Pixies Place Forums - Actual History: 100 Years Ago Today

gekkogecko

06-30-2017, 08:04 AM

Western Front
France: General Anthoine in command of French First Army in Flanders delivers signal from Petain to Haig: ‘The offensive in Flanders must be an unqualified success particularly because of the present state of [French] morale.’
[B]Germany: Ludendorff only now learns of French mutinies when worst is over.
Canadian troops advance on a 4-mile front south of Lens, while German forces make further advances against French lines at Cerny and Verdun.
French soldiers in a cemetery at the ruined village of Mercatel: © IWM (Q 92697): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/880728893115727873
A ruined church and calvary hill scene at Ablainzeville: © IWM (Q 78076): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/880745246463799297

Eastern Front
Galicia: Heavy artillery action, German reply includes gas. Commander Locker-Lampson sees Kerensky in Southwest Front HQ train ‘Prodigious effort speaking … and making up by personality for … discipline had worn him out’
A German howitzer bombards the Russians: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/German-how-bombards-Russians.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Trentino: Italian Sixth Army losses (since June 10) 23,736 (including 12,735 Alpini); Austrian 8828 soldiers. ‘Ortigara Tragedy’ demoralizes Italian line troops.
Salonika: British 60th Division sails for Egypt. French have to force some of 2,500 Russians after leave at Athens to reembark for Salonika.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied and neutral shipping losses 286 ships at 674,458t (U-boat official history figure 696,725t including 164,299t in Mediterranean); 2 U-boats lost, 8 commissioned (record 61 U-boats at sea during June).
Shipping forecasts for Controller Sir J Maclay indicate not enough British shipping for import of necessities by December 1 if 300,000t per month lost, but neutral shipping entrances only 20% down on normal thanks to US war entry and much diplomacy. British merchant fleet has lost 2 1/4 million tons not 3 1/2 million tons German Admiral Holtzendorff hoped.
North Sea: During June Royal Navy lay 1,120 mines in southern half.
USA: Shipping Board recruits 41,977 officers and sailors (until June 30, 1920).
A hospital ship docking in Halifax, Canada with wounded soldiers disembarking: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/880426947066638337
East Africa: German forces driven from Nyassaland to the Rovuma border by British and Portuguese.

Political, etc
Russia: Members of the Russian Duma rejects the All-Russian Congress of Soviets’ call for its dissolution.
Soviet delegates leave Russia for Socialist conferences in Stockholm, England, France and Italy.
Greece: New Government severs relations with all Central Powers.
Spain: Neutral Spain re-iterates the ban on all submarines of belligerent powers from entering Spanish waters.

gekkogecko

07-01-2017, 11:09 AM

Western Front
Aisne: Violent bombardment, followed by German attacks in Cerny-Ailles sector (northern Aisne); British claim that German losses are ‘heavy’.
Artois: British 46th Division (First Army) attacks Lievin.
Verdun: French counter-attack northwest of Mort Homme.
Britain claims they took 8,686 German prisoners, 67 artillery guns, 102 mortars, and 345 machine guns on the Western Front in June.
Canadian troops (some wearing captured German helmets) celebrating Dominion Day (now celebrated as Canada Day) in a recently taken village in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881117701204303872

Eastern Front
Galicia: “KERENSKY” OR “SECOND BRUSILOV (SUMMER)” OFFENSIVE (until July 18) on 50-mile front astride Brzezany with 31 infantry divisions and 1,328 guns with objective Lemberg. Seventh Army gains little ground and loses it all to Germans by July 6, but Eleventh Army drives 3-mile wedge between opposing armies at Koniuchy. Russians take 10,429 PoWs and 5 guns for 17,339 casualties.
British soldiers and Russian officers in the trenches in Galicia: © IWM (Q 109746): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881086243777413120

Southern Front
Austrians very active in the Trentino. Attacks repulsed by Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: 3,000 British merchant ships have guns; 2,180 guns mounted in 1917 only 190 under 12-pounder (3-inch) calibre. ASW depth charge issue doubled to 4,6 by August. 100-300 used per month during 1917 (production 1,678 per month) against U-boats. Bomb or howitzer thrower (most common 7.5in howitzer) begins to equip 542 warships and 735 merchantmen, able to fire 111-113-lb bombs 650-2600 yards astern or broadside on.
Atlantic: First regular eastbound transatlantic convoy sails from Hampton Roads (Virginia), codelettered HH1. Other regular convoys from Canadian Sydney (Cape Breton), Gibraltar and New York. U-boat attack on US troop convoy defeated. Average of U-boats at sea falls to 41 per day.
British War Painting, The Convoy: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/the-convoy.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Austrian Emperor Charles state visit to Bavaria and Wurttemberg.
United Kingdom: Announcement in Holland of assurance by Lord Derby that Britain will not strike at Germany through Holland if she remains neutral.
Dadabhai Naoroji, the 2nd Asian man elected as British MP & one of the founders of the Indian National Congress, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/880820788563243008
Italy: Italian Chamber of Deputies votes 361 to 63 in confidence of the government and its conduct of the war.
Belgium: During July Captain Landau (MI1c) takes over 129-strong La Dame Blanche train watching network and crucially expands it by end-September.
United States: 22 U.S. states now have complete prohibition of liquor, as the Reed amendment prohibits transportation of liquor into a “dry” state.
China: Manchu Emperor Hsuan-Fung restored (see June 6th, 1916 and July 6th and 7th, 1917).
Switzerland: During July Sir Basil Zahroff meets Enver Pasha and Abdal Karim (Colonel Frobenius) in Switzerland and offers $1.5m for Turkey to sign separate peace, but refused.

gekkogecko

07-02-2017, 05:02 PM

Western Front
British advance towards Lens is checked, with Germany taking 175 prisoners and 17 machine guns.
The remains of the village of Le Transloy, France: © IWM (Q 61269): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881480087639556097
British airplanes bomb Bruges.
German attacks repulsed north of the Aisne.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: The Czechoslovak Legion sees its first major engagement at Zborov & capture Austro-Hungarian lines as part of the Kerensky Offensive.
Russia claims the capture of 6,300 Central Powers soldiers, 21 artillery guns, and 16 machine guns today.
General Brusilov on the current offensive: “A decisive battle has begun, on which depends the fate of the liberty of the Russian people.”

Naval and Overseas Operations
First regular convoy of merchant ships sails from Hampton Roads (Va.) [Experimental convoys had been tried in May. Convoys outward from Great Britain did not start till August.] (see May 17th and June 14th).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkey: German c.6500-strong Asia Corps (3 battalions, 3 cavalry troops, 18 guns, 18 MGs, 12 mortars, 4 air squadrons) formed, as elite help under Colonel Frankenburg for Turks.
German-Turkish patrol in the desert. The ‘Asia Corps’ is the predecessor of Rommel’s Afrika Korps in WW2: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/asien-korps.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Kaiser (told first US troops have landed in France) and Ludendorff in Vienna War Council.
Emperor grants amnesty to all condemned by emergency military courts (2,593 freed by July 31).
United Kingdom: King and Queen at ‘1867 Canadian Federation Jubilee Service’, Westminster Abbey.
United States: Following weeks of violence & tensions in East St. Louis, 2 white police officers are killed, allegedly by unidentified African American assailants. A mob of whites then invades African American districts, killing and lynching 40-200 blacks and burning hundreds of homes.
15,000 New York blacks stage silent protest march in support of the St Louis strikes.
Poland: Pilsudski resigns and refuses loyalty oath to Germany (arrested July 22; Polish Legions broken up and 5,000 interned for refusing oath on July 9).
Greece: NEW GOVERNMENT DECLARES WAR ON CENTRAL POWERS.
Netherlands: Agreement signed at The Hague for the exchange of combatant and civilian British and German prisoners of war (see May 13th, 1916).
Riots occur Amsterdam over the shortage of potatoes, resulting in casualties as mobs clash with police.
China: President of China Li Yuanhong, trapped in Peking by monarchist forces, refuses to resign in favor of the restored Emperor Puyi.

gekkogecko

07-03-2017, 09:29 AM

Western Front
Aisne: German attack on a front of 11 miles north of the Aisne ‘repulsed with heavy loss’.
German attacks towards Verdun repulsed.
British air raid on Belgian towns.
Interior of a destroyed church at Grevillers, France: © IWM (Q 61213): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881858836872785920
German infantryman of an assault unit wearing full trench body armor: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/german-infantryman-body-armour.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive:
Russian attack of Brzezany fails.
Russian Eleventh Army has taken 14,000 PoWs and over 30 guns so far, but slow reserves prevent exploitation.
Artillery activity growing in the Stokhod area.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian troops launch attacks against Italian lines on the Carso and claim the capture of 272 prisoners.
Dardanelles: 9 Royal Navy Air Service aircraft open night bombing offensive from Mudros against Gallipoli (also raids on July 8, 11, 15).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Troops of the Arab Revolt on camels near Maan, Jordan: © IWM (Q 59158): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881828636755730432
Arabia: Lawrence’s 450 Arabs destroy Turkish battalion (460 casualties) at Abu-el-Lissal; 120 Turks at Guweira surrender to Sheikh Ibn Jad.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Statement in House of Lords by Lord Hardinge (Ex-Viceroy of India) on report of Mesopotamia Commission.
Netherlands: Amsterdam dock workers go on strike to protest food shortages. Demonstrations and riots continue in the city.
China: Chinese President Li Yuanhong seeks refuge in the Japanese embassy to oppose Zhang Xun’s restoration of Emperor Puyi.

gekkogecko

07-04-2017, 06:47 AM

Western Front
18 of 25 Gotha bombers (Captain Kleine) sent to attack Harwich and Felixstowe (Royal Navy Air Service Station damaged, 4 civilian casualties, 43 service casualties (17 killed, 30 injured). 5 Sopwith Camels from Dunkirk attack homeward-bound Gothas without success. 21 Gothas (1 lost to Bristol fighter off Ostend) repeat, raid on July 22 when 122 fighters ascend to no avail, 1 Gotha crashes on landing.
German attacks north of the Aisne against British forces and at Verdun against French lines are repulsed.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Kerensky Offensive slows down and the Russian advance towards the town of Brzezany (Berezhany) is halted due to heavy casualties.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Ponta Delgada (Azores) shelled by a German submarine.
Concerted attack by German submarines on United States transports defeated. (Note: this is the third report of this, and given the way submarines were operated, a “concerted”, or IOW, co-ordinated, attack would have been difficult to achieve. It is likely that only one of these three types of attacks was actually attempted, and I have no idea which one, if any, actually occurred.)
North Sea: Redesigned light battlecruiser HMS Furious joins Grand Fleet (rebuilt since March 19) as carrier with 10 aircraft.
Aircraft carrier HMS Furious with a Sea Scout Z anti-submarine balloon on its rear flight deck: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/HMS-Furious.jpg?ssl=1
Baltic: Dreadnought battleship Petropavlosk at Helsinki issues anti-government ultimatum threatening to sail and shell Petrograd.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish cavalry reconnaissance from Beersheba (Palestine); shelled and forced to retreat.

Political, etc
France: Pershing leads 14,500 US troops through Paris; Captain Charles E Stanton says at Piepus Cemetery ‘Lafayette, we are here!’.
King George V and Queen Mary arrive in Calais to visit the Western Front: © IWM (Q 5580): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/881889033697284096
United States: Liberty air engine sent to Washington tests (publicly passed on September 12).
China: Chinese Republican forces, opposing Puyi's restoration to the throne, begin surrounding monarchist troops in Peking.
Argentina: Government protests against U-boat torpedoing of 2 ships. German Ambassador Count Luxburg using Swedish Legation to contact Berlin.

gekkogecko

07-05-2017, 10:28 AM

Western Front
Flanders: Slight British advance south of Ypres. Artillery duels on the Aisne and in Champagne.
Queen Mary inspecting Bristol Fighter planes at the aerodrome at Saint-Omer: © IWM (Q 11848): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/882596224532197377

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: German and Austro-Hungarian forces launch probing attacks against Russian forces around Brzezany (Berezhany).

Naval and Overseas Operations
A squadron of the German High Seas Fleet in Wilhelmshaven: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Hochseeflotte-Wilhelmshaven.jpg?ssl=1
German submarine SM UC-7, credited with sinking 32 ships, goes missing, presumably sunk. UB-12 sighted a submarine believed to be UC-7 on 5 July, west of the Bligh Bank, 46km (29mi) from Ostend. The submarine in question was reported to be on a course that would run it into a minefield, and Verschollen notes that the time and place would be correct if UC-7 were returning to base. The bodies of two crew members were later washed ashore on the coast of Flanders on 19 July. There was also a claim that UC-7 was sunk by HMS Salmon on 7 July off Southwold, but this was doubted since the reported position was too far off UC-7's operating area.
British destroyer mined in North Sea (announced), 18 survivors. (Note: I am unsure if this refers to HMS Cheerful or HMS Tartar, both of which struck mines the previous month).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Lawrence confronts 300 Turks from Aqaba who reject two surrender summons.
South Persia: Action at Kafta (north of Shiraz): 250 British soldiers defeat 500 tribesmen and storm fort.
Improvement in comfort and health of troops in Mesopotamia announced.

Political, etc
Germany: Hunger and coaling strike by ratings beginning with High Seas Fleet flagship secures the establishment of food supervisory committees aboard most ships during July.
Kaiser Wilhelm declares that German POWs who did not surrender voluntarily will be awarded the Iron Cross.
Reichstag opens.
Russia: Reval naval base ‘Death Battalion’ leaves for front.
France: Bonnet Rouge editor arrested, paper suspended on July 12.
French Marshal Joffre and US General Pershing at the Les Invalides, Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/882262803771518977
United States: Due to debt troubles, demolition of Nikola Tesla’s Wardenclyffe tower begins so it can be sold for scrap: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/882294245905879040
China: Anti-monarchist Chinese forces capture the Peking-Tientsin railway in the fight to oppose the restoration of Emperor Puyi.
Sweden: Belgian Socialists announce at Stockholm their determination to make no peace with German Imperialism.

gekkogecko

07-06-2017, 05:33 AM

Western Front
Aerial activity south of Ypres.
German towns bombed by French aeroplanes.
Guynemer scores first victory with his new 37-mm Puteaux cannon-armed Spad S.12, DFW downed with a single shot (Fonck achieves 6 kills with this powerful but dangerous recoil weapon). Germans bomb RNAS Bray Dunes airfield, damage 12 aircraft (night July 6-7). Richthofen wounded in air combat by FE26 of No 20 Suadron Royal Flying Corps, out of action for 6 weeks, but JG1 scores 9 victories without loss on July 7 under Captain W Reinhard.
Manfred von Richthofen, the ace of the aces, recovers from his head injury: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/richthofen-verwundet.jpg?ssl=1
Flanders: Germans fire 300,000 shells of high explosive and gas at new British Yser bridgeheads taken over from French (until July 10).
Pershing tells Washington that a million men must be sent to France by May 1918.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Russian attack Austro-Hungarian lines in Galicia spreading in region of Stanislau.
Heavy fighting near Brzezany. Russians claim 7,000 PoWs; 48 guns and Jutrena Gora summit by July 8, only German reserves stem rout.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British destroyer HMS Itchen torpedoed and sunk in North Sea, 8 lost.
US submarines in the Gatun Lock of the Panama Canal: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/882656636552327169

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Aqaba (Arabia) occupied by Arab forces. 300 Turks surrender to Lawrence’s 2,500 Arabs, 130 miles from Allenby’s front. Lawrence leaves with 8 camel riders to cross Sinai and get food ship from Suez (arrives on July 8).

Political, etc
Germany: Crisis in Germany owing to the demand in the Reichstag for reforms in domestic and foreign policy and a peace without annexations or indemnities.
Germany lifts travel restrictions on American citizens living in the country, who can now travel without a permit.
France: King George V watching a tank display at Neuve Eglise: © IWM (Q 6435): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/882626430563209217
Canada: Second reading of Conscription Bill in Canada carried.
Netherlands: In Amsterdam, riot caused by potato shortages is ended when the army shoots at the crowd, killing 9 and wounding 114.
China: Li-Yuan-Hung, President of China, resigns and is succeeded by Feng-Kuo-Chang (see June 6th, 1916, July 7th, 1917 and October 11th, 1918).

dicksbro

07-07-2017, 01:11 AM

I continue to find these reports very interesting. I'm so glad you've been keeping these up, gg. Fascinating to read these daily accounts ... almost like you were living at the time and following the progress of the war. :thumbs:

gekkogecko

07-07-2017, 07:42 AM

Western Front
Britain: Severe airplane raid on England. 22 Gotha bombers (2 lost including 1 shot down, 3 written off in crash landings on return; another source claims 11 German airplanes accounted for.) attack London and Margate with 4.3t bombs on City and East End (roof of St Martin’s-le-Grand GPO hit and Ironmongers’ Hall; more than £200,000 damage). 108 defence sorties (20 or so engage, 145 civilian casualties, 5 service casualties; another source puts casualties at 250). Anti-foreigner riots in East End, shops smashed. Cabinet meets Prime Minister (again on July 9), sanctions 3 more home defence squadrons, No 46 withdrawn from France, 24 Sopwith Camels not sent (until August 30). (See November 28th, and August 22nd, 1916 and May 19th and July 20th, 1918).
Germany: French raid Essen and other towns in reprisal for bombing of Nancy and Epernay.
Preparing bombs on a Gotha bomber: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/gotha-upbombing.jpg?ssl=1
The Central Telegraph Office in London burning after being hit by a German Gotha bomber: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883265639753945088
British airplanes bomb Ghistelles (Belgium).
France: Minor French gains on the Aisne (German attacks repulsed on July 8 and 9) and at Verdun.
Flanders: 2,174 British guns concentrated.
Also a supplement, somehow missed yesterday:
Richthofen sustained a serious head wound on 6 July 1917, during combat near Wervicq against a formation of FE 2d two seat fighters of 20 Squadron, RFC, causing instant disorientation and temporary partial blindness. He regained his vision in time to ease the aircraft out of a spin and execute a forced landing in a field in friendly territory. The injury required multiple operations to remove bone splinters from the impact area. The air victory was credited to Captain Donald Cunnell of No. 20, who was killed by German anti-aircraft fire a few days later on 12 July 1917 near Wervicq, Belgium; his observer Lt. A. G. Bill successfully flew the airplane back to base. The Red Baron returned to active service against doctor's orders on 25 July, but went on convalescent leave from 5 September to 23 October. His wound is thought to have caused lasting damage; he later often suffered from post-flight nausea and headaches, as well as a change in temperament. There is even a theory linking this injury with his eventual death.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
T.E. Lawrence, along with 8 others, head out into the Sinai Desert to inform the British army in Egypt of the victory at Aqaba

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser in Berlin approves Prussian Parliament voting on equal francise, orders bill’s preparation (July 11).
France: King George V, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium, Queen Mary of Teck, & King Albert I of Belgium at Tramecourt Chateau today: © IWM (Q 2546): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883283257789480960
French newsreel showing Prince Alexander of Serbia on the Salonika Front and other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45413
French Government affirm their right of control in respect of army services.

gekkogecko

07-08-2017, 10:25 AM

Western Front
Aisne: Heavy fighting on the Aisne; German attacks repulsed. Germany launch 4 attacks against French lines in the Aisne, but only gain some first line trenches.
Verdun: French forces take 3 points near Verdun.
Unveiling of the 1st Australian Division memorial at Pozieres: © IWM (Q 2598): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883660724295356416

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Austro-Hungarian front broken west of Stanislau by General Kornilov; 7,000 prisoners taken, cavalry pursue enemy, rout stemmed by German reserves. Russian forces claim the capture of 7000 Austro-Hungarian prisoners. The resulting gap in the Austrian lines was large enough that, for one of the few times in the war, the cavalry prepared to exploit a breakthrough could actually be used to great effect. Two entire cavalry divisions pushed through and reached as far as Kalusz, over 15 miles distant, by July 11. However, with the Seventh and Eleventh Armies to his north unwilling to renew their offensive, this left the Eighth Army’s rapidly advancing flank increasingly exposed; and the German reserves, as related above, were able to force back the Russian advance.

Naval and Overseas Operations
(Reported for yesterday): German submarine SM U-99 is sunk by the Royal Navy submarine HMS J2.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Russian forces begin withdrawal from Western Persia; Qasr-i-Shirin evacuated (see May 7th, 1916, March 25th, 1917 and January 8th, 1918).
Mesopotamia: British occupy Dhibban on Euphrates during hottest summer in memory (122°F in shade at Baghdad).
Under 50°C heat (123°F), British troops begin advancing on Ottoman lines defending Ramadi (Iraq).
Cigarette card illustration of a Middlesex Regiment Territorial at Baghdad: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/players-cigarettes-bagdadh.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: The 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death, under Maria Bochkareva, head to the front to participate in the Kerensky Offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883343678491832322
Women's Battalions were all-female combat units formed after the February Revolution by the Russian Provisional Government in a last-ditch effort to inspire the mass of war-weary soldiers to continue fighting in World War I. Fifteen formations were created in 1917, including the 1st Russian Women's Battalion of Death, a separate unit called the 1st Petrograd Women's Battalion formed a few weeks later in Petrograd, the 2nd Moscow Women's Battalion of Death created in Moscow, and the 3rd Kuban Women's Shock Battalion organized in Ekaterinodar. Four communications detachments were created in Moscow and Petrograd. Seven additional communications units were created in Kiev and Saratov, again employing privately organized women's units already existing in those cities. Additional unsanctioned battalions sprang in cities across Russia. An all-female naval unit was created in Oranienbaum, the 1st Women's Naval Detachment, as part of the Naval Infantry Training Detachment.
Canada: Tom Thomson, influential Canadian artist, dies under mysterious circumstances. His “The Jack Pine”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883690928896192517
United States: America declares an embargo on exportation of foods, metal and coal.
Women workers at a flag factory at the Brooklyn Navy Yard: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883328562106970113

gekkogecko

07-09-2017, 10:28 AM

Western Front
Britain:General Wilson to Haig on Gotha London raid ‘one would have thought the world was coming to an end’.
Flanders: Slight British advance on Messines sector.
Aisne: French counter-attacks at Braye-en-Launnois. German forces attack French lines at the Aisne on a 2-mile front and take 830 prisoners.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Austrian Third Army retreats to river Lomnica, losing 1000 PoWs. Its C-in-C Tersztyanzky replaced by Kritek by July 16.

Southern Front
Turkey: An RNAS Handley Page (flown out to Mudros in May) bombs (8 x 112lb) Constantinople (Golden Horn area) and Turco-German Fleet for 35 minutes after 7hr flight; destroyer damaged and Turkish War Office.
Handley Page O/100 biplane on an airfield in the Mediterranean: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Handley-Page-100.jpg?ssl=1
Isonzo: Austro-Hungarian “attacks” (once again, probably no more than raids) on Italian positions west of Tolmino (Upper Isonzo) repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Vanguard sunk by internal explosion in Scapa Flow harbor, as a result of unstable cordite (804 dead, only 3 survivors).
Mediterranean: Ludendorff warns German Navy that British may try landings behind Turks in Palestine, U-boat always to be in Eastern Mediterranean (July 16) and Port Said-Gaza route to be mined, 3 U-boats assigned (September 29).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians report evacuation of towns on Mesopotamian front owing to Turkish pressure.

Political, etc
Germany: Military propaganda service entrusted with enlightenment of the front-line troops.
Kaiser rejects von Bethmann-Hollweg’s peace policy without annexation.
France: French Minister of Finance orders the prohibition of imports into the country except for items necessary for the war.
United Kingdom: Secret Session of House of Commons on London air raids.
Japan: Hanabusa Yoshimoto, Japanese diplomat, privy councilor, and former Chairman of the Japanese Red Cross, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/883994161950732288
United States: 300 German and Austro-Hungarian dockworkers are fired from New York City docks on suspicion (without evidence) that they spied on US troop sailings.

gekkogecko

07-10-2017, 09:01 AM

Western Front
Flanders: At dusk, 15 German battalions attack Nieuport: Fierce artillery duels. German marines advance near Lombaertzyde on 1,400-yard front east of Yser mouth and take over 1,000 PoWs; 2 British platoons surrounded, fight to last man. 1st and 32nd Divisions otherwise hold. More German attacks repulsed on July 14. German objective is to prevent British plans to land on the Belgian coast.
A column of German soldiers moving up into attack positions among the dunes near Nieuwpoort (Belgian spelling): © IWM (Q 29876): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/884352772560310272
Gasmask for men and donkey: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/gasmanske-muli.jpg?ssl=1
King George V inspecting men of the South African Native Labour Corps at Abbeville: © IWM (Q 2573): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/884367872876740610

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Kornilov takes Halicz (now Halych, Ukraine) with 2,000 PoWs, Kalusz (July 11), crosses river Lomnica (July 12). By July 13 total Russian PoW haul 36,643.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Egypt: Lawrence meets Allenby at Cairo, gains £200,000 monthly subsidy for Arabs (later £500,000) apart from £16,000 in gold for Aqaba.
Mesopotamia: British occupy Madhij Defile 18 miles west of Falluja on Euphrates; 2 German airmen surrender on foot at Samarra.

Political, etc
Germany: German Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg: “We cannot declare our terms of peace. We must fight and conquer.”
United Kingdom: Associated Press reports that 7,000,000 seven-penny and shilling books have been sent to soldiers at the front.
Official statement gives British captures on all fronts since beginning of war as 117,772 prisoners and 759 guns.

gekkogecko

07-11-2017, 05:31 AM

Western Front
In light of the German air raids on Britain, a Cabinet Committee is set up to consider air organisation and air defence. Although nominally under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister, David Lloyd George, in practice the Committee consisted solely of Lieutenant General Jan C. Smuts.
Western Front: After bad weather delay, Royal Flying Corps Flanders pre-Third Ypres offensive begins, including night-bombing.
A new British Airco DH-4 bomber, which entered service in spring 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Airco-DH4.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Capture of Kalusz (western Stanislau, Galicia) by Russians.

Southern Front
Statistics of health of British army at Salonika published.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Report of British operations in East Africa published.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British column from Feluja (Euphrates) engages Turkish force up the river and inflicts considerable loss.
Despatch on operations in Mesopotamia published. India Secretary Austen Chamberlain resigns his PUS Montagu succeeds on July 17.
Mesopotamia: c.2,500 British, 4 armored cars, 14 guns with 127 vans and lorries (600 infantry carried) attack 820 Turks with 6 guns at Ramadi; but make little progress due to accurate Ottoman fire, a dust storm, & burning heat (321 out of 566 casualties to heat). British beat off 1,500 Arabs in retreat to Dhibban.
121°F heat evaporates water in 3 Royal Flying Corps aircraft trying to support Ramadi attack (2 German aircraft similarly lost on July 9).

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser promises an equal franchise in the next elections to the Prussian Diet.
Russia: Overworked and insomniac Lenin travels to Finland to rest (Until July 17).
United Kingdom: Announcement of judicial enquiry into the conduct of all persons affected by Mesopotamia Reported.
Kiplings poem ‘Mesopotamia’ published in Morning Post.
Ireland: Sinn Fein candidate Edward (Éamon) de Valera, Irish commander during the Easter Rising, defeats Nationalist in East Clare election.

dicksbro

07-12-2017, 02:40 AM

121°F heat evaporates water in 3 Royal Flying Corps aircraft trying to support Ramadi attack (2 German aircraft similarly lost on July 9).

:faint: Gets me tired just trying to imagine temperatures like that.

gekkogecko

07-12-2017, 09:20 AM

Western Front
Flanders: FIRST USE OF MUSTARD GAS: Germans fire 50,000 rounds (125t) at British near Ypres (Allies dub it Yperite), 2,490 gassed (87 deaths), mainly in 15th Division.
Edward ‘Mick’ Mannock scores 4 victories (until July 13). Record air activity to date including 30 Anglo-French fighters vs 30 German (2 lost) on day that costs 9 British and 14 German aircraft.
French Army patrol leaving their trenches in the La Haranzee sector: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/884760494933934081
King George V and General Julian Byng visiting a war cemetery at Thiepval: © IWM (Q 5642): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885109032444362753
Donald Cunnell, British observer known for shooting down and wounding von Richthofen (Red Baron), is killed in action.
British air raid into Belgium.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: General Kornilov crosses the Lomnica river. Minor Russian progress towards Dolina.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Destroyer HMS Patriot depth charges and sinks U-69 east of Shetlands.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Allenby asks for 3 more Royal Flying Corps Squadrons, gets 2 by September.
British troops withdraw from the Battle of Ramadi due to the Ottoman defenses and the excessive desert heat of around 50°C (123°F).
Announced that Turks have been routed by King of Hejaz in northern Arabia, 700 killed, 600 prisoners.

Political, etc
Russia: Former Tsar Nicholas of Russia appeals to the Provisional Government so he can buy bonds to fund the new government and war effort.
United Kingdom: Large increase in the number of divorces in Britain is blamed on hasty weddings with “unhappy sequels” by soldiers going to the front.
United States: Vigilantes illegally kidnapped and forcibly deported about 1,300 striking mine workers, their supporters, and bystanders from Bisbee, Arizona, U.S., to New Mexico. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bisbee_Deportation
China: Chinese Republican troops fighting in the Eastern Palace Entrance, Peking: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885063721663561728
With Peking surrounded by Republican troops, monarchist General Zhang Xun flees & the restored Emperor Puyi falls from power.

gekkogecko

07-13-2017, 05:34 AM

Western Front
Germany’s use of mustard gas against British forces around Nieuwpoort cause 2,143 casualties and silence British artillery guns.
King George V and his party walking through the damaged streets of Peronne: © IWM (Q 5671): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885444963676368896

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Further Russian progress around Kalusz; claim 1,600 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sahara: 960 French and Allies from Agades defeat Senussi Khoassen and take his gun at Amzet but he raids Dammerghou killing 20 French on August 30.

Political, etc
Germany: Theobold von Bethmann resigns as Imperial German Chancellor, Dr Michaelis (from Prussian Food Office, unknown to Kaiser) succeeds on July 14. Foreign minister Arthur Zimmermann resigns on July 15. Dr Georg Michaelis in 1932 (Bundesarchiv, Picture 183-2004-0720-500). The completely unknown lawyer, after the OHL had sawn out the ‘soft’ Bethmann, was called, quite surprisingly, as Chancellor. He was inexperienced and also preventing the peace resolution of the Reichstag, and in 1926 he was made responsible for the ‘possible prolongation of the war to Germany’s disadvantage’. After only 3 1/2 months in the office he was replaced again: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Dr-Michaelis.jpg?ssl=1
France: General Petroleum Committee formed.
United Kingdom: Deputation on London Air Defences received by Prime Minister.

gekkogecko

07-14-2017, 08:04 AM

Western Front
Flanders: Between July 14 and August 4 German artillery fire 1 million rounds (2,500t) of mustard gas shell at British between Nieuport and Armentieres; 14,726 gassed (500 deaths).
Gas victims by the mustard gas used by the Germans in Ypres in July 1917, which the British call Yperit: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/opfer-gaskrieg.jpg?ssl=1
German attacks repulsed in region of Lombartzyde (Nieuport).
Champagne: French capture trenches on Moronvilliers Massif; counter-attacks repulsed on July 15 and 16.
Aisne: Germans make small gains on Chemin des Dames and at Cerny.
Artois: First AEF (American Expedition Force) casualty, Lieutenant Louis I Genella suffers shell wound with BEF southwest of Arras.
France: General Estienne reviews his Schneider tanks at Champlieu camp near Compiegne.
King George V and Queen Mary end their tour of the Western Front and embark at Calais: © IWM (Q 2591): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885822459919970304
Footage documenting King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to the Western Front from July 3 to the 14th: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/47234

Eastern Front
Finland declares independence from Russia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Kilwa Forces (Beves) surprises and drives Germans from Mtandawala. Shorthose’s NRFF column (700 soldiers with 2 guns) gets airdropped orders to occupy Tunduru 100 miles to north, rafts across river Rovuma on July 31.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Successful British raid on Turks near Gaza.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm calls on Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General Ludendorff for a conference in response to the Chancellor’s resignation. Georg Michaelis, with backing by Field Marshal Hindenburg, becomes the new Chancellor of Germany: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885807358806544386
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): British government takes control over this year’s crops of wheat, barley, oats, rye, and potatoes to ensure proper food supply.
Sir Douglas Haig made K.T.
Canada: Ongoing construction of the Peace Tower for the Canadian Parliament in Ottawa: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885505378003320832
United States: U.S. War Department calls on 687,000 men to respond to the draft.
U.S. House of Representatives votes nem. Con. $128,000,000 to send 22,000 aeroplanes and 100,000 airmen to Western Front.

gekkogecko

07-15-2017, 09:11 AM

Western Front
Men of the Chinese Labour Corps working at a timber yard at Caestre, cutting wood for railway construction: © IWM (Q 5898): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885852668786331653
Octave Lapize, French fighter pilot and cyclist who won the 1910 Tour de France, is shot down and killed in action: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885867754175307777
German troops make gains against French lines near Cerny in the Aisne, taking around 500 yards of trenches.
The ruined streets of Liévin, France: © IWM (Q 78490): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886206232641630209
British air raid on Belgium.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Litzmann’s 4 new German divisions block Kornilov after 18-mile advance, he evacuates Kalusz on July 16 but then holds, gaining and then losing Nowica on July 18.

Southern Front
Italian raid in the Carso, 275 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: U-boats switch main attack to outward-bound unescorted shipping, twice as risky for latter as homeward bound by August.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Southern Turkey: 4 Royal Navy Air Service Short seaplanes from HMS Empress report hits on cotton factories near Adana. Empress aircraft later starts fires in Beirut quay warehouses in August and on September 27.
Short seaplanes before launching: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/short-seaplanes-launching.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Dr. Artur von Zimmermann, German Foreign Minister, resigns (see November 21st, 1916, and August 5th, 1917).
Russia: Crisis in Russia: resignation of four Ministers of Cadet Party, as protest against recognition of the Ukraine.
United Kingdom: Commander Reginald Tyrwhitt of Harwich Force knighted.
David Lloyd George congratulates Russia for the recent successes of the Kerensky Offensive.
United States: 16 women protesting outside of the White House for equal voting rights, known as the “Silent Sentinels,” are arrested: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/885914431112323072
China: Republic of China accuses Germany of helping monarchist forces in their attempt to restore the Qing Emperor.

gekkogecko

07-16-2017, 09:32 AM

Western Front
British airplanes conduct a raid on German targets in Belgium, including a chemical factory in Zeebrugge and railways in Ostend.
The mangled remains of the commune of Chaulnes, France: © IWM (Q 78935): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886543454586753024
Champagne: German counter-attacks repulsed at Moronvillers.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: German and Austro-Hungarian forces launch counterattacks at Kalusz (Kalush, Ukraine) against Russian lines. Russian withdrawal in Galicia; Kalusz evacuated.
Russia claims the capture of 36,773 prisoners in the first 13 days of the Kerensky offensive.

Southern Front
Salonika: Mutinies in French 57th Division and 2nd Zouaves over lack of leave; General Grossetti dissuades 300 men and 90 others arrested. From August leave parties use new shorter trans-Greece railroad route to Itea (Gulf of Corinth) and Taranto then train to Marseilles. These mutinies were quite similar to the earlier mutinies in the French Army on the Western Front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Harwich Force (8 cruisers and 17 destroyers) capture 4 German steamers from Rotterdam in neutral waters and drive 2 more ashore on Dutch coast (24 German merchant ships sunk on this route in 1917).

Political, etc
Russia: Russian ‘July Days’ Rising (until July 19): According to some sources, this was an abortive part-Trotsky inspired revolt in Petrograd, Lenin returns (17) & calls it off. In actuality, the Bolsheviks initially attempted to prevent the demonstrations and then decided to support them; Lenin went into hiding on the first day, then made a statement the next day, trying to call off the uprising. The uprising started on 16 July with spontaneous demonstrations braking out in Petrograd. They were started by the soldiers of the 1st Machine-gun Regiment, who were influenced by the anarchists. At a secret conference on 15 July the anarchists had decided to summon the workers and soldiers of Petrograd to an anti-government demonstration.
July demonstration in Petrograd. The banner says: ‘Down with the capitalist ministers. All power to the Soviets’: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/russia-july-demonstration.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: New Admiralty Planning Section formed under Captain Dudley Pound.
George Bernard Shaw predicts that, “This war will be won in the sky and not in the trenches.”
Japan: Japan blacklists companies in neutral countries that does trade with Germany.
United States: Boys drilling with bayonets at a military training camp for young boys at Peekskill, New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886574933358370816

gekkogecko

07-17-2017, 08:19 AM

Western Front
Third Ypres: bombardment (until July 30) begins: British fire 4,283,550 shells (cost £22,211,389 14s 4d) including 100,000 rounds (250t) of chlorpicrin gas shells at Germans (until July 31); 1,250 gassed (75 deaths). British trench raids.
Verdun: French claim to regain positions northwest of Mort Homme lost during previous 18 days. Unsuccessful German trench raids northwest of Verdun on July 18.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Russians momentarily hold their positions in Galicia against German counter-thrust.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian ‘July Days’ Rising (until July 19): Justice Ministry documents allege Lenin a German agent (until July 18) as do other sources. 6,000 Kronstadt sailors join Red rising but Cossacks begin charges as troops arrive from Front.
500,000 pro-Bolshevik demonstrators march peacefully in Petrograd, but government troops attack the crowd to disperse it.
Demonstrators flee on Nevsky Prospekt, Petrograd after Russian Provisional Government forces open fire with machine guns: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/bolschewistischer-aufstand-juli-petrograd.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Proclamation issued changing name of British Royal House to Windsor from House of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, due to Anti-German sentiment.
Government reshuffle makes Winston Churchill Munitions Minister; Christopher Addison becomes Minister without Portfolio (essentially, in charge of examining and planning ahead, as far as was possible for post-war economic reconstruction); Carson joins War Cabinet, also as Minister without Portfolio, representing the Unionists in Ireland.
Canada: Resolution in favor of extension of Canadian Parliament passed.
United States: Presidential order drafts 678,000 of June 5 registrees. War Secretary draws first number for draft on July 20.
A Canadian Highlander soldier and an U.S. soldier in New York City for “British Recruiting Week.”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886605136407261185
China: Chinese revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen arrives in Canton (Guangzhou) to establish a new government in opposition to Premier Duan Qirui.

gekkogecko

07-18-2017, 05:37 AM

Western Front
At Verdun, veteran French troops attack German lines on the Meuse and take 1.5 miles of trenches.
A British dressing station built under a ruined house at Ecoust-Saint-Mein, France: © IWM (Q 5689): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886983885623578626
German raids south of St. Quentin and north-west of Verdun.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Battle of Dvinsk (Also known as the Battle of East Galicia): (until July 25): German Armeeabteilung D (Kirchbach) repels Denikin’s West Front.
Russian PoWs move with their machine guns towards collecting points: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/russ-gefangene.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: British submarine C34 is sunk by the German submarine U-52 off Fair Isle in Shetland. https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886937325640568832
Mediterranean: French tell Greek Minister of Marine, Fleet to be returned in batches, first cruiser Helle, 4 destroyers and torpedo boat by August 13.
Italy: Vice-Admiral Del Bono Minister of Marine for duration of war.
Baltic: 2 destroyers sail from Helsinki with 100-strong delegations supporting ‘July Days Rising’; both arrested. Kerensky condemns Fleet’s disloyalty (July 20) and appoints Destroyer Division Commander, Captain Alexander V Razvozov, Rear-Admiral and C-in-C, aged 38 (July 20) after cashiering the hapless Verderevski. Centrobalt command dissolved on July 23 temporarily.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Arz memo says only Rumanian food imports sustaining Monarchy till new harvest.
Russia: Russian ‘July Days’ Rising (until July 19): Officer Cadets smash Pravda offices, Lenin goes into hiding and fears assassination. Russian troops loyal to the Provisional Government arrive in Petrograd to put down pro-Bolshevik demonstrators. Martial law is proclaimed.
United Kingdom: Sir Eric Cambell-Geddes becomes the new First Lord of the Admiralty: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/886967545634357248
Canada: Petition to extend the Canadian Parliament will not be put forward.
Australia: Australian repatriation scheme introduced.

gekkogecko

07-19-2017, 09:10 AM

Western Front
The Smuts Committee releases an interim report examining the air defence of the United Kingdom. Among the Committee's recommendations are the establishment of a London Air Defence Area to encompass all of the United Kingdom within Gotha bomber range and the acceleration of plans to form additional day-fighter squadrons for home defence.
A white goat mascot of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Cavillon: © IWM (Q 5691): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887270753493712898
British soldiers having a bath in the sea at Etaples, France: © IWM (Q 3883): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887285858407260160
A French Schneider CA1 tank training at Champlieu: © IWM (Q 69504): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887300973097615360
A damaged mine in Liévin, France: © IWM (Q 78488): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887653267433500672
Heavy German attacks south of Lombartzyde (Nieuport sector), south of St. Quentin, and north of the Aisne repulsed.

