Boats
Battle of Messines
German troops lose Messines Ridge near Ypres.
German Messines Defences Forced Back
German forces under Rupprecht's army group lose key positions on Messines Ridge after the British assault.
Battle of Tarnopol
Prepares the German artillery for the attack on Tarnopol
July
Regional President of Upper Bavaria
Is appointed Regierungspräsident, or regional president, of Upper Bavaria.
Kerensky Offensive
Commands German forces opposing the Russian attack near Zborov.
Peace
The Kaiser rejects Bethmanns peace policy
Kerensky Offensive
Oversees German strategic support for the counterattack.
Kerensky Offensive
Assesses Russian collapse and supports plans for a counterblow.
Kerensky Offensive
Organises support for the Central Powers counteroffensive in Galicia.
Kerensky Offensive
Coordinates forces preparing to exploit Russian weakness.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.