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 1st January 1916.(1)

Western Europe

To 31st December 1915 and from 1st January 1916

Code: 1

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

Balkans

To 31st December 1915 and from 1st January 1916

Code: 2

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

Russia

From 1st January 1916

Code: 3

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

Egypt

To 31st December 1915

Code: 3

From 1st January 1916

Code: 4

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

Africa

To 31st December 1915

Code: 4

From 1st January 1916

Code: 5

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

Asia

To 31st December 1915

Code: 5

From 1st January 1916

Code: 6

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

Australasia

To 31st December 1915

Code: 6

From 1st January 1916

Code: 7

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

Related Topics

WW1 Timeline

Battlefields of the Western Front

Battles of the Western Front

Related Link

British Army Medal Index Cards Abbreviations

Information on deciphering abbreviations for theatres of war, ranks and units is given in a helpful page on the National Archives' website:

Website: www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/records/medal-index-cards-ww1.htm

Acknowledgements

(1) Army Service Records of the First World War, by Simon Fowler, William Spencer and Stuart Tamblin, p. 43.