Eastern Front
Galicia: “Kerensky” Or “Second Brusilov (Summer)” Offensive: Battle of Dvinsk (Also known as the Battle of East Galicia): German breakthrough in Galicia forces the end of the Russian offensive. Hoffmann’s counter-offensive with Eben’s 9 divisions (8 from Western Front) makes 12-mile wide breach east of Zloczow helped by Bruchmüller hurricane barrage. Russian Eleventh Army flees en masse, losing 6,000 PoWs and 70 guns by July 21
Western Russia: Battle of Smorgon-Krevo (until July 27): German Tenth Army repulses assault after 2-mile Russian penetration on July 22.
Russian soldiers breaking and running in panic in East Galicia due to a Central Powers counterattack: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887623083154173952

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Battle of Narungombe: 1,700 British soldiers (363 casualties) with 20 MGs attack Captain Liebermann’s c.800 men, 2 guns and 48 MGs in waterhole hill positions. Narungombe occupied on July 20 as Germans retreat south to Mihambia, lost 1 MG.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish cavalry force encountered west of Beersheba (Palestine) and driven back.

Political, etc
Germany: The Reichstag passes Resolution as to German War Aims by 212-126 vote ‘strives for a peace by agreement and a permanent reconciliation’. The resolution also calls for no annexations or indemnities & for freedom of the seas. New Chancellor Michaelis says Germany will not again offer peace.
Crown Prince Rupprecht letter to Interior Minister bemoans Bavaria’s plight against Berlin heavy industry.
Russia: Russian ‘July Days’ Rising (until July 19): The last 500 rebels surrender to General Polovtsev.
M. Alexander Kerenski succeeds Prince Georgi Lvov as Premier of Russia temporarily.
Kerensky (center) at the funeral of cossacks killed in the Petrograd July riots: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Kerensky-funeral.jpg?ssl=1
Finnish Scim proclaims Finland’s autonomy.
United Kingdom: Report on operations in East Africa published.
British statement issued on Russian and German Socialists meeting at Stockholm.
Italy: Italy refuses to allow the US to conscript Italian nationals living in the US, while UK & France will allow their citizens to be conscripted.
An Italian geography lesson taking place in Grado, a town taken by Italian troops from Austria-Hungary: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887638186670927873

gekkogecko

07-20-2017, 05:40 AM

Western Front
Britain: Cabinet sanctions Haig’s Ypres offensive, provided it is called off if progress is unsatisfactory.

Eastern Front
Galicia: Battle of Dvinsk (Also known as the Battle of East Galicia): German breach of Russian front in Galicia growing; retreat stayed in Brzezany and Halicz regions.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkey: Army Group Kommando F formed to control German troops.
Turkish troops in Palestine, inspected by Enver Pasha: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/enver-pasha-plaestine.jpg?ssl=1
Palestine: British 54th Division (over 100 casualties) trench raids southwest of Umbrella Hill causing over 118 casualties and MG and mortar taken
Record heat at Baghdad 123 deg.

Political, etc
Serbia: Corfu Declaration, signed by Prime Minister Pasic, Dr Trumbic and Montenegro Committee for National Union, seeks union of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes.
Germany: German official casualties now number 1,032,800 men killed and 2,325,581 wounded, not including naval and colonial forces.
Russia: The Russian Provisional Government orders the arrest of Vladimir Lenin, who has gone into hiding.
United States: President Wilson pardons 16 women suffragists arrested outside of the White House. The women refuse the pardon, but are forced out of jail.

gekkogecko

07-21-2017, 07:53 AM

Western Front
Heavy artillery battle in Flanders.
Four German attacks against French lines on the Aisne fail due to effective French artillery fire.
Battery of U.S. 155 mm artillery guns near Froissy, France: © IWM (Q 69953): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/887986731659743233
German Crown Prince Wilhelm inspecting German soldiers at Charleville-Mézières, France: © IWM (Q 23775): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/888001837751783425
A British soldier using salvaged sewing machines as a writing desk in Fampoux, France: © IWM (Q 5700): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/888364221628657664

Eastern Front
Galicia: Germans near Tarnopol despite “heroic” Royal Navy Air Service armored car action (5 cars lost).
German and Austro-Hungarian gains against Russian lines in Galicia grow, with several thousand Russian prisoners captured.
Battle of Smorgon-Krevo: Russians retreating on the Sereth.
Baltic Provinces: Russian North Front ‘offensive’ (until July 23): only 2 of 6 divisions allocated participate (182nd Division at gunpoint).

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Otway torpedoed, 10 lost.

Political, etc
Serbia: The text of the Corfu Declaration, proposing the creation of Yugoslavia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/888016949405528065
Russia: Kerensky orders arrest of only 6 Bolsheviks (excluding Trotsky) and allows only voluntary disarming.
In Petrograd, around 160 people were killed and 700 wounded in the past few days due to government clamp down on the Bolsheviks.
The ‘hesitation’ of Kerensky won him the mistrust of both the officers’ corps and the revolutionaries: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/Kerensky.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Lloyd George says 1917-18 food supplies already secured. Churchill speech at Dundee ‘We are the heart, the centre of the League of Nations. If we fail, all fail.’ Lloyd George says new German Chancellor’s speech means military have won, speech of July 23 says peace only achievable with German people.
British government orders the reduction of bread prices by 25% and meat prices by 30%.
United States: In Washington D.C., drawings begin for the draft lottery to provide 687,000 men for the U.S. military: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/888036044867866626
Poland: Arrest and deportation to Germany of General Józef Pilsudski.

gekkogecko

07-22-2017, 12:01 PM

Western Front
German bombers conduct a daytime raid on England’s east coast, killing 13 and injuring 26.
Men of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry marching near the front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/888731630764007424
Canadian flying ace John Edward Sharman, who has 8 victories, is killed in action between Ypres and Messines.
Aisne: German attacks in Northern Aisne sector; fierce fighting, French recover lost ground on July 24.
Intense artillery activity in Flanders.
Verdun: German trench raids.

Eastern Front
Galicia: Russian Premier Kerensky goes to the front as the Russian offensive against the Central Powers in Galicia collapses.
Emperor Charles of Austria-Hungary visits HQ at Zloczow.
Battle of Smorgon-Krevo: Russians penetrate German defences east of Vilna to a depth of two miles, taking 1,000 prisoners; further success jeopardised by indiscipline.
Battle of Marasesti (Rumania) begins (see August 1st). This is the last major battle between the German Empire and the Kingdom of Romania on the Romanian front during World War I. On July 22, 1917, the Romanians launched a joint offensive with Russia against the Austro-Hungarian 1st Army, around Mărăști and the lower part of the Siret river.
The wounded – victims of the decision to continue the war: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/the-wounded.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Salonika: British 27th Division trench raid in Struma sector (against the Bulgarians) on Homondas village takes 35 PoWs and destroys 2 mountain guns.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Successful British raid at Gaza.

Political, etc
Germany: German Vienna Ambassador reports that plebiscite in Austria alone would find majority for joining Allies and fighting Germany.
Russia: Russian Premier Kerensky blames German spies for the recent pro-Bolshevik demonstrations in Petrograd.
France: French news-film showing the Allied-backed coup d’état in Greece: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/47289
French government decides to allow game hunting for the first time since 1913, as wildlife overpopulation threatens crops.
United Kingdom: British government announces that it will retaliate against German cities in response to German air raids. [note: this statement conveniently ignores the fact that the french had been bombing German cities almost since day 1 of the war].
Premier Lloyd George calls Germany’s peace offer a “sham” and asserts that the militarists are in power there.
China: Chinese Naval Minister Cheng Biguang, along with 9 warships, defects from Peking to the revolutionary leader Sun Yat-sen.
Minor Allies: Siam (Thailand) declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.

gekkogecko

07-23-2017, 10:52 AM

Western Front
Flanders and Artois: British-Canadian trench raids (and on July 28); Canadian 116th battalion (74 casualties) captures 53 PoWs from German 36th Reserve Division west of Lens.
Aisne: Heavy German attacks against French lines at the Aisne continues, and the first line trenches on the Californie Plateau are captured.
Canadian soldier visiting a war grave at Vimy Ridge: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889094017941745665

Eastern Front
Galicia: Russian retreat on 150-mile front, Stanislau and Halicz given up as Austrian Third Army (Kritek) recrossed river Lomnica.
Battle of Smorgon-Krevo: Russian diversion at Dvinsk and Smorgon followed by “voluntary” withdrawal of troops. The only further information I can find is that this Russian attack petered out this day; but no further details are available.
Battle of Marasesti: Averescu’s Rumanian Second Army advances 12 1/2 miles on 20-mile front, takes 30 villages; 2,977 PoWs; 57 guns from German Ninth Army (Kosch), but Russian Fourth Army refuses help.
Rumanian gunners of a M1896 Vickers 127mm howitzer: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/rumanian-gunners.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Amendment to Corn Production Bill defeated.
United States: U.S. provides Russia with a new $75 million loan, signaling faith in the Russian Government despite recent defeats & instability.
President Wilson bans “disorderly” saloons and resorts within a 5-mile radius of any military camp.

gekkogecko

07-24-2017, 08:06 AM

Western Front
A destroyed street in Neuville-au-Pont, France: © IWM (Q 78207): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889457679609057280
French counter-attack and regain ground lost north of the Aisne.

Eastern Front
Galicia: Stanislau (see August 10th, 1916) and Tarnopol in Galicia retaken by Austro-German forces (see 18th).
Battle of Marasesti: Ongoing, but no further details this day.
Kaiser Wilhelm II and Prince Oskar visiting the headquarters near Tarnopol on the Eastern Front: © IWM (Q 23961): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889427458726014977

Naval and Overseas Operations
France: Naval part of Allied Paris conference (until July 26) agrees that Otranto Barrage come under new British Mediterranean C-in-C.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Government restore death penalty at front.
France: Mata Hari’s trial opens in public, death sentence (July 25), two appeals rejected. Execution of the Dutchwoman Mata Hari as German spy on 15 October 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/execution-mata-hari.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Chancellor Bonar Law reveals Britain spends £6.795 million a day on the war. Commons votes record £650 million war credit. Recruiting transferred from War Office to local Government Board.
Canada: Canadian Military Service Bill passed.
Turkey: Richard von Kühlmann retires as German Constantinople Ambassador.
United States: Congress votes $640 million for military aviation.

gekkogecko

07-25-2017, 05:38 AM

Western Front
Britain: Cabinet assures Haig of its approval and wholehearted support for his offensive.
Germany: Ludendorff confidential instruction warns against spread of ‘political propaganda’ in German Army, ordering minute examination of all letters for the front.
Aisne: German “attacks” repulsed north of river (until July 27). Another source more accurately states: Heavy artillery fire and multiple raids take place between British and German lines at Ypres.
Champagne: German attacks at Mt Haut (and on July 27) repulsed.
Women drivers for the British Army’s Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in Dieppe, France: © IWM (Q 5744): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889487882733461505

Eastern Front
Galicia: German 1 st Guard Division takes Tarnopol and crosses river Sereth on July 26 watched by Kaiser. Austrian Third Army retakes Kolomea on July 26.
The 1st Russian Women’s Battalion of Death goes into action for the first time in Galicia and capture a German trench: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889472784556072963
Russian retreat in East Galicia continues; towns evacuated, positions in Carpathians abandoned.
Battle of Marasesti: Minor Russo-Romanian advance in southern Moldavia.
In this picture the post of Austro-Hungarian soldiers is sorted behind the Eastern Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/postsortierung-ostfront.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: 5-7 Royal Navy Air Service Sopwith Pups or Camels cover Belgian coast net barrage laying (until July 27) and destroy 3 German aircraft.

Political, etc
France: Full Inter-Allied Conference assembles in Paris to discuss the Balkan situation, with military, naval and political committees to discuss plans in view of a probable collapse of Russia (Conference continued on 26th).
Canada: Canadian House of Commons pass the conscription bill by a majority of 54. Most of the opposition came from Québécois MPs.
An explosion occurs at a coal mine in New Waterford, Nova Scotia, resulting in 65 dead and over 100 injured: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889792365749305344
Ireland: Irish Convention, opening meeting, Sir H. Plunket in the Chair.
Japan: The Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Corporation (now known as Nikon) is established in Tokyo, Japan.
United States: Airplane factory in College Point, Queens, New York City: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889518089238458368

gekkogecko

07-26-2017, 09:55 AM

Western Front
Flanders: Major air battle over Polygon Wood involving 94 British and German aircraft, repeated on July 27. The British claim that more than c.20 Albatros fighters lose 9 aircraft to 2 British after Allied trap (59 Royal Flying Corps single-fighters plus French) sprung over the wood. Haig congratulates Trenchard on July 28.
A shot down German fighter has fallen into a house: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/todessturz-de-jaeger.jpg?ssl=1
Aisne: German forces attack French lines north of the Aisne on a 3-kilometer front and make limited gains. Their attacks in Champagne are repulsed.

Eastern Front
Galicia: Despite Russia reinstating the death penalty on the frontlines, the retreat of its armies in Galicia continues & spreads to the Carpathians. Austro-Germans cross the Sereth and take Kolomea.
Battle of Marasesti: Ongoing; above-referenced general retreat has slight effect on Russo-Romanian forces.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Minelayer-cruiser HMS Ariadne (38 lost) sunk by UC-65 off Beachy Head. https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/890172391460130816
UC-61 beached on Cap Gris Nez and surrounded by Belgian cavalry; Royal Navy recover documents showing British minesweeping report code broken.
Black Sea: Russian motorboat approaches Bosphorus, comes under German and Turkish coastal gunfire, drops bottles with revolutionary anti-German proclamation to Turks (night July 26-27).

Political, etc
Announcement by French and German Governments of agreement as to treatment of prisoners.
France: Members of the British WAAC (Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps) on the beach at Le Touquet-Paris-Plage: © IWM (Q 5759): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889885590786895874
Exotic dancer and courtesan Mata Hari is condemned to death by a French military court on fabricated charges of spying for the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/889915766862209024
Balkan Conference in Paris closes.
United Kingdom: Labour Party pledges one million new houses after the war.
Food policy outlined by Lord Rhondda.
Canada: Canada receives a $100 million loan from the U.S. in order to offset the heavy trade imbalance between the two countries.
Greece: Allied governments agree to end most of their occupation of Greece. An army and naval base will be maintained on Corfu.
Spain: Spain lifts martial law in Valencia as calm returns following several days of demonstrations. Striking workers will return to work tomorrow.
Switzerland: Due to Swiss neutrality, Berne has become a city of diplomats, with over 5000 embassy & legation staff of various countries operating there.

gekkogecko

07-27-2017, 05:32 AM

Western Front
Britain: British Heavy Branch MG Corps becomes Tank Corps.
Flanders: British Guards Division occupies 3,000 yards of German evacuated front-line trenches and beats off counter-attack.
Aerial view of the Western Front. For the control of mud puddles, blastters and miserable dugouts the soldiers fought for weeks: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/luftaufnahme-westfront.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Ongoing, but no further details this day.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Over 3,000 merchant ships armed (official statement by Britain.)
East Africa: Kilwa No 2 Column occupies Nanganachi 12 miles southwest of Narungombe, then Mssindye (July 29-30).

Political, etc
France: British Premier Lloyd George and Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour in Paris after the Allied Conference: © IWM (Q 57038): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/890232899685036033
Secret Agreement concluded between French and Italian Governments defining respective zones of influence in Asia Minor (see August 18th).
United Kingdom: Ramsay Macdonald’s Commons motion to approve Reichstag Peace Resolution defeated 148-19.
Serbia: Serbian Government's Yugo-Slav manifesto.

gekkogecko

07-28-2017, 08:04 AM

The Great War enters its fourth year since the opening of hostilities.
Western Front
The Duchess of Sutherland with a doctor at a Red Cross Hospital at Calais: © IWM (Q 3212): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/890551121504292866
Aerial and artillery activity picks up in Flanders, as the British and French troops prepare for another offensive.

Eastern Front
SMS Bodrog, a river monitor built for the Austro-Hungarian Navy, and two other monitors fired the first shots of World War I on the night of 28 July 1914, when they shelled Serbian defences near Belgrade. The river monitor was later given to the post-war nation of Yugoslavia as a war prize, and was renamed Sava. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:SS_Bodrog_1914.jpg
Galicia: Battle of East Galicia (or, Battle of Dvinsk) ends (see 18th). Austro-German troops reach Russian frontier at Gusiatyn (Wild Cossack Division confronts 40,000 deserters there from July 25-27) on river Zbruch. Kaiser Wilhelm II leaves for Vilna.
Battle of Marasesti: Romanian advance in Moldavia continues.
Interrogation of Russian officers who have fallen into Austro-Hungarian captivity: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/verhoer-russ-offiziere.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
German submarine SM UB-20, which sank 13 ships during its career, hits a mine and sinks with 13 crew deaths.

Political, etc
British & German governments ratify an agreement to regulate the treatment of prisoners. Repatriation of wounded prisoners will resume.
Germany: Imperial and Prussian Cabinets reconstructed.
Russia: Somerset Maugham sails for Vladivostok.
United Kingdom: Royal Warrant authorizes Tank Corps in British Army (see yesterday).
British War Office announces the creation of a special Jewish regiment to fight against the Ottoman Empire.
In Kingsland, London, an attempt to hold a peace meeting in a church is broken up by an angry mob, which included wounded veterans.
United States: The Wilson Administration predicts that the war will cost the U.S. $29 million ($554 million today) every day.
Switzerland: Emil Theodor Kocher, Swiss physician who received the 1909 Nobel Prize for his work on the thyroid, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/890581321986322432

gekkogecko

07-29-2017, 11:37 AM

Western Front
Furious artillery battle in progress in Flanders and in region of Lens, stretching 33 miles from the coast to the French border.
The ruins of a sugar refinery at Hervilly, in Somme: © IWM (Q 61228): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891285984796712960

Eastern Front
Russians offer resistance in the region south of the Dniester, but retirement in Bukovina continues.
German & Austro-Hungarian forces have advanced more than 100 miles in Galicia since the collapse of the Russian offensive earlier this month.
Russian troops armed with Mosin-Nagant 1891 rifles, all with the long spike bayonets, in trenches: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/russian-troops-trenches.jpg?ssl=1
Battle of Marasesti: Romanian advance continues in Moldavia; all objectives and “many” prisoners taken. Another source specifies: 1,245 prisoners and several artillery guns.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British minesweeper HMS Halcyon rams and depth charges German submarine SM UB-27 and sinks it.

Political, etc
Germany: Stores, hotels, restaurants, and cafes in Berlin are ordered to cut down lights by four-fifths due to coal shortages.
Ludendorff issues detailed program for patriotic propaganda in German Army.
United States: Native Americans, led by Chief Bald Eagle, in New York for a recruiting event: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/890922345258512385
War Industries Board is established by the U.S. government to facilitate the purchase of war-related goods.

gekkogecko

07-30-2017, 11:51 AM

Western Front
Aisne: Artillery in action.
British 18-pdr gun in action: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/brit-18-pdr.jpg?ssl=1
Fleet of ambulances donated by Calcutta, India to the British military as a “war gift”: © IWM (Q 2644): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891610594650066944
A British soldier sitting inside a shell-hole made in a gas holder at Nieuport: © IWM (Q 2642): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891631989194883073
Elsie Knocker and Mairi Chisholm, driving a motor ambulance through Pervyse, near the Belgian frontlines: © IWM (Q 2660): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891662181934260225

Eastern Front
Austrian Third Army retakes Zaleszczycki and Sniatyn. German Suedarmee, Austrians and Turkish divisions force river Zbruch and beat off Siberian regiment and Royal Navy Air Service armored cars on July 31.
RNAS armored car shoots down strafing German plane on river Zbruch, Galicia.
Battle of Marasesti: Ongoing, but no further details this day.

Southern Front
Salonika: British hospital cases c.12,500 (mainly malaria).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Sharp fighting reported; Germans driven from River Lugungu (half-way between Lake Nyassa and sea).
Announcement of H.M.S. Ariadne torpedoed and sunk, 38 lost.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Provisional Government tells the Persian government it will no longer meddle in its internal affairs.
United Kingdom: British Premier Lloyd George says the French people “were as resolute as ever” after 3 years of war.
United States: U.S. government issues stricter press censorship rules to prevent further “misunderstanding.”

gekkogecko

07-31-2017, 06:05 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of PASSCHENDAELE) 1917 begins with Battle of Pilckem Ridge (see August 2nd and November 10th, 1917 and May 25th, 1915). Nine British and six French divisions attack at 0350 hours (sunrise) on 15-mile front from river Lys to river Yser after 3,091-gun barrage (British record). Objective to drive Germans from Pilckem Ridge commanding Ypres from south to northeast. Battle of Pilckem Ridge (until August 2): German Fourth Army, with counter-attack divisions, restricts Allied advance (15,000 BEF casualties, 12 VCs won, 19 tanks knocked out) as rain begins but it penetrates 1 1/4 -2 1/2 miles capturing 12 villages and parts of German second trench line. German losses are heavy, including 5,000 PoWs. French gain most.
British troops examine a captured German heavy machine gun at Ypres. They are wearing body armor: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ypern-brit-soldaten-1917.jpg?ssl=1
German prisoners helping bring in a British wounded at Ypres: © IWM (Q 6496): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891965451227586560
Aisne: French make small gains west of Chevregny ridge. 2 German battalions attack Cerney Plateau after 5-minute bombardment. Mangin put on reserve list following Nivelle Offensive inquiry.
Germany: Army Airship Service dissolved, 3 Zeppelins transferred to Naval Airship Division. Army has lost 26 airships and flown 232 bombing missions.
Wounded Canadian soldiers en route to Britain: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891707490643083264
Canadian soldiers advancing with tanks over no man's land: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891935235323154432

Eastern Front
Austro-German forces extend their hold on Galician front and stand on west bank of Zbrucz on front of over 30 miles.
Battle of Marasesti: Russians retiring in Czernovitz region.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: 2,750 British ships now have hydrophone sets (for U-boat detection); 21 Atlantic convoys have escorted 354 ships for loss of only 2. Only 27 ships lost since May 1 in grand total of 8,894 ships convoyed, 18:1 advantage over independent sailings, 354 lost from c.3000.
Channel: British Dover Strait mine barrage now relaid.
Atlantic: U-boat sinks British SS Belgian Prince, 3 crew survive to tell of other 36 men’s murder (another source says 4 of 42). A different report of the incident: Belgian Prince was attacked by torpedo by U-55, Oberleutnant zur See Wilhelm Werner in command, 175 miles NW by W. of Tory Island, NW Ireland. The Captain (Harry Hassan) was taken prisoner by U-55 & held below deck. The other 41 crew members were lined up on the submarine's casing, but perhaps believing incorrectly that a British warship was in the vicinity, the submarine moved off & submerged, washing the survivors into the sea. [ed note: given the other actions by Werner, this is highly improbable.]
Their life-jackets & outer clothing had been taken from them & tossed overboard & their lifeboats had been smashed with axes. U-55 later fired two shots from her deck gun & Belgian Prince sank stern first at about 7:00 a.m. on Aug. 1, 1917. 39 lives in total were lost. Captain Hassan survived the war as a prisoner of war. Of the crew of 42, there were just 4 survi vors. Captain Hassan & i) Chief Engineer Thomas A. Bowman, ii) George Silessi, an able seaman, & iii) 2nd Cook William Snell, of Jacksonville, Florida, all 3 of whom were rescued by a British patrol vessel 11 hours later that day & told the story of what had happened.
Allied and neutral July shipping losses 224 ships worth 545,021t; German figure 555,514t (including 90,334 in Mediterranean plus 16,969 to Austrians); 6 U-boats sunk (1 by depth charges after ramming) but 11 commissioned and 95 ordered for completion by January 1, 1919.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Kut-Baghdad, Baghdad-Baquba and Sumaiha-Sadiya railways completed.
Persia: Since July Baratov’s Russian forces begin withdrawing until March 1918.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: In the Dundee by-election, Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill defeats Edwin Scrymgeour 78.2% to 21.8%.
China: Chinese Cabinet considers entering the war on the side of the Allies after Siam (Thailand) declared war on Germany.

gekkogecko

08-01-2017, 05:44 AM

Western Front
BEF at peak establishment strength of 2,044,627 (1,721,056 British) soldiers.
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of Passchendaele): Germans recapture St Julien (British recapture on August 3) and make gains near Ypres-Roulers rail line (British recapture on August 2). French gains on West bank of Yser Canal, taking 12 villages and 5000 German prisoners.
Francis Ledwidge, Irish war poet, is killed in action at Passchendaele: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892072397469343744
Guynemer, with Esc SPA 3, makes 3 kills during August.
France: In August first flight of Spad S13 fighter (220hp Hispano-Suiza engine).
Lorraine: In August US racing driver Rickenbacker transfers to AEF Aviation Section from being General Pershing’s chauffeur.
A downed German DFW C.V reconnaissance biplane at Pilckem, Belgium: © IWM (Q 11853 ): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/891995668503547904
A damaged British tank after it was hit by enemy fire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892012009419677696
A British soldier giving a wounded German soldier a cigarette at Pilckem, Belgium: © IWM (Q 2629): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892027119139684355

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: End of first phase of Battle of Marasesti (see July 22nd). Austro-German advance on Czernowitz; occupy positions near Bessarabian frontier.
Galicia: Russian renews a “partial offensive” against the Central Powers in Galicia, but are forced to retreat along the Dniester. Specifically, the Russians drive German Südarmee back across river Zbruch at Gusiatyn. Combined Austro-German armies now hold 50 miles on west bank Zbrucz.

Southern Front
Mediterranean: In August the spy Compton Mackenzie is recalled from Aegean.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hostpital ship HMHS Letitia runs aground in Halifax Harbour, causing one death: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892310209615585281

Political, etc
Russia: General Lavr Kornilov succeeds General Aleksei Brusilov as Russian Commander-in-Chief (see June 4th and September 8th). His order of the day condemns treachery of ‘certain units’.
Russian Provisional Government again states it has no aims of annexation and conquest.
Italy: The Pope sends Note to belligerent Governments appealing for peace (see July 30th, 1915; sent August 9, published August 14): Kaiser supports on August 17, but Allies very critical. Britain replies on August 23 and Wilson rejects on August 27, new German Government required. Benedict XV ascend the Holy throne in 1914 after the death of Pius X. He tried to mediate until the end in the First World War: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/benedikt-xv.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

08-02-2017, 11:10 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of Passchendaele): Battle of Pilckem Ridge ends after max advance of 3,000 yards by 9 British divisions costs 31,850 casualties. Waterlogged shell holes began to appear.
German forces counterattack Allied lines and retake St. Julien and half of Westhoeck.
Then near Ypres, British forces retake positions between St. Julien and the Ypres-Roulers railway that were taken by the Germans.
Two pack mules carrying artillery shells through the Ypres mud: © IWM (Q 5941): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892358044461539328
British stretcher bearers carrying a wounded soldier through the mud during the 3rd Battle of Ypres: © IWM (Q 5935): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892373161752350721
British artillery gunners struggling through the mud pulling a field gun: © IWM (Q 5938): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892692727313440768
Artois: Germans storm some trenches on ‘Infantry Hill’ (Monchy-Arras).
British news-film “Topical Budget,” showing German prisoners at reconstruction work and other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5418

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Battle of Mărăști ends in a marginal Romanian victory after retaking 500 square kilometers from Austria-Hungary and Germany.

Southern Front
Austria: 20 of 36 Capronis (10 damaged by anti-aircraft fire) reach Pola, drop 8t bombs on naval base (night August 2-3); 28 planes repeat it on night August 8-9.

Naval and Overseas Operations
A Sopwith Pup piloted by Squadron Leader E.H. Dunning, becomes the first aircraft to land on a ship at sea (that is, actually underway, as opposed to anchored). The aircraft successfully lands on the aircraft carrier HMS Furious, but Dunning is killed two days later while attempting a similar landing.
In this picture a Sopwith Strutter with side-slips launches from an aircraft carrier: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/strutter-launching-cv.jpg?ssl=1
North Sea: At Wilhelmshaven 600 men of German battleship Prinzregent Luitpold (after over 9 months idle in harbor) led by anarchist stokers Johann Beckers and Albin Kobis strike and stage mass walkout against draconian discipline and meagre rations, march back to ship. Kobis shouts ‘Down with the war! We no longer want to fight this war !’
Mutiny in German Fleet is crushed (temporarily), 18 arrested, 100s of men with ‘bad political attitudes’ transferred to shore statins or Flanders naval infantry brigade; 5 court-martialled for mutiny. Kobis and Seaman Reichpietsch of flagship Friedrich der Grosse sentenced to death (August 25) by firing-squad, carried out on September 5.
Pacific: German sailing ship raider Seeadler wrecked on Lord Howe Island (now Mopelia Island), having sunk 16 (6 British) ships or 30,099t in South Atlantic (45 PoWs). Captain Luckner and 5 crew captured in motor boat, Chilean schooner rescues rest.
The Seeadler: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892753135470604288

Political, etc
Germany: German war council, headed by Kaiser Wilhelm and attended by high military officials, meets in occupied Brussels.
France: Admiral Marie-Jean-Lucien Lacaze (Minister of Marine) and M. Denys Cochin (Under Secretary Foreign Affairs) resign from French Cabinet.
Italy: Pope Benedict XV issues a seven-point peace plan to the belligerent powers: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/papalpeacenote.htm
United States: Frank Little, an American labor leader, is lynched in Butte, Montana for his pro-labor and anti-war activities: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892403362184003584
Resolution for a Constitutional amendment concerning the prohibition of alcohol is passed by the U.S. Senate 65 to 20.
Members of President Wilson’s Cabinet doing exercises. Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt is in the foreground: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892466235224584193
13 and 14-year-old boys working in a tobacco farm at Buckland, Connecticut: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/892738031253409792

gekkogecko

08-03-2017, 05:52 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of Passchendaele): German 2nd Guard Reserve Division reduced to 2,208 men including 600 sick. British 39th Division captures St Julien after 3,861 casualties.
Artois: British success on ‘Infantry Hill’. Unsuccessful Allied attack astride the Scarpe on August 9.
A British staff officer demonstrates a German helmet and trench armor to King George V during a visit on the Western Front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/king-george-german-uniform.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Bukovina: Kovess’ (made Field Marshal by August 9 and Baron) Austro-German Third Army’s XIII Corps (42nd Honved Infantry Division and 5th Infantry Division) reoccupies capital Czernowitz, then 10 miles east regains Vama on August 5. Gheremissov’s Eighth Army having evacuated Kimpolung on August 2.
Rumania: 600 Russo-Rumanian guns begin 3-day bombardment (170,000 shells) for offensive on August 7 (cancelled).

Southern Front
Salonika: Milne ordered to send 18 pieces of 6-inch and 60-pounder guns to Egypt, then an infantry division on August 9; 10th Division relieved from August 19.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Linforce action at Tandamuti: 3 British columns repulsed by Lettow’s concealed positions but Germans retreat West until August 4 to Narunyu. KAR Signal Coy formed.
Ethiopia: Lij Yasu escapes from fall of Dessie (Wollo Province’s capital), but no more resistance.

Political, etc
Germany: Ferdinand George Frobenius, German mathematician known for his work on group theory, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893055111051837441
Russia: Petrograd Soviet indicts Lenin for treason. Provisional Government decree decree dissolves Finnish Diet.
United Kingdom: Ship Repairing directorate formed.
United States: Emergency Fleet Cooperation requisitions all steel ships of over 2,500t building.

dicksbro

08-04-2017, 01:52 AM

Boy, that first picture of King George was beautifully clear wasn't it! Not many from WWI come out that good! :thumbs:

gekkogecko

08-04-2017, 08:02 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of Passchendaele): Dead soldiers from a Highlanders regiment at Ypres awaiting burial: © IWM (Q 7814): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893393595411116032
French newsreel showing their I Corps in action at the 3rd Battle of Ypres: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45416
French peasant women working in the Somme fields, retaken from the Germans. The Germans took all livestock (to be honest, that should read, “All the livestock not already confiscated by the French Army”): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893085316487290880

Eastern Front
Commander of the Austro-Hungarian 2nd Army von Bohm-Ermolli at the recapture of Czernowitz (Chernivtsi, Ukraine): © IWM (Q 23983): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893071541063364608
Russians rally and attack Austro-German forces on Zbrucz River; elsewhere Russian retreat continues.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: UC-44 sunk on UC-42 mines off Waterford after Room 40 sends bogus signal in code Germans discovered to be breaking. New FFB signal book recovered from wreck by diver-shipwright E C Miller.
Britain: Last 2 of 51 wartime-built R-class destroyers launched (since 14 May 1916), 11 modified R-class also built in 1917. First of 25 V-class destroyers (ordered June-August 1916) come into service (August 1917-June 1918). The ‘Admiralty Modified R’-class destroyer HMS Tower: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/modified-r-class-destroyer.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: General Vasily Gourko arrested at his Petrograd home, kept in Fortress of Peter and Paul (until September 19) until allowed to sail for England.
Russian Premier Kerensky and other members of the cabinet submit resignations, but the Provisional Government does not accept them.
Statues and antiques worth 1.5 million rubles are stolen from the Senate and Synod building in Petrograd.
France: French accept formation of Czech Army on Western Front (talks since June 20); 2,000 volunteers by November.
France introduces bread rations, with each person receiving 500 grams per day.
United Kingdom: 3,000 Russian troops for Western Front land at Invergordon. King and Queen attend Westminster Abbey 3rd War Anniversary Service. National War Aims committee launched (3,192 constituency meetings by October).
Scandanavia: Norway, Holland: Governments offer shipping to Allies in return for food.
Belgium: Baron de Broqueville resigns as Belgian Minister for War (appointed February 28th, 1914) and succeeds Baron Beyens as Minister for Foreign Affairs (see January 18th, 1916, and January 1st, 1918). Lieut.-General A. de Ceuninck appointed Minister for War (see November 21st, 1918).
United States: Green Corn Rebellion occurs as Oklahomans in Seminole County rise up against the draft. The Green Corn Rebellion is quickly crushed, with three killed and 450 participants arrested.
Minor Allies: Liberia declares war on Germany (see May 5th, 1917 and April 10th, 1918).

gekkogecko

08-05-2017, 11:46 AM

Western Front
The London Air Defence Area (LADA) is created with Major General E.B. Ashmore in command. Three Royal Flying Corps (RFC) squadrons equipped with Sopwith Camels and Sopwith Pups are formed specifically for operations against daylight raids by Gotha bombers.
Despite three years of war, France has 3 million soldiers at the front, a million more than in 1914.
Third Battle of Ypres (aka the Battle of Passchendaele): Germans regain footing in Hollebeke, but are driven out in course of day.
Captain Noel Godfrey Chavasse, British doctor, Olympic athlete (& awarded the Victoria Cross twice), is killed in action at Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893515650941022210
At Boezinge, Belgium, a German shell explodes in the distance with a British working party in the foreground: © IWM (Q 3103): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893802533826723840
A smashed and captured German trench near Boezinge, Belgium: © IWM (Q 3090): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893832748271624192
British airmen bathing in the Dunkirk-Furnes Canal: © IWM (Q 2827): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893500554546040832
British service commemorating the start of the 4th year of war at the 1st Army HQ at Ranchicourt: © IWM (Q 5774): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893787442163195904

Eastern Front
Austrro-German forces now 10 miles east of Czernowitz.
Vama (Bukovina front) occupied by German-Bulgarian forces.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: French sloop Antares rams and damages U-39, sister sloop Aldebaran damages U-23 on August 8.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Russian troops being withdrawn to Europe acroos the Caucasus. In August British estimate 123,500 effective Russian infantry vs 64,000 Turks. Nihad Pasha takes over Turkish Second Army for duration of war.
Turkish light artillery on the Caucasian Front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/turkish-artillery-caucasus.jpg?ssl=1
Palestine: German airman lands and damages pipeline near Salmana.
Arabia: Lawrence returns to Aqaba in RIMS Hardinge, restores Howeitat tribes’ loyalty with £1,000.

Political, etc
Germany: Herr Richard von Kuhlmann appointed German Foreign Minister (see July 15th, 1917 and July 9th, 1918): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893849327034126336
Russia: Russian Premier Kerensky receives votes of confidence from five political parties and most of the Workmen’s & Soldiers’ & Peasants’ councils.
Italy: (Listed for yesterday): Cesare Ricotti-Magnani, former Italian general and Minister of War, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/893470354022289408
Argentina: Government demands German indemnity for ship losses (agreed on August 28).

dicksbro

08-08-2017, 12:58 AM

Where's the gecko? Missed a couple of days ... is the war over? Nah. No doubt he'll be back. :wish:

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:36 PM

OK, here we go:
Western Front
Men of the Glasgow Highlanders doing a physical training game at Ghyvelde: © IWM (Q 2685): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894167434420256769

Eastern Front
Second phase of Battle of Marasesti begins (untilSeptember 3): Mackensen (12 divisions with 865 guns) storms positions north of Focsani, as Russian Fourth Army (Ragoza) flees, advances 8 miles and takes 3,000 PoWs (until August 7).
General Field Marshal August von Mackensen (1849-1945): https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/mackensen.jpg?ssl=1
Romanian troops at Mărășești: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894152339900293120
Slight Russian rally in Czernowitz region.
Russian prisoners captured by the Germans near Focsani, Romania, receiving their bread rations: © IWM (Q 60341): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894182543183970304

Political, etc
Russia: M. Kerenski definitely appointed Prime Minister of Russia (see July 19th, September 10th and November 8th), forms Save the Revolution National Ministry. Tereshchenko new Foreign Minister, tells Colonel Knox on August 12 that Russia will fight through winter. Knox leaves for London on August 18, having seen Kerensky before on August 16.
Russian Ministry of Justice orders the arrest of Leon Trotsky for his part in the recent clashes between the government and Bolsheviks.
United Kingdom: French Prime Minister Painleve and Lloyd George in London until August 8 to discuss separate peace with Austria-Hungary.
United States: Workers in an airplane factory assembling wings in New York City: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894212736854495232

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:39 PM

Western Front
In Champagne and near Verdun, French forces defeat two attacks by German forces without losing ground.

