WW1 Operational Theatres of War 1914-1920

Military operations of the First World War took place in seven theatres of war around the world.

Alphanumeric codes were assigned to each theatre and operational area within it. These codes were used by the British military for the compilation of records of service and medals. The alphanumeric codes were slightly amended after 1^st January 1916.⁽¹⁾

Western Europe

Code: 1 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 1 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

a France and Flanders (also known as The Western Front)

The Western Front

b Italy

Balkans

Code: 2 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 2 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

a Greek Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria and European Turkey
b Gallipoli (Dardanelles)

Russia

Code: 3 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

4^th/5^th August 1914-1^st/2^nd July 1920

Egypt

Code: 3 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 4 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

a 4^th/5^th November 1914 - 18^th/19^th March 1916
b 18^th/19^th March 1916 - 31^st October/1^st November 1918

Africa

Code: 4 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 5 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

East Africa, Nyasaland and Northern Rhodesia
b South West Africa
c Cameroon
d Nigeria
e Togoland

Asia

Code: 5 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 6 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

a Hedjaz
b Mesopotamia
c Persia
d Trans Caspia
e South West Arabia
f Aden
g Frontier Regions of India
h Tsing-Tau

Australasia

Code: 6 (to 31 Dec. 1915); 7 (from 1 Jan. 1916)

a New Britain
b New Ireland
c Kaiser Wilhelmland
d Admiralty Islands
e Nauru
f German Samoa