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Von Mackensen’s army group crosses the Susitza river, and takes 3,000 prisoners.

Southern Front
Salonika: British War Cabinet agree not to withdraw more Salonika troops after Allies allow 10th Division to go ‘unless unexpected events occurred’
Italian Front: In London conference Baron Sonnino asks for 400 heavy guns (until August 8).
Wounded and sick British soldiers in a church in Oreovica, Serbia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894526059957424129

Naval and Overseas Operations
Squadron Commander E.H. Dunning fails at his 2nd attempt to land on a moving ship and is killed: © IWM (Q 80597): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894571361099804672

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Provisional Government release lists of spies, informers and agent provocateurs who were in the former Tsar Nicholas’s pay.
Elihu Root, U.S. diplomat to Russia, declares recent news about riots and revolution in Russia are exaggerated.
United Kingdom: Churchill sees Clyde deportee Kirkwood, makes him Miie-End London shell factory manager on August 10 and by late September it has the highest production in country.
In a factory for artillery shells supplies are provided for the material battles.
Vice-Admiral Sir R Weymss succeeds Admiral Sir C Burney as Second Sea Lord.
United States: Representatives of Allied nations meet in New York to discuss standardizing airplane parts.
Minor Allies: Liberian declaration of war on Germany, dated 4 August, published.

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:46 PM

Western Front
Germany: First Allied night bomber shot down by fighters near Frankfurt-am-Main.
Wet weather continues in Flanders. Heavy artillery fire is exchanged between Allied and German lines in Belgium, but no major attacks take place.
French make progress north-west of Bixschoote.
London double-decker buses on the Cassel-Dunkerque road in France to transport troops: © IWM (Q 2690): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894889695687004160
French soldiers loading a Brandt pneumatic air gun for training in Oise, France: © IWM (Q 93188): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/894919899046440960

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Russian counterattack near the confluence of the Dniester & Zbruch Rivers makes small gains, capturing 2 border towns & 300 prisoners.
Galicia: Turkish 20th Division hands over its sector to German 24th Reserve Division (night August 8-9) before leaving for Constantinople on September 11.
Turkish officers on the Eastern Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/turk-officers-eastern-front.jpg?ssl=1
Rumania: Third Battle of Oituz (until August 22): 2 Austro-German divisions attack and force Allied retreat in Trotus valley southwest of Okna. Rumanians counter-attack on August 12-13.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: Convoys extended to outward-bound shipping, 18 convoys run from Milford, Falmouth, Queenstown, Buncrana (Scotland) and Devonport, only 2 of 219 ships sunk.
Biscay: Q-ship Dunraven (Campbell) fights UC-71 for 4 hours, but sinks on August 9 in tow back to Plymouth. U-boat sinks Q-ship Bergamot (August 13).
Baltic: first 1917 Russian submarine success: Vepr sinks German iron ore steamer in Gulf of Bothnia. Royal Navy submarines move base from Reval to Hangoe, Finland (end of August).

Political, etc
Ireland: Irish Home Rule Convention reopens in Dublin after it was adjourned in July to discuss the future of Ireland.

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:48 PM

Western Front
Artois: 7 Royal Flying Corps aircraft strafe before and during British 12th Division local attack, tactics repeated on August 19 and 26.
Successful British raids in Lens district.
British soldiers hauling a 18 pounder field gun out of the mud near Zillebeke, Belgium: © IWM (Q 5850): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895253477525512193
Barbers of the British 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment working at Dickebusch, Belgium: © IWM (Q 5850): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895283879011127296

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Mackensen beyond river Susitza threatens Allied rear. Lieutenant Rommel wounded in left arm but carries on for two weeks.
‘The situation in Russia is totally unclear’ means this chaotic-colorful poster from Italy: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/situation-russland.jpg?ssl=1
More than 3,300 prisoners have been taken in the Central Powers’ offensive in Romania.

Southern Front
Salonika: 3 Bulgarian howitzers at 5-mile range destroy or damage 3 Royal Flying Corps aircraft on Struma sector airfield, 6 surviving planes fly to safer field. British patrol (21 men) west of Lake Doiran on ‘P’ ridge bayonets 14 Bulgarian soldiers and takes 1 PoW for 1 man missing.

Naval and Overseas Operations
In the past six months, more than 642 British ships have been sunk, with total tonnage equaling 3 million tons.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Esterhazy, Hungarian Premier, resigns (see 21st and June 15th).
Canada: Third reading of Compulsory Military Service Bill for Canada passed.
Canada limits the use of beef, bacon, and white bread in public eating places and prohibits use of wheat in distillation of alcohol.
United States: U.S. Army cooks being trained at Pratt Institute in New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895299930675433472

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:51 PM

Western Front
Ypres – Second Allied attack of ‘Third Ypres’ Battle: British advance on 2-mile front east of Ypres, capturing Westhoek and Glencorse Wood; 18th Division captures Inverness Copse, but Gheluvelt Plateau as a whole not taken. French advance east and north of Bixschoote.
Nancy bombed; French bomb Frankfurt.
French soldiers loading a 220 mm mortar near Boesinghe, Belgium: © IWM (Q 78974): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895608257527631872
A German trench on the Yser Canal after its capture by the French Army: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895638437050667008

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Mackensen beyond Susitsa river, strikes north at Romanians, always threatening rear of Russo-Romanian armies.
Central Powers also advancing in northern Moldavia.
Central Powers claim to have taken 1600 more prisoners this day.
A Ukrainian regiment mutinies in Kiev and exchanges fire with Russian forces.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Since the start of the war, the neutral Scandinavian nations have lost 933 ships and around 500 men due to torpedoes or mines.
East Africa: Linforce recces Lettow’s Narunyu position. First Belgians reinforce Iringa Force which crosses river Idete on August 26 after indecisive action there on August 12.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Allenby told he will get a division from Salonika, must ‘strike the Turks as hard as possible’; he moves GHO from Cairo 200 miles to Kelab near Front (August 11), forms DMC, XX and XXI Corps on August 12. British General Sir Edmund Allenby is ordered to seize Jerusalem from the Turks by Christmas 1917: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/General-Allenby.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Labour Party decide to send delegates to a "consultative" Conference at Stockholm (see 13th).
United States: Wilson signs the Food and Fuel Control Act, giving the federal government more power to control food and fuel production and supplies.
Sweden: Hilda Nilsson, Swedish serial killer convicted of killing 8 children, commits suicide in prison: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895715155413274624

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 01:54 PM

Western Front
Canadian fighter ace William Avery Bishop is awarded the Victoria Cross for his conduct during a raid on a German airfield.
Third Battle of Ypres: German counter-attacks east of Ypres, part of Glencorse Wood recaptured.
A horse and a water cart stuck in the mud at Ypres: © IWM (Q 5943): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896049872691904512
A British soldier checking out a “dud” artillery shell in Wytschaete, Belgium: © IWM (Q 5868): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895973099048493057
A Canadian military funeral at a cemetery in Poperinghe, Belgium: © IWM (Q 5875): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/895989488517693440

Eastern Front
Battle of Marasesti: Mackensen forces river Sereth at one point, claims 7,000 PoWs, but Romanian resistance stiffens. Rumanian Royal Family leaves Jassy.
An advanced German patrol. Soldiers and horses wear gas masks: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/patrouille-zu-pferd-gasmasken.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Sierra Leone convoys start.
South Atlantic: British liner City of Athens (21 lost) sunk by raider Wolf mine near Cape Town.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Arthur Henderson resigns position as member of War Cabinet after it rejects his proposal for a peace conference.
Australia: Australian government increases taxes on imported liquor by 3 shillings a gallon for customs and 1 penny a gallon in excise duty.
United States: U.S. Government refuses to issue passports for Stockholm Conference.

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 02:05 PM

Western Front
Britain: 13 Gotha bombers sent to raid England; 2 turn back (mechanical problems). One shot down by RNAS, 3 crash upon return. Eleven attack Southend with 21t bombs. 139 defence sorties (Gotha shot down by RNAS Pup Flight pilot Sub-Lieutenant H S Kerby), 44 civilian casualties, 3 service casualties. Another source states: 32 killed, 46 injured.
Third Battle of Ypres: Stormy weather in Ypres prevents large scale operations, but heavy artillery fire continues to be exchanged.
A Chinese Labor Corps man unloading sacks of oat at Boulogne: © IWM (Q 2694): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896368201378000897

Eastern Front
In the Carpathians front of Moldavia, Russo-Romanians re-take offensive.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Destroyer HMS Oracle rams and sinks U-44 with all hands off South Norway coast.
Biscay: 2 French destroyers escort in first Brest-bound US troop convoy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Egyptian Labor Corps men handling stores at Boulogne: © IWM (Q 2703): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896353104618237952

Political, etc
Russia: Ex-Tsar with family moved to Abalak Monastery, Tobolsk, Siberia.
Ex-Tsar Nicholas on the way to Siberia, where the Provisional Government sent him and his family: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Tsar-Siberia.jpg?ssl=1
United States: The NAACP urges oppression against African Americans should be abolished in the fight for democracy.
“Down to Earth,” a romantic comedy starring Douglas Fairbanks, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Down_to_Earth_%281917%29.webm

gekkogecko

08-13-2017, 02:08 PM

Western Front
Verdun: French 2,400-gun bombardment begins (including 1,100 heavy gun) begins on 12 1/2-mile front until August 20. German artillery fire response 1 million rounds (2,500t) mustard gas shells at French near Verdun (until September 24); 13,158 gassed (143 deaths).
The threatening sight of a night-firing French railroad gun: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/franz-eisenbahngeschuetz-nachts.jpg?ssl=1
Royal Flying Corps bombing east of Lens (night August 13-14), 2 German airfields bombed (August 14), 4 Sopwith Two-seaters attack and help disperse 1,600 German infantry on August 15.
A child injured in the German bombing raid at Southend yesterday: © IWM (Q 54001): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896672754686185473

Eastern Front
Russo-Romanian offensive continues favourable to Allies (Ocna region).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: No 63 Squadron (RE8s) from Western Front arrives at Basra, but 154 out of 230 all ranks soon stricken with fevers and heatstroke, deployment delayed.

Political, etc
Germany: Military region commanders given free hand to suppress strikes.
Eduard Buchner, German chemist who was awarded the 1907 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work on fermentation, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896687856906887168
United Kingdom: British Government refuse passports for Stockholm Conference (see 10th).
Mr. George Barnes appointed to War Cabinet.
Italy: 40,000 people march against war at Turin (includs a Petrograd Soviet delegation).
United States: First Aero Squadron sails for France (arrives on September 3).
Japanese mission arrives in the U.S. to coordinate issues relating to the war against Germany: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/896748232612753408
Spain: Martial law in Spain as a railway strike grows throughout the country and clashes erupt between police and strikers.

gekkogecko

08-14-2017, 06:41 AM

Eastern Front
Rumania: German Alpenkorps storms Height 334 as Russian VIII Corps flees.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: Scheer writes to Navy Minister Capelle urging a ‘political prosecution’ of the USPD (Independent Social Democratic Party) to expose ‘the roots of the evil’ in the Navy.
North Sea: HM Special Service smack Nelson (Crisp posthumous Victoria Cross) and trawlers Ethel and Millie sunk in gun duel with U-boat on Jim Hove Bank.
Mediterranean: Allied naval conference at Malta extends Calthorpe’s command to Red Sea and Cape St Vincent. Commander Heneage replaces Kerr in command of Adriatic Force. Rear-Admiral Fremantle replaces Thursby in command of Aegean Sea.

Political, etc
Germany: At Berlin Conference Germans reject Czernin’s peace offer of Poland and Galicia for concessions in West.
Italy: Papal Note with proposals for peace sent to belligerent Governments published: http://www.firstworldwar.com/source/papalpeacenote.htm
China: China declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary (see March 14th).

gekkogecko

08-15-2017, 05:46 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Hill 70 (Lens) begins (see 25th). British attack on wide front north-west of Lens to Bois Hugo, north-east of Loos, carry German first lines and penetrate enemy positions to depth of one mile. Canadian Corps (9,198 casualties), supported by c.326 guns and 160 MGs, captures important height of Hill 70 north of Lens plus the 5 nearby villages of Cite Ste. Elizabeth, Ste. Emile and St. Laurent, Bois Rase, and Bois Hugo. Five major German counter-attacks c.24 total German counterattacks repulsed, mauling 5 German divisions (including over 1,170 PoWs).
Official British casualties during the first two weeks of August total 21,722 men killed, wounded, or missing.
Manfred von Richthofen (Red Baron) at a hospital with a bandage on his head. The prop is from a downed British plane. © IWM (Q 52781): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/897111862411747329

Eastern Front
Rumania: Austro-Germans retake Soveja as Allies (Romanian 2nd Army and Russian 4th Army) retreat south toward the Sereth; Central Powers also renew offensive in Focsani region.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Belgian column under Major Batille advances from Kilosa towards river Ruaha, beats Germans at Kidodi 50 miles south on August 18, drives them from Tepe on August 19 and crosses river Ruaha on August 21.

Political, etc
France: Roman Dmowski’s Polish National Committee set up in Paris.
United Kingdom: US troops pass through London: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/us-soldaten-london.jpg?ssl=1 Stars and Stripes and Union Jack flown side by side from House of Lords.
War Cabinet decides to send 8 guns to Russia (none sent since March and 150 promised).
Ireland: British police and soldiers raid premises of the Irish National Volunteers in Dublin, taking 100 rifles and 1300 rounds.
Japan: Viscount Ishii, Japanese Ambassador, declares that U.S. and Japan will “march together, work together and fight together as comrades.”
Spain: Spanish government uses artillery in Barcelona and Sabadell to suppress revolutionaries connected to the railway strike.

dicksbro

08-16-2017, 12:46 AM

Good to see "THE THREAD IS BACK!" :D

Nice picture of Richthofen! I always think of the movie "The Blue Max" whenever I see a picture of a Fokker DR1. :)

gekkogecko

08-16-2017, 07:08 AM

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/status/897759912117272576

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/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/General-Wilhelm-Groener.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.

gekkogecko

08-16-2017, 07:09 AM

Glad to know you're still enjoying it, DB.

gekkogecko

08-17-2017, 05:36 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: French success east of Bixschoote; French hold all gains and secure possession of ground east of Bixschoote. Battle of Langemarck 1917: Germans counter-attack near Lens repulsed.
British soldiers at Ypres in the ruins of a church, watching the bombardment of German lines: © IWM (Q 2710): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/897865723988643840
Big French air operations (i. e., the bombing of German towns) on the Meuse.
French soldiers in a trench near La Harazee, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898122458041114624

Southern Front
Macedonia: Anglo-French aircraft bomb various targets (until August 20) despite high winds.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser decides Navy will be limited to 25 Zeppelins and only build replacements every 2 months instead of 2 per month.
Zepplein L-58 belongs to the newest generation of German airships, which are completed from August 1917 onwards: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Zeppelin-L58.jpg?ssl=1
France: M. Denys Cochin succeeded by M. Albert Métin as French Under-Secretary for Blockade (see March 20th, 1916 and November 16th, 1917).
United Kingdom: The Cabinet Committee Report on Air Organisation (the Smuts Report) is presented to the War Cabinet. It recommends the creation of an Air Ministry "to control and administer all matters in connection with air warfare of every kind and that the new ministry should proceed to work out the arrangements for the amalgamation of the two [Air] services and for the legal constitution and discipline of the new Service".
The Report states "the day may not be far off when aerial operations with their devastation of enemy lands and destruction of industrial and populous centres on a vast scale may become the principal operations of war, to which the older forms of military and naval operations may become secondary and subordinate". The Smuts Report lays foundations for the creation of the Royal Air Force.
Balfour speech on Balkans. Ramsay Macdonald letter to president Wilson and Colonel House says US neutrality would have been better for peace.
Brigadier-General Auckland Geddes succeeds Mr. Neville Chamberlain as Director-General National Service.
Official British estimate of German casualties now exceed 4.5 million soldiers killed, wounded, and missing.

gekkogecko

08-18-2017, 07:55 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Langemarck, 1917 ends (see 16th).
Allied forces at Ypres hold on to gains made the day before yesterday despite German counterattacks.
British soldiers duck for cover as a German shell lands near Boezinge, near Ypres: © IWM (Q 5889): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898152535466364929
A 17-year-old German soldier captured by the Canadians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898182763819479040
A British officer looks out from the trenches at Ypres as shells burst in the distance: © IWM (Q 2738): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898485896739041285
Belgium – The Hollandflug: abortive Gotha bomber mission against London. 28 aircraft sent (8 or 9 lost) but recalled due to gale-force winds; 2 shot down in neutral Holland, 6 or 7 crash in Belgium, others ditch in sea.
Japanese-Canadian soldier posing for the camera: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898243369981411329
Verdun sector: French counter-attack on right bank of Meuse and recapture trenches lost on 16 August.

Eastern Front
Romanian front fighting less intense, situation unchanged.
Romanians retire towards Marasesti (20 miles north of Focsani).

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: (the Bainsizza, until September 12): After barrage from 0600 hours Italian Second and Third Armies (44 divisions; 3,566 guns, 1,760 mortars) on 30-mile front night attack Austrian Fifth Army (18 divisions with 248 battalions including 3 divisions from Eastern Front, 6 transferring) capture first line with 7,500 PoWs but only across 6 of 14 Isonzo bridges (more built night August 19/20) planned due to Austrian resistance.
Austro-Hungarian soldier on sentry duty in the fringe of a wood on the Isonzo front in August 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/austria-soldier-isonzo.jpg?ssl=1
Italian Front: 85 Caproni bombers hit Austrian supply relief columns, ammo dumps and headquarters.
Salonika: Great fire begins in wooden old quarter with oil spilling from stove, brought under control on August 21 but 80,000 made homeless and nearly half city destroyed; British base HQ gutted on waterfront, but port not affected.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: Scout cruiser USS Birmingham (Rear Admiral Wilson) arrives at Gibraltar as flagship US Patrol Force, 2 others and 7 gunboats to work on Atlantic side of straits.

Political, etc
Allies: British, French, and Italian Governments conclude provisional arrangement with regard to future policy in Asia Minor (Turkey) (see May 16th, 1916 and July 27th, 1917).
Germany: During Wilhelmshaven visit by Kaiser and Capelle, Scheer calls recent mutiny a ‘socialist plot‘ that necessitates a ‘few death sentences’; demands implicated USPD deputies be tried for treason. Capelle demurs, saying deputies enjoy parliamentary immunity. Kaiser has first sea voyage of war in new flagship Baden from Wilhelmshaven to Heligoland.
United Kingdom: Government proclamation forbids threatened rail engineers strike. Churchill replaces 50 Munitions Ministry Departments with 11-man Council (meeting weekly) and secretariat, his Munitions Bill passed on August 21.
United States: Forces total 943,141 men. Food Administrator Hoover asks each family to save 1 lb of flour per week.

gekkogecko

08-19-2017, 10:36 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Slight advance by British troops on Ypres-Poelcapelle road in which 12 tanks (1 ditched) capture pillboxes at St Julien for 26 casualties; Germans retake briefly on August 25.
A British tank was stuck in the mud during the Ypres battle: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Tank-Ypern-Schlamm.jpg?ssl=1
A French and British soldier toast each other with French ration wine at Boezinge, near Ypres: © IWM (Q 2742): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898607962951897089
A British soldier trying on captured German body-armor at Ypres: © IWM (Q 2733): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898852062259294208
German General Erich von Ludendorff inspecting officers of Jagdstaffel 11. Von Richthofen’s (Red Baron) plane is in the background: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898913714430234629

Eastern Front
Galicia and Bukovina: Germans claim 22,000 PoWs in recent fighting.
Rumania: Mackensen attacks at Marasesti (until August 20) with 4 divisions and 3-hour shelling but Averescu regains lost ground when General Popescu’s 47th and 51st Regiments (13th Division) bayonet charge through Razoave Forest, lull till August 28.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Italian attack on 30-mile front in Carso (between Mrzli Vrh and sea). Carry Austrian first line east of Isonzo from Plava to sea (25 miles); 7,500 prisoners. 12 Italian battalions across river; Hill 300 taken by Badoglio’s II Corps and many advances uphill. Italian Third Army attacks on Carso (until August 23) but operations suspended after minimal gains (except to Diaz’s XXIII Corps) for heavy losses.

Political, etc
United States: (Listed for yesterday): 6 women suffragists arrested for demonstrating at the White House with banners and pickets are sentenced to 30 days in a workhouse.
American Boy Scouts demonstrating different types of gas masks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898561409457332224
Greece: Two looks at yesterday’s fire in Thessaloniki: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898576516342136832
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898883511821774848

gekkogecko

08-20-2017, 04:02 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: North of Ypres slight British advance.
Since July 31, 17 German divisions ‘used up’ according to General Kuhl, CoS to Rupprecht. British attack profitably with 7 tanks.
British cavalry escorting captured German machine gunners through Brielen, Belgium: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/898974123526955011
Jimmy Speirs, Scottish footballer who scored the winning goal in the 1911 FA Cup Final, is killed in action at Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899276097086517249
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun begins [French name and dates.] (until September 9): Guillaumat’s French Second Army, with 18 divisions vs 12, takes German defences north of Verdun on 11-mile front to depth of 1 1/4 miles including claims to have taken Avocourt Wood, Mort Homme, Hill 240 and 5,000 PoWs (until August 23). German Fifth Army (forewarned) previously evacuated Talou ridge and other positions.
U.S. Expeditionary Force soldiers in France receive gas masks and begin training with them before they head to the front.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Russians evacuate some positions southwest of Riga (until August 22) 3-8 miles to shorten line, plus stores and sick from city itself. German Eighth Army begins approach march for Riga operation (August 22).
Russia: Kornilov orders Cossack concentration within rail distance of Petrograd or Moscow (or on August 19).
Russian prisoners in Sassnitz, Germany waiting to be exchanged with German and Austro-Hungarian prisoners: © IWM (Q 29924): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899261000876249088
Romanians gain ground north of Focsani lost on 19 August.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Battle continues in favor of Italians; Austro-Hungarian defenses between Korite and Sella (right wing) carried.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Penultimate British Q-ship success: Acton sinks UC-72 (which had damaged the Q-ship Penshurst on August 19).
British submarine HMS E47 sinks in the North Sea with loss of all 30 crew.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Dr. Sándor Wekerle appointed Hungarian Prime Minister.
Germany: Adolf von Baeyer, German chemist who synthesized indigo and received the 1905 Nobel Prize, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899215702061707264
Russia: Lavr Kornilov, the new Russian commander-in-chief, tried in vain to restore the army’s fighting strength, while at the same time protecting the Provisional Government from its internal enemies: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kornilov.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

08-21-2017, 06:49 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Canadians (1,154 casualties) advance on 200-yard front west and northwest of Lens.
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French recapture Cote de l’Oie (Moroccan Division including the Legion), Regneville and Samogneux either side of river Meuse, watched by Petain and Pershing.
Britain: 8 Navy Zeppelins fly against the Midlands; unsuccessful, only 10% of 24,000lb bombs dropped recorded (1 wounded, night August 21-22). German airship L.-23 destroyed in North Sea with loss of all crew by a British airplane off Jutland, Denmark. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Zeppelins#/media/File:LZ-66_Zeppelin.jpg

Eastern Front
Kovess attacks Sereth town and takes hill defences nearby; renews attacks east of Czernowitz on August 26 and captures Dolzok height on August 27.
German forces launch an attack on Russian lines defending Riga. Due to poor morale, Russian troops retreat.
Russians evacuate positions between Tirul Marsh and River Aa.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Bersaglieri storm Ossoinica and Osedrih (lost). Tortona Brigade takes Mt Kuk (2,004 ft); Mt Jelinek taken from 3 sides on August 22, breakthrough near Auzza on 2,000-yard front shakes Austrians.
A member of the Bersaglieri, crack troops of the Italian army, with a portable bicycle folded on his shoulder:
https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/bersaglieri-bicycle.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Ministry of Reconstruction formed in Great Britain.
Labour Party reaffirm their decision to send delegates to Stockholm.
Parliament adjourns.

gekkogecko

08-22-2017, 07:05 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: 4 British divisions with 16 tanks engaged before St Julien, 2 more with 18 tanks south of Fortuin while 3 more with tanks battle along Menin Road (until August 23). 500-880-yd gains for heavy losses (3,000 casualties). 2 British battalions capture and hold Glencorse Wood (until August 24).
The battlefield of Ypres with abandoned British tanks: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Ypern-knocked-out-tanks.jpg?ssl=1
Men of the Scots Guards moving up to the trenches near Boezinge, Belgium: © IWM (Q 2755): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899941792568807426
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French continue efforts towards Hill 304 & Samogneux.
Last German airplane raid on England by daylight (see July 7th and September 2nd).
One source says: The last daylight raid on Britain of the First World War is focused on the coastal port of Ramsgate. Several Gotha bombers are lost, with three shot down, one by Flight Sub-Lieutenant J.Drake of the Royal Naval Air Service, and two others by anti-aircraft gunfire.
While another says: Gotha bombers (total 3 lost) attack Margate, Ramsgate and Dover. 138 defence sorties, 2 bombers shot down by RNAS fighters, 1 by anti-aircraft fire (total casualties 39 including 16 servicemen).
Eduard Ritter von Dostler, German fighter ace with 26 victories, is shot down and killed over Belgium: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899653600737087488

Eastern Front
At Raggazen (Gulf of Riga) Russians retire from 3 to 8 miles, to shorten line.
Situation unchanged on Romanian front, where fighting continues.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Fierce fighting in Carso region. Italian progress on both right and left wings.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German submarine SM UC-41, credited with sinking 18 ships, is sunk by British naval trawlers with loss of all crew.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
War Office reports Turkish defeat in Hejaz.

Political, etc
Britain-Germany: Now 102,218 German PoWs to 43,000 British.
Russia: Constituent Assembly elections put back to November 12 from September 17.
United Kingdom: Artillery shells being examined at the National Shell Filling Factory in Nottinghamshire: © IWM (Q 30009): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899623405506441217
Italy: Turin strikes and riots (until August 28): Bread shortage leads to factory close down and shop sacking, 2 churches burnt down. Army uses tanks and MGs to clear barricades on August 23 and repulse worker columns. Order restored on August 24 after 50 killed (3 soldiers) and 800 arrests. Turin not imitated by rest of Italy.
United States: Japanese delegation arrives in Washing D.C. to coordinate the war against Germany: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/899685158328176640
Greece: Earl Grenville appointed Minister at Athens.

gekkogecko

08-23-2017, 07:59 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: South-west of Lens and north-east of Langemarck British line slightly advanced.
A British soldier standing by a grave of a fallen comrade near Pilckem during the Ypres Battle: © IWM (Q 2756): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/900048708598935552
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French troops at Verdun defeat German counterattacks. Total German prisoners taken number 6,116 men.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Battle continues. Italians take 5 mountain peaks on 12 1/2 mile front as Austrian fires and demolitions signal their retreat (night August 23/24) to new defence line.
Italian commander Cadorna and his staff at the front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Cadorna-front.jpg?ssl=1
Macedonia: Allied lengths of front British 90 miles; French and Greeks 50 miles; Serbs 34 miles; Russians 22 miles; Italians 9.3 miles.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: W T Shorthose’s NRFF column (700 soldiers) occupies Tunduru.

Political, etc
Russia: Ex-Tsarist War Minister Vladimir Sukhomlinov’s treason trial in Petrograd (until August 26), sentenced to hard labour for life.
United Kingdom: Churchill meets Cumberland miners over their anti-recruiting strike (August 6-11).
Australia: Suffragist Adela Pankhurst is arrested in Australia and sentenced to a month in prison for demonstrating against conscription.
United States: Harry Garfield made Fuel Administrator.

dicksbro

08-24-2017, 03:32 AM

More great stuff. Thanks, GG! I appreciate all the work you put into this! :thumbs:

gekkogecko

08-24-2017, 05:27 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British advanced line forced back from positions gained on 22 August.
German post capture near Lombartzyde (coast section).
British 12-inch railway gun at Woesten, Belgium. “Not on Strike” is printed on the barrel: © IWM (Q 2765): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/900380907810562050
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French advance 1 1/2 miles on 2,000-yards front taking Hill 304 and Camard Wood and reach south bank of Forges Brook, gains north of Mort Homme.
Upscale mood and flowers on the lunch table as French officers try to spread optimism: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/frz-offiziere-mittagstisch.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Italians have advanced 6 miles on a 10-mile front, taken 20,000 PoWs (another source says 16,000 Austro-Hungarian soldiers and 350 officers), and 125 guns but no water or roads for pursuit over Bainsizza plateau and over 2 million of 3.5 million medium heavy shells used. Austrian counter-attack loses 1,000 PoWs on August 28.
Battle further south dies down. Italians consolidating positions.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Belgian troops drive Germans from river Sansa and press them against Lake Nyasa on August 27.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British press criticizes the air service for not preventing German air raids. Manchester Guardian proposes an independent air ministry.
United States: 156 African-American soldiers in Houston, Texas mutiny & riot after encountering segregation. 4 soldiers and 12 civilians are killed.
Greece: Aftermath of the fire in Thessalonica, Greece, where 9,500 homes were lost: © IWM (HU 58897): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/900652676798656512

gekkogecko

08-24-2017, 09:10 AM

From the Wikipedia entry at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_riot_of_1917

The Houston riot of 1917, or Camp Logan riot, was a mutiny by 156 African American soldiers of the Third Battalion of the all-black Twenty-fourth United States Infantry Regiment. It occupied most of one night, and resulted in the deaths of four soldiers and sixteen civilians. The rioting soldiers were tried at three courts-martial. A total of nineteen would be executed, and forty-one were given life sentences.

Shortly after the United States declared war on the German Empire in the spring of 1917, the War Department rushed to construct two new military installations in Harris County, Texas — Camp Logan and Ellington Field. On July 27, 1917, the Army ordered the Third Battalion of the Twenty-fourth United States Infantry Regiment to Houston to guard the Camp Logan construction site. The regiment traveled to Houston by train from their camp at Columbus, New Mexico, accompanied by seven commissioned officers.

Almost from the arrival of the Twenty-fourth Infantry in Houston, the presence of black soldiers in the segregated Texas city caused conflict. The Jim Crow laws had not been enforced when the Twenty-fourth was deployed in Columbus, New Mexico, but in Houston the soldiers encountered segregated street cars and white workers at Camp Logan who demanded separate tanks of drinking water. Soldiers from the Twenty-fourth were involved in a number of "clashes" with city police, several of which resulted in the soldiers receiving minor injuries. Around noon August 23, 1917, Lee Sparks and Rufus Daniels, two Houston police officers, broke up a craps game on a street corner in Houston's predominantly-black San Felipe district by firing warning shots. Sparks, searching for the fleeing suspects, entered the house of local resident Sara Travers. He did not find the suspect but, after exchanging words with Travers, struck her and dragged her outside in her nightgown. As Sparks and Daniels called in the arrest from an area patrol box, they were approached by Private Alonzo Edwards. Edwards offered to take custody of Travers, but was pistol-whipped repeatedly by Sparks and then arrested. Later that afternoon, Corporal Charles Baltimore approached Sparks and Daniels in the same neighborhood to inquire about the status of Edwards. Sparks struck Baltimore with his pistol and fired three shots at him as he fled into a nearby home. Sparks and Daniels pursued Baltimore, eventually finding him under a bed. They pulled him out, beat him, and placed him under arrest. A rumor reached the camp of the Twenty-fourth that Baltimore had been shot and killed. The soldiers immediately began meeting in small groups to discuss plans to march on Houston and attack the police. An officer from the Twenty-fourth retrieved an injured, but wounded, Baltimore from the police station, which seemed to calm the soldiers for the moment.

The officers of the Twenty-fourth continued to receive reports of impending trouble from the angry soldiers. Major K. S. Snow revoked all passes for the evening and ordered the guard to be increased, but later that evening he stumbled upon a group of men stealing ammunition from one of the supply tents. He ordered the men to assemble without arms and warned them that it was "utterly foolish, foolhardy, for them to think of taking the law into their own hands. " One of the men, who had smuggled his rifle into the formation, fired it and cried out that a mob was approaching the camp. At this point, order broke down completely and the soldiers mobbed the supply tents, grabbing rifles and ammunition.

The soldiers began firing indiscriminately into the surrounding buildings. After several minutes of shooting, Sergeant Vida Henry ordered the men in the area – about 150 – to fill their canteens, grab extra ammunition, and fall in to march on Houston. The group marched through neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city, firing at houses with outdoor lights. They fired on a car with two white occupants, but let a second car with black occupants leave unharmed. They marched nearly two and a half miles, all the way to the San Felipe district, before they encountered any police officers. Due to the disorganization of the police department, officers had only been sent out in small numbers so the first police casualties occurred when a group of six officers stumbled upon the entire column of soldiers. Two policemen (including Rufus Daniels) were killed immediately, and one later died of wounds he had sustained. The soldiers stopped a car carrying two policemen, who were disarmed and shot. A few blocks later, an open-topped car carrying a man in an olive-drab uniform approached the column. Believing this to be the uniform of a Houston mounted policeman, the soldiers opened fire only to discover later that they had killed Captain Joseph W. Mattes of the Illinois National Guard. The killing of a military officer drove home the seriousness of their actions and the pending consequences. Many soldiers began to desert the group, and Sergeant Henry led the remainder on a march to return to camp. Just outside the San Felipe district, Henry shook hands with the remaining soldiers and informed them that he planned to kill himself after they left. Henry's body was found in the area the next day. By the time the shooting had stopped, 17 people were dead (four police officers, nine civilians, and two soldiers). One soldier and a police officer later died from wounds sustained during the riot, and one soldier died from wounds sustained during his capture the next day. All of the wounds received by soldiers the night of the riot were the result of accidental shootings by fellow soldiers.

The next morning, Houston was placed under martial law. The remaining soldiers in the Twenty-fourth's camp were disarmed, and a house-to-house search discovered a number of soldiers hiding in the San Felipe district. Soldiers in local jails were turned over to the Army, and the Third Battalion was sent by rail back to New Mexico. In the ensuing Court Martial, almost two hundred witnesses testified over twenty-two days and the transcripts of the testimony covered more than two thousand pages. Author Robert V. Haynes suggests that General John Wilson Ruckman was “especially anxious for the courts-martial to begin”. Ruckman had preferred the proceedings take place in El Paso, but eventually agreed to allow them to remain in San Antonio. Haynes posits the decision was made to accommodate the witnesses who lived in Houston, plus “the countless spectators” who wanted to follow the proceedings Ruckman “urged” the War Department to select a “prestigious court”. Three brigadier generals were chosen, along with seven full colonels and three lieutenant colonels. Eight members of the court were West Point graduates. The court contained a geographic balance between northerners, southerners and westerners. The Departmental Judge Advocate General, Colonel George Dunn, reviewed the record of the first court martial (known as “the Nesbit Case. ”) and approved the sentences. He forwarded the documents materials to Gen. Ruckman on December 3. Six days later, thirteen of the prisoners (including Corporal Baltimore) were told that they would be hanged for murder, but they were not informed of the time or place. The court recommended clemency for a Private Hudson, but General Ruckman declined to grant it. Many soldiers were wrongly accused as witnesses were unable to identify or even distinguish which men had mutinied.

The condemned soldiers (one sergeant, four corporals, and eight privates) were transferred to a barracks on December 10. That evening, motor trucks carried new lumber for scaffolds to some bathhouses built for the soldiers at Camp Travis near a swimming pool in the Salado Creek. The designated place of execution was several hundred yards away. Army engineers completed their work by the light of bonfires. The thirteen condemned men were awakened at five in the morning and brought to the gallows. They were hanged simultaneously, at 7:17am, one minute before sunrise. The scaffolds were disassembled and every piece returned to Fort Sam Houston. The New York Times, commenting on the clean-up operations, observed the place of execution and place of burial were “indistinguishable. ” Only army officers and County Sheriff John Tobin had been allowed to witness the execution. Gen. Ruckman told reporters he had personally approved the death sentences and said that forty-one soldiers had been given life sentences and four received sentences of two and a half years or less. He said he was the one who chose the time and place for the executions. Military jurist Frederick Bernays Wiener has observed that Ruckman's approval and execution of the death sentences were “entirely legal” and “in complete conformity” with the 1916 Articles of War.

A second court-martial, the "Washington" case, began six days later. Fifteen men of the Lower A Division were tried and five were sentenced to death. On January 2, 1918, Ruckman approved the sentences in a public statement. But a new rule, General Orders 167 (December 29, 1917), prohibited the execution of any death sentence until the Judge Advocate General (JAG) could review the sentence(s). (The JAG Boards of Review tasked with reviewing death sentences were created by a subsequent rule, General Orders 7 (January 7, 1918). Those boards, though they had advisory power only, were the Army's first appellate courts.

While waiting for the JAG review to occur, Ruckman approved a third court-martial, the "Tillman" case, of forty more soldiers. On March 26, 1918, twenty-three of those forty soldiers were found guilty. Eleven of the twenty-three were sentenced to death and the remaining twelve to life in prison. On May 2, Ruckman approved the sentences.

On August 31, 1918, President Wilson granted clemency to ten soldiers by commuting their death sentences to life in prison. Wilson issued a rare public statement in order that the basis of his action might be “a matter of record. ” The President’s statement began by recounting the events that led to the deaths of “innocent bystanders” who were “peaceable disposed civilians of the City of Houston. ”He noted the investigations that followed were “very searching and thorough. ” In each of the three proceedings, the court was “properly constituted” and composed of “officers of experience and sobriety of judgment. ” Wilson also noted “extraordinary precautions” were taken to “insure the fairness of the trials” and, in each instance, the rights of the defendants were “surrounded at every point” by the “safeguards” of “a humane administration of the law. ” As a result, there were “no legal errors” which had “prejudiced the rights of the accused. ”

Wilson stated that he affirmed the death sentences of six soldiers because there was “plain evidence” that they “deliberately” engaged in “shocking brutality. ” On the other hand, he commuted the remaining sentences because he believed the “lesson” of the lawless riot had already been “adequately pointed. ” He desired the “splendid loyalty” of African American soldiers be recognized and expressed the hope that clemency would inspire them “to further zeal and service to the country. ”

Most importantly, from General Ruckman's standpoint, Wilson (a former law professor) wrote the actions taken by the former Commander of the Southern Department were “legal and justified by the record. ” Indeed, the President agreed that “a stern redress” of the rioters' “wrongs” was the “surest protection of society against their further recurrence”. As historian Calvin C. Smith noted in 1991, there was no proof of a "conspiracy", and many of the sentenced were not conclusively identified in the dark and rainy night as having even participated in the riot. Whites who defended Houston from the illegal actions of the rioting blacks were not charged for their actions. On September 29, 1918, five more soldiers met their deaths at daybreak. One week later, the sixth was marched to the gallows.

dicksbro

08-25-2017, 04:49 AM

Very interesting write-up. I had not read or even heard of this incident.

gekkogecko

08-25-2017, 07:52 AM

All Fronts
Since April, Allied forces have taken 167,780 Central Powers prisoners, excluding native African troops.
Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Bill 70 (Lens) ends (see 15th). Haig decides to transfer battle from Gough to Plumer who submits plans on August 29. BEF losses 68,010 soldiers since July 31.
Germans recapture some of positions lost on 19 August, but are driven out later in the day.
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French advancing north of Hill 304, only 14,470 casualties since August 20, but have taken 9,100 PoWs; 30 guns; 22 mortars and over 13 Mgs.
French news-film showing their counter-offensive at Verdun: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45418

Eastern Front
Lull on Riga and Romanian fronts, some activity on Volhynia front.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Intense fighting Bainsizza Plateau.

Political, etc
Germany: German Vice Chancellor Helfferich claims UK entered the war because it felt threatened by Germany’s increasing economic & military power.
Russia: Aleksandr Kerensky opens Moscow National Conference (until August 29); Kerensky also warns extremists of the danger of their methods. Bolsheviks boycott. Delegates from the Russian army. Some, the radicals, have torn the bands off their shoulders to show their scorn for authority: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/delegates-russian-army.jpg?ssl=1
Russia receives another $100 million loan from the U.S. despite Russian internal instability and recent defeats.
United Kingdom: British police raid the office & home of pacifist E.D. Morel. He will be sentenced to 6 months in prison.
United States: The U.S. is currently spending $24 million (about $452 million today) daily on the war.
Poland: State Council resigns because of German policy.

gekkogecko

08-25-2017, 07:53 AM

Very interesting write-up. I had not read or even heard of this incident.

Few people have. That's the primary reason I did this whole thread.

gekkogecko

08-26-2017, 09:33 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: 4 British divisions and 12 tanks fight north of St Julien; sea of mud restricts progress to 2,000 yards.
British troops attempt to free a field gun from the mud at Ypres: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ypern-feldgeschuetz-schlamm.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier emerging from his dug-out at Oosttaverne, Belgium: © IWM (Q 5915): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/901137138934325249
British capture Gerrman positions east of Hargicourt (north-west of St. Quentin) on front of over one mile to depth of 0.5 mile. Germans recapture post lost on 24 August.
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: French XXXII Corps on east bank of Meuse reaches Beaumont outskirts, repulses counter-attack on August 27.
Somme: British III Corps captures 1/2 mile of position east of Hargicourt, northwest of St Quentin.

Eastern Front
Renewed Central Powers attacks east of Czernowitz; Germans claim 1,000 prisoners.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Practically whole of Bainsizza Plateau in Italian hands; claim 23,000 prisoners to date; Italians fail at Jenelik.
Austro-Hungarian soldiers at Iwanigrad in a hillside dug-out: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/901378719364902912

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles’ letter to Kaiser Wilhelm: ‘The experience of our eleventh (Isonzo) battle convinces me that the twelfth will be very hard … it is best to overcome the difficulties with an offensive’ asks for Austrian East Front divisions and German guns, ‘My entire army considers the war against Italy as “our war”.’
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Premier demands annexations of Macedonia, Dobruja, and the Aegean coast for jointing the Central Powers.
Belgium: Belgian officials protest German attempts to divide the occupied country into two between Flanders and Wallonia.

dicksbro

08-27-2017, 03:20 AM

What I think is so fascinating is to read of the little things that simply aren't reported in most histories because they're of relatively minor importance. Things like Emperor Charles' letter to Kaiser Wilhelm; or the Belgian protest of German's intent to divide the occupied country. Fascinating. Thanks, gecko, for sharing al this with us. It's been great!

gekkogecko

08-27-2017, 12:44 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British line advance 200 yards astride St. Julien-Poelcapelle road.
British officers outside of their dug-outs on the banks of the Yser Canal at Ypres: © IWM (Q 5947): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/901741094001659904
A British patrol walking in the ruins of a village near Ypres: © IWM (Q 5929): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/901831701617418240
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: Right bank of Meuse heavy German counter-attack repulsed.
Renewed activity on the Aisne.

Eastern Front
Central Powers gain against Russian forces where the borders of Russia, Romania, and Austria-Hungary meet, taking 1000 prisoners.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Austria-Hungary, aided by reinforcements from the east, slow down the Italian offensive on the Bainsizza (Banjšice) Plateau.
Salonika: British artillery shelling until August 30 and small raids on Lake Doiran sector.
Turkish reservists gather: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/turkish-reservists.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Publication of official communication regarding operations in East Africa; Germans slowly being pressed back, eight miles in Masasi district.
Belgian columns from Kilossa drive enemy to south bank Ruaha river.
Midway between Lake Nyassa and sea, considerable German force closely invested.

Political, etc
Russia: (Listed for yesterday): Russian Premier Aleksandr Kerensky at the Moscow conference warns “blood and iron” for foes within Russia.
At Russian National Conference, General Lavr Kornilov appeals for measures to restore discipline in the army.
Turkey: ‘Armenian Conspiracies’ Report published. This was one of the first attempts to justify the genocide committed by the Ottoman Turks, and honestly, there’s not much information in general on this report itself. For other denail attempts, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armenian_Genocide_denial

gekkogecko

08-28-2017, 07:19 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Heavy gale and rains hold up major military operations at the Ypres battlefield.
"Second Offensive Battle" of Verdun: Allies claim that the French positions on this front almost completely restored to those before the great attack of February 1916. In reality, several of the most significant points remained in German hands until the Ste. Mihiel offensive in 1918.
Official British casualties for the last week number 14,331 men killed, wounded, or missing.

Eastern Front
Austro-German forces attack Focsani region (Romanian front); Russian defection (of a division) in face of enemy, who advance throughout day and penetrate positions in region of Vainitza. Heavy fighting in Ocna valley, Romanians stubbornly resisting at Varnita-Muncelu (until September 3).

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Austrian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau broken down.* Italians claim 1,000 prisoners.
Italian Front: 1,474 Italian sorties flown since August 19, average of 225 aircraft per day, 81 aircrew killed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German aeroplanes drop 90 bombs on Russian shipping in Gulfs of Riga and Finland; destroyer Stroini crippled by 130lb seaplane bomb.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: 4 Royal Flying Corps aircraft from Kuntilla in Sinai (40 miles northwest of Aqaba) drop 32 bombs (4 hits) on Maan engine shed and barracks (c.100 Turkish casualties); 3 aircraft bomb Turkish Abu-el-Lisal camp and Maan again on August 29.

Political, etc
Russia: Moscow National Conference closed. CoS Lavr Kornilov appeals at Moscow National Conference for restoration of Army’s discipline and supply. Aleksandr Kerensky tells General Barter that troops will winter in trenches and regain discipline.
United States: President Wilson rejects the Pope’s peace plan, stating it will not negotiate with Germany: http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=65401

gekkogecko

08-29-2017, 05:36 AM

Western Front
A horse carrying a machine gun for the 1st ANZAC Corps: © IWM (E(AUS) 668): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/902467150576803840

Eastern Front
Fighting continues in Focsani region.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Cadorna orders Bainsizza operations suspended except for blow north and east of Gorizia.
Italian Front: General Waldstatten submits Austrian offensive plan to General Arz for offensive with 13 divisions (including Germans) from Tolmino bridgehead north of Bainsizza Plateau towards Cividale. Hindenburg and Ludendorff eventually approve what becomes Caporetto offensive after Bavarian mountain warfare expert General Kraftt inspects front.

Political, etc
Germany: Industrialists tell Chancellor ‘they are ready to fight 10 more years’ to keep the mineral-rich Longwy-Briey basin.
Russia: General Lavr Kornilov, Russian Commander-in-Chief, warns that Russia will face ruin if domestic enemies are not dealt with.
United Kingdom: Churchill writes to union leaders on necessity for increased aircraft production.
Canada: Conscription Act signed, 5,000 demonstrate against it in Montreal.
Italy: Until the end of the war, about 200,000 women worked in the war industry in Italy: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/ital-muni-arbeiterinnen.jpg?ssl=1
United States: U.S. government orders 1,074,000 gas masks to outfit the U.S. Army for around $1.40 each, not including raw materials.

gekkogecko

08-30-2017, 06:47 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Attempted German night raid on British lines south-east of Lens repulsed.
Leading American fighter ace Eddie Rickenbacker with his Spad XIII in 1918. In frontline service, the US Army Air Service used exclusively French and British aircraft types: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Rickenbacker-Spad-XIII.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
An Austro-Hungarian soldier with a gas mask at Stara Iokva: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/902557803340075011

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Following a long period of inactivity, British advance on front of 600 yards south-west of Gaza.

Political, etc
Germany: Papal Nuncio Pacelli in Munich sends German Chancellor Anglo-French note to Vatican on Belgium (evasive German reply on September 24).
Russia: Russian Premier Aleksandr Kerensky states the Provisional Government “will suffer no counter revolutionary attempts…”
France: Government agrees to supply US with 5,000 aircraft and 8,500 engines (Spad and Breguet).
United Kingdom: Albert Grey, the 4th Earl Grey, who was the former Governor General of Canada and established the Grey Cup, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/902497355777310720

gekkogecko

08-31-2017, 05:43 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Desultory British shelling of Menin Road Ridge defences begins. Germans capture some British advanced posts north of St Julien-Poelcapelle road.
Aisne: French gains near Hurtebise.

Eastern Front
Germany masses its forces at the Gulf of Riga and launch several aeroplane raids against Russian targets.

Southern Front
Salonika: British hospital cases c.18,000.
Italian Front: Italians claim 27,000 PoWs since August 19. Heavy fighting at key Mt San Gabriele northeast of Gorizia.
In August Italian Commando Supremo Crittografico unit first completely reads Austrian radio signals.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy Air Service raids Belgian coast airfields.
Allied and neutral August shipping losses to U-boats, 186 (84 British) ships worth 509,142t (U-Boat figure 472,372t including 79,549t in Mediterranean); 5 U-boats sunk. Best month of war for Austrian U-boats’ merchant ship sinkings: 38,823t claimed, more than in 1914-16 altogether.
German submarine detains a merchant vessel at sea: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/ww1-uboat-detains-merchant.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
France: M. Louis Malvy, French Minister of the Interior, resigns.
United States: President Wilson exempts hospital interns and medical students from the draft.
Former President Roosevelt states pacifist Senators La Follette and William Stone should be sent to Germany, accusing them of pro-Germanism.
U.S. 27th Division marching in New York City before heading to Europe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/902920158003556353

gekkogecko

09-01-2017, 03:08 PM

Western Front
Somme: German attack on Havrincourt (SW of Cambrai), at first successful, beaten back later.
Aisne: N.E. of Craonne, German counter-attack broken up.
British forces claim to have taken 10,687 German prisoners since July 31st on the Western Front.
British report that BEF divisions average 2,000 men under strength.
General John Pershing opens AEF GHQ at Chaumont on upper Marne.
In September Royal Flying Corps makes 226 bombing raids (7,886 bombs worth 135t to German 969 bombs) ranges (that is, artillery-spotting) 9539 targets, issues 930 new aircraft, only surpassed in March and May 1918; takes 14,678 photos; 214 personnel killed and missing, second worst 1917 month. During September two German night raids destroy 85 French aircraft in Verdun area. In September US air training school opens at Issoudon.

Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (also known as the Battle of Jugla) begins (see 3rd and 5th): 1159 German artillery guns fire on Russian forces defending Riga; Russia only has 66 artillery guns to answer. Subsequent German infantry attack E. of Riga; their troops enter the city.
Dvina river evacuated by Russians, and crossed by Germans at Uxkull.
Another source gives more detail: HUTIER’S GERMAN RIGA OFFENSIVE (until September 5) begins with 2-hour Bruchmueller gas shelling (116,400 gas shells inflict over 1,000 Russian casualties) causing panic. By 0840 hours 3 bridges being built and 2 islands stormed 18 miles east of Riga. 3 divisions cross Dvina in 225 pontoons covered by low-flying aircraft, carve out 7-mile bridgehead by 1035 hours but then halt. Klembovski evacuates Riga bridgehead and Riga until September 2.
Above a blown-up bridge, which has been repaired, German troops cross the Dvina: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/German-Dvina-crossing.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Julian front: slight Italian advance, taking 340 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Jutland coast: Grand Fleet’s 4th Light Cruiser Squadron and 15th Destroyer Flotilla raid Horn’s Reef; British destroyers drive four German mine-sweepers ashore, two on fire.
Britain: During September Royal Navy at last has the efficient H2 mine (copy of German Herzhorn contact mine) in volume production; 12,450 of 100,000 ordered by end 1917, sink 9, possibly up to 16, U-boats. During September 31 air stations have 190 aircraft and 50 airships for anti U-boat work.
Atlantic: 300 ships sailing weekly in convoys (inward and outward).
East Africa: Highest British ration strength since December 1, 1916 and for duration of war. 58,317 soldiers (including 22,052 whites and 16,853 Indians) with 38 guns; 140,590 porters; 16,606 animals (August 31, including 6,033 oxen).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
TE Lawrence holding a mortar bomb near Aqaba, Jordan: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/903283807725465602
Palestine: EEF total ration strength 225,176 including 20,207 Anzac and 19,141 Indian soldiers with 117,449 animals (August 25) including 44,502 camels.
Egypt: During September NACB takes over 41 canteens.
Mesopotamia: Turkish railway has now only reached Nisibis. During September US Persian Famine Relief Commission arrives in Baghdad (also American oil interests).

Political, etc
Russia: Anti-government agitation continues in Petrograd, with militia having to tear down pro-Bolshevik posters and dispersing demonstrators.
The Petrograd Soviet passes a resolution protesting the reestablishment of the death penalty in the Russian army.
United Kingdom: Air fighting schools are established in Britain.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): U.S. government recognizes the Mexican Carranza government to ensure Mexican neutrality.
Poland: In German-occupied Poland, Polish judges are for the first time allowed to administer justice in the courts.

gekkogecko

09-02-2017, 11:48 AM

Western Front
German Gotha bombers target Dover in the first heavy night bombing raid on Britain; one killed, six injured.
This is the first of three consecutive moonlight raids by Gotha bombers on southeast England (London on September 4), and begin 19 night raids until May 20, 1918. Total casualties 326 including 130 naval recruits killed and 88 wounded at Chatham drill hall. First operational trials of Sopwith Camel night fighters by No 44 Squdronn, commander 22-year-old Captain Murlis Green (4 1/2 Salonika victories 1916-17); 3 on nights September 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5.
Third Battle of Ypres: Germans attack unsuccessfully British advance posts near Havrincourt.
Aisne: At Hurtebise, four German attempts to recover lost positions crushed.
Belgium: British naval airmen bomb Bruges Docks (3 killed),
US Army Corps of Engineers in Boisleux-au-Mont posing inside their tent: © IWM (Q 6081): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/903943116096495617
Burmese laborers reading newspapers in Contalmaison, Somme: © IWM (Q 2788): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904004763255230464

Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (aka the Battle of Jugla): Some Russian troops fall back to west of Riga; fighting on Mitau road.
Germans cross Dvina river 18 miles above town.

Southern Front
Adriatic: Pola bombed by 148 Caproni bombers and 11 flying boats; Austrians bomb Venice (September 7) which has balloon barrage defence. Gales abort RNAS attempt to attack Cattaro naval base with 6 Short torpedo seaplanes.
Italian Caproni bombers raid the Austrian port of Pola: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/caproni-pola.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
German submarine SM U-28, credited with sinking 40 ships, sinks when the munitions ship it was targeting, Olive Branch, explodes, destroying both vessels.
East Africa: British and Belgian operations drive German detachments from River Ruaha to Mahenge.

Political, etc
Germany: OHL found and fund Tirpitz’s new Fatherland Party (he addresses first meeting in Berlin September 25; 1.25 million members by July 1918).
Russia: Russian Premier Kerensky orders the arrest several military and civilian leaders on charges of a counter-revolutionary plot (The Kornilov Affair). This was was an attempted military coup d'état by the then Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, General Lavr Kornilov, in August 1917 (O. S. calendar) against the Russian Provisional Government headed by Aleksander Kerensky and the Petrograd Soviet of Soldiers and Workers Deputies. The affair began with Kerensky requesting that Kornilov move forces loyal to the Provisional Government into Petrograd to counter the threat of the radical (and Soviet-controlled) Petrograd army garrison. Kornilov then marched on Petrograd intent on 'purging' the Provisional Government of revolutionary elements, possibly with the intention of establishing a military dictatorship. Kerensky then countered Kornilov by eventually arming the Bolshevik-influenced Soviets, with the result that Kornilov and his closest advisers were imprisoned, and the Bolsheviks permanently armed and empowered. For more detail see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kornilov_affair , especially the section “historigraphy.”
United Kingdom: At Trades Union Congress at Blackpool, Stockholm program partly settled, but strongly opposed.

gekkogecko

09-03-2017, 12:02 PM

Western Front
Six German aeroplanes bomb Sheerness, etc.; 132 killed, 96 injured, mostly naval ratings.
Third Battle of Ypres: British front slightly advanced near St. Julien.
Champagne: French raid gas tanks on Souain-Somme Py road.
Damage caused by German bombardment of Dunkirk, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904329412052705280
Bruges again bombed.

Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (aka the Battle of Jugla): Riga finally completely evacuated by Russians, forts and bridges blown up, etc. German 2nd Guard and 1st Reserve divisions enter Riga,
Germans claim many thousands of prisoners about 150 guns.
German troops enter Riga after the withdrawal of Russian forces: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904268997461454848
Kaiser Wilhelm and Prince Leopold of Bavaria in Riga after its capture by the Germans: © IWM (Q 23955): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904299205845508097
German troops rest in front of a church in Riga: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/riga-german-troops.jpg?ssl=1
Battle of Marasesti (Rumania) ends (see August 6th): Germans gain only 5 miles on 18-mile front, taking 18,000 PoWs and 22 guns. General Morgen reports 61 Rumanian counter-attacks; they claim 65,000 German casualties since August 19.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Five Italian aeroplanes drop pamphlets over Vienna informing the people about the recent Italian victory on the Carso plateau.
Pola bombed again.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German warships break into Gulf of Riga and shell Livonian villages. Last 2 Russian destroyers leave Riga which mine gulf entrance. Russian/Soviet ships do not re-enter Riga until 1940,
Channel: Armed boarding steamer HMS Dundee sunk by U-boat.

Political, etc
Russia: Boris Stürmer, former Russian Prime Minister, dies while in captivity by the Provisional Government: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904053844400885761
United Kingdom: Munitionettes get 2s 6d advance per week.
Italy: By now coal shortage (although Britain supplied 690,000t in August) has made 75% of trains idle, remainder burn wood and naval stocks; sailing coasters used to distribute goods.
United States: President Wilson’s message to the Army: “You are undertaking a great duty.”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904359604162887681

gekkogecko

09-04-2017, 07:28 AM

Western Front
England: Home-based single-seat scout aircraft operate at night for the first time, when three Sopwith Camels of No.44 Squadron fly patrols against Gotha bombers attacking Chatham. Although no interceptions are made, the sorties proved that single-seat fighters could operate safely at night.
Five of 11 Gotha bombers sent (1 lost due to anti-aircraft fire) bomb London (night September 4-5, 90 civilian casualties, Cleopatra’s Needle scarred). British think 26 raiders bombed, only 2 fighters see them.
Rescue workers survey the aftermath of a German bomber raid on London: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/London-Bombenschaeden.jpg?ssl=1
France: First US fatal land casualties, 13 (4 killed) in air raid on British base hospital.
Verdun: Legion RMLE relieved having captured 680 PoWs, 15 guns and 13 MGs since August 20 (Petain decorates its colors on September 27).

Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (aka the Battle of Jugla): Russians fall back 30 miles along Riga-Petrograd road.
Baltic Provinces: II Siberian Corps (including women’s ‘Death’s Battalions’) counter-attack southwest in Hinzenberg area; Prussian 1st Guard Division later reaches coast, but Russians 30 miles east.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Austrian offensive in Mt Hermada seaward sector claiming 6,000 PoWs there and northeast of Gorizia. Italians inland take 1,600 PoWs pushing for Mt San Gabriele.
Salonika: 200-300 Bulgars (over 15 casualties) on rare raid into British Lake Doiran sector but soon driven out.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied Naval Conference (until September 5) including US Atlantic Fleet C-in-C Admiral Mayo, fixes 9 Mediterranean convoy routes and their priority.
North Sea: U-boat (30 rounds) shells Scarborough, 3 killed, 6 wounded.
Baltic: German warships in the Baltic pound Russian forces as they retreat 30 miles from Riga.
Indian Ocean: Wolf lays her last 110 mines northwest of the Andamans, not found in 1917.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Anglo-French Conference assembles in London to discuss the question of military assistance to ltaly. (see 25th). [Not I am unsure if this is the same conference mentioned under “Naval & Overseas operations”.]
Trades Union Congress declares against Stockholm Conference by overwhelming majority.
Mr E D Morel sent to prison.
Correspondence between Kaiser and Tsar (anti-British proposals) published. For the full details, see: https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/The_Willy-Nicky_Telegrams

gekkogecko

09-05-2017, 05:40 AM

Western Front
A Royal Naval Air Service Airco (de Havilland) DH4 is forced to ditch in the North Sea following an unsuccessful attempt to shoot down Zeppelin LZ-93 (Factory designation. Military designation: L-44). The airship is eventually brought down by anti-aircraft fire over France on 20 October.
Air raids over British lines kill 37 and wound 43 German prisoners. They mistakenly bomb 3 British hospitals and kill 19 and wound 26 patients in French hospital at Vadelaincourt, Meuse.
British soldiers and captured German soldiers with a dog near Reutel, Belgium: © IWM (Q 2998): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/904753454626856960

Eastern Front
Battle of Riga (aka the Battle of Jugla): Battle of Riga ends (see 1st and 3rd). Germans capture line of River Dvina to Friedrichstadt.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Struggle continues north-east of Gorizia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Germans lose 500 men altogether from 30 August to 2 September, and particularly severely in retreat to Mahenge.
North Sea: U-88 sunk by Royal Navy Heligoland Bight mines off Terschelling, with her commander Walther Schwieger, having sunk Lusitania among 49 ships worth 183,838t.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Falkenhayn decides to deploy Kemal’s Seventh Army for Palestine Yilderim offensive. He inspects Front September 9-10.

Political, etc
Germany: Berlin 1917: the public parks lose their flowerbeds and take on the appearance of allotments. All food is desperately scarce: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Berlin1917.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Russian Premier Kerensky approves the use of force to suppress any pro-independence movement in Finland that threatens Russia.
Grand Dukes Michael and Paul arrested.
France: "Bonnet Rouge" newspaper case being investigated: treasonable intrigue; French government accused of weakness in connection.
Turkey: Army Commissariat put in command of civilian food. Farmers ordered to till c.7 acres for each yoke of oxen and work 8 hours per day (September 27). Large landowners exempted from military service.
United States: U.S State Department clarifies they do not aim to unseat the Hohenzollern Dynasty, only to target “autocracy” in Germany. [whatever that means].
In an effort to suppress labor dissent, Federal agents raid IWW offices in 23 cities (168 arrests).
687,000 draftees begin assembling by rail.

dicksbro

09-06-2017, 01:58 AM

I find this whole thread to be extremely interesting. Thanks, GG, for doing this. I've learned a lot and enjoyed the reading. :thumbs:

gekkogecko

09-06-2017, 09:19 AM

Glad you've been enjoying it.

Rather than "Oh, no, NOT another learning experience!"

gekkogecko

09-06-2017, 09:22 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British detachments pressed back near Frezenberg.
Soldiers of the East Yorkshire Regiment crossing newly captured ground at Frezenburg near Ypres: © IWM (Q 3014): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905133485618323457 (but see above)
Six Squadrons of newish German Halberstadt CL-II ground-attack aircraft decimate British division reserves crossing Somme bridges.
The rear gunner of a Halberstadt CL-II ground-attacker prepares with grenades and signal gun cartridges for a mission: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/HalberstadtCLII-Heckschuetze.jpg?ssl=1
Horse-drawn wagons transporting British troops near Ypres: © IWM (Q 2996): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905387631260966912

Eastern Front
12th Russian Army falls back clear of German forces.
Kaiser reviews troops in Riga.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Stubborn fighting north-east of Gorizia, Italians pushed back slightly.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: German force surrenders to British native troops at Kakera (N.N.E. of Kilossa).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Munitions explosion at Haidar Pasha Station (Constantinople-Asian rail terminus) dislocates planned Yilderim offensive.

Political, etc
Germany: Crown Prince Wilhelm and Crown Princess Cecilie of Germany have a daughter Princess Cecilie of Prussia.
Russia: Petrograd and Moscow closed to strangers. Civilian movement in & out of Petrograd is restricted, as German forces continue to pursue retreating Russians from Riga.
Provisional Government decree restores death penalty in interior and Kerensky Army Order praises officers’ role since Revolution.
Kornilov (not yet arrested) puts General Krymov in command of new ‘Detached Petrograd Army’ including Kronstadt, Baltic Fleet and XLII Corps (Finland).
France: On the anniversary of the Battle of the Marne, French Premier Ribot declares France will regain control over Alsace and Lorraine.
United Kingdom: Sir Eric Geddes appointed First Lord of the Admiralty, Great Britain (see July 19th).
Mr. Henderson on Stockholm.
“The Growth of Democracy” by Bruce Bairnsfather: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905103292312809474
Australia: Australian £80,000,000 War Loan Bill.

gekkogecko

09-07-2017, 05:38 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British sentry near the ruined cathedral in Ypres: © IWM (Q 3121): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905463137213841408
France: Haig and Petain meet amicably, agree 100 French heavy guns can go to Italy.
A pool overturned by German artillery at Pontavert, France: © IWM (Q 78187): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905448029343420420

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Italians attack Monte S. Gabriele.
Three soldiers of the Austro-Hungarian army on the Balkans in the summer of 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/austrians-balkans.jpg?ssl=1
Albania: General Jacquemot’s mixed French division begins advance on Austrian-held Pogradec, having been joined by Essad Pasha’s 500 Albanians from Salonika on September 6.
France: Petain ordered to send 72 medium guns to Italy, they detrain on September 10 and are used near Gorizia and Plava.
Macedonia: British activity on Struma front.
Austrians bomb Venice.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Belgian troops force river Kilimbro, attack and take Madege-Kalimoto positions (until September 16).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Health of troops in Mesopotamia reported greatly improved.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Commander-in-Chief Kornilov orders his troops against the Petrograd Soviet. The move is interpreted as a coup by Premier Kerensky.
France: Alexandre Ribot's ministry resigns (Another sources give 2 September as date of resignation).
United Kingdom: London Underground passenger guidelines for air raids: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905478278902886403
United States: U.S.A. contemplate seizing 400,000 tons of neutral shipping in American ports.

gekkogecko

09-08-2017, 07:44 AM

Western Front
Verdun: French attack on Meuse front and sieze Fosses, Caurieres and Chaume Woods and 800 prisoners.

Eastern Front
German advance after the fall of Riga slows down as Russian resistance stiffens.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: German H.Q. at Mahenge threatened by Belgian troops from north. German positions occupied by British at Mponda's, south of Mahenge. German troops retreat towards Liwale, 120 miles south-west of Kilwa.

Political, etc
Russia: General Lavr Kornilov dismissed; General Kemborski appointed Commander-in-Chief.
General Kornilov heads “revolt” (if that’s what it was) against Russian Provisional Government and marches on Petrograd (see 10th and 13th and August 1st). Another source states: Owing to misunderstanding with M. Aleksandr Kerenski, General Kornilov marches on Petrograd.
Kornilov, the new Russian commander-in-chief, tried in vain to restore the army’s fighting strength: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/Kornilov.jpg?ssl=1
British postal women sorting through mail to be sent to the censorship departments: © IWM (Q 114815): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905810446434918400
France: (Repeat from the other day, may not actually have happened until this day): French Premier Ribot’s cabinet resigns due to the failure of the Nivelle Offensive and the resulting French Army mutinies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/905841916343963648
United Kingdom: British Food Controller fixes price of milk for three months after October at 8d. per quart.
United States: Secretary of State publishes three Count Luxburg messages (German diplomat to Argentina), from Argentina, one urges 2 Argentine vessels be sunk without trace.
(Listed for yesterday): President Wilson bans the exportation of gold to Mexico, Spain, and Japan.

gekkogecko

09-09-2017, 01:00 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British take 600 yards of German trenches at Villeret (N.N.W. of St. Quentin).
Verdun: End of Third French offensive at Verdun. Meuse, right bank: heavy fighting, German counter-attack repulsed.
France: c.2,000 British troops mutiny at Etaples Infantry Base Depot (until September 14) due to poor conditions and Third Ypres reinforcement system, 3 sentenced to death after GHQ detachments restore order. British military police fires into an angry crowd of soldiers, killing a Scottish soldier.
Etaples was one of the Allied training camps for troops on the Western Front, which also served as recreational centers for soldiers from the front line. Strengthened discipline and attacks of the military police in Etaples resulted in unrest: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/etaples.jpg?ssl=1
A British sergeant in the trenches watching German lines with a mirror attached to his bayonet at Nieuport Bains: © IWM (Q 2876): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906174093929664515
Regimental dog of the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, on top of a horse near Cassel, France: © IWM (Q 3060): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906204310291312642
A Belgian officer reading a paper, smoking, and fishing near Pervyse: © IWM (Q 2962): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906506259305820162
British and Belgian officers & reporters examining a German artillery shell dud at Houthem: © IWM (Q 2945): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906537718523539456

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Austrians claim 6,000 prisoners near Hermada.
Macedonia: French advance near Lake Ochrida.
Italian Front: General O Below takes command of new German Fourteenth Army for projected offensive, plans drafted by September 10; 7 German and 8 Austrian divisions with 1,000 guns (800 German) pass through Trentino onto Dravel and Sava valleys 60 miles east of Caporetto, all marches at night.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Cadiz: German submarine, UB-49, short of oil, enters, and is interned. (it escapes Spain on October 6th).

Political, etc
Russia: Kerensky sacks Kornilov and issues arms to Petrograd Soviet. Rail workers prevent Kornilov’s advance as Soviets mobilize 25,000 workers. 3,000 Kronstadt sailors reinforce capital on September 10. Revolutionaries then Cossacks seize C-in-C Western Front General Denikin.
With German forces approaching Petrograd, partial evacuations of the city begin. The official reason blames food shortages.
United Kingdom: King's special decoration for 1914 campaign announced.
United States: U.S.A. publishes disclosures re: Swedish Legation at Buenos Aires.

gekkogecko

09-10-2017, 12:26 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British take 400 yards more trench at Villeret.
French troops resting & posing for the camera on the roadside near Houthem on their way to the front: © IWM (Q 2986): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906840956309254145

Eastern Front
Russian Twelfth Army takes up position 30 miles north-east of Riga; German pursuit.
Russian “Battalions of Death” counterattack German forces 32 miles northeast of Riga and manage to halt their advance in some areas.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: ”Stormtroopers” throwing grenades on the Isonzo Front facing Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/906901349375373312
Albania: French troops enter Pogradec, on southwest side of Lake Ochrid (also spelled Ochrida).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: US Atlantic Fleet C-in-C Admiral Mayo visits Grand Fleet (since September 9).
British ships of the Orion class in Moray Firth, Scotland, while American ships are in the background: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/British-ships-Orion-class-Moray-Firth-US-in-background.jpg?ssl=1
Mediterranean: German U-boats ordered not to attack unescorted Allied hospital ships (Spanish naval officer commissioners now placed aboard to ensure neutrality).
Baltic: 2 destroyers sent from Reval to protect Petrograd against Kornilov; most officers sign loyalty oath to Provisional Government but 4 shot for refusing. Revolutionary Execution created.

Political, etc
Germany: Hindenburg and Ludendorff note to Chancellor and War Minister; many exempted workers to be called up by spring without cutting munitions production.
Russia: General Kornilov approaches Petrograd.
M. Aleksandr Kerenski assumes Dictatorship of Russia (see August 6th and November 8th) and issues proclamation declaring General Kornilov a traitor (see 8th and 13th). Provisional Government resigns.
United States: State of Maine votes down women’s suffrage by a ratio of 2 to 1.

gekkogecko

09-11-2017, 06:39 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Legendary French ace Georges Guynemer (54 victories) missing over Poelcapelle aged 22, first revealed in London (September 27) on a day Germans claim 6 Allied single-seaters.
French fighter ace Georges Guynemer (second from right) in front of his Morane-Saulnier Type L fighter: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Gunymemer-MS-L.jpg?ssl=1
British bomb south of Lille and Roulers region heavily.
British seaplanes bomb Zeebrugge mole and air sheds.

Eastern Front
Romania: Battle of Ciresoaia: (until September 12): Russo-Rumanian attack fails, last major fighting in sector.

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: After shelling of record intensity Italian 11th Division captures Mt San Gabriele with 2,000 PoWs but Austrian fire forces it 100 feet below summit; Lieutenant-Colonel Sauer of Austrian 14th Regiment ‘Who could fully describe this San Gabriele, this sort of Moloch which swallows up a regiment every three or four days …’.
Austro-Hungarian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau and north-east of Gorizia heavily repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Atlantic: U-49 (Hartmann) rammed and sunk by SS British Transport west of Biscay, having claimed 38 ships worth 86,433t.

Political, etc
Russia: Despite being labeled a traitor by the Russian government, General Kornilov & his troops are 33 miles from Petrograd & closing.
Kornilov issues final Order No 900 and appeal to the people.
United Kingdom: First party of repatriated British prisoners reaches England from Switzerland (see May 13th, 1916).
Italy: British War Minister Lord Derby visits Cadorna at Udine, promises 160 British heavy guns (200 Anglo-French guns sent on September 18).

gekkogecko

09-12-2017, 05:47 AM

Western Front
French headquarters estimate German losses to end of July at four millions.
Two British Mark IV tanks moving through the woods near Elverdinge, Belgium: © IWM (Q 3547): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907265080793976837

Southern Front
Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo: Eleventh Battle of the Isonzo ends (see August 17th). Italians hold on stubbornly north-east of Gorizia.
Italian losses since August 10 a record of 166,000 men (18,000 PoWs) so far. Austrians c.85,000 (29,000 PoWs).
French and Russian troops cross River Devoli (Albanian frontier), driving back Austro-Hungarian/Bulgarian forces twenty miles.
Another source gives more detail: French advance ends after 414 Austro-Bulgar PoWs and guns taken for 175 casualties in 20-mile advance; only real Allied 1917 Balkans success. Essad’s Albanians return from Skumbi valley raid with 156 Austrian PoWs on September 20.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Gulf of Riga still controlled by Russian warships; bombard German batteries on Courland shores. Germans prepare to capture Gulf of Riga Islands by amphibious operation (OHL approve on September 18); High Seas Fleet detaches 2 battle squadrons (10 ships), battlecruiser Moltke, 2nd Scouting Group (light cruisers) and 5 destroyer flotillas (47 ships). 19 German trawlers hunt Royal Navy submarine E.9 off Pomerania after latter misses 2 merchant ships (another miss on September 13).
Mediterranean: Fiction now ended that U-35, U-38 and U-39 Austrian flag warships at Austrian request.
North Atlantic: HM Submarine D.7 sinks U-45 north of Ireland.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm returns from the Riga battlefields to Potsdam with a severe cold.
Russia: Russia on point of civil war.
France: M. Paul Painlevé succeeds M. Alexandre Ribot as French Premier (see 9th and November 14th).
M. Alexandre Ribot reappointed French Foreign Minister (see 9th, and October 23rd).
Bulgaria: Tsaritsa Eleonore Reuss of Köstritz, the wife of Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907536852252598272
Poland: Central Powers proclaim grant of temporary Constitution to Poland, (see April 5th and October 15th, 1917 and January 10th, 1918). Polish Regency Council created. (courts already transferred on September 1).
Argentina: Argentina hands passports to Count Luxburg. Argentine Parliament votes to sever relations (September 19 and 25) despite German apology (September 17) but President disagrees.

gekkogecko

09-13-2017, 10:25 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: German “attack” near Langemarck repulsed.
German raids west of Craonne.
Germans penetrate French advanced line north of Caurieres Wood (Meuse).
British officers buying food from children at a marketplace in Cassel, France: © IWM (Q 2880): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907567062129807363British machine gunners hauling a large barrel of beer for their commanding officer’s birthday in Winnezeele, France: © IWM (Q 2881): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907658838966501376
Horatio Bottomley and his secretary wearing gas masks in a trench during his visit to the front: © IWM (Q 2809): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907924353127469057

Eastern Front
Odessa and Black Sea tranquil; population sympathise with Provisional Government.
Galicia: Germans evacuate Gusiatyn on border.
In Russia, the war blinds demonstrate for the continuation of the war: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ruus-kriegsblinde-kriesfortsetzung.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Hoffmann diary ‘A German advance on Petersburg now would bring about the complete collapse of Russia’.
Russia: General Lavr Kornilov's revolt collapses (see 8th, 10th and 14th). General Alexeiev treats with General Kornilov. When the latter's revolt fails; his commander, General Krimov, kills himself. Kornilov surrenders to Alexeiev at Mogilev and is moved to Bykhov monastery. General Kaledin and Cossacks revolt. Russian Premier Kerensky also becomes Commander in Chief & mobilizes forces, including the Bolsheviks, in Petrograd to cement his rule. Soviets ban Cadets.
France: New French Cabinet announced.
United States: US Secret Service raid the home of Professor Scott Nearing, a pacifist and socialist activist, to find evidence of sedition. {nevertheless, he was later prosecuted, and after the war the organization he founded was found guilty of sedition. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Nearing#First_World_War)
The “Gulf Between,” the first film to be shot in technicolor in the US, is released (the film is mostly lost today): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/907954566205001734

gekkogecko

09-14-2017, 05:49 AM

Western Front
Verdun: French drive Germans out of Caurieres Wood.

Eastern Front
Central Powers approach trenches near Focsani; repulsed everywhere by Romanians.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austrians close Swiss frontier, but Italians warned from Berne of imminent attack, possibly on Middle Isonzo.
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm and the Crown Prince meet in Berlin to discuss the Pope’s proposal for peace.
Russia: General Kornilov surrenders to the Provisional Government (see 13th).
Kerensky proclaims Republic and Council of Five, but power really passing to Petrograd Soviet.
General Aleksandr Krymov, who commited suicide due to his part in the coup: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908014975096147968
Canada: War-Times Election Act enfranchises close women relatives of servicemen for duration of war and demobilization.
New Zealand: Sir J. Allen on New Zealand spirit.
Italy: British conference aims to supply Italy with 700,000t coal pm (including 60,000-70,000t US) on Gibraltar-Genoa route if Italy spares 11 destroyers for escort (conditionally accepted after long wrangle and Caporetto disaster on November 23).
United States: $2 billion naval spending in last year.
Elihu Root, former US Secretary of War and Secretary of State, says anyone who opposes the war are traitors.

gekkogecko

09-15-2017, 06:47 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: London troops capture strong point north of Inverness Copse.
Germans repulsed by Portuguese at Neuve Chapelle.
Seaplanes successfully attack shipping between Blankenberghe and Ostend.
Aisne: Petain adopts plan for limited attack.
A German messenger dog in ‘flight’ as it races to the rear to deliver a message: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/messanger-dog.jpg?ssl=1
Two French veterans learning braille after being blinded at the front: © IWM (Q 53979): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908378626453852160

Southern Front
Four successive Austro-Hungarian counter-attacks on Bainsizza Plateau fail; Italians gain ground to south-east. Sassari Brigade captures Hills 895 and 862 on its eastern edge. General Below and his CoS Krafft visit Archduke Eugene to concert offensive plans.
destroyed Austro-Hungarian graveyard on the Isonzo front facing Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908288029374197760

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Hottest season on record at Baghdad.
Troops' health and spirits “excellent”.

Political, etc
Germany: Last battlecruiser Graf Spee launched at Danzig by Schichau but never completed despite 1,500 workers’ efforts.
Russia: Provisional Council of 5 declares Russia a Republic under M. Kerenski; new War Cabinet formed.
United States: A “tobacco parade” organized in New York City to raise money for tobacco for soldiers overseas: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908318235342372864
[ed note: Now, *THERE'S* a sign that times have changed.]

gekkogecko

09-16-2017, 05:39 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: The cathedral at Ypres in ruins: © IWM (Q 2829: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908741029389570048
A barbed wire “gate” inside a British trench to close off access during raids: © IWM (Q 6021): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908992626040475648
German attack on Apremont Forest (St. Mihiel) fails.
Stuttgart, Colmar, Thionville and Saarburg bombed by French
Britain: Haig approves Byng’s Cambrai tank attack scheme.
Meuse: French repulse attack on Apremont Forest (St Mihiel).
France: The La Courtine Massacre: Loyal Russian troops (3rd Brigade) with 75mm mle 1897 battery storm La Courtine internment camp to suppress mutinous Bolshevik 1st Brigade (Globa), 200 miles south of Paris.
Two British officers enjoying beer at an officer’s club in Abbeville in the Somme: © IWM (Q 5960): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/908710828651810816

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: German position at Kalimoto (north of Mahenge) captured.
Belgian troops (Colonel Huyghe) pursue.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Lawrence leads 100 Arabs against Mudauwara Station on Hejaz Railway, blows up and captures Turkish train (over 180 casualties including Austrian gunners) to south on September 19 and returns to Aqaba on September 21. ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ in British uniform: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Lawrence-von-arabien.jpg?ssl=1
Palestine: Major-General Bols succeeds Lynden-Bell (appointed October 27, 1915) as Allenby’s EEF CoS.

Political, etc
Russia: General Kaledin, Hetman of Don Cossacks, declares loyalty to Government.
United States: Entire sugar industry in the United States is put under federal control to stabilize supply and prices.

gekkogecko

09-17-2017, 09:30 AM

Eastern Front
Riga: fighting between advanced posts continues.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian infantry marching through the snow in the Alps: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909022824458801152

Naval and Overseas Operations
British submarine G.9 is sunk when the HMS Pasley mistakes it for a German U-boat and rams it. 30 men are killed:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909113424264785920

Political, etc
Germany: Government asks 15-year-olds to volunteer for Army.
The second ever “summer time” ended last night in Germany, the Netherlands, and in Great Britain, as clocks are moved back.
Russia: Leon Trotsky released from Kresty prison.
France: Churchill meets French Munitions Minister Loucheur in Paris, latter urges Allied Munitions Council.
France will send 140 of its officers to the United States to train the U.S. Army.
United Kingdom: 9d loaf order in operation.
"Summer Time" ends at 2 am.
Coalminers flat wage up 1s 6d per day. Women as workers in a coal mine in England: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Frauen-Kohlemine.jpg?ssl=1
King George V visiting a factory and observing a woman worker using a flame cutter: © IWM (Q 54821): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909083233601622017
King George V launching a ship at the dockyard in Greenock, Scotland: © IWM (Q 54817): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909385212349571072
Argentina: Germany apologizes to Argentina over the Luxburg Affair, where a German diplomat asked U-boats to target neutral Argentine ships.

gekkogecko

09-18-2017, 06:46 AM

Western Front
Heavy artillery and aerial activity continues around Ypres, as Britain prepares for another offensive in the area.

Southern Front
Luigi Cadorna cancels 12th Isonzo offensive and starts defensive preparations, tells Allies this on September 20 who halt guns for the Italians on September 25.
Trentino: Italian battalions take 200 PoWs in Val Sugana but fail in dash for Trento inspired by Czech officer deserters (night September 18-19) at Carzano.
Italian soldiers in the trench. The defense facilities in the Isonzo area are not strengthened, as the local authorities consider the site to be too difficult for the expected German-Austrian-Hungarian offensive: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/italuener-schuetzengraben.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: U-boat sinks destroyer HMS Contest (50 survivors).
Mediterranean: British patrol instructions advise limit of 12 ships per convoy with 4 escorts.

Political, etc
France: Painleve redefines French war aims as Alsace-Lorraine and reparations.
United Kingdom: King George awards 21-year-old factory worker Lizze Robinson the Order of the British Empire; the 1st woman to receive it: © IWM (Q 54481): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909743852914962432
Turkey: Count Johann von Bernstorff, former German ambassador to the U.S., arrives in Constantinople as the new ambassador to the Ottoman Empire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909462016561119233
United States: More than 25,000 workmen in San Francisco shipyards go on strike in one of the biggest strikes in West Coast history.

gekkogecko

09-19-2017, 05:21 AM

Western Front
Ypres: Sopwith Camel fighter first used as light bombers with four 20lb or 25lb bombs.

Eastern Front
German infantry attack Lemburg (east of Riga) repulsed with loss by Letts.

Southern Front
Fighting dying down on Italian front.
An Austro-Hungarian officer taking a field bath near the Isonzo front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/909835718310158336

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Kilwa Force action at Mihambia (until September 20) costs 145 casualties and fails to cut off over 1,100 German troops retreat behind burning grass. British advance resumes on September 24 after thirst quenched.
British infantrymen in East Africa: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/British-inf-EastAfrica-1917.jpg?ssl=1
Baltic: 20 Russian warships at Helsinki raise Red Flag.

Political, etc
Russia: M. Kerenski tries to limit powers of Extremists.
France: Vote of Confidence in French Government.
United States: 343,500 U.S.A. conscripts joined to date.
National Equal Rights League meets in New York City to urge equal rights for African American workers and soldiers.

gekkogecko

09-20-2017, 09:22 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of the Menin Road Ridge begins (see 25th): British advance east of Ypres and take Inverness Copse, Glencorse Wood, Veldhoek and part of Polygon Wood and 2,000 prisoners.
Australian soldiers run across the field while being targeted by artillery during the Battle of Menin Road: © IWM (E(AUS) 737): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910454775271043072
Third Allied attack of ‘Third Ypres’, directed by Plumer begun in mist. Main weight of attack with 11 divisions and 52 tanks thrusts against Passchendaele-Gheluvelt line in attempt to win high ground between Ypres and Roulers-Menin railway. Under unprecedented fire-layered 8-hour creeping barrage with gun to every 5.2 yards, British capture Inverness Copse, Glencorse Wood, Veld hoek, Hollebeke and part of Polygon Wood in average 1,500 yard advance despite 11 counter-attacks. Sergant W Burman of 16th Rifle Brigade uses his sword to kill 11 Germans in an MG post, wins Victoria Cross. GOC 19th Division T Bridges severely wounded, loses a leg. Letter from Captain Patton, US Cavalry, to wife: ‘The Germans shoot a gas which makes people vomit [note: this is ‘mustard gas’, known to the Germans as ‘Yperite’] and when they take off the masks to spit they shoot the deadly gas at them. It is a smart idea is it not ?’.
Royal Flying Corps RE8s plus balloons report or direct fire at 208 German batteries. 112 air combats, 11 British and 7 German aircraft lost.
British soldiers attempt to identify dead during the Third Battle of Ypres: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Identifizierung-3Ypernschlacht.jpg?ssl=1
A damaged German memorial at a war cemetery captured by the French: © IWM (Q 78160): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910213193372504070
Australian troops trying to rescue an officer whose parachute became entangled in a tree after he jumped from a balloon: © IWM (Q 5983): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910484989556477958

Eastern Front
The Central Powers attack thrice in Susitza Valley (Moldavia); repulsed by Romanians.

Southern Front
French and Albanian troops raid Austrians in Skumbi valley (Albania); 400 prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Cassini's column defeat Nuri Pasha at Zanzur (west of Tripoli City); Libyan rebel losses 1,600 etc.
Trans-Caucasia declares itself a Republic.
Russians defeat Turks near Ortobo (Bitlis, September 25).

Political, etc
Germany: Germany opens its 7th war loan to raise 50 million Marks for the war effort, urging the public to buy bonds.
Russia: General Mikhail Alexeiev resigns, Nikolai Dukhonin becomes effective C-in-C.
Executive Committee of the Petrograd Soviet resigns due to continued divisions within the fledgling Russian government.
United Kingdom: Sir A. Yapp, Food Controller.
Chambers of Commerce meets for better understanding of British war aims; addressed by Lord Northcliffe.
United States: Nation War Convention of U.S.A.
300,000 more conscripted Americans head to U.S. Army Camps to train for the war.
Argentina: Argentine Senate votes 23 to 1 to break off diplomatic relations with Germany.

gekkogecko

09-21-2017, 05:45 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: German attacks on Tower Hamlets' ridge repulsed. Prisoners now exceed 3,000. (Another source specifies 3,243 ).
Royal Flying Corps Nos 100 and 101 Squadrons continue night bombing of Menin and Roulers against arriving German troops, using parachute flares (repeated September 25-26 and 26-27).
German PoWs in a British collection center. https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/de-kriegsgefangene.jpg?ssl=1
Men of the 13th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, prepare to advance during the Battle of Menin Road: © IWM (Q 5970): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910545407629021184
"The Menin Road,” by Paul Nash in 1919, depicting the battlefield near Gheluvelt at Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910575588305498112

Eastern Front
After holding enemy here for 18 months, Russians retire north from Jakobstadt (River Dvina).
Courland proclaims independence and requests German protection.

Southern Front
Second phase of Isonzo battle closed; neither side can hold Mte. S. Gabriele.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: German groups broken up west of Kilwa and Lindi; flee south to River Mbemkuru.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British bomb and cause surrender of Diwaniya (Euphrates).

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Publication of Count Bernstorff's correspondence with Berlin re: bribing Congress.
Canada: Canada passes the Wartime Elections Act, which gives the vote to women in the military and to wives, mothers, & sisters of serving soldiers.
Italy: Central Powers' reply to Papal Note.
Minor Allies: Costa Rica severs diplomatic relations with Germany (see May 23rd, 1918).

dicksbro

09-22-2017, 03:57 AM

From all the activity going on ... it seems almost hard to imagine that in barely more than a year, the Great War will end ... to be followed by long and drawn out peace negotiations (although the negotiations seemed to be more between the allies than with Germany. :shrug:

gekkogecko

09-22-2017, 06:51 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: German forces again attempt to retake British gains at Ypres, but only gain south of the Menin Road with heavy losses.
“South African Scottish” troops carry a captured wounded German soldier during the Battle of Menin Road: © IWM (Q 2870): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910909007266709504
Stuttgart, Treves, Coblenz and Frankfurt bombed by French.
Ralph Curtis (pictured), British aerial ace with 15 victories, is killed in action in a dogfight with German pilot Hermann Göring: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910939226392457216

Eastern Front
Jakobstadt (Baltic) stormed by German forces (21st/22nd).
German forces capture the city of Jakobstadt (Jēkabpils, Latvia) from the Russians: © IWM (Q 29937): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/910848619460333568

Southern Front
Slight Italian push in Marmolada region (Carnic).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Only British air kill of a U-boat: Royal Navy Air Service H12 America flying boat (Flt Sub-lt N Magor) bombs coastal submarine UB-32.
The large Curtiss H12 America flying boat: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/H12-America-Flyingboat.jpg?ssl=1
Channel: Ostend attacked by British coast patrol. Dover Patrol monitor Terror shells Ostend (35 shells), sinks floating dock.
3 Royal Navy Air Service Sopwith Camel fighters over Dover Patrol destroy, force down or capture 4 German seaplanes from Ostend and Zeebrugge.
Atlantic: Convoys from Dakar start
East Africa: Battle of Bweho Chini: over 1,100 German troops and over 20 MGs (estimate over 340 casualties) just fail to storm surrounded Nigerian Brigade camp (134 casualties). Kilwa Force reunited on September 24. Belgians fight at Hyka on river M’kaha.

Political, etc
Italy: Germany and Austria-Hungary accept Pope Benedict’s proposal for an immediate armistice in the war. The Allies had already rejected it.
Argentina: Relations much strained between Germany and Argentina.

gekkogecko

09-23-2017, 09:50 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: BEF losses 20,000 soldiers since September 20.
British troops at Zillebeke during the 3rd Battle of Ypres with a disabled British tank in the background: © IWM (Q 3224): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911223588568682496
A knocked-out British tank near Zonnebeke at the 3rd Battle of Ypres: © IWM (Q 6468): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911253801767772161
Flanders: Haig calls off long-planned and prepared amphibious landing by 24,000 troops near Westende, because Third Ypres battle bogged down.
Western Front: Lieutenant Werner Voss (48 victories since November 27, 1916), leader of Jasta 10 killed in action, aged 20 in Fokker triplane by Lieutenant Rhys-David (killed in action on October 27). Voss was fighting an entire flight (7 SE 5as) of No 56 Squadron.
Werner Voss, German ace with 48 aerial victories, is killed in action after dogfighting with 7 British planes (6 aces) in a “last stand.”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911587251775303680
German pilots prepare for a sortie with Fokker Dr.I triplanes: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Fokker-DrI-Einsatz.jpg?ssl=1
France: US Tank Corps founded.

Eastern Front
Kaiser Wilhelm touring the oil refineries captured at Campina, Romania: © IWM (Q 70277): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911526829810470912

Naval and Overseas Operations
British destroyer sunk in Channel, 50 survivors. [Note: I can find no other mention of this, I think this is a mistaken post; probably from an earlier report]

Political, etc
Germany: Severe shortage of paper in Germany leads to many newspapers unable to print the day’s editions.
Russia: Bolsheviks accuse Russian Premier Kerensky of orchestrating the recent coup to crush the proletariat and the soviet council.

gekkogecko

09-24-2017, 10:42 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: A German artillery shell lands just yards away from the photographer Ernest Brooks during the 3rd Battle of Ypres: © IWM (Q 2890): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911647628449984518
Highland Light Infantry troops resting before the attack during the 3rd Battle of Ypres: © IWM (Q 6006): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911900257851670528
Airplane raid on London and south-east coast, 21 killed, 70 injured. 3 of 16 Gotha bombers reach London, 1 bomb causes 39 casualties (of total 91) in Southampton Row; 30 defence sorties including first from Biggin Hill.
German Gotha bomber in flight: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/gotha-in-flight.jpg?ssl=1
11 Navy Zeppelins dispatched: 5 wander east and north counties; only 3 civilian casualties but 5 defence fighters crash (night September 24-25).
German attack north of Bezonvaux, Fosses and Chaume Woods, Verdun (north-east), repulsed. 50 Germans are captured.
Germans bomb Royal Navy Air Service St Pol depot near Dunkirk (until October 1), destroy 140 engines.

Eastern Front
Baltic: Around this date Russian Baltic staff learn from Room 40 that German battleships coming east.

Southern Front
Salonika: General Paul Grossetti leaves with food poisoning complaint (died January 7, 1918 aged 56), General Charles Regnault temporary C-in-C French Army of the Orient.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British destroy German food depots west of Kilwa; Belgian column within ten miles of Mahenge.
Mediterranean: around this date 5 old US destroyers arrive at Port Said from Philippines, go on to Gibraltar for escort work.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Captain Marchese di Laureati flies from Turin to London, non-stop, 650 miles, 7 hours 22 minutes.
Great Britain apologizes to Denmark for Jutland violation on 1 September 1917, and offers indemnity.
United States: Herbert Hoover, head of the U.S. Food Administration, recommends that people eat less candy to preserve sugar supplies.
Satisfactory Japanese Mission (Viscount Ishii) to U.S.A.
U.S. House approves the creation of a special suffrage committee to deal with issues concerning giving women the vote.

gekkogecko

09-25-2017, 07:20 AM

Western Front
Battle of the Menin Road Ridge phase of the Third Battle of Ypres ends (see. 20th). Germans penetrate between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood, but later retire.
Shelled village near Ypres. In the autumn of 1914 here was fiercely fought, and in 1917 Flanders was a battlefield again: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ypern-dorf.jpg?ssl=1
RFC makes the utterly fantastical claim of 19 German aircraft for loss of 1 missing.
South-east London raided by German aeroplanes; 9 killed, 23 injured.
15 Gotha bombers (1 lost) dispatched, 4 reach London.
Zeppelins attack Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts, 3 injured. A bomb dropped from the Zeppelin attack on Kingston-upon-Hull, England last night: © IWM (Q 61164): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/912251621530378241
Belgium: Royal Navy Air Service and Royal Flying Corps attack St Denis Westrem and Gontrode Gotha bases (until October 10) forcing bombers to disperse and use two other airfields.

Southern Front
Adriatic: Italians bomb Pola and Olivi Rock submarine base.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Ostend bombarded again.
Brigadier-General Northey's summary of his operations in East Africa published.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russian detachments attack Turks successfully near Ortobo (Bitlis).
Mesopotamia: Royal Flying Corps No 63 squadron loses 2 RE8s on first reconnaissance mission from Baghdad to German aircraft near Tikrit.

Political, etc
Germany: New Fatherland's Party meeting and declaration of von Tirpitz's policy.
Russia: Vladimir Lenin writes to Central committee (letter arriving September 27) that armed uprising necessary.
France: Anglo-French Conference assembles in Boulogne to discuss an Italian offensive and the extension of the British front in France (see 4th). British agree in principle to extending BEF front.
United Kingdom: British postal worker holds 3 packages that tried to smuggle food into Germany by wrapping them in newspaper: © IWM (Q 54114): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/911979813430288384
Ireland: Death of Easter Rising rebel T Ashe (rearrested August 14) after forcible feeding in prison.
United States: U.S.A. declares itself not one of the "Allies".

gekkogecko

09-26-2017, 05:52 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Polygon Wood begins (see October 3rd). British 0550 hours thrust (15,000 casualties) including 5 tanks and Anzac troops, gains almost all 1,200 yards planned, smashes 3 German Reserve divisions (12.5% casualties) in four counter-attacks and takes 1,600 PoWs. Four hostile counter-attacks fail after fierce fighting. Described as ‘A day of heavy fighting, accompanied by every circumstances that could cause us loss’ by Ludendorff.
A soldier wearing a German sniper mask made with ½ inch steel: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/912342261903609858
Royal Flying Corps reports or ranges 260 German batteries. Both sides make low-flying attacks on troops (MGs bring down 5 of 11 German aircraft lost in day).
An Australian Army Vickers machine-gun team engages a low-flying enemy aircraft: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/australian-mg-aafire.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Fighting in Marmolada region.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: Royal Navy PC61 rams and sinks UC-33 in St George’s Channel.
East Africa: German-aligned native forces retire from strong post in Lukuledi valley (22 miles south-east of Lindi).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Hejaz railway bridge destroyed near Maan; train derailed, 80 prisoners.

Political, etc
Germany: Reichstag President denounces Mr. Wilson.
Russia: Central Georgian Council formed.
M. Aleksandr Kerenski resigns from Soviet.
United Kingdom: 75 strikes reported since September 19.
Canada: Conscription in force.
Australia: Australian strike: 50,000 unemployed in Sydney, etc.
Greece: Eleftherios Venizelos resigns War Ministry.
Argentina: The Argentine Chamber of Deputies votes 53 to 18 to cut diplomatic ties with Germany over its use of U-boats.

gekkogecko

09-27-2017, 09:12 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Seven German counter-attacks east of Ypres repulsed. Another source states: British forces hold on to all gains made yesterday at Ypres against 3 German counterattacks. Over 1000 Germans are taken prisoner.
5th Australian Division completes recapture of Polygon Wood.
Stretcher-bearers carry a wounded soldier through the mud of Ypres which reaches their knees: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/stretcher-bearers-mud-ypres.jpg?ssl=1
A captured German prisoner at Ypres looking through the barbed wire of a POW camp: © IWM (Q 3067): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/912642937800003585
Australian 4th Division soldiers near Zonnebeke at Ypres wearing gas masks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913005327653752833
Seaplanes raid St. Denis Westrem aerodrome: 15 Gothas hit.
A Royal Garrison Artillery gunner with his battery’s mascot, a goat: © IWM (Q 6005): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/912733550440517638

Southern Front
Pola and Olivi Rock Austro-Hungarian submarine bases heavily bombed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: First air-dropped mining success: Russian destroyer Okhotnik sinks on German aircraft-laid mine (one of 70 since July 1 ) off Zerel (Oesel island).
Britain: Order-in-Council improves Royal Navy pay and pensions, abolishes ‘hospital stoppages’.
East Africa: Kilwa Force action at Nahungu Hill (until September 28): another 3 column assault met by dusk counter-attack cover to German retreat; hospital and food store abandoned.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians fight Kurds near Oromaru.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Democratic Congress at Moscow opens. Arrest of Vladimir Lenin ordered.
General Vladimir Sukhomlinov, the former Russian Minister of War, is sentenced to life in prison for leaving the Army unprepared for war.
United Kingdom: National War Bonds (5% and 4%), latter free of Income Tax started.
Premier David Lloyd George sues newspapers for libel for reporting that he left London to flee German air raids.
United States: Former President Roosevelt criticizes US military preparations, stating drafted men are drilling with broomsticks due to lack of rifles.

gekkogecko

09-28-2017, 05:57 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Royal Flying Corps makes 20 bombing raids on a fine day, at least 8 German aircraft shot down.
A Royal Field Artillery gunner walking his puppy through the ruined streets of Ypres: © IWM (Q 2912): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913065747773083649
A British soldier at Ypres inside a captured German pill-box while German artillery fires on his position: © IWM (Q 2901): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913095941867044864
Airplane raid on south-east coast; raiders headed off from London; no damage. 2 Giant bombers for first time among 25 German aircraft sent (3 losses), 16 Gotha bombers turn back due to dense low cloud, only 9 manage to scatter bombs over Essex and Kent, 6 crash on return landing.
The Zeppelin-Staaken R-VI ‘Giant’: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeppelin-Staaken_R.VI#/media/File:Zeppelin-Staaken_R.VI_photo2.jpg
Zeebrugge and aerodromes bombed.

Southern Front
Italians gain ground on Monte S. Gabriele.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Big German supply centre 82 miles south-west of Kilwa captured. Linforce (99 casualties) drives Wahle from Mtua (until September 29), 3rd Nigerian battalion loses 110 casualties to Wahle at Nyengedi on September 30.
Rhodesian column ( NRFF column ) arrives 66 miles south-west of Liwale.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Action of Ramadi (28th/29th). Brooking (995 casualties) annihilates 4,100 Turks with 10 guns (3,456 PoWs), takes 4 small craft on Euphrates. Another source says: 3,455 prisoners (includes Turkish commander), and 13 guns.
Turkish PoWs captured at the Battle of Ramadi are led to the rear: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Ramadi-turk-pows.jpg?ssl=1
Red Cross river work.
Bolo Pasha arrested.

Political, etc
Germany: Von Kuhlmann on Papal Note in Reichstag.
Dr. Michaelis refuses to state German war aims.
Thailand: A new flag of Thailand is adopted by royal decree issued by King Rama VI: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913337519571337216

gekkogecko

09-29-2017, 07:00 AM

Western Front
A night bombing raid on balloon shed near Quiery-la-Motte is undertaken by two Royal Naval Air Service Sopwith Camels.
Airplane raid on London; 3 machines penetrate defences, 14 killed, 87 injured.
Another source, more detail: 7 Gotha bombers (1 crash lands in Holland) and 3 Giants dispatched, 3 plus 1 (1 lost to Dover anti-aircraft fire) respectively bomb London, Waterloo Station damaged (127 civilian casualties).
Belgium: RNAS Handley Pages bomb Zeebrugge (nights until October 2) but 220 bombs fail to hit lock gates.

Southern Front
Italians improve position on Bainsizza Plateau, claiming 1,400 prisoners.
Another source, more detail: Italian 44th Division captures Na Kobil (2,552 ft) with 1,400 PoWs on Bainsizza Plateau (600 more on September 30), but victorious General Papa killed there on October 5.
An Austro-Hungarian gun in the ice tunnels of the Alps in Tyrol: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913429439949819904

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: ‘The mastery of the air has … passed over to the British’, Turco-Germans estimate Royal Flying Corps strength at 30-40 planes.

Political, etc
Germany: First tank unit formed, 113 men with 5 A7Vs (delivered December 8, more units created). German’s massive A7V entered service in late 1917 but had a high centre of gravity aqnd inadquate engines that gave it a poor cross-country capability: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/A7V.jpg?ssl=1
German Social Democratic Party has lost 76% of its membership since 1914 due to the war and schism within the party.
Russia: Russian government reaffirms its pledge to be committed to the “reconstruction of a free Polish people.”
Italy: King of Italy returns after visiting French and Belgian fronts.

dicksbro

09-30-2017, 05:15 AM

I think it's so fascinating to read all of these "little things" that happened almost every day that probably no one even noticed for more than a few minutes. Gecko, I've really enjoyed this series. Thanks!

gekkogecko

09-30-2017, 09:27 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Three German flame attacks between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood repulsed.
British soldiers resting on a mound of spent shell-casings beside the Ypres-Menin road: © IWM (Q 2915): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/914092477736521728
Airplane raid on London: 4 machines penetrate defenses (another source says 6 of 11 dispatched) ; 14 killed, 38 injured.
Germans gain temporary footing at Berry-au-Bac (Aisne river).
St. Denis Westrem again bombed.
AEF (American Expedition Force) personnel in Europe total 61,927 soldiers.
British claim of 5,296 prisoners and 11 guns, etc., taken by British during September.
A large German trench mortar captured by the Canadians, with a dog inside the tube: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/913819455276404736
German soldiers posing for the camera on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/914122695255756801

Southern Front
(Listed for yeaterday): Italian troops extend their lines on the southeastern part of the Bainsizza (Banjšice) Plateau, taking 1,400 Austria-Hungarian prisoners.
Successful Italian attack on Bainsizza Plateau; 600 prisoners taken.
Italian Front: 56,000 Italian deserters (Cacdorna’s report of November 3), monthly desertion rate 5,500 (July to September) vs 650 in 1915.
RNAS Handley Page (Flt Cdr J Alcock) forced to ditch in Gulf of Xeros by Turk anti-aircraft fire, 3 crew PoWs.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied and neutral shipping loss to U-boats: 159 ships (68 British with 293 lives) lowest since January or 338,242t (German figure 353,602t including 111,241t in Mediterranean). Record of 11 U-boats lost. Only 6 ships lost over 50 miles from land (September to December), ie the convoy system is forcing U-boats inshore.
Ships of an Allied convoy arrive at an unknown port: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/allied-convoy.jpg?ssl=1
U.S. Navy makes the longest radio communication record, transmitting 5000 miles from Sayville, New York to Honolulu, Hawaii.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops defeat and capture the Ottoman forces defending the city of Ramadi (Iraq).

Political, etc
Germany: During September Rear Admiral Souchon returns to Germany from Turkey to command High Seas Fleet 4th Battle Squadron, Vice-Admiral Rebeur-Paschwitz in command of Turkish Navy.
Russia: Non-Slav Congress at Kiev demands autonomy for all Russian nationalities.
Turkey: Mustafa Kemal protest letter to Enver Pasha and resignation as Seventh Army Commander at Aleppo. He urges defensive strategy and independence from Germany; best divisions lose 50% of strength before reaching Front in Palestine; ‘Public life is in full anarchy’. Fevzi Pasha replaces him.
United States: In these days Royal Flying Corps Advanced HQ opens at Fort Worth, Texas, helps train 10 American squadrons on 3 airfields for RFC (until April 1918).
China: Sun-yat-Sen arrested for organizing revolution at Canton.

gekkogecko

10-01-2017, 09:58 AM

Western Front
The General Officer Commanding of the Royal Flying Corps in France is informed that enemy raids on England are interrupting munitions production and is tasked to undertake immediate action against German objectives that could be reached from Nancy. In response, the 41st Wing is formed to undertake independent bombing operations against targets inside Germany.
A row of tethered balloons holding a wire barrage in front of London, designed to slice through the wings of any aircraft whose crew failed to spot the wires in time: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ballon-sperre-london.jpg?ssl=1
Third Battle of Ypres: Five powerful German attacks repulsed between Ypres-Menin road and Polygon Wood and at Zonnebeke. British take 4,446 PoWs from October 1-5 (King George cables congratulations on October 5).
Verdun: Between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux German success. German advance between Chaume Wood and Bezonvaux. French launch repeated counter-attacks on October 2 between Samogneux and Hill 344 (repulse small attack on October 4), but fail to dislodge attackers. Artillery duels on October 3.
French and British airmen bomb Rhine towns and Roulers; Dunkirk bombed by Germans, serious material damage.
Six of 18 Gothas sent bomb London; 6 others bomb Kent, Essex and Suffolk (11 killed, 41 injured). British first use 15ft spherical sound locator near Dover to detect German aircraft 12-15 miles out in Channel. During October First London balloon barrage operational, 10 by June 1918 despite first trial in Richmond Park (September 21) killing 2 air mechanics.
Germany: In October German Army reaches 238 divisions (147 in the West) with 18,416 guns, maximum till May 1918. It has 12,432 guns in the West against 6,000 BEF and 10,000 French.
France: French Army combatant strength 1,142,000 infantry; 71,000 cavalry; 522,000 gunners; 121,000 engineers; 35,000 airmen.
British troops getting ready for leave, waving their leave papers, at Poperinge, Belgium: © IWM (Q 3095): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/914152879002460160

Eastern Front
Riga: German airmen bomb Oesel Island.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian attack on Bainsizza Plateau repulsed. Others on Mt San Gabriele fail from October 2-3. Artillery active on October 7 and 13.
Macedonia: Peak Italian strength with 57,874 soldiers.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: Admiralty staff now has Director of Minesweeping under ACNS. More efficient British ‘Nash Fish’ hydrophone comes into service (effective towed slowly, giving limited directionals); 54.2% U-boat attacks on British home waters shipping at night (until December 31) now moving inshore to areas before convoys assemble or after they disperse eg Northern Channel, St Catherine’s Point and the Smalls (Bristol Channel), 82% sinkings (August to December) under 50 miles from land (58% under 10 miles).
Germany: During October peak of 140 U-boats operational but German deadline for U-boat victory over Britain passes.
Mediterranean: During October record 52,500t Italian steamers (ie 16) sunk by Austro-German action. Royal Navy has 18 destroyers, 33 sloops, 69 armed trawlers, 5 yachts and 1 gunboat but not all free for convoy escort.
Flanders: U-boat Flotilla divided into two with 43 boats.
North Sea: Battlecruiser Repulse first capital ship to receive turret flying-off plattform, Squadron-Leader Rutland flies off with Sopwith Pup.
East Africa: Fighting proceeding in Mbemkuru Valley; 75 miles south of Kondoa Irangi (north of Cent. Rly.) a German guerilla detachment surrenders.
British troops meet strong resistance 30 miles south-west of Lindi.

Political, etc
Germany: The Max Planck Institute for Physics is founded in Berlin with Albert Einstein as its first director.
France: French cafes and restaurants cannot serve milk or cream after 9 in the morning in an effort to conserve supplies.
Japan: Great typhoon in Japan does vast damage.
United States: U.S. opens its 2nd Liberty Loan to raise $5 billion in bonds for the war effort.

gekkogecko

10-02-2017, 07:09 AM

Western Front
Three Sopwith Pups make a low-level night bombing raid on German airfields at Kruishoutem and Waregem.
Third Battle of Ypres: Fierce artillery duels (and again on October 13).
Verdun: Germans attack in Beaumont (Reims), and between Samogneux and Hill 344 gain footing. French counter-attacks all day fail to drive out Germans.
French and British airmen bomb towns in Metz region, Cambrai and Courtrai and St. Denis Westrem aerodrome.
France: 22 Gothas and 2 other bombers drop c.10t of bombs on RNAS St Pol depot, destroy 23 aircraft being erected, damage 30. RNAS builds new depot near Calais.
British officer sitting next to a German “dud” shell on the Western Front: © IWM (Q 6027): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/914543012302217216

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian attack on slopes of San Gabriele (Isonzo) fail. Italians gain ground in counter-attack.

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Drake torpedoed and sunk by U-79 (Rohrbeck) in shallow water north of Ireland: 19 killed. The 14.100 tons cruiser ‘HMS Drake’ was from 1901: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cruiser-hms-drake.jpg?ssl=1
East Atlantic: Q-Ship Q 10 (ex-sloop Begonia) sinks in collision with U-151 off Casablanca.
Baltic: Russian Fleet refuses to obey Governments orders (Bolsheviks dominate Cebtrobalt by October 30, 1917).

Political, etc
Germany: There is a claim of: Reichstag informed of mutiny at Wilhelmshaven. I think this is a mistaken note: AFAIK, there was no German naval mutiny until 1918. No other mention of this supposed revolt or mutiny exists.
Russia: Russian Democratic Conference decides against Coalition Government.
United Kingdom: British War Loan issued.
Italy: Second Papal Note to Allies announced in Italy.
United States: Columbia University in New York expels two professors, Dr. Henry W. L. Dana and Dr. J. McKeen Cattell, for their pacifist views.
Sweden: Swedish Government resigns.

dicksbro

10-03-2017, 03:25 AM

Interesting that Columbia University expelled those two professors for their pacifist views. Today, it would almost more likely be the opposite. (Or so it seems)

gekkogecko

10-03-2017, 05:57 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Polygon Wood ends (see September 26th). German attack repulsed north of Menin road between Tower Hamlets and Polygon Wood.
Champagne: Preparations for German attack east of Reims broken up.
Verdun: Violent artillery duel on Verdun front.

Eastern Front
Dvinsk: Intense artillery duel in Jakobstadt region.
Bukovina: Artillery stop fierce Central Powers’ attack 7 miles north of Romanian frontier.
Bulgarians attack Romanians north of mouth of Buzeu river.

Southern Front
Italians repel continued Austro-Hungarian attacks on San Gabriele.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Italian airmen bomb vessels in harbor of Cattaro.
Mediterranean: Local convoys start, through convoys by October 30, up to three per week from October 15. Indian Cape trade diverted to Port Said for through Mediterranean convoy (first two lose 5 ships, but next four unscathed). Japanese mainly escort troopships.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Russians take Nereman village, 50 miles north of Mosul.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Czernin issues Peace program.
Germany: 350 crewmen of the German dreadnought Prinzregent Luitpold stage a protest against the war (2 are later executed, the rest imprisoned). (Perhaps this is the “mutiny” that was referenced a couple of days ago).
Kaiser Wilhelm II congratulating Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg on this 70th birthday at Spa, Belgium: © IWM (Q 79578): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/914920549167587328
Russia: Meeting of Democratic Conference in Russia.
United Kingdom: Britain prohibits exports to neutral Netherlands & Scandinavian countries without license to prevent goods entering Germany through them.
British Board of Trade announces 1.256 million jobs formerly held by men before the war are now done by women.Winston Churchill, Minister of Munitions, says British artillery fired 4 times more shells at Ypres than at the Somme for the same period.
Canada: Sir W. Laurier (Canada) resigns.

dicksbro

10-04-2017, 12:40 AM

BIRTHDAY REMEMBERENCES to the late Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg.

gekkogecko

10-04-2017, 08:45 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Broodseinde phase begins. The attack by II ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) successfully achieved its objective on the first day of the battle and reached the high ground just below the summit of the Broodseinde Ridge.
This was one of the few attacks throughout the war where the actual Allied success on the ground matched what their propoganda continuously claimed. However, it was designed as a limited-scale attack, did not, and was not designed to achieve the massive breakthrough of the German lines that the Allied Generals wanted. Indeed, a large part of the massive success came about because it was designed as a limited attack.
British preemptive (without prelim bombardment) attack (including 12 tanks which help capture Poelcapelle) ridge on 8-mile front in drizzle, but gain on average only 700 yards. Heavy German losses compel Ludendorff to modify his latest tactic of packing more infantry into front line. He recommends Fourth Army form an ‘advanced zone’ of mobile troops in ‘No Man’s Land’ to slow down advancing Allied infantry so as to provide easier targets for artillery. British Second Army reaches crest of Ypres Ridge. Intermittent rain until October 7. 3,000 prisoners.
In counter-attack Germans regain some ground south-east of Polygon Wood.
The harvest of the battle of Ypres: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/harvest-of-battle.jpg?ssl=1
Despite rain, low clouds and high winds Royal Flying Corps manages 17 sorties and 49 with fire calls (similar on October 9).
An Australian soldier with German loot he took during the Battle of Polygon Wood at Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/915268994885734400
Verdun: Small German attack repulsed on Hill 344.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: Germans withdraw 5 divisions from Riga sector to Western Front (until October 18). German attack 28 miles east-northeast of Riga repulsed on October 7.

Southern Front
Adriatic: 12 Caproni bombers (moved from Milan to heel of Italy on September 25) cross Adriatic, bomb Cattaro U-boat base, torpedo store and seaplane hangars (night October 4-5) in 280-mile round trip.

Political, etc
Germany: German government orders cities in Western Germany to darken their lights at night to limit British air raids.
United Kingdom: Figures re: losses of British Overseas troops are published.
Premier Lloyd George promises he will repay German bombings of Britain “with compound interest.”
Bulgaria: Prime Minister Vasil Radoslavov on peace.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): War Revenue Act is signed by President Wilson to raise income taxes and lower exemptions to raise money for the war.
Peru: Peruvian Government issues ultimatum to Germany re: sinking ships.

gekkogecko

10-04-2017, 08:48 AM

BIRTHDAY REMEMBERENCES to the late Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg.

Ah, missed this from a couple of days ago. Nice spot.

gekkogecko

10-05-2017, 05:54 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Broodseinde: Number of German prisoners taken last five days on Ypres front totals 4,446. Congratulations from the King.
German regiment commander (center) and his staff captured by the British at the Battle of Broodseinde: © IWM (Q 2975): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/915635168274239490
In 67 days’ fighting BEF has taken 36 square miles; 20,564 PoWs and 55 guns for 162,768 casualties.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Austrian torpedo boat TB-11 mutinies and deserts to Italians.
North Sea: Coastal submarine UB-41 mined and sunk off Flamborough Head.
East Africa: In Mbemkuru Valley (south-west Kilwa), German-aligned forces retiring before British, reach Nangano (35 miles south-east Liwali).
Column from Ruhuji river advance west.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Royal Flying Corps Palestine Brigade formed for Allenby’s offensive under Brigade-General W Salmond, 5 new Bristol fighters fly first sortie on October 7 and destroy 2 German fighters on October 8 and 18.
British planes strafing a Turkish column in Palestine: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/planes-starfing-column-palestine.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
France: Louis Malvy, former French Interior Minister, is accused of treason for trying to give war plans to Germany.
United Kingdom: A munitions factory in Nottinghamshire damaged by an explosion: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/915878008317186048
United States: 20,000 women of the Red Cross march in a parade in New York City. The Washington Ambulance Corps, led by Florence Jaffray Harriman: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/915574755142569985
Sweden: Swedish Government protests against seizure of their ships lying in British ports. Four taken over on October 11 as mainly British-owned.
Peru: Peru severs diplomatic relations with Germany. Eight German ships interned at Callao, seized on June 14, 1918.

gekkogecko

10-06-2017, 09:02 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: British repulse dusk attack on Polygon Wood, take 380 PoWs.
Australian soldiers heading to the frontlines at Ypres: © IWM (E(AUS) 833): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/915998799079886849
Verdun: Transient penetration of French trenches at Hill 344.

Eastern Front
Bukovina: Heavy fighting 25 miles south of Czernowitz, Russians take 750 PoWs.
Russia: Georgia starts a separate army.

Southern Front
Italians have identified 43 Austro-German divisions. Intelligence warns of offensive for October 16-20.
Bavarian soldiers behind the Italian Front are waiting for the upcoming Austro-Hungarian-German offensive: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/bayr-soldaten-ital-front.jpg?ssl=1
Feldmarschall-leutnant Artur von Mecenseffy is killed on the frontlines with Italy, the highest ranking Austro-Hungarian officer to be KIA.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Mbemkuru column reaches point 30 miles from Nangano; Belgian troops engaged north and north-east of Mahenge; British troops in close touch with enemy 50 and 25 miles further South.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Lawrence with 150 Arabs blow up Turk supply train north of Maan. Lawrence sees Allenby on October 15 who asks for Arab support of his imminent offensive.

Political, etc
France: Socialist Conference at Bordeaux.
United States: Major-General Pershing, Commanding United States Army in France, and Brigadier General Tasker Bliss, Chief of Staff, promoted to full Generals (see June 13th).
Finland: (Listed for yesterday): Finland’s Diet reconvenes despite being banned by the Russian government for its pro-independence stance.

gekkogecko

10-07-2017, 07:14 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: German attacks near Reutel repulsed. Steady rain falling. Haig refuses Plumer and Gough’s request to close down Ypres offensive.
Champagne: Powerful German raid repulsed by French.
The damaged cathedral at Albert, Somme, with the falling statue on the spire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/916330998144618496
Aisne: French (Maistre) attack Chemin des Dames and clear Germans from road after month-long series of bloody localized actions. Attack and counterattack fail round Craoone on October 8.

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces: German attack 28 miles east-north-east of Riga repulsed.

Southern Front
Artillery active on Bainsizaa Plateau, and on Carso.
Austro-Hungarian attack on Massif of Costabella repulsed.
Salonika: Brigade-General Corkran arrives to be CIGS representative with Serbian Army.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German U-293, interned at Cadiz, escapes from Spain. Enquiry ordered by Spanish Prime Minister.
Insurance premiums for American vessels traveling across the Atlantic is reduced by 25% due to successful measures against U-boats.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Great artillery activity on Gaza front

Political, etc.
Russia: M. Aleksandr Kerenski forms Coalition Government.
France: Paris Chamber announces scantiest harvest for 50 years in France. Luxuries cut down to make tonnage for import of grain.
Women and children plowing in France. Agriculture was back in pre-industrial times, while research and technology were on high-speed for warfare: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/landwirtschaft-frankreich.jpg?ssl=1
Uruguay: Uruguay breaks off diplomatic relations with Germany.

gekkogecko

10-08-2017, 01:07 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Heavy rains yesterday in Ypres turn the battlefield into a field of mud and hamper Allied operations.
Haig letter to CIGS Robertson , reports ‘good progress’ at Ypres and assures Robertson that BEF can fight German Army with minimal Allied (ie French or Russian) assistance until arrival of US armies in 1918. Haig deplores ‘interference’ by Allies or Prime Minister Lloyd George.
Aisne: both German and French attacks round Craonne fail.
Reims: Germans brake up French attack south-west of Beaumont.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Russian encounter with German scouting-vessels between Oesel Island and north-west Courland.

Political, etc
Germany: Navy airship L-57 destroyed during a storm.
Russia: Railway strike begins in Russia. (another source states: 1.2 million rail workers on strike since October 6.)
Ukraine inaugurates autonomous Government.
Trotsky now Petrograd Soviet chairman denounces new Kerensky cabinet as a government of civil war. The Petrograd Soviet in session: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/petrograd-soviet.jpg?ssl=1
France: Inter-ally Parliamentary Committee commences three-days' conference.
Japan: Japan provides the Russian government with a loan of 66.667 million yen as a sign of support for the Provisional Government.
United States: 247 Puerto Ricans are selected to be trained as officers in the U.S. military, and 12,000 men will also be drafted.
U.S. apologizes to Italy after an American patrol boat fired on an Italian submarine by mistake and killed 2 sailors.
Dr. Charles A. Beard, head of Columbia University’s poli-sci department, resigns after the uni fired 2 other professors for anti-war views.
Spain: Martial law ends in Spain, as “revolutionary disturbances” are suppressed in Catalonia and other provinces.

dicksbro

10-09-2017, 04:36 AM

Western Front

[B]Reims: Germans brake up French attack south-west of Beaumont.

Interesting. Mis-spelling a word into another word doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. Brake or break ... in either case the French attack was stopped. :D

gekkogecko

10-09-2017, 12:56 PM

Interesting. Mis-spelling a word into another word doesn't change the meaning of the sentence. Brake or break ... in either case the French attack was stopped. :D

Ha, I was so exhausted from the con yesterday that I was barely able to type at all. I do remember staring at that line, trying to figure out what was wrong; gave up and let it ride.

gekkogecko

10-09-2017, 01:01 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Poelcapelle (“Third” phase of Third Battle of Ypres): Franco-British attack east and north-east. Outskirts of Houthulst Forest taken. On 6-mile front 3 British divisions (nearly 7,000 casualties) make one-mile advance on Passchendaele Ridge, 2,000 prisoners. German counter-attack drives in advance troops south of Ypres-Staden railway on 2,000 yards front.
These are the remains of the village of Zonnebeke in the Ypres sailent – only the foundation walls of the church are still left: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Zonnebeke-Flandernschlacht.jpg?ssl=1
Men of the Coldstream Guards sitting on a captured German howitzer at Ypres: © IWM (Q 6046): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/917433245419130880
Royal Flying Corps No 1 Squadron (1 Nieuport fighter hit) destroys at least 3 German fighters, score 200 since February 1, 1917.
Verdun: Keen artillery struggle, north of Chaume Wood. Germans penetrate first line of trenches north of it on October 10.

Eastern Front
Riga: Enemy air activity very marked round Oesel Island.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Germans embark troops for Operation Albion, sail from Libau on October 11; 11 German motorboats reconnaissance Gulf of Riga.
Atlantic: U-boat sinks AMC HMS Champagne (56 lives lost).
East Africa: North of Lake Eyassi (south-east Victoria Nyanza) last German-aligned guerrilla detachment captured.
Belgians occupy Mahenge, old German H.Q. in Highlands; 260 prisoners, but Captain Tafel escapes.
British Somaliland: Camel Corps (250 troops with 5 MGs, 10 casualties) kills over 70 of 300 dervishes at Endow Pass.
North Africa: German intrigue in Spanish Morocco.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Death of Hussein Kamel, Sultan of Egypt; succeeded by Ahmed Fuad, his youngest brother, born 1868: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/917328842179665921

Political, etc
Germany: Speaking in Reichstag, Admiral Capelle asserts he has written proof ‘main architect’ of August mutiny, Reichpietsh, had presented plans to 3 USPD deputies and had received ‘full support’ in organizing same. There is uproar and German Navy’s efforts to outlaw USPD soon collapses.

gekkogecko

10-10-2017, 05:38 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Poelcapelle: French extend their hold up valley of Corverbeck.
Verdun: Germans gain footing in first line trenches north of Chaume Wood.
Flanders: French advancing up Corverbeck valley. Petain again appeals to Haig for continued BEF attacks to divert German attention away from still recovering French Army. BEF Intelligence Chief Charteris concedes in diary ‘… now no chance of complete success here this year’.

Eastern Front
Riga: Germans bomb Russian tramsports at southern end of Oesel Island.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Goorkha damaged by mine off Malta.
Baltic: Kurland U-boat Flotilla disbanded.
East Africa: Portuguese capture German post at Mauta, 26 miles north of Rovuma rtiver. Kilwa Force No 1 Column takes Ruponda road and supply centre. Linforce (3,200 troops) resumes advance on Mtama.

Political, etc
Germany: Von Kuhlmann discussing Peace proposals says Germany will never give back Alsace-Lorraine; French press virulent on the subject. German Chancellor Michaelis states peace is impossible if the Allies demand any German territory.
United Kingdom: Beatty meets new Deputy First Sea Lord Weymss to discuss possible intervention in Holland, also argues for dawn 120 torpedo-plane strike from 8 seaplane carriers against High Seas Fleet, but Admiralty discouraging on October 20.

gekkogecko

10-11-2017, 09:29 AM

Western Front
The 41st Wing of the Royal Flying Corps is formed at Ainville-sur-Madon under the command of Lieutenant Colonel C.L.N. Newall, with the task of bombing industrial targets in Germany. The Wing is equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory FE2bs, de Havilland DH4s and Handley Page 0/400s. Launches 13-month day/night strategic bombingcampaign against industrial targets in western Germany and Alsace-Lorraine up to 125 miles from Western Front front line.
Because of the fuel tank between pilot an observer, the Airco DH4 was nicknamed ‘Flaming Coffin’ by its crews. Nonetheless, it was built in extremely large numbers, its considerable virtues outweighing that major fault: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/DH-4.jpg?ssl=1
Third Battle of Ypres: Battle of Poelcapelle: French stop a German counter-attack east of Dreibank, Ypres.
Rupprecht reports to OHL: ‘In order to save material and men it may become necessary to withdraw the (Flanders) front so far from the enemy that he will be compelled to make a fresh deployment of his artillery.’
Heavy wind and rains hit the Ypres battlefields, as British artillery target German lines near Passchendaele.
Verdun: Germans gain temporary footing in advanced trenches north of Hill 344, but driven out by French.
Royal Field Artillery officers in a shelter at Langemarck, Belgium: © IWM (Q 6051): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/917795654012940288

Eastern Front
Riga: Germans gain some ground south-east of Segewold and try to fraternize in Riga area.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian stormtroopers preparing to assault: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/917765471549775873

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Column in Mbemkuru valley occupies Ruponda on flank of enemy retreating before Nahango column. Large quantities of grain and ammunition captured.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish attack in Armenia, 16 miles south-west of Erzingan, repulsed.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Four ships flying Swedish flag and lying in British ports taken over by British, being mainly British owned, and liable to be treated as such by Germans.
British Government stops commercial cable communication with Holland.
(These are both repeats, aren’t they?)
Bulgaria: Kaiser visits Sofia. Kaiser Wilhelm and Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria in Sofia. They are wearing the others’ army uniforms: © IWM (Q 23738): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918069693952520192
United States: Columbia University students and faculty stage protests in response the recent firings of 2 professors for their anti-war views.

gekkogecko

10-12-2017, 05:42 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: First Battle Of Passchendaele: II Anzac Corps attack attack north-east of Ypres on six-mile front from French right to Ypres-Roulers railway. Some progress all alone line, but rain stops big advance. New Zealand troops suffered more than 2,000 casualties, including more than 800 deaths, making it the nation's largest loss of life in one day.
German manpower wastage compels Ludendorff to divert 12 divisions, already moving from East Front to Italy, to Flanders.
Exhausted Australian stretcher bearers rest in the mud of Broodseinde Ridge at Ypres: © IWM (E(AUS) 941): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918130351951802368
British walking wounded coming back from the front, passing by incoming reinforcements at Ypres: © IWM (Q 3006): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918160414399172608
Morning after the 1st Battle of Passchendaele by Frank Hurley (photo is a composite): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918402657076772864
German “attacks” repulsed all along French front, notably in Champagne.

Eastern Front
Riga: Operation Albion with General Kathen’s 23,000 men (42nd Infantry Division); 5,000 horses; 1,400 vehicles and 54 guns in 19 transports from Libau, troops ashore in 5 hours. Ösel Island (Baltic) captured by German forces [Operations not completed until the 16th.] (see 11th and 18th).
Germans land at Tagga Bay north of Oesel Island and on Dago Island; attempt to capture pier on Moon Island repulsed.

Southern Front
Austrian attack repulsed in region of Mnt. Costabella.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: As part of Operation Albion, Russian coast batteries destroyed (German 8 battleships, 12 light craft, 40 T.B.D., etc.). Russians ships hinder German fleet entering between Dago and Oesel Islands. Another source gives German strength as: battlecruiser Moltke (Vice-Admiral Schmidt), 10 battleships (2 mined but carry on); 9 cruisers; 52 destroyers and light warships; 19 troop transports; 6 U-boats; 6 Zeppelins; 101 aircraft vs Vice-Admiral Mikhail K Bakhirev’s 2 battleships, 1 cruiser, c.24 destroyers, 13 minesweepers (1 operational), 6 submarines (including 4 British).
Zeppelin above a ‘Kaiser’ class battleship during Operation Albion: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Zeppelin-Kaiser-BB.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Canada: Canadian War Cabinet formed by Sir Robert Borden.
Compulsory Service Act comes into operation in Canada (see July 6th).
Argentina: Count Luxburg is interned in Argentina.

dicksbro

10-12-2017, 06:17 AM

The photos are always fantastic. They're unique and help bring the text to life. This is really a great series of posts. :thumbs:

gekkogecko

10-13-2017, 07:11 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: First Battle Of Passchendaele: Haig cancels attacks until weather improves but approves Cambrai thrust for November 20 (Byng briefs corps commanders at Albert on October 26) for which tank-infantry training starts.
A soldier struggles forward in Flander’s field: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/soldier-mud-flanders.jpg?ssl=1
A knocked-out British tank half submerged in the mud near St. Julien at Ypres: © IWM (Q 6327: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918493264780644352
Control of British Air Service reorganised; Maj.-Gen. John Salmond succeeds Lt.-Gen. Sir David Henderson as Director-General.
Belgians repel German attack south-east of Mahenge.
French including Foch (at Chequers, England) demand BEF front extension before November 1, but matter left to C-in-Cs.
Portuguese soldiers watching Portugal President Bernardino Machado hand out decorations at Roquetoire, France: © IWM (Q 6067): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918805768949792768

Eastern Front
Riga: Operation Albion: Germans continue landing on Oesel Island. Detachments landed on Dago Island promptly ejected, Arensburg occupied.
Aerial view of German troops landing on the island of Saaremaa (Estonia) after Russian coastal batteries are destroyed: © IWM (Q 57970): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/918463018639425536

Southern Front
Considerable artillery activity on Upper Isonzo.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: German mine-sweepers between Courland and Oesel Island. German minesweepers (1 lost) partially clear Soelo Sound between Oesel and Dagoe islands. Russian minelayer Pripiat refuses to lay mines in it (night October 13-14) and blockship runs aground.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Army demobilizes some of its reserve forces, starting with soldiers 43 and 44-years old.

gekkogecko

10-14-2017, 01:20 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Little to no activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
Operation Hush, the British plan to land on the Belgian coast, is cancelled, as the 3rd Battle of Ypres fails to make sufficient gains.
Australian troops at Passchendaele trying to dry themselves in front of a fire after returning from the frontlines: © IWM (E(AUS) 943): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/919215720419901440
England: Special, 1066: Duke William of Normandy (later King William of England, aka William I, William the Bastard) kills King Harold in the Battle of Hastings, following the last successful invasion of England in history.

Eastern Front
Riga: Operation Albion: Tserel and Arensburg in flames. Russians guarding Irbek Strait cut off on Sworbe Peninsula. German warships land detachments on Islands of Runo and Abro. Germans advance along it and bar escape to Moon island on October 15, secure island on October 16 with 10,000 PoWs and 50 guns.

Southern Front
Salonika: British 27th Division (47 casualties) recaptures Homondos (night October 13-14) village with 153 Bulgars (79 killed) and 3 MGs and occupies two villages to cover taking up of ‘winter line’ in Struma valley.
Isonzo: Badoglio moved to XXVII Corps in path of imminent Austro-German offensive.
Bulgarian PoWs, captured by British soldiers with tropical uniforms: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/bulgarian-PoWs.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: Russian T.B.D.'s repel German effort to force passage of Moon Sound (Oesel Island). 4 German battleships silence Zorel battery on south point of Oesel (Russians blow up the four 12-inch guns). 13 German destroyers enter Soelo Sound and, covered by battleship, sink Russian destroyer Grom (of 4, plus one gunboat engaged).
North Sea/Atlantic: British minesweeper Bregonia and merchant cruiser Champagne sunk, 56 lost.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian government passes a resolution to set aside party differences to focus on defense against the German offensive approaching Petrograd.
Ukraine declares itself an autonomous nation and claims participation in future Peace Conference.
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): Premier Lloyd George at a speech in London promises reprisals against German air raids.
More drastic measures taken in Great Britain to compete with growing shortages of foodstuffs, petrol and coal.
United States: American Bible Society predicts that Japan after the war will desert the Allies, form an alliance with Germany, and attack the U.S. [Note: this is the neutralist report. It leaves out majority of the tract that is rampant with racism and xenophobia. Whole bunch of “yellow peril” stuff.]
Uruguay: Uruguay wins the 2nd title at the 1917 South American Championship (Association Football: the Championship tournament is now known as the Copa América).

gekkogecko

10-15-2017, 12:33 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
Aisne: German guns fire 90,000 rounds phosgene gas shell (until October 22) at French in Ailette Basin near Laffaux; 1,200 gassed (110 deaths). Artillery duels northeast of Soissons on October 17.
Bruges dock raided by British airmen.

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Germans cut off retreat of Russians from Oesel Island to Moon Island via Mole and capture 3,500 prisoners. Germans advance along Sworbe Peninsula.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Battle of Nyangao and Mahiwa (until October 18): ‘An equatorial Gettysburg’ (largest battle of the war), c.4,950 British, 12 guns, 4 mortars, 147 MGs vs 3,000 Germans and c.3 guns. Wahle evacuates Mtana due to Nigerian Brigade and fights it north of Mahiwa. Lindi column drives German forces on Nyangoa by enveloping movement from north.
The Kashmiri Mountain Battery at the Battle of Nyangao and Mahlwa: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/battle-mahiwa.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Ludendorff reports to War Office on OHL meetings with unions.
Germany extends conscription to 47-year-old men. Men previously declared unfit to serve will also be reexamined for service.
France: Margaretha Geertruida MacLeod, better known by her stage name of Mata Hari (an exotic dancer), shot at dawn (06:00) at the age of 41 by a French firing squad of Zouaves at Caserne de Vincennes on the outskirts of Paris, having been tried (and falsely convicted) as a spy. She refuses a blindfold and blows a kiss to the firing squad before the execution: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/919593966059659265
Turkey: Kaiser Wilhelm in Constantinople with Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V and Minister of War Enver Pasha: © IWM (Q 70808)
United States: Shipping Board takes over private ocean-going ships.
Poland: Polish Regency Council appointed (see September 12th).

gekkogecko

10-16-2017, 06:43 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
German air raid on Nancy.
French attack west of Craonne is repulsed by Germans. 1,800 French guns and 460 mortars prepare way for limited offensive (until October 22) on 7 1/2-mile front, ie maximum of 1 gun to 6 yards with 120,000t of shells.
Allied transshipment at Boulogne to distribute goods on the Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Boulogne-Umschlagplatz.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Oesel Island fully in German possession. Germans claim 10,000 prisoners and 50 guns.
German attempt to throw bridge across Dvina frustrated.
Russian civilians evacuate Reval (Estonia).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: Russian fleet assists defence in Moon Sound. Battleship Slava sunk. Royal Navy submarine C.27 (Sealy) torpedoes the minesweeper tender*Indianola, only success of numerous attacks.
East Africa: Battle of Nyangao and Mahiwa (until October 18): Whale evacuates Nyangao, but Lettow’s 1,000 men with 2 guns reinforce him to surround Nigerian Brigade in two groups, which loses 300 casualties and 1 gun. Belgians rescue convoy of prisoners south-east of Mahenge.
Northern Russia: Main body of Royal Navy Air Service Armoured Car Squadron sails from Archangel (most land at Newcastle on October 29).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Three Royal Flying Corps No 30 Squadron Martinsydes (1 forced down) bomb Kifri airfield (and on October 31, 4 aircraft lost).

Political, etc
Germany: Pan-German propaganda.
United Kingdom: Mr. Bonar-Law announces future Air Ministry Bill.
United States: Chicago White Sox wins the 1917 World Series, defeating the New York Giants 4 games to 2.

gekkogecko

10-17-2017, 05:45 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
British soldiers pulling a 18-pounder gun through the mud near Langemarck during the 3rd Battle of Ypres: © IWM (Q 3007): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/919922629741629440
Verdun: Germans enter French trenches at Hill 344.
Great artillery activity north-east of Soissons.
Germany: Eight DH4s of No 55 Squadron (41st Wing) RFC bomb Burbach works, near Saarbruecken (and on October 25), works and houses damaged (14 casualties).

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: German attempt to land on Dago Island supported by naval guns is repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: Naval engagements Gulf of Riga.
The Russian battleship Grashdanin was launched 1901 with only 13.210 tons and four 12-inch guns as main armament, while the sunken
Slava was from 1903 with 15,000 tons with the same armament: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/russian-bb-grajdanin.jpg?ssl=1
East Africa: Battle of Nyangao and Mahiwa: O’Grady’s Linforce a mile from Nigerian Brigade as both sides retreat after ferocious, confused, close-quarter fighting. British lose 2,348 casualties (528 Nigerians), 1 gun and 9 MGs plus over 352 carriers. Lettow loses 519 men and abandons Königsberg gun. British claim 918 PoWs alone from October 15-18.
German cruiser-minelayers Bremse and Brummer surprise and destroy British-escorted Bergen-Lerwick-Britain convoy in North Sea and sink British destroyers Strongbow and Mary Rose (see December 12th), and nine merchantmen; 135 lost. No radio warning got off, 30 Royal Navy cruisers and 54 destroyers at sea, but powerless.
U.S. transport Antilles torpedoed: 67 lost.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish air reconnaissance finds no Cyprus preparations for British landing in Gulf of Alexandretta.

Political, etc
Russia: Government prepares to move to Moscow from Petrograd.
Australia: Australian trans-continental railway joined up.
Turkey: Kaiser Wilhelm is made an honorary Marshal of the Ottoman Army in Constantinople: © IWM (Q 23735): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/919998628516601856
United States: U.S. government begins censoring foreign newspapers that do not get a special license. [Note: again, not the full story. German-language newspapers mostly folded, due to deliberate bureaucratic delays which prevented them from getting the “special” license.
Veterans of the Siege of Vicksburg from both the Union and Confederacy meet together in Vicksburg, Mississippi: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/919968432455426051
Netherlands: Holland replies to British Note re: transport of gravel and sand.

gekkogecko

10-18-2017, 10:50 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
France: Haig and Petain meet at Amiens, former agrees by November 2 to extend BEF line to Oise.
Aisne: French repulse attack on Vauclere Plateau, west of Craonne.
Two Frenchwomen visit the site of their ruined home in Beaurains: © IWM (Q 6103): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920665019980791808

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Moon Island and Dagö Island (Baltic) captured by German forces (see 11th and 12th).
Germans claim 5,000 PoWs.

Southern Front
Renewed local fighting on Trentino and Carnia fronts.

Naval and Overseas Operations
‘This destroyer is needed to sink Hun submarines’ reads the sign on the right. This US destroyer was built in 17 days: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/buildung-us-destroyer.jpg?ssl=1
The SS Antilles, a US transport, sunk yesterday by U-62, resulting in 62 deaths; the deadliest US military loss in the war so far: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920316979138871296
East Africa: Report re: German activity near Jibuti (French Somaliland).
Battle of Nyangao and Mahiwa: Fighting continues round Nyangoa; considerable casualties on both sides.
Harnorce KAR and Gold Coast Regiment with 2 armored cars just hold Major Kraut’s counter-attack at Lukuledi Mission and occupy it on October 19.

Political, etc
Germany: (Listed for yesterday): German Socialists in the Reichstag threaten to vote against a 10 billion Mark war loan unless Chancellor Michaelis resigns.
Russia: Kerensky decides to move capital to Moscow. Kuban Cossack Rada declares republic.
War Minister proposes 2.5 million reduction in Army to improve moral; all politics to cease after elections from November 15. 43,000 out of 210,000 Russian officers unemployed but still 121 Austro-German divisions on Eastern Front.
Turkey: Kaiser Wilhelm and Sultan Mehmed V visiting the Dardanelles: © IWM (Q 98410): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920301880311500807
United States: Dutch shipping in American ports to be utilised.
Navy Secretary Daniels calls Liberty loan U-boat*(on display New York) ‘this stiletto of modern warfare’; 58 German national aliens arrested at Hoboken Docks NJ (without warrant).
Hoover launches lower food price campaign.

gekkogecko

10-19-2017, 05:44 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
Thirteen dirigibles attempt to raid east and north-east England and London; 11 German airships actually attack England. Larger type of Zeppelin used; 660lb bomb hits Piccadilly Circus; 36 killed, 55 injured. 78 defense sorties cost 4 wrecked aircraft. L-44 shot down at St. Clement by French anti-aircraft fire from 19,000ft; L-45 crash lands and burnt by crew west of Sisteron (Provence); L-46 shot down at Laragne; L-49 shot down at Bourbonne-les-Bains near Langres, falls into French hands on October 20th; L-50 disappears, is later thought to have been brought down in the Mediterranean on October 21st. (Last airship raid on London.) (See May 31st, 1915 and August 5th, 1918).
This is the gondola of L-54, which was to take part in the famous raid by 13 Zeppelins on this day, only to be scattered by high winds: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/L54-gondola.jpg?ssl=1
Troops of the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) with a bottle of wine in the ruins of Arras: © IWM (Q 6099): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920695473647771648

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Germans land on Dago Island. German forces strengthen control over the islands in the Gulf of Riga, claiming 10,000 Russian prisoners and 50 artillery guns.
Germans fail in effort to fraternise on Romanian front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British armed mercantile cruiser Orana torpedoed and sunk; no lives lost.
East Africa: Battle of Nyangao and Mahiwa: Action of Nyangao (German East Africa) ends (see 16th). Deventer cancels another attack, replaces Beves with Cunliffe as GOC*Linforce. Lettow gains respite.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian government report reveals that the Russian Army morale is abysmal and soldiers are ready to lay down their arms and go home. Munition Works removed from Petrograd.
United States: U.S.A. embargo on trade with Northern Neutrals.
Spain: British films not allowed public screening.
Sweden: Liberal Swedish Cabinet formed by Professor Nils Eden: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920951410472058881

gekkogecko

10-20-2017, 06:43 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: 45 Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel fghters and Spads (2 lost) attack Rumbeke airfield southeast of Roulers from 400ft, also claim 7 German aircraft in air combats.
Sopwith Camel fighter in flight: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Camel-in-flight.jpg?ssl=1
Horses struggling to pull supplies through the mud of Ypres: © IWM (E(AUS) 963): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/921042257595322368
Violent artillery action on Aisne front.
The Jocks, an entertainment troupe of the British 15th Division, at Blangy, France: © IWM (Q 6107): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/920981613147590657
German zeppelin LZ-85/L-49 (one is factory designation, the other naval designation) brought down in France after encountering mechanical problems and fuel leaks after bombing England: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/921314802458226688

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: German conquest of the Baltic Islands completed. Islands of Dago and Schilden captured by Germans.
Germans retire to Skuli-Lemburg line 30 miles east of Riga to prepared positions.

Southern Front
Macedonia: Germans report French attack repulsed between Skumbi valley and L. Ochrida.
Italian Front: Czech officer deserter warns Italians of offensive on October 26 between Plezzo and sea; 2 Rumanian deserters warn of breakthrough to come at Tolmino. General Capello (flu) hands Second Army to newcomer General Montuori; returns from Padua on October 22 when attack imminent, but illness again forces relinquishment. Austro-German attack postponed from October 20 to 24, their guns begin to register.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: British submarine sinks German transport in Gulf of Riga.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Turkish troops driven across Diala river.

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin returns to Petrograd from Finland (by now estimated 240,000 Bolsheviks).
Poland: Allies recognise Polish National Committee.
Greece: Archbishop of Athens degraded for "Anathema" ceremony of 25 December 1916.

dicksbro

10-21-2017, 03:01 AM

Those poor horses pulling supplies through the mud. Bet they'd rather have stayed in the barn that day. :(

gekkogecko

10-22-2017, 02:27 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Continued lack of activity today, due to continued heavy rains.
Verdun: Germans make strong attack at Bezonvaux.
Saarbrucken bombed by British.
Dunkirk bombed by Germans.
Lorraine: US TROOPS ENTER LINE: US 1st Division joins French in Luneville sector. Each American unit is attached to a French unit.
March of American soldiers to the French Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/US-Truppen-marsch-zur-front.jpg?ssl=1
British tank at a training exercise at Wailly, France for the upcoming Battle of Cambrai: © IWM (Q 7281): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/921708143779856384
X-ray being used to examine a bullet wound in a French soldier’s arm: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/921799000248016897

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Germans land on Russian mainland at Verder, but the Russians are able to repel German attempt to land eight miles north of Verder Peninsula.
Germans claim 20,000 prisoners and 100 guns in last nine days' fighting. (Another site is more specific: 20,130 PoWs and 141 guns since October 12 for 54 killed.)
Russian Southwest Front: 84,948 officers and men on [Workers’ and Soldiers’] committees.

Southern Front
Considerable artillery activity on Italian front.
Monastir shelled again.
Italian Front: Cadorna cables British DMO Major-General Maurice ‘The attack is coming but I am confident of being able to meet it.’

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: The bulk of the Russian fleet (20 ships) escapes north out of Moon Sound, and head to the Gulf of Finland.
North Sea: Ostend bombarded by British ships. Monitors Erebus and Terror (off Dunkirk) survive total of 4 torpedo hits (from 3 German torpedo boats) thanks to bulge protection.
East Africa: Hanforce saves Lukuledi prison and pushes German colonial forces 2 miles south towards Ndanda, but retires north back to Ruponda from October 22 to November 7.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish attack on Arab stronghold at Petra repulsed.
British troops drive back Ottoman forces across the Diyala River north of Baghdad.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Soviet's Peace Terms issued.
United Kingdom: British troops receiving their beer rations at Wimbledon Commons: © IWM (Q 53967): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/921768795399536640

gekkogecko

10-22-2017, 02:30 PM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Franco-British advance on 2.5-mile front between Poelcapelle and Houthulst Forest, southern end of Forest captured, 200 prisoners, but attackers are hampered by mud and rain.
Two Sopwith Camel fighters of No 45 Squadron strafe & temporarily scatter 2 German battalions on Staden-Houthulst road.

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: On the night 21-22 October Germans retire on wide front between Riga Bay and River Dvina.

Southern Front
Dolom: Italians repulse strong Austro-German attack on Cadore front.
Isonzo: German Fourteenth Army now in start positions. Tapped telephone warns Italians of artillery barrage from 0200 hours on October 24.
Italian deserters crossing no-man’s land toward Austro-Hungarian and German lines near Tolmin (Slovenia): © IWM (Q 61007): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/922132987029925888
Officers and NCOs of an Austrian ‘Sturmpatrouille’, witing to strike on the Italian Front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/austrian-stormtroopers.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Falkenhayn orders Turkish XVIII Corps (4000-6000 soldiers) south from Tikrit west of Tigris but soon retreats before General Cobbe on October 23, whom Maude orders on October 28 to attack Turkish position 12 miles south of Tikrit.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm returns to Berlin for his wife Augusta Victoria’s birthday and to meet with the Chancellor.
Russia: Petrograd Soviet hold stormy meeting; Trotsky demands peace; accuses Kerenski of treason; defense of Petrograd arranged.
United States: U.S. begins appropriation of raw material for war purchased and stored by Germans in U.S. during first two years of war.
US War Department estimates 38 million men are armed in the war, 27.5 million of them on the Allies side.
“The Adventurer,” starring and directed by Charlie Chaplin, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d1/The_Adventurer_%281917%29.webm

gekkogecko

10-23-2017, 06:55 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: Germans regain a little ground southern end Houthulst Forest. In evening Germans' seventh counter-attack on Ypres front since 22nd repulsed.
Aisne: Battle of La Malmaison (‘Laffaux Corner’, until November 1): A second 1917 triumph for Petain’s carefully planned limited attack strategy. Maistre’s Sixth Army attacks with 8 divisions at 0515 hours in fog and cold, aided later by c.80 tanks, captures 3 villages and Fort Malmaison; 8,000 PoWs and 70 guns in 2-mile advance. A German division is heavily gassed and routed. French advance on Chavignon in Laffaux salient; Germans withdraw behind Oise-Aisne Canal.
Attack of French Schneider tanks: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/schneider-tank-in-action-1.jpg?ssl=1
Verdun: Germans gain footing north-east Hill 344 but driven out.
Germany: OHL appreciation: ‘The guiding principle of our general military situation remains…that the decision lies in the Western theater of war’; Major Wetzell of operations section submits proposals for a spring 1918 offensive on Western Front.
Lorraine: First American shot fired in a land theater of active operations. At 0605 hours by Sergeant Alex L Arch’s French-made 75mm gun of Battery C, 6th Field Artillery, 1st Infantry Division near Xanrey. First American wounded with AEF (a Second Lieutenant).
A Gordon Highlander soldier tending to his trench garden at Heninel, France: © IWM (Q 6131): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/922421142102605824

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Attempted German landing eight miles south of Verder repulsed. Germans have retired 20 miles since night October 21-22 from northeast of Riga, destroying bridges to shorten line. Russians follow up on October 24.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Strong Austro-Hungarian concentration towards Upper Isonzo and Bainsizza Plateau; Mt. Rombon to Bainsizza heavily shelled.

Political, etc
Russia: Bolshevik Central Committee votes 10-2 for Lenin’s armed uprising; Trotsky to organize 20,000-strong Red Guard (Petrograd armored car unit defects to Reds on October 24).
France: M. Louis Barthou succeeds M. Alexandre Ribot as French Foreign Minister (see September 12th and November 14th).
United Kingdom: Mr. John Redmond's motion on Irish Government.
United States: New York Police thwart Sinn Fein Easter 1918 Rising plot.

gekkogecko

10-24-2017, 05:39 AM

Western Front
Third Battle of Ypres: German attack in Houthulst Forest repulsed.
Aisne: Battle of La Malmaison (‘Laffaux Corner’, until November 1): French reach banks of Oise-Aisne Canal; claim 11,000 prisoners to date.
Verdun: Germans attack on Chaume Wood repulsed.
Germany: 9 Handley Page bombers (2 lost) of RNAS ‘A’ Squadron and 14 FE.2bs (2 lost) raid industrial and rail targets in Saarbruecken area.
Three German POWs, two of them wounded, captured on the Western Front near Arras: © IWM (Q 6134): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/922496680292954118

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Russians begin to evacuate Kronstadt.
Russian re-occupy area around Dvina, to 30 miles south-east of Riga.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): begins on misty, rainy day with 0200 hours hurricane bombardment of 4 hours (including 2 hours of gas shells that Italian gas masks unable to cope with so guns fall silent). Austro-German assault (10 divisions) at 0800 hours on 20-mile front penetrates along valleys up to 14 miles isolating, panicking and destroying 3 Italian divisions (18,000 PoWs and 100 guns) (another source claims only 10,000 PoWs) east of Upper Isonzo, although flanking armies’ attacks fail. German 12th (Silesian) Division takes Caporetto at 1530 hours. Cadorna belatedly calls up 9 reserve divisions and orders Tagliamento defences. Austrian Jewish-born lyric poet Lieutenant Franz Janowitz (2nd Tyrol Sharpshooter Regiment) mortally wounded by MG in assault on Mt Rombon, dies on November 4, aged 25.
German mortar at the Isonzo. For the offensive, Austrians and Germans organized the strongest artillery concentration in the Alpine area so far: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Minenwerfer-Isonzo.jpg?ssl=1
Caproni bombers make 18 raids on Austro-German troops (until c. November 14) but forced to move bases behind Piave.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: Royal Navy submarine C.32, trapped in Gulf of Riga, beaches in Vaist Bay west of Pernau. Russian submarine Gepard probably mined on October 28, but trapped British C.26 (Downie) reaches Hangoe (Finland) at third attempt on December 13.
North Sea: Harwich Force flagship cruiser Centaur badly damaged by own depth charges washed overboard after vain night sortie to catch German destroyers.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Premier Lloyd George claims the Germans are trying to arm Sinn Fein and aid another uprising in Ireland.
Brazil: Troops seizes 43 interned German merchant ships.

gekkogecko

10-25-2017, 10:00 AM

Western Front
Verdun: Germans gain footing north of Chaume Wood.
Aisne: Further French advance on Aisne front; Filain captured in closing up to river Aillette and Oise Canal; 160 guns taken since 23rd. By October 26 for 12,000 casualties they take 11,157 PoWs; 200 guns; 222 mortars; 720 MGs.

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: German attempt to consolidate on Verder Peninsula momentarily frustrated. German forces continue to withdraw to the Dvina River near Riga without a fight to shorten their lines. Military threat to Petrograd ends.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Austro-German pincers close behind Mt Nero. Lieutenant Rommel’s Wurttemberg Mountain Battalion from Alpenkorps seizes Mts Kuk and Cragonza on Kolovrat Ridge with 3,600 Italian PoWs including 4th Bersaglieri Brigade. Austrian 22nd Division seizes Stol Ridge (night October 25-26). Fourteenth Army now has 30,000 PoWs and 300 guns and Second Isonzo Army (over 1,000 casualties) division takes c.4,000 PoWs and 60 guns on Bainsizza. Cadorna refuses Capello’s advice to retreat to river Torre and possibly Tagliamento after General Montuori says at 2100 hours attack can be held. Italians retreat from Plezzo to south-west of Tolmino and prepare to evacuate Bainsizza Plateau.
An Italian trench unit is captured by Austrians. Italian fighting morale reached its lowest point: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gefangennahme-ital-grabenbesatzung.jpg?ssl=1
A wrecked Italian transport and gun position in the mountains captured by the Germans and Austro-Hungarians. © IWM (Q 60441): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/922852736760274945
Italian troops in retreat: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/922874154273181697
Salonika: British 27th Division (77 casualties) captures three villages east of river Struma taking 106 PoWs and 1 MG but main garrisons escape.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: German ships from Moon Sound bombard Kuno Island near Pernau.
Captured German U-boat SM UC-5, being displayed in New York City to encourage buying of war bonds: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/923197479759249409

Political, etc
France: Franco-British convention for Military Service.
Ireland: Sinn Fein convention in Dublin.
Italy: Signor Paolo Boselli, Italian Premier, resigns and his cabinet falls as a result of the Italian disaster at Caporetto (see 29th and June 15th, 1916). Vittorio Orlando succeeds on October 29.
United States: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show food prices have increased 47% since 1913 due to the war.
Norway: Polar explorer Amundsen returns his three German decorations because of 17 Norwegian sailors’ deaths in North Sea on October 17, 1917.

gekkogecko

10-26-2017, 07:07 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres begins (see 12th and November 6th and 10th): Franco-British attack east, north-east and north of Ypres. British positions improved from Passchendaele to Poelcapelle.
French capture Draaibank; bad weather.
‘The enemy charged like a wild bull against the iron wall which kept him from our U-boat bases’ (Ludendorff). Main thrusts against Houthulst Forest (French), Poelcapelle, Canadian Corps (426 guns; 1,558 casualties) attacks (at 0530 hours, in rain) and gains 1,000 yds on 2,800-yd front towards Passchendaele, Bercelaere, Gheluvelt (c.3,500 British casualties) and Zandvorde. Canadians gain rising ground southwest of Passchendaele on two spurs.
Canadian gunners in the mud of Passchendaele: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/cd-gunners-mud.jpg?ssl=1
Australian troops on a muddy road marching towards Passchendaele: © IWM (E(AUS) 1222): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/923221451456512000

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: No new developments inland, but see Naval Operations, below.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Bainsizza Plateau evacuated. Krauss’ 3 Austrian divisions cross Stol Ridge (6,467ft) and capture Mt Maggiore. After 12-mile advance Rommel captures Mts Mrzli and Matajur (5,414ft) with 2,700 Salerno Brigade PoWs who defy officers to surrender; 2 German divisions 5 miles from Cividale, headquarter of Italian Second Army. Austrian Second Isonzo Army penetrates Italian Bainsizza second line and First Isonzo Army reports Italian retreat on Carso. Germans claim 60,000 PoWs and 500 guns to date. Lloyd George orders CIGS to send 2 British Western Front divisions to Italy.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Operation Albion: German squadron bombards Khainash, 40 miles south of Pernau. Transports appear 12 miles further south.

Political, etc
Brazil: Brazil declares war on Germany. President Braz announces the absurd claim that the Germans were caught in plot to invade.

gekkogecko

10-27-2017, 09:54 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: French and Belgians advance astride Ypres-Dixmude road, penetrating up to 1 3/4 miles.
Royal Flying Corps and balloons help engage 116 German batteries and over 200 other targets. 2 German airfields bombed. Night bombers strike 7 more and 3 railway stations and other targets (night October 27-28).
German prisoners help a wounded Canadian soldier walk away from the frontlines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/923605166686908419
Aisne: French progress on Aisne front, occupy Froidmont Farm, fail to cross Canal.
U.S.A. troops and artillery in action in France for first time.

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Germans retire from Verder Peninsula, having accomplished the destruction of most of the Russwian troops in the area.
Germans again attempt to fraternise with Russians North and Center.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Cadorna orders general retreat at 0230 hours, already widely happening on jammed roads. German Alpenkorps and 2 other divisions reach river Torre beyond Cividale. Cadorna accepts Foch’s offer from October 26 of 4 French divisions. Cividale, west of Isonzo in flames and occupied by Germans, who claim 80,000 prisoners to date.
Italian mechanized transport coloumn retreats during the Battle of Caporetto: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/iatl-rueckzug-caporetto.jpg?ssl=1
Austro-Hungarian soldier holding two carrier pigeons: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/923846767891943424

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza begins (see April 19th and November 7th). 218 British guns shell Gaza (until October 31, Allied naval bombardment from October 29); British cavalry in action in center of Gaza front, 8th Mounted Brigade holds Turkish 3rd Cavalry Division reconnaissance in force north of El Baqqar.
RFC aircraft patrol in pairs to cover Allenby’s concentration, Bristol Fighter destroys German two-seater plane before it can return with vital photos on October 30. Air photography has plotted 131 Turkish batteries.
Arabia: Maulud’s 550 Arabs near Petra repel 4 Turk battalions, cavalry regiment and 10 guns from Maan.

Political, etc
United States: (Listed for yesterday): U.S. War Department approves Ignacy Jan Paderewski’s plans to create an independent Polish legion for service in Europe.
Poland: Polish Regency Council takes office.
Spain: Army brings about fall of Cabinet in Spain.

gekkogecko

10-28-2017, 06:08 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: French continue progress in Belgium. Canadian losses since October 26 2,481 soldiers, but 370 German PoWs taken.
Verdun: Germans gain footing from Chaume Wood to Bezonvaux.
Aisne: French attack on Oise-Aisne Canal and German counter-attack both fail. German “attack” in Champagne repulsed.
Lieutenant Gontermann, top-scoring German ‘balloon buster’ (39 victories since April 8; see picture on June 24, 1917), dies when his Jasta 15 Fokker Dr I breaks up in flight; shortly after all German triplanes temporarily grounded. First 5 of 12 fighter Jagdgruppen (36-75 aircraft each) made permanent.
French troops at a captured German war cemetery near Bixschoote: © IWM (Q 78977): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924209138686660608

Eastern Front
Operation Albion: Germans bring the operation to a close, having accomplished all their objectives.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Gorizia retaken by Austro German forces, and continue until eight miles further west.
Italian 2nd and 3rd Armies retreat. Italians retreat from Carnia front.
Germans claims now reach 100,000 prisoners.
Despite rain and snowstorms German 200th Division crosses river Torre at 0400 hours and occupies Udine (now Venetia) 20 hours after Comando Supremo and Second Army headquarters evacuate, latter formation split in two.
Infantry crosses a river in Northern Italy during the Battle of Coporetto: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/uebersetzen-norditalien.jpg?ssl=1
Abandoned Italian equipment at Cividale del Friuli, as the Germans and Austro-Hungarian advance continues: © IWM (Q 85982): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/923968845827764224

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: Allied forces continue their bombardment of Turkish positions.

Political, etc
France: French newsreel showing recent advances from the Aisne River to the Chemin des Dames: http://www.iwm.org.uk/embed/?id=1060022991&media_id=379430 [note: won’t play for me, you might have better luck]
Italy: Signor Vittorio Orlando Italian Prime Minister.
United States: U.S. second Liberty Loan: $1,000,000,000 has been subscribed.

gekkogecko

10-29-2017, 11:28 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: The destroyed square of Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924657119990812672
Dunkirk, Calais, Belfort bombed: 1 of 3 Gotha bombers (2 attack Calais) sent drops 8 bombs between Burnham and Southend. Hit and run raid (11 bombs) against Dover at night October 30-31.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto (until November 9): Austro-Hungarians drive Italians back along Carnia front. Below orders Tagliamento bridges’ seizure; Italians blow Codroipo bridges prematurely leaving 12,000 men on wrong side, but XXIV Corps holds off pursuit to cross flooding river lower down. Third Army crosses Isonzo. Cadorna issues preliminary orders for retreat to Piave. 3 Italian cavalry brigades charge Austro-German advanced guards west of Udine on October 30. Cadorna communique blames Second Army for collapse.
Blown-up bridges, such as the railway viaduct of Salcano near Gorizia over the Isonzo, present serious obstacles to the advance of the forces of the Central Powers: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gesprengte-bruecke-isonzo.jpg?ssl=1
German troops after their capture of Udine, Italy: © IWM (Q 60438): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924595447414607872
Austro-Hungarian troops entering the city of Gorizia, Italy after its capture: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924611804420038658
Salonika: 8 German fighters shoot down 2 of 5 Royal Flying Corps aircraft after they bomb Cestovo dump (also bombed on November 5).

Naval and Overseas Operations
(Listed for yesterday): US troopship SS Finland is damaged by German submarine SM U-93, resulting in 9 deaths. Ship in Brest, France, for repairs, revealing damage: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924270814534434816
East Africa: General Northey captures Liwale; Germans driven south-east.
Baltic: German battleship Markgraf mined in Irben Strait, Gulf of Riga. Capital ships subsequently withdrawn back to High Seas Fleet due to mine and British submarine threat (3 battleships attacked).
Eastern Mediterranean: Anglo-French naval bombardment of Gaza resumes (average by 1 cruiser, 4 monitors, 2 gunboats, 2 destroyers).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: See naval action, above.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm tells Austro-Hungarian Emperor “Forward with God,” in the congratulation message for the ongoing offensive against Italy.:
United Kingdom: Parliament's thanks voted to Navy and Army.
Italy: (Listed for yesterday): Eugenio Elia Levi, Italian mathematician known for his work on group theory and other mathematical fields, is killed in action at Caporetto: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924240612781674498
United States: 2nd Liberty Bond is bought by 9.4 million people, exceeding the $1bn goal, raising $3.8 billion dollars for the U.S. war effort: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924331208569389057
Propaganda on Germany’s postwar plans for the world, produced by the National Security League, a U.S. nationalist organization: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924361395587702785
“Coney Island,” short comedy film directed by Roscoe Arbuckle and starring him and Buster Keaton, is released: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6f/Coney_Island_1917_FATTY_ARBUCKLE_BUSTER_KEATON.webm

gekkogecko

10-30-2017, 11:18 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: British attack in bad weather at Ypres from Poelcapelle to Passchendaele; enter latter but are driven back to outskirts. Five German counter-attacks allegedly repulsed.
Australian troops walking through the ruins of Chateau Wood at the Passchendaele Battle: © IWM (E(AUS) 1220): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924687297186066432
The wreck of German ace Heinrich Gontermann’s Fokker Dr-I, credited with 39 victories, killed the other day while testing it: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/924990554844418048

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italians fall back towards the River Tagliamento. Italian Navy complete Grado’s evacuation (southwest of river mouth). German 26th Division reaches Tagliamento taking Dignano and 20,000 PoWs.
Disarmed Italian PoWs are hurried into captivity, while German troops advance forward: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/ital-pows-germans.jpg?ssl=1
Foch visits Cadorna’s new Treviso headquarter and tells him ‘You’ve lost only one army, fight hard with the others!’, as first French troops arrive in Italy. General Duchene with Tenth Army headquarters to command 4 divisions (120,000 men).
Devastated terrain around Gorizia, Italy after its capture by the Austro-Hungarian offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925020757155106817

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: Major-General L. J. Bols succeeds Major-General Sir A. Lynden Bell as C.G.S. in Palestine. Naval bombardment of Gaza continues.

Political, etc
Germany: Count Georg Hertling succeeds Dr. Georg Michaelis as German lmperial Chancellor (see July 14th, 1917 and September 30th, 1918).
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour on the Balkans.
Italy: Sig. Vittorio Orlando forms new Italian Cabinet.
U.S. offers a $230 million loan to help Italy fend off the Central Powers' offensive.

gekkogecko

10-31-2017, 06:32 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: Canadian troops, suffering 2,321 casualties, advance 600 yards around Passchendaele in heavy mud: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925050953660846080
Wounded Canadian and captured German soldiers receive hot coffee and cookies just a few thousand yards behind the frontlines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925066058872119296
Total of 700 Mark IV tanks delivered to BEF by end October. BEF October monthly loss of 119,808 soldiers second worst of 1917. Haig inspects 23rd Division, about to leave for Italy.
Airplane raid on Kent and Dover: no damage. Another raid at night on Kent, Essex and London; 10 killed, 22 injured. First German Gotha incendiary raid: 22 Gothas bomb (183 dropped in Kent), 10 reaching London (83 bombs) cause only 32 civilian casualties as 10lb incendiaries often fail to ignite. 50 defence sorties (2 crash landings) achieve 6 brief sightings; 5 Gotha bombers crash on return (night October 31 – November 1).

Eastern Front
German attempts at fraternisation met with artillery fire.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: 2nd and 3rd Italian Armies withdrawn behind River Tagliamento. Germans claim over 180,000 prisoners and 1,500 guns to date.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Russian admirals declare ‘the fate of Finland and the approaches to the capital depend primarily on the will of the enemy’; C-in-C Razvozov told on October 30, his post will be elective soon.
Atlantic, North Sea and Mediterranean: During October Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats, 159 ships (68 British with 293 lives) worth 448,923t. German figure 466,542t including 144,603t in Mediterranean. 99 homeward convoys have sailed since May. 1,502 steamers (10 lost in convoy); 6 U-boats lost – all to mines.
North Sea and Channel: 10,400 Royal Navy mines laid in Heligoland Bight and Dover Straits until 31 December.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: The Battle of Beersheba. This battle was part of the British offensive known as the Third Battle of Gaza aimed at breaking the Turkish defensive line that stretched from Gaza to Beersheba. The battle is best known for the charge of the 4th Light Horse Brigade [note: which has nothing to do with the Tennyson poem, “The Charge o the Light Brigade”, which criticized the attack of the 4th and 13th Light Dragoons, 17th Lancers, and the 8th and 11th Hussars {Light Horse Brigade} at the Battle of Balaclava, during the Crimean War, over a half a century earlier] (see 27th and November 7th). British capture Beersheba, with 1,800 Turks and 9 guns, after 24-30 mile march, Another source explands on this: Captain Collins, 25th Welch Fusiliers, wins Victoria Cross for carrying wounded and bayoneted 15 Turks. Colonel Newcombe’s 70 British camelry cut Hebron-Jerusalem telegraph line in diversion. Allenby gains 1,947 PoWs, 15 guns and over 4 MGs for 1,348 casualties.
Australian and NZ troops of the Desert Mounted Corps advance at the opening of the Third Battle of Gaza: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/gaza-austr-neuseel.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour on the Balkans.
United States: U.S. government bans all Germans from working in New York ports due to the purported threat of sabotage and espionage.

dicksbro

11-01-2017, 02:59 AM

I'm learning so much from this series. :thumbs:

gekkogecko

11-01-2017, 12:15 PM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: Australian Corps of 5 divisions formed.
Aisne: Battle of La Malmaison ends (see October 23rd). Outflanked German Seventh Army retreats from Chemin des Dames until November 2; French reoccupy four villages on heights.
British airmen bomb Kaiserslautern.
A British mounted officer passes by a war cemetery at Roclincourt, France: © IWM (Q 70724): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925383158325014528
Autochrome photo of French soldiers shooting at aircraft on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925413350598742016

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: 60,000 more Italian soldiers are captured in the Central Powers offensive, as the Italians retreat across the Tagliamento River. Italians hold river Tagliamento (up to 3,000y yards wide) line until November 2 to allow time for Carnia and dilatory Fourth Army retreat plus Piave preparations. Austrian 10th Division reaches lower Tagliamento at Latisana. Foch and Robertson visit King at Padua.
In the past 8 days, Austria-Hungary and Germany have taken 120,000 prisoners, 1000 artillery guns, and 1000 square miles from Italy.

Naval and Overseas Operations
In November 139 Allied destroyers on convoy duty including 40 in Mediterranean (11 British ships lost). 381 ships sail in Mediterranean convoys (only 9 lost, or 2.35%). US Navy has over 40 ships at Brest under Admiral Wilson for convoy escort.
Channel: During November 14 British ships lost. Geddes forms Channel Barrage Committee under Rear-Admiral Keyes, Director of Plans.
Baltic: During November thousands of mutinous sailors from Russian Baltic Fleet act as shock troops of the Bolshevik (October) Revolution at Petrograd. German U-boat and auxiliary Equity land supplies in Finland for nationalists.
North Sea: British submarine E.52 sinks UC-63 south of Goodwins. In November Royal Navy lays 960 mines off Flamborough Head (East Coast) against Flanders U-boats.
(Listed for yesterday): German submarine SM UC-16, credited with sinking 42 ships during its career, goes missing, presumed sunk after striking a mine.
Britain: First Lord Geddes says in Parliament 4,500 ships convoyed safely to and from Norway since April. During November HMS Wakeful first of 23 W-class destroyers (ordered December 1916) completed (all finish until October 1918). 16 modified W-class destroyers launched January 1918 to November 11, 1919.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: Turkish defeat near Gaza; British capture outer defences on a front of 5,000 yards. Bulfin’s XXI Corps (11,000 men, 148 guns) captures Gaza’s outer defences night November 1-2 (over 1000 Turks killed, 550 PoWs, 3 guns and 30 MGs for 2,696 casualties until November 4). In November first 2,000 of 8,000 donkeys (4 coys) begin to help supply the EEF front line.
The British Imperial Camel Corps Brigade outside Beersheba, Ottoman Syria after its capture: © IWM (Q 109727): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925680107217440768

Political, etc
Russia: (listed for yesterday): Mayor of Petrograd (St. Petersburg, Russia) asks for calm, as flour shipments to the city from the countryside stop, threatening starvation.
(Today): Unrest in Petrograd; Maximalists threaten armed action.
Russian Premier Aleksandr Kerensky states Russia is spent and that the other Allied countries must shoulder the burden of the war.
United Kingdom: Ministry of National Service formed in Great Britain.
The Air Force (Constitution) Bill, 1917, is submitted to Parliament.
Following the disastrous defeat suffered by the Italian Army at Caporetto in October 1917, two British Divisions are dispatched to Italy to assist the Italians. This force is supported by VII Brigade of the Royal Flying Corps, (14th and 51st Wings), consisting of No.34 and No.42 Squadrons (Royal Aircraft Factory RE8s) and Nos. 28, 45 and 66 Squadrons (Sopwith Camels).
Italy: King Victor Emmanuel III meets the Allies: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/King-Emmanuel-Allies.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

11-01-2017, 12:19 PM

I'm learning so much from this series. :thumbs:

Excellent: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
-George Santayana

Those who do remember the past will find new ways to fuck things up.

gekkogecko

11-02-2017, 06:18 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: Hostile artillery active east of Ypres.
Australian soldiers crowded in dugout 15 feet underground during the Battle of Passchendaele: © IWM (E(AUS) 1129): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/925803449937166338

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italy reorganises her forces behind the Tagliamento; Germans reach east bank of river.
Austrian 55th (Bosnian) and German 12th (Silesian) Divisions cross river Tagliamento via damaged rail bridge at Cornino and a footbridge at Pinzano during night November 2-3.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Kattegat: Raid by British naval light forces, covered by battlecruisers Glorious and Repulse, on the Kattegat (see April 15th, 1918). Destroyers sink German decoy ship Kronprinz Wilhelm off Kullen Light, and claim the sinking of ten armed patrol craft.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: British capture positions north of Beersheba.
Turkish troops attack the British during the fighting in Palestine: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/angriff-turk-inf-palaetsina.jpg?ssl=1
6 Turkish battalions compel Newcombe’s surrender. Turk Seventh Army counter-attacks DMC 10 miles north of Beersheba until November 7.
Mesopotamia: Battle of Daur: Tigris, British rout Turks near Dur, 85 miles above Baghdad: Cobbe’s 14,500 men (224 casualties) with 58 guns storm Turkish 51st divisions two lines (c.260 casualties) after 19-24-mile night advance.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour's letter to Lord Rothschild, giving Government approval to Zionism, published. Jewish-Arab London Rally welcomes the announcement.
United States: U.S. Treasury Department lends another $435 million to Great Britain, putting the total lent to the Allies at $3.566 billion.
China: Lansing-Ishii Agreement: US recognizes Japan’s special interests in China.

gekkogecko

11-03-2017, 10:59 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: Skirmishing activity round Ypres.
Aisne: French push forward in region of Corbeny and reach south bank of Ailette river.
First 3 AEF US troops killed (Corporal James Gresham, Privates Merle Hay & Thomas Enright) and 11 made PoWs in German storm company trench raid.
These are the first Ameriican PoWs to fall into German hands: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/first-US-POWS.jpg?ssl=1
An Australian soldier besides a fire in a dugout tells his comrades a story. © IWM (E(AUS) 1223): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926136856449880069

Eastern Front
Baltic Provinces and Western Russia: Germans succeed in provoking fraternization.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italian troops reorganize their forces at the Tagliamento River after losing 200,000 soldiers as POWs in the Caporetto Battle. German pressure on Tagliamento increases.
West of L. Garda Germans make strong attacks on Italian advanced posts. Cadorna informs Rome he will retreat behind river Piave and hints at separate peace. French (until November 5). Germans refuse any more divisions for Italy.
Arrival of French 64th and 65th Divisions begins west of Lake Garda (see 4th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: British submarine C.15 sinks UC-65 (top 1917 sinker with 103 ships worth 112,859t) off Dartmouth, last of 6 Royal Navy submarine U-boat kills in 1917.
East Africa: British and Belgian forces make good progress; drive German detachments eastward.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Third Battle of Gaza: The battle comes to a close, but minor operations against Gaza continued.
Royal Horse Artillery in action north of Beersheeba, as Allied forces continue to push Ottoman forces out of southern Palestine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926076470019096583

Political, etc
France: Léon Bloy, French novelist, essayist, and poet, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926438848539844611
United Kingdom: Text of the Balfour Declaration, where the British government announces support for a homeland for the Jewish people: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926167050665504769
Italy: Agreement concluded among British, French and Italian Governments for provision of tonnage for the Allied food programme (see November 10th, 1915, January 6th and December 3rd, 1917).
Albania: Tringe Smajli, an Albanian guerrilla fighter who fought against the Ottomans, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926106669628690433

gekkogecko

11-04-2017, 11:03 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: Raiding on Ypres and Arras fronts.
Verdun: Artillery active north of Chaume Wood.
French consolidate new positions along Chemin des Dames.
French troops advance along the Chemin des Dames, taking 18 square miles from the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926805001304862721
More U.S. troops landing in France at St. Nazaire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926500513079873536

Eastern Front
Petrograd: Bolshevik Military Revolutionary Committee tells garrison of 155,000 soldiers to ignore orders to go to Front.
German troops on the Eastern Front increase fraternization attempts with the Russians in order to promote surrenders and defections.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Austrians take 10,000 PoWs and 24 guns cut off south of Tolmezzo from Italian XII Corps (Tassoni) until November 5 retreating from Carnia. Italians begin retreat from Tagliamento to Piave (night November 4-5), after Austrian Isonzo armies force crossings.
When crossing this bridge over the Tagliamento, Kaiser Karl I (second from left) was so near to the front line that the advancing Austrian troops had not had time to clear the dead out his path: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/karl-crossing-tagliamento.jpg?ssl=1
Damaged houses in Monfalcone, Italy after its capture by the Austro-Hungarians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926484167667408896
Arrival of British troops in Italy announced (see 3rd and June 30th, 1918).

Political, etc
Russia: General K A Tumanov succeeds M. Aleksandr Verkhovski as Russian Minister of War.
United Kingdom: Mr Lloyd George and M. Paul Painleve leave for Italy.
Spain: The new Prime Minister of Spain Manuel García-Prieto states Spain will continue to be neutral in the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926774799782866944

gekkogecko

11-05-2017, 12:15 PM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: What remains of Remus Wood during the Battle of Passchendaele: © IWM (E(AUS) 1049): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927153544838500352

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Austro-German forces cross Tagliamento north of Pinzano, capture many prisoners (another sources specifies 6,000)
Pressure on Italian left wing intensified.
Retreat of Italian troops down a military road in Venezia after the Battle of Caporetto: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/retreat-italians-caporetto.jpg?ssl=1
Column of Italian prisoners taken by the Austro-Hungarians and Germans at the Caporetto Battle: © IWM (Q 60416): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/926866653119438848
At Rapallo conference Italians ask for 15 Allied divisions, but settle for 11. Temporary British C-in-C Italy Lieutenant-General Lord Cavan arrives at Pavia with ADC Prince of Wales, sees Cadorna on November 6 and agrees to concentrate around Mantua not Milan. Most Italian troops stand behind river Livenza to let Fourth Army come down from north.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British carry Turkish line of defenses between Gaza and Beersheba. Kress begins Gaza’s evacuation. Falkenhayn reaches Jerusalem.
Mesopotamia: Sir S. Maude routs Turks at Tekrit. Cobbe (1,801 casualties) storms 6-mile Turkish line aided by 13th Hussars’ 2 charges. 6,000 Turks lose estimated 1,500 (137 PoWs) men and retreat until November 6, destroying SS Julnar.

Political, etc
Russia: Kerensky calls loyal troops from suburbs, closes two Bolshevik newspapers, portrayed as ‘counter revolution’.
United Kingdom: Correspondence of British and German Governments re: alleged misuse of British hospital ships issued as White Paper (Cd. 8692).

gekkogecko

11-06-2017, 10:20 AM

Western Front
Second Battle of Passchendaele phase of the Third Battle of Ypres: British attack launched at dawn on Ypres ridge. Passchendaele captured by Canadian forces (see October 26th, 1917 and April 16th, 1918); also Goudberg and Mosselmarkts with 464 PoWs. French I Corps captures Merckem. End of Third Battle of Ypres.
4 Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camel fighters get lost and come down near Namur and Rheims (1 pilot escapes into Holland after burning plane).
Members of the Chinese military mission touring the ruins of Bapaume, France: © IWM (Q 6344): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927531051861401600

Eastern Front
Limited fighting on Russian front.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italians again in retreat; they abandon the Tagliamento; enemy troops reach Maniago.
Renewed German attacks in Trentino.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: General Allenby captures Khuweilfesh, 11 miles north of Beersheba. 17,000-strong XX Corps (1,300 casualties) storms central Turkish Sheria position (c.4,000 men + c.40 guns) without prelim barrage, takes over 600 PoWs and 12 guns.
Turks captured at Beersheba: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/beerseba-captured-turks.jpg?ssl=1
Hejaz Railway: Lawrence and c.100 Arabs cross south of Deraa but lose explosives for Tell-el-Shehab rail bridge.
Mesopotamia: Tikrit (Mesopotamia) Occupied by British forces (see 5th).

Political, etc
Russia: Petrograd: 3 Don Cossack regiments decide not to back Kerensky. Bolsheviks seize railway stations, bridges, state bank and telephone exchange. Lenin arrives at Smolny Institute headquarters.
United Kingdom: War aims debate in House of Commons.
Italy: Conference at Rapallo (near Genoa) between Allied statesmen and generals on critical situation in Italy.
United States: U.S. Federal officials consider barring Germans and other enemy aliens from 100 miles of the coastline to prevent spying and espionage.
In Buchanan v. Warley, U.S. Supreme Court rules that Louisville, Kentucky cannot bar Blacks from buying homes in White neighborhoods.
“Rape of Belgium” propaganda piece appearing in the New York Tribune: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927244140345208832

gekkogecko

11-07-2017, 05:18 AM

Western Front
British consolidate new positions at Passchendaele; no German counter-attacks.
Verdun: Germans attack French at Chaume Wood.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italian troops are again forced into retreat as they abandon defenses on the Tagliamento River. Italians in retreat west from Tagliamento to reach River Livenza. Germans claim many thousand prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Bolshevik cruiser Aurora (retained November 5) lands some of her 522 sailors to seize Nikolai Bridge in Petrograd. Revolution at Petrograd climaxes with searchlight assisted (but inaccurate) shelling of Winter Palace. Minelayer Amur, 2 minesweepers, 2 steamers, and 5 small craft arrive from Kronstadt with 3,800 sailors (c.9,700 in capital) and 950 soldiers. 4 destroyers sail from Helsinki to back Lenin (2 arrive on November 7) despite C-in-C’s protest.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
A claim that the Third Battle of Gaza ends, duplicating a separate claim for an earlier date. Capture of Gaza by General Allenby; the troops push on and reach the Wadi Hesi, eight miles north of Gaza.* British and French warships co-operate off coast.

Political, etc
Russia: The first of “Ten Days that Shook the World”: Maximalist (Bolshevik) revolution begins in Petrograd, known as the Great October Socialist Revolution, due to the Gregorian calendar date of 25 October 1917, then in use in Russia. Russian government troops raid the offices of Bolshevik newspaper Pravda, run by Joseph Stalin, and destroy its printing presses. Bolshevik Red Guards forces under the Military Revolutionary Committee begin the occupation of government buildings on 7 November 1917 (New Style). Kerensky leaves by car to find loyal troops, other ministers in Winter Palace with 1,000 troops surrounded by 18,000 Reds. Red cruiser Aurora signals bombardment from 2210 hours.
The signal for the October Revolution – a shot is fired from the cruiser Aurora: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Shot-fired-from-Aurora.jpg?ssl=1
Italy: Allied Conference at Rapallo. Inception of Supreme War Council (see 27th).
General Luigi Cadorna relieved of the command of the Italian Armies (see May 23rd, 1915 and November 27th, 1917). Succeeded by General Armando Diaz.
United States: Notes of agreement between U.S. and Japan, concerning their interests in China, published.

gekkogecko

11-08-2017, 11:32 AM

Western Front
Two successful British raids near Fresnoy and Armentieres.
‘Lively’ artillery actions along whole front.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Germans force crossing of Livenza river and pursue Italians towards Piave river.
Between Tolmezzo and Gemona, 17,000 Italians are outflanked and surrender.
Italian troops flee across the Livenza River, as the German and Austro-Hungarian armies take more prisoners and land. Italian POWs: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927922379216621568
At Peschiera British and French urge Cadorna’s removal, King replies already decided and that Piave line will be held. Bulk of Italian Fourth Army (9 divisions) from Dolomites joins First and Third Armies (21 divisions) on Piave line. Austrians occupy Vittorio Veneto and make it the headquarter of the Fourteenth Army on November 9. Austro-Hungarian troops entering the city: © IWM (Q 60453): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/928283974803382273. Marie Fayolle made French C-in-C in place of Denis-Auguste Duchene, arrives on November 21.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Allenby follows up his victory in Palestine. 158 Yeomanry (66 casualties) charge and overrun Turkish rearguard taking 11 guns. 52nd Division (702 casualties) storms Sausage Ridge at fifth attempt.
Turks in retreat north on Hebron and Jerusalem. British troops cross the Wadi el Hesi in Palestine in pursuit.
Royal Flying Corps destroy 9 German planes in airfield attacks (until November 9), have ranged 126 targets (November 1-7), drop c.700 bombs (November 7-14) on other targets.
Ruined streets of Gaza after its capture by the Allies from the Ottomans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927892169100230663

Political, etc
Russia: Red Guards overrun Winter Palace at 0100 hours. c.1,800 Red sailors arrive by train from Helsinki. During the Bolshevik coup d'état in Petrograd. M. Vladimir Lenin and M. Leon Trotski assume power. Former succeeds M. Aleksandr Kerenski as Premier (actual title: Chairman, Council of People’s commissars); and latter succeeds M. Mikhail Tereshchenko as Foreign Minister (actual title: Commissar for Foreign Affairs)(see 13th, May 16th and August 6th). Military Revolutionary committee cables all fronts to accept revolution or face arrest. Red troops occupy Kremlin in Moscow but Cossacks retake Minsk. Revolutionaries announce "an immediate democratic peace" their first objective.
The Winter Palace has been fallen and the members of the Provisional Government are under arrest. A Red Guard inside the throne-room of the Tsars: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/winterpalast-red-guard.jpg?ssl=1
Congress of Soviets approves Commissars of the People including Alexei Rykov (Interior) and Josef Stalin (National Minorities). Civil Service strike against Reds (strikers arrested and drafted on November 27). Reds seize Yaroslavl, Kazan and Samara on Volga and Vladimir.
Armed Bolshevik sailors posing for the camera: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/927848131600949248
United Kingdom: Arrival in London of U.S. Mission under “Colonel” (Southern Gentleman Title) House.
British news-film "Topical Budget," showing the Polish Legion in France, carrier pigeons, and other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5436
United States: Women win the right to vote in New York State and City in yesterday's election.

gekkogecko

11-09-2017, 07:37 AM

Western Front
Heavy air fighting.
Flanders: British Second Army headquarters moves to Italy, Henry Rawlinson replaces Herbert Plumer in command of Flanders sector.

Eastern Front
Four million copies of Bolshevik Peace Decree sent to Front. Kerensky occupies Gatchina (28 miles south of capital) with 600 wavering Cossacks, having reached General Krasnov’s III Cavalry Corps headquarter at Ostrov on November 8.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Italians establish themselves behind the Lower Piave. Rommel fords upper river and with help captures 8,000 Italians and 20 guns at Longarone (night November 9-10). Italian front 75 miles (180 miles on October 24) long, but only 33 divisions available instead of 59. Last 3 Italian divisions cross river until November 10 and bridges blown. Conscript class of 1899 arriving.
Germans continue advance; in Trentino they recapture Asiago.
General Armando Diaz succeeds General Luigi Cardorna. General Armando Diaz: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/928586718307008512
Trentino: Austrians reoccupy Asiago.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Royal Flying Corps attacks on the main ammunition dump and railhead of the Turkish 8th Army at El Tine in Gaza causes widespread panic amongst the Turkish troops. Their German commander, Von Kressenstein, said, "This did more to break the heart of the 8th Army and to diminish its fighting strength than all the hard fighting that had gone before."
Panic in Turkish Eighth Army headquarters and rear but thirst slows British pursuit. Brigade of Anzac Mounted Division takes 984 PoWs and 210 wagons in 16-mile ride that meets XXI Corps from Gaza.
Much war material collected at Tekrit.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria visits Trieste.
Russia: Second All-Russian Congress of Soviets recognizes the success of the Bolshevik uprising in Petrograd, Russia. The Council of People’s Commissars, chaired by Lenin, is formed: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/928314425513250818
Lenin and the Revolutionary Military Committee remain in command of Petrograd; Soviets issue appeals for support of army.
Cossack Confederation forming.
Russian soldiers reading on the street leaflets printed by the Bolsheviks: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/russ-soldaten-propagandaflugbaletter.jpg?ssl=1
Petrograd Telegraph Agency broadcasts Bolshevik peace conditions. German government refuses to publish but German press do it on November 12.
United Kingdom: Lord Mayor's Banquet: important speeches.
Italy: Allied Ministers visit King of Italy on front.
Conference at Rapallo decides on creation of a Supreme Allied War Council for Western Front.
Uruguay: Troops seizes 8 German ships at Montevideo.

gekkogecko

11-10-2017, 12:23 PM

Western Front
A couple of claims that the Second Battle of Passchendaele ends, duplicating an earlier claim: English and Canadian troops make successful attacks along ridge north and north-west of Passchendaele. 1st Canadian Division (1,094 casualties) advances 500 yards north along main ridge east of Passchendaele-Westroosebeke highway despite 3 German counter-attacks, over 500 guns opposing and air attacks. Allied advance since July 31 are 4 1/2 miles.
Canadian and German ‘walking wounded’ on their way to a dressing station. They are resting on the devasted ground just outside Passchendaele: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/walking-wounded.jpg?ssl=1
Verdun: Germans “repulsed” at Chaume Wood by French.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: (Listed for yesterday): Italian troops establish defensive lines on the Piave River. Allied reinforcements arrive near the front, but are deployed 60 miles behind the Piave.
(Today): Austro-Hungarian advance checked on Asiago front; Conrad attacks but Italian First Army in skillful withdrawal retains key ground until November 14. On Upper Piave German-Austrian forces capture Belluno.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: British make good progress in East Africa; British troops occupy Ndonda, in Lukuledi valley. German-aligned northern force in retreat from Mahenge.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Further advance of General Allenby's forces; Ascalon occupied; fighting near Esdud.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Czernin urges Kuehlmann in Germany to accept Bolshevik offer publicly but he declines on November 11.
Germany: German Treasury agrees to provide M 15 million to Bolsheviks via Stockholm.
Russia: Anti-Bolshevik reaction, troops loyal to Kerenski and Provisional Government march on Petrograd. Kerensky occupies Tsarskoe Selo. Street fighting in Moscow until November 15. Arthur Ransome reports in Daily News, ‘It is folly to deny … that the Bolsheviks do hold a majority of the politically active population.’
United Kingdom: Text of Air Force Bill publishes in "Times".
Tanks on parade in the Lord Mayor’s Show in London: © IWM (Q 54190): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/928708019785011200
United States: To save fuel, U.S. government orders that electrical displays for advertising can only be turned on from 7:45 pm to 11 pm.

gekkogecko

11-11-2017, 01:25 PM

Western Front
Both the Allies and Germany at Passchendaele (3rd Ypres) each suffered around 250,000 casualties, but the numbers remain disputed. {in particular, most of the estimates of German casualties throughout the war come from British intelligence sources, which are utterly unreliable, and frequently fantastical.}
Flanders: Heavy rain; German artillery active against new positions on Passchendaele ridge.
The village of Passchendaele before and after the battle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929097616390057984
Alsace: German raid repulsed at Hartmannsweilerkopf.
MONS CONFERENCE of the OHL: Erich Ludendorff, Georg von Wetzell (principal OHL strategist), Herman von Kuhl (CoS Army Group Rupprecht), and Friedrich von der Schulenberg (CoS Army Group Crown Prince). Ludendorff proposes great offensive on Western Front in ‘New Year’.

Southern Front
Isonzo: Twelfth Battle Of Isonzo, aka, the Battle of Caporetto: Austro-German forces reach the Piave. From Belluno Austrians advance down the Piave towards Feltre; They renew attacks on Asiago Plateau without success. The Battle of Caporetto melds into the First Battle of the Piave (until December 30). Austrians gain small bridgehead at Zenson (night November 12-13) 17 miles from river mouth, 20 miles northeast of Venice and occupy islands in river on November 13. Archduke Eugene moves headquarter from Klagenfurt to Udine.
German and Austro-Hungarian troops begin attacking Italian positions around Monte Grappa in the Venetian Prealps. First 2 British divisions (23rd and 41st) begin arriving in Mantua area, complete November 21.
Unseemable quantities of war material left by the Italians in their hasty escape behind the Piave: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/iatl-rueckzugstr-caporetto.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Mediterranean: UC-38 (Hans Wendlandt), one of 3 U-boats sent to help Turks since October 31, sinks British monitor M.15 (26 dead) and destroyer Staunch off Gaza, rest of squadron retire to Port Said.
East Africa: Two British columns meet at Ndonda, Germans flee to hills near Portuguese border.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turks organize new line of defense covering Jerusalem and Hebron.

Political, etc
Russia: Reports from Petrograd of disorder spreading; Kerenski's forces reach Tsarskoe Selo. Military cadets in Petrograd launch a counterrevolutionary mutiny, known as the Junker mutiny, against the Bolsheviks, but are quickly crushed due to limited support. Bolsheviks crush Cadet ‘Bloody Sunday’ rising in Petrograd and take Krasnoyarsk. Reds control Saratov on Volga.
Troops loyal to Russian Premier Kerensky, mostly Don Cossacks, take Tsarskoye Selo and prepare to attack the Bolsheviks in Petrograd: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929302943257546752
United States: First of 247 fast, four-funnel flush-decker destroyers launched (until April 11, 1921) USS Little (serves at Queenstown, Ireland 1918).
Queen Liliuokalani, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaii, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929393493566517248

gekkogecko

11-12-2017, 11:32 AM

One Year Remaining in the Great War: One Year Remaining
Western Front
Concentrated shelling of Ypres and Passchendaele salient by Germans, followed by infantry raid; repulsed by British.
Successful Belgian raid south-east of Nieuport.
German raids near Reims repulsed; they bomb Calais.
French ground crew loading a bomb on a Farman HF.20 aircraft: © IWM (Q 113742): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929439884993056769

Eastern Front
12,000 Bolsheviks (esp sailors) halt Kerensky’s 700 Cossacks and 1 armored train near Pulkovo Observatory; they retreat to Gatchina. Kerensky narrowly escapes.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Great efforts by Austrians to force the Piave lines guarding Venice; they cross main stream at Zenson and Grisolera; further north they occupy islands in the river. Overall, Italian forces hold off Austro-Hungarian and German forces on the Piave River, as heavy artillery fire is exchanged.
3 French divisions move from Brescia to Vicenza nearer front, 46th and 47th Divisons of Chasseurs d’Alpin arrive (since November 5).
Royal Flyinig Corps Nos 28 (Sopwith Camel) and 34 (RE8) Squadrons reach Milan (plus No 14, left France on November 7, No 66 Squadron follows on November 17), No 42 Squadron leaves November 26-27, No 45 on December 11-12). They become operational between November 28 and December 21.

Naval and Overseas Operations
The M.15, the monitor sunk yesterday by UC-38: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929409700675899392

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Falkenhayn drives back Australian Mounted Divusion 4 miles with 5,000 Turks (10,000 rallied at Ramleh on November 10). British troops drive Turks from Wadi Sugheir; take many prisoners and guns. Turks seek refuge behind Wadi Surar, eight miles south of Jaffa.
Dismounted Australian mounted infantrymen open fire on Turk troops during the fighting in Palestine: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/austr-berinf-gefecht-palaestina.jpg?ssl=1
Hejaz Railway: Lawrence mines troop train at Minifer, captures 60 rifles.
Australian Imperial Force light horse and horse artillery advancing on the Philistine Plain, Palestine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/929741870384799745

Political, etc
Russia: Fighting in Moscow and Petrograd between Bolsheviks and followers of Kerenski.
United Kingdom: M. Eleftherios Venizelos arrives in London.

dicksbro

11-13-2017, 02:38 AM

More really great photos from a long ago time.

gekkogecko

11-13-2017, 11:39 AM

And today, we get a really helpful map! (Check the Southern Front section)
Western Front
Germans bomb Calais (earlier raids on October 20, 21 and 24).

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): German and Austro-Hungarian forces cross the Piave River 23 miles from Venice. Austrian 1st Mountain Brigade enters Primolano, Brenta valley, takes Mt Tonderica on November 15. Italians forced off Gallio heights but hold Mt Sisemol.
Map showing the extent of Italy’s retreat in the ongoing Austro-Hungarian and German offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930085395840237568
Italy: General Herbert Plumer arrives at Mantua to take over as British C-in-C (appointment November 10) 423 Italian battalions (33 divisions) with 3,500 guns vs 736 Austro-German battalions (55 divisions) and 4,500 guns.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Action of El Mughar. Allenby attacks towards Junction Station of Jerusalem railway with 25,000 men and 136 guns against 9000 Turks with c.60 guns. 800 Yeomanry (130 casualties) charge and storm EI Mughar Ridge and village, take over 1,000 PoWs, 2 guns and 14 Mgs.
British officers examine an abandoned Turkish field gun in Palestine: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/erbeut-turk-kanonen-palaestina.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Kerenski's forces defeated by Bolsheviki near Petrograd (see 8th and 15th).
Lenin appeals to Party to seize whole country. Reds control Smolensk after defeating Cossacks and also capture Tashkent on November 14.
France: Paul Painlevé Ministry defeated 186-279 on vote of confidence in Chamber, resigns on November 14.
United Kingdom: Russians in London repudiate Leninists.
Trevelyan Thomson reassures War Cabinet no German link with pacifists, boredom main motivation.
Serbia: Entente legation to the US reports that up to a quarter of the Serbian population may have died due to combat, disease, and starvation during the war.
United States: President Wilson: “What I am opposed to is not the feeling of pacifists, but their stupidity.”

gekkogecko

11-14-2017, 05:45 AM

Western Front
Flanders: British consolidate northwest of Passchendaele. German attacks north of Menin Road and northeast of Passchendaele on November 15. Relief of Canadian Corps begins until November 20; after 15,654 battle casualties since c. October 18.
Artillery active in French sector.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Franz Conrad and Alfred Krauss’ Austrians armies link up at Fonzaso.
Column of Italian soldiers who had been captured during the Battle of Caporetto: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/rueckmarsch-ital-gefangene.jpg?ssl=1
Salonika: British begin 50-mile Stavros light railway, with 4,000 Turkish PoWs in batches from Cyprus, to replace uncertain shipping service from Salonika (completed May 1918).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: General Allenby continues advance in Palestine; Jerusalem railway reached.

Political, etc
Russia: Civil strife and much confusion in Petrograd, following the defeat of Kerenski. Kerensky’s troops change sides, but he escapes disguised as sailor, hides in forest cottage near Luga for 40 days.
France: M. Jean-Louis Barthou, French Foreign Minister, resigns (see 13th and October 23rd). French Premier Paul Painlevé: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930130680431902720
United Kingdom: In House of Commons, Mr. Lloyd George explains Allied War Council.
United States: James W. Gerard, former U.S. ambassador to Germany, urges, “We should ‘hog-tie’ every disloyal German-American…hang every traitor to a lamppost…”

gekkogecko

11-15-2017, 04:02 PM

Western Front
Flanders: German “attacks” north of Menin road and north-east of Passchendaele repulsed.
Canadian stretcher-bearers carrying a wounded man near Passchendaele: © IWM (CO 2202): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930402467229196288
US Army Engineer Corps testing a dazzle camouflage suit: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930509421930786822
In the past 16 months, Britain claims to have captured 131,731 prisoners of war, (on all fronts), along with 705 artillery guns.

Eastern Front
Southern Russia: Mikhail Alexeiev arrives at Don Cossack capital Novocherkask, but Alexei Kaledin says Cossacks unwilling to fight so he moves to Kuban Cossack capital Ekaterinodar.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): German 117th Division gets 4 battalions across near Ponte di Piave (night November 15-16) but wiped out by 3 Italian brigades who take 600 PoWs (until November 16); first Italian success since Caporetto. Italians give ground both sides of the Brenta; von Below and Boroevic cease crossing attempts, although 41st Hungarian Division crosses river delta and captures Cava Zuccherina, 16 miles of lagoon from Venice.
On Lower Piave resistance maintained. Allied reinforcements arrive daily.
Town of Castello Tesino, Italy after its capture by the Austro-Hungarian offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930462860643356672
Italian troops carrying supplies up the Alps in the battle to hold against the Austro-Hungarian and German offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930826520867885059

Naval and Overseas Operations
Japanese Government unable to comply with request of British Government that two Japanese battlecruisers should join the Grand Fleet in the North Sea (see February 8th, 1916, and April 17th, 1917).
East Africa: Further actions on Makonde Plateau. Germans and allies driven from Chivata; make for Portuguese territory.
George Giffard’s 1/2nd KAR takes Chiwata with 606 PoWs and liberate 67 British PoWs after Paul von Lettow’s evacuation.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: General Edmund Allenby advances to within three miles of Jaffa. Anzac Mounted Division occupies Ramleh and Ludd. Yeomanry charge against Turkish rearguard at entry to Judean Hills. Since 31 October over 9,000 prisoners taken.
Turkish cavalrymen retreat through Palestine pursued by British troops: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/turk-Kav-Palaestina.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: German Socialists urge Germany to seek peace with the Bolshevik government in Petrograd.
Russia: Georgian Nobility declares its property national.
Bolsheviks in power in Petrograd. Bitter fighting in Moscow, by counter-revolutionaries kills over 4,000.
After several days of street fighting, Moscow falls to the Bolsheviks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930766107857903617
Bolsheviks issue the “Declaration of the Rights of Peoples of Russia,” promising equal rights, self-determination of minorities, and abolishment of state and religious privileges and restrictions: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Declaration_of_the_Rights_for_the_Peoples_of_Russia
France: M. Georges Clemenceau accepts office and forms a new Minsstry. Himself Prime Minister and Minister of War, M. Stephen Pichon Foreign Minister.
Georges Clemenceau agrees to become the new Prime Minister of France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930796322122280960
United Kingdom: British Premier Lloyd George makes public the plans for a Supreme War Council of the Allies to coordinate the militaries of Britain, France, and Italy. British Government give further pledge in house of Commons that restitution of Alsace-Lorraine is a War Aim (see February 15th).
United States: 33 of the arrested “Silent Sentinels,” women suffragists who had been protesting at the White House, are brutally beaten and tortured by prison guards in a “Night of Terror”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/930569807371620352

gekkogecko

11-16-2017, 05:34 AM

Western Front
Flanders: Intense fighting round Passchendaele. Good air work by Allies behind battle front.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Strong Austro-German onslaughts on whole Italian front. Italians give ground between Brenta and Piave, are driven from Mt. Prassolan, and retreat to Mt. Grappa. They hold on Lower Piave.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Royal Navy K1 steam submarine has to be sunk after colliding with K4 in Grand Fleet sweep.
Adriatic: 2 old Austrian battleships and 14 torpedo boats shell Italian Cortellazzo coast guns near Piave mouth. Italian 15-inch gun monitor Alfredo Cappellini wrecked off Ancona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Jaffa taken by NZ Mounted Brigade; Australian Mounted Division takes Latrun. Turkish Eighth Army retires behind river Auja to north.
A patrol of German lancers in Palestine: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/de-ulanen-palaestina.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
France: M. Charles-Célestin Jonnart succeeds M. Albert Métin as French Minister for Blockade [First Minister: formerly Blockade was under an Under-Secretary.] (see 23rd and August 17th).
Clemenceau appoints Georges Leygues Marine Minister for duration of war.
United Kingdom: Lord Weetman Cowdray resigns Chairmanship of Air Board. Harold Harmsworth, Lord Rothermere, succeeds on November 26.
M. Elftherios Venizelos welcomed at Mansion House.
United States: Enemy alien registration required, 600,000 affected, expelled from Washington and barred from military places (over 200,000 investigated).
Brazil: War law especially against domestic German interests. State of siege in capital and six states, c.700 aliens (mainly German reservists) arrested.
Sweden: Bolshevik Vorovski in Stockholm telegrams Berlin ‘Please fulfill your promise immediately’ (ie more funds for peace talks).

gekkogecko

11-17-2017, 11:23 AM

Western Front
British salient widened on Passchendaele ridge.
Successful raid south of River Scarpe.
Surprise attacks by French south-east of St. Quentin and in Champagne.

Eastern Front
Wounded soldiers from various Central Powers nations at a Hungarian hospital: © IWM (Q 54221): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931529930629935104

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Fierce mountain fighting: Germans take Quero and Monte Cornella. The Italians flood parts of the Piave valley to hold off the offensive.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Second Battle of Heligoland Bight: Vice-Admiral T Napier’s battlecruisers Glorious, Courageous and Repulse, 8 cruisers and 10 destroyers chase 4 German light cruisers, which were covering and smokescreening minesweepers, for 2 hours and firing 147 15-inch shells until battleships Kaiser and Kaiserin appear and dense fog intervenes. Germans suffer 7 hits, Admiral Reuter’s flagship cruiser Königsberg (31 casualties) hit by Repulse; Pillau hit by Courageous. Royal Navy ships suffer 5 hits including cruisers Caledon and Calypso hit (Captain H L Edwards killed). A claim that one German mine-sweeper is sunk, but I can’t verify that. It might refer to the German torpedo boat A-50, which struck a mine and sank this day.
East Atlantic: First US Navy U-boat kill: convoy escort destroyers Fanning and Nicholson sink U-58 off Milford Haven.
East Africa: British troops pursue Germans and occupy Lutshemi. KAR and Nigerians troops (last 38 casualties) win fight at Lutshemi despite 2 disabled guns. Lettow at Newala picks his force to invade Portuguese East Africa.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: New Zealand Mounted Rifles capture the port of Jaffa and the nearby town of Tel Aviv, Palestine. The Jewish residents had by expelled by the Ottomans in April. This leads to:
Battle of Nebi Samwil begins (see 24th): The battle was the first attempt by the forces of the British Empire to capture Jerusalem. The village of Nebi Samwil (now spelled Nabi Samwil), also known as the "Tomb of Samuel", was part of the Ottoman defenses in front of Jerusalem and its capture was considered vital to the eventual capture of the city. The British attacking force consisted of three divisions, two infantry and one mounted. Despite these losses in earlier defeats, the majority of the Ottoman armies had managed to withdraw relativity intact, but they had been split with no way for the 7th and 8th Armies to support one another if or when they were attacked. Further the Ottoman Seventh Army on the British right was cut off from the Palestinian rail network and all their supplies would have to be brought in by road.
The British Imperial Camel Corps marching into the recently captured city of Beersheba, Palestine: © IWM (Q 13157): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931469557843316737

Political, etc
Russia: Pro-Soviet Captain Modest V Ivanov made assistant Navy Minister. Lenin saw him on November 14. Supreme Naval Board formed on November 20.
Five Pro-Socialist Cooperation Bolshevik leaders leave Central committee after Lenin speech. Trotsky takes over empty Foreign Ministry. Tsaritsyn (later Stalingrad) goes Bolshevik.
United Kingdom: Children cheer as King George V visit the dockyards at Greenock: © IWM (Q 54484): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931127240682868736
United States: Film The Zeppelin’s Last Raid showing.
President Wilson and the Cabinet approves plan to force German males over the age of 14 residing in the US to register with the government.
China: Chinese Premier Duan Qirui (pictured) resigns due to disagreements within the Peking government on how to deal with Sun Yat-sen’s rebel government in the south: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931182622016929793

dicksbro

11-18-2017, 05:33 AM

Interesting the section on the Battle of Nebi Samwil. You know, each theatre of the war could almost be a lifetime study on it's own. Interesting ... very interesting. Thanks!

gekkogecko

11-18-2017, 11:25 AM

Today includes a note that might interest PF (see Political, etc, for France)
Western Front
Artillery very active on both sides; German raids north-west of St. Quentin.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians driven from fortified positions on Mt. Tomba, but offer strong resistance. 1100 Italians are taken prisoner. Alfred Krauss’ Austrian troops and German Jaeger Division attack Mt Grappa sector until November 22 between rivers Brenta and Piave, take 1,286 PoWs.
Austro-Hungarians attack in southern Albania and attempt to cross River Voyusa, 12 miles north of Valona, attack Italians on November 22 and force river Osum on night November 25-26.
An Italian 30.5 cm gun with a unique (and comparatively primitive) gun carriage captured by the Austro-Hungarians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931560238918103045

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: British Q-ship sloop Candytuft sunk in Mediterranean by SM U-39, 9 killed.
Baltic: UC-57 strikes a mine in the Gulf of Finland and sinks.
North Sea: British P57 rams and sinks UC-47 with all hands (sank 52 ships worth 65,884t in 1917) off Flamborough Head.
East Africa: A force of 262 Germans and 700 Askaris surrdeners to British, 18 miles south-east of Chivata.
The German crew of U-58 surrendering, in yesterday’s action: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931620527281713152

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Sir Frederick Stanley Maude, Commander-in-Chief in Mesopotamia, dies at Baghdad of cholera (see August 28th, 1916): succeeded by Lieut.-General Sir William Raine Marshall.
Burial of General Sir Frederick Maude at Baghdad: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Beerdigung-Maude.jpg?ssl=1
Lieutenant General Sir Frederick Stanley Maude: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931908633666969600
Battle of Nebi Samwil (until November 24): Allenby resumes operations against Jerusalem with 14,500 men and 18 guns vs c.5,900 Turks with 50 guns. British enter Judean Hills as winter rains begin on November 19. Falkenhayn moves headquarter from Jerusalem to Nablus.

Political, etc
Russia: Petrograd completely held by Bolsheviks. Rumours current that Russia will shortly withdraw from war.
France: Auguste Rodin, French sculptor known for works such as “The Thinker,” passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931590380725907456
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931590380725907456
United Kingdom: John Jellicoe memo to War Cabinet ‘… our naval policy is necessarily governed by the adequacy of our destroyer forces’.

gekkogecko

11-19-2017, 11:32 AM

Western Front
Hostile raids repulsed by British.
French success at Chaume Wood.
Cambrai: British Tank Corps, moved up by train, begins to move to start line (night November 19-20).
British tanks loaded on trains on their way to Cambrai: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/british-tanks-cambrai.jpg?ssl=1
Lorraine: Captain George Patton joins US Tank Corps.

Eastern Front
Western Russia: Bolshevik armored train retakes Minsk.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians make determined stand in the mountains and defeat Austrians' attacks. Lower Piave Austro-Germans make no progress. Some sources mark this as the end of the Battle of Caporetto.
Italy suffered 10,000 killed in action, 30,000 wounded, and 265,000 captured during the recently-concluded Battle of Caporetto.

Naval and Overseas Operations
The wreck of HMS Candytuft: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/931969032537899015
A British merchantman accidentally rams the U.S. destroyer USS Chauncey and sinks it, resulting in 21 deaths. The USS Chauncey: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/932203073786740736

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Nebi Samwil (until November 24): British advance further in the hills of Judea; arrive within six miles of Jerusalem.

Political, etc
Russia: Georgian National Council meets.
Bolsheviks issue offer to the nations for immediate armistice on all fronts for the purpose of discussing a democratic peace.
HM Ambassador Buchanan’s diary ‘At the moment force alone counts’.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George on Allied War Council in House of Commons.
Italy: Government successfully asks Britain and France for 300,000 rifles; 4,000 MGs, 640 guns and 40 tanks.
United States: U.S. War Department recommends that all government contractors should limit work hours to 8 hours a day.
India: Indira Nehru (Indira Gandhi, future Prime Minister of India) is born in Allahabad to Jawaharlal Nehru (1st Prime Minister of India) and Kamala Nehru.

gekkogecko

11-20-2017, 05:36 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai 1917 begins (until December 3rd), world’s first massed tank attack. Reinforced British Third Army (Byng) with 19 divisions and entire Tank Corps led by Brigade-General Elles in tank Hilda launch surprise attack without prelim shelling on Siegfriedstellung (Hindenburg Line). 389 tanks (originally 486; the tanks of this era were notoriously subject to breakdowns) and and 1000 artillery guns in support. 179 tanks lost by the end of the first day, 65 by to gunfire; tanks debouch from assembly points at 0620 hours, flatten German wire, rout front line infantry and open breach nearly 6 miles wide and up to 4,000 yards deep. They capture 4,200 PoWs; 123 guns and 281 MGs for 4,000 casualties.
Tank Battle Drill with 4 of 5 infantry assault divisors works as trained, but 51st Highland Div halt before key central Flesquieres sector (39 tanks lost, Unteroffizier Krueger’s gun knocks out 7 of them) and cavalry fail to get up in time. German 107th Infantry Division (from Eastern Front) is detraining at Cambrai when British attack. Germans blow up St Quentin Canal crossings.
During the battle, Royal Flying Corps aircraft conduct low level attacks on anti-tank guns, troop concentrations and strongpoints, paving the way for advancing British tanks and infantry. The German Air Service also conducts low flying attacks against British troops. Royal Flying Corps concentrates 289 aircraft in 15 squadrons to support Third Army and first mass tank thrust against only 78 German planes. 4 Squadrons (13 aircraft lost or wrecked, 13 damaged by ground fire) fly ground attack 45 minutes after assault and 20 Sopwith Camels (4 lost) and Pups attack 4 of 6 targeted airfields. Air observers fail to report German batteries at Flesquieres, one pilot in error reports village captured before 1100 hours.
Britsih tanks advance during the beginning of the Battle of Cambrai. On the left is an overrun German field gun: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tank-angriff-cambrai.jpg?ssl=1
Men of the Royal Irish Rifles heading to the front near Cambrai: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/932296188103143424
Lorraine: US 1st Division relieved from first trench stint (83 casualties total).
Germany: Kuhl memo to Ludendorff on an offensive in Flanders.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Failure of Central Powers’ attacks along whole front, however Austrians take Mt Fontanasecca at start of weeklong fighting. Along the coast the Italian navy and British monitors co-operate with land forces.
Italy: The last two French divisions (23rd and 24th) arrive (until November 22). Foch leaves for Paris on November 23.

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Giffard’s 1/2nd KAR takes 127 PoWs at another camp. 900 Portuguese arrive at Ngomano. Lettow dismantles Newala radio station and begins march south to river Rovuma.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Nebi Samwil (until November 24): Turks stubbornly defend road to Jerusalem. 75th Division storms 3 ridges aided by mist, gets 5 miles north of Jerusalem on November 21, but Yeomanry Division expelled from Zeitun Ridge.

Political, etc
Russia: Bolsheviks declare Ukrainian People’s Republic.
France: M. Georges Clemenceau makes statement of policy.
United Kingdom: Conference between U.S. Mission, War Cabinet and Heads of Departments re: America's co-operation in War.
United States: Starting today, all German males over age 14 living in the US must register with the government. They are also barred around sites of military importance.

dicksbro

11-22-2017, 05:57 AM

Oh No! No new entry for the day. Maybe the troops are wandering around the battlefield looking for a turkey to have for dinner tomorrow. :D

gekkogecko

11-23-2017, 10:26 AM

Nah, just forced updates taking all the time I had for the updates; then of course, prep for Chessiecon had me running around like a turkey with my head cut off.

I have time this mornign, though, before I head out for the convention.

gekkogecko

11-23-2017, 10:29 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: British advance to Cambrai resumed and with 12 tanks captures Cantaing (300 PoWs) and Tadpole Copse; 2 tanks and 6th Division recapture Noyelles. At Fontaine-Notre Dame they are only 2 1/2 miles from Cambrai, but tiredness, fuel and ammo shortages telling. German 20th Division recaptures Moeuvres on north flank.
British reserves are waiting in the trenches: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/british-reserves-trenches-flanders.jpg?ssl=1
German aircraft strafe BEF 62nd Division as it advances on Bourlon Wood (and on November 22).
A Lewis gun hanging from a wire as a makeshift anti-aircraft gun: © IWM (Q 6335): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/932643551594401793
British advance at Cambrai slows as German reinforcements strengthens defenses at Bourlon Ridge.
Aisne: French storm salient on Craonne Plateau south of Juvincourt, beat off counter-attack on November 22.

Eastern Front
Armistice pourparlers begun by Russian Bolshevik Government with Central Powers (see 8th, 27th and 30th).

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Strong Austro-German attacks in mountains between the Brenta and Piave are everywhere repulsed by Italians, except at Mt. Fontana Secca.
Salonika: Local Top German fighter pilot Lieutenant Eschwege (20 victories), ‘Eagle of the Aegean’ killed by explosive-packed balloon (3 British balloons attacked since October 28).
German zeppelin L-59 leaves Yambol, Bulgaria in an attempt to resupply German forces under von Lettow-Vorbeck in German East Africa (Tanzania): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/932931621774413824

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Dover Straits deep minefield (Varne-Cap Gris Nez) partially laid with night illumination and 80-100 patrol vessels, but 21 U-boats get through until December 8.
Mediterranean: Allied naval conference in Rome (Weymss, Bon, Calthorpe, Revel): British offer 1,200 mines and minelayers; French offer to send submarines to Upper Adriatic; Otranto Barrage to be reinforced.
East Africa: Considerable captures of Germans in East Africa by British columns, at Simba and Nevala.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Nebi Samwil (until November 24): General Allenby's troops storm the Nebi Samwil ridge, five miles north of Jerusalem; fruitless counter-attacks by Turks.

Political, etc
Germany: German Reichstag considers a bill for a 15 billion mark ($3.75 billion) loan to fund the war effort.
Russia: Bolsheviks radio C-in-C General Nikolai Dukhonin to negotiate armistice. Trotsky tells Petrograd Soviet ‘We make a formal offer to commence peace negotiations and to conclude an armistice’. Bolsheviks dismiss General Dukhonin (Commander-in-Chief) for refusing to negotiate an armistice with enemy.
Ukrainian Republic proclaimed and declared member of Russian Federal Republic.
Allied embassies in Petrograd refuse to meet with Bolshevik Foreign Minister Leon Trotsky, diplomatically isolating the revolutionary government.
United Kingdom: Disenfranchisement of Conscientious Objectors passed in Commons, 209 to 171.
Canada: American armored cars at a Victory Loan parade in Toronto, Canada: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933022234716852224

gekkogecko

11-23-2017, 10:31 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: All gains on British front consolidated, except at Fontaine Notre Dame, which Germans retake.
19 Royal Flying Corps pilots (8 aircraft lost or wrecked) attack German columns and positions; 3 German fighters shot down.
Unsuccessful German counter-attack south of Juvincourt.
French refugees from Cantaing leaving the front, while British cavalry go the other way towards it: © IWM (Q 6308): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933299047510585344

Eastern Front
Lenin authorizes troops at front to negotiate peace with the enemy.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Crisis day in key Mt Grappa sector as Austro-Germans storm onto Mt.Tomba (3,176 ft), but Laderchi’s IX Corps’ final effort drives them off (one Italian regiment reduced to 400 soldiers) and reserves consolidate on November 23. Fighting in mountains continues.
Lower Piave Austro-Germans make no progress. Austrian mountain troops storm Mt Pertica from Monte Baldo Alpini battalion, but Alpenkorps and Austrian 50th Division fail to hold gains to east until November 23.
German troops move through a village in northern Italy to the front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/de-soldaten-dorf-norditalien.jpg?ssl=1
A damaged church in Ponte di Piave, Italy after its capture by the Austro-Hungarians and Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933375857749647360
Albania: Austrian attacks in Albania on Italian line between rivers Osum and Voyusa.
Salonika: 150 Bulgars raid British line at the Mamelon (night November 23-24), Lake Doiran sector, causing 27 casualties.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Nebi Samwil (until November 24): Turks fail three times to regain Nebi Samwil Hill (2,942 ft) from 75th Division but it and 52nd Division fail at El Jib Height on November 24.
Aden: British troops capture Turkish post of Jabir, 15 miles from Aden.

Political, etc
Germany: Germany announces extension of the "barred zone" for shipping; Dutch indignation.
Teoberto Maler, German archaeologist known for his work on the Mayans, passed away. His photograph of Chichen Itza in 1892: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933359471946076162
Russia: Nikolai Krylenko replaces Nikolai Dukhonin as Russian Commander-in-Chief.
United Kingdom: U.S. Mission under Colonel House leaves London for Paris.
Andrew Huxley, (future Nobel Prize-winning physiologist and biophysicist) half-brother to (future author) Aldous Huxley, is born in Hampstead, London.

gekkogecko

11-23-2017, 10:33 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Further advance on German positions west of Cambrai; British attack Bourlon Wood. British 40th Division attack, with 62 tanks (16 lost, 5 to German anti-aircraft guns) and 432 guns vs 200 German guns, reaches crest but fails to reach village.
German truck (lorry) -mounted flak guns stiffen defence of Fontaine. 50 Royal Flying Corps aircraft (15 wrecked) support BEF ground attack, but Richthofen now in command of sector and shoots down DH5 in Bourion Wood. 3 RFC day bomber squadrons attack six targets.
British Mark IV tank passing by captured German artillery guns at the Battle of Cambrai: © IWM (Q 6336): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933662699208273920
Ypres: British attack in the night and advance on line south-east of Ypres.
Julian Byng promoted to General.
British troops cheering King Albert I of Belgium goodbye after his visit to the frontlines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933389666757332993

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: German airship L-59 reaches East Africa, but turns back west of Khartoum during 95-hour-non-stop flight due to British message in German cipher from Newala radio station. Returns to base after record 4,200-mile flight.
L-59 was in August 1917 the first one of a new class of Zeppelins which represented the latest design techniques and established a pattern that was to persist for almost a year: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Luftschhiff-L59.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin Government issues decree for demobilization of Russian army, starting with those who reached the age of conscription in 1899.
Trotsky begins publishing Allied secret treaties in Izvestia.
All class distinctions and civil ranks abolished.
France: M. Albert Lebrun succeeds M. Charles Jonnart as French Minister for Blockade (see 16th).
United Kingdom: Lord Robert Cecil on Bolsheviks.
Ship-building Council appointed. Church bells ring for ‘Cambrai victory’.
United States: German residents in the U.S. are barred from entering tall buildings in New York that gives them view of the New York Harbor or the rivers.

gekkogecko

11-24-2017, 10:18 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Heavy back-and-forth fighting continues at the Battle of Cambrai, where villages near Bourlon Wood change hands several times between the British and Germans: Moeuvres, Queant, Bullecourt, and Banteux. British fail to storm Bourlon Hill, but Colonel Wade with party hold part of village until November 26. British recover Fontaine-Notre-Dame; renewed attacks on November 25-27 are fruitless. Haig letter laments severe shortage of infantrymen.
Successful French minor attack on Verdun front.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austrian assaults fail on Asiago Plateau; also attempts to cross Lower Piave. Emperor Charles ends attacks in Asiago sector, Conrad’s losses 15,030 (nearly 7,000 sick) since November 10.
General Sir Herbert Plumer assumes formal command of British forces in Italy.
Emperors Charles (far left) and Wilhelm II, hoping to knock Italy out of the war: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Kaiser-Karl-Wilhelm-Italien.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Nebi Samwil: Battle of Nebi Samwil (Palestine) ends (see 17th.). Anzac Mounted Division gains but loses 2 bridgeheads north of river Auja until November 25. Turkish losses are 437 soldiers.
Lt.-Gen. Sir W. R. Marshall succeeds Sir S. Maude in Mesopotamia (see 18 November).

Political, etc
Russia: Bolsheviks bury those who died in the taking of Moscow in the Kremlin walls: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933738226229145600
The Bolsheviks release the details to the public of the Sykes-Picot Agreement, which splits Ottoman lands between the French and British: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/933753317813030912
France: French newsreel showing French soldiers in northern Italy to reinforce the line against Austria-Hungary: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45429 (sucks that these keep coming up for me as “content unavailable”, but YMMV).
Turkey: Ain ed Douleh succeeds Ala es Sultaneh as Persian Prime Minister (see June 6th, 1917 and January 19th, 1918).

gekkogecko

11-25-2017, 05:23 PM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: String German counter-attacks at Bourlon; yhey regain parts of the village. British 40th Division loss now 4,000 men since November 23, only 12 tanks in action.
Verdun: French attack in Samogneux district, north of Verdun; they take 800 prisoners.

Eastern Front
In Russian centre (near Baranovichi) the troops continue to fraternise with the enemy.
At Orsha railway junction anti-Bolshevik troops going for Moscow are stopped.
After the ceasefire offer of the Russian revolutionary government, lively exchange trade begins between the trenches: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Tauschhandelk-ostfront-1917.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Heavy mountain fighting between the Brenta and Piave; more attacks repulsed by Italians.
German airship L-59 returns to Yambol from flight to East Africa.
Fresh Austrian attacks in Albania; on night of 25th-26th they force passage of River Osum.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: German operations in Portuguese East Africa, begin (see December 1st, 1917 and September 29th, 1918). German force under Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck effects passage of the Rovuma and defeats Portuguese force at Ngomano. Crossing is 1 mile from Portuguese fort with 2,000 troops; 3,000 porters and 1 gun in action until November 26. His attack takes the fort, 700 Portuguese, 6 MGs, 30 horses with 6 days’ rations.
At the Battle of Ngomano in Portuguese East Africa (Mozambique), German forces under von Lettow-Vorbeck defeat the Portuguese: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/934479323561590784

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mounted troops capture Ain Karim, four miles west of Jerusalem.
British patrols, after crossing Auja river forced back by hostile infantry.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: 100,000 workers march in Budapest for peace and Russian Revolution.
Russia: Constituent Assembly elections (until November 27): Bolsheviks win only 25% of vote, ie 9.8 million of 36 million with 225 delegates to 420 Socialists (20.75 million votes). An oft-repeated claims that these are the last free elections till 1989. Much more important is this interpretation: Russian Constituent Assembly election, the first free election in Russian history, is held, with the Socialist-Revolutionary Party winning 40% of the votes. Bolsheviks win 24%.
United States: A church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin is targeted with a bomb by anarchists. While the bomb was being inspected at the police department, it explodes, resulting in 11 deaths.

gekkogecko

11-26-2017, 09:32 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: 12 DH4 bombers of No 49 Squadron fly first Western Front raid on railhead east of Cambrai, but other units switched to routine strategic targets until November 29.
Heavy shelling about Ypres.
British carrier pigeons returning from the frontlines with messages: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/934752359464529920

Eastern Front
Russian Armies at the front experience desertions due to the lack of food, as the revolution cause disruptions in the supply lines.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Sharp Austro-Hungarian attack repulsed in Brenta valley, two miles east of San Marino. Austrian Edelweiss Division (only 2,000 strong by November 27) fails to capture Col della Berretta against 2 Italian brigades, Alpini Val Brenta battalion and 60th Bersaglieri. Mt Pertica changes hands seven times and is left fire-swept with both sides below summit.
Austrians secretly withdraw Zenson bridgehead until December 2.
PoWs collection point for Italians at Tolmein: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Sammelstelle-ital-KG.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Germany: Navy extends U-boat barred zone to 720 miles from Irish coast and area around Azores and Cape Verde Islands (effective from January 11, 1918). In Mediterranean 20-mile wide neutral corridor to Greece closed.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Lord Rothermere appointed President of the Air Council.
Increase of pay to both Navy and Army announced.

gekkogecko

11-28-2017, 11:08 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Severe village fighting at Fontaine, Notre Dame, and Bourlon; British line advanced at first, and 500 prisoners taken; German “attack” west of Moeuvres repulsed. Exhausted British disengage at Cambrai after Guards Division (with 32 tanks) driven back in Bourlon and Fontaine sectors. Ludendorff and Rupprecht confer at Le Cateau as 20 fresh German divisions mass under Marwitz near Cambrai: ‘There never has been such an opportunity for a smashing counterstrike’, says Ludendorff who insists all must be ready before November 30 as Cambrai is a vital rail center.
At Cambrai, a British tank by artillery and destroyed: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/vernichteter-tank.jpg?ssl=1
Members of Supreme War Council appointed - General Sir H. H. Wilson, General F. Foch, General Cadorna and General Bliss (see 7th).
Canadian soldier at the Western Front washing his hair with shampoo in a ditch: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935176768499134464

Eastern Front
First meeting of Russian and German delegates behind German lines to arrange for armistice (see 21st and 30th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: Unconditional surrender near Nevala (East Africa) of Mahenge force, under Colonel Tafel, consisting of over 3,500 German and native troops (according to another source, only 215 Germans and 1,100 followers).
Baltic: Russian destroyer Bditelni mined and sunk off Aaland Islands by UC-78 minefield.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: 15,800 Turks with c.120 guns gain ground from Yeomanry and 54th Divisions until reserves stabilize line on November 30.

Political, etc
Russia: Armistice delegates return with German consent in principle. Next meeting December 1, 1917.
Trotsky warns Russia may be driven to separate armistice if Allies do not negotiate. George Buchanan to British Foreign Office ‘Every day that we keep Russia in the war against her will does but embitter her people against us.’
France: British Premier Lloyd George and Greek Premier Eleftherios Venizelos arrive in Paris for a inter-Allied War Council.
United Kingdom: War Office sanctions doubled Tank Corps establishment of 18,462 (originally requested April 13, 1917).
Brazil: Brazil concludes agreement with France for the use of 30 interned German ships, to carry food for the Allies.

gekkogecko

11-28-2017, 11:11 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Germans shell Bourlon Wood and Ypres front. 16,000 German gas and high-explosive shells rain down on Bourlon Wood.
France: AEF US First Army Staff College opens at Langres with three-month course.

Eastern Front
Russia suffers heavily from the war. As a result of famine, there were even cases of cannibalism: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/russland-kannibalismus.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italian batteries shell Austro-Hungarian boats on Lower Piave.
Albania: Austro-Hungarians assault Italian positions nine miles north-east from Avlona.
A German or Austro-Hungarian soldier taking a picture of the ruined town of Asiago, Italy after its capture: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935237081336569857

Naval and Overseas Operations
British Home Waters: U-boat sinks British Elder-Dempster liner Apapa (77 lives lost).
Adriatic: Austrian destroyers and torpedo boats shell coast railway near Senigallia.
Britain: WRNS founded (Women’s Royal Naval Service).
East Africa: GERMAN EAST AFRICA ALL IN BRITISH HANDS. K George V’s telegram congratulates Jacob Deventer on November 30.

Political, etc
Russia: Estonia declares itself independent.
Bashkirs in Russia proclaim the creation of Bashkurdistan, the first autonomous ethnic region in Russia.
Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky radio and telegram proclamation ‘The Russian Army and the Russian people cannot and will not, wait any longer.’
France: First meeting of Great Inter-Allied Conference opens in Paris.
British Premier Lloyd George meeting with French Premier Georges Clemenceau for tomorrow's Allied war council. © IWM (Q 57040): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935486021789192192
United Kingdom: Air Force (Constitution) Act, 1917, comes into operation in Great Britain (see December 21st, 1917 and January 3rd, 1918).

gekkogecko

11-29-2017, 10:57 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: British troops at Cambrai launch an attack with 30 tanks against Bourlon and Fontaine, but lose gained ground to German counterattacks.
Germans attack Belgian positions near Aschhoop.
Artillery activity in Ypres sector.
A wounded Canadian and German soldier light up their cigarettes near Passchendaele: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935589135011729413

Eastern Front
Russian artillery in Trotus (Moldavia) valley breaks up Austro-Hungarian operations.
Otherwise, cessation of hostilities on Russian front.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-German efforts on the River Piave fail.
British monitor destroys bridge of boats at Passarella, five miles up the Piave.
The first operational sorties are flown by the Royal Flying Corps in Italy. Royal Aircraft Factory RE8s from No.34 Squadron attempt a photographic reconnaissance of the Montello front, escorted by the Sopwith Camels of No.28 Squadron. The flight shoots down 1 Austrian single-seater but fighter attacks prevent RE8 photo-reconnaissance.
A German Albatros fighter on a reconnaissance mission on the Italian front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/albatros-alpen.jpg?ssl=1 [note: although labelled an Albatros by the caption, this aircraft is clearly a Pfalz D-III (or D-IIIa); Austria-Hungary didn’t use the Pfalz, so perhaps the aircraft is on a training or home-defense flight over the Bavarian Alps: the main user of the Pfalz was Bavaria]
French 75mm field gun converted as an anti-aircraft gun at the Macedonian Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935891144642351104

Political, etc
Germany: Germany accepts Lenin's offer of an armistice. Russian delegates cross German lines. Count Hertling willing to treat with Bolsheviks. Kaiser wires Kuehlmann to try for Russian alliance ‘in spite of everything’.
Russia: Allied nations warn Russia not to conclude a separate peace with Germany, while Russian and German delegates begin talks for an armistice.
United Kingdom: Letter in "Daily Telegraph" from Lord Lansdowne calling for a re-statement of Allies' War Aims, and urges compromise peace with Germany.
War Cabinet bars Bolshevik propaganda and suspends all warlike aid.
British newsreel “Topical Budget” showing tank scenes from the Battle of Cambrai and other news: http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/5440

gekkogecko

11-30-2017, 05:30 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: The German counter-attacks at Cambrai begin in earnest (see 20th and December 3rd), with 0830 hours barrage including much gas shell. German Second Army, reinforced to 20 divisions, employs infiltration tactics and close air support, tested at Riga and Caporetto. The attacks on the salient at Vendhuille, Bourlon Wood and Moeuvres penetrate British position as far as La Vacquerie and Gouzeaucourt, capturing 6,000 PoWs and 158 guns in advances up to 3 miles. British Guards Div counter-attack regains La Vacquerie, then 36 tanks arrive. British Army’s youngest general, Brigade-General ‘Boy’ Bradford, Victoria Cross (GOC 186th Brigade, 62nd Division) killed by shell outside his headquarter, aged 25.
At least 30 low-flying Schlachtflugzeug (‘battle aircraft’) support German advance in south, more in northern sector. 10 Australian DH5s of No 68 Squadron assist British afternoon counter-attack. c.50 Royal Flying Corps aircraft and as many German over Bourlon Wood, both sides strafe. British claim 11 German aircraft lost, 7 British.
German soldiers collect their equipment before the counterattack at Cambrai: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/de-soldaten-gegenangriff-cambrai.jpg?ssl=1
Flanders: Tbritish claim that the total German casualties since July 31: c.400,000 soldiers.
France: 129,623 AEF (American Expedition Force) personnel in Europe.
Germany: Transfer of 42 divisions (over 500,000 traps) from Eastern Front and elsewhere to West begins until March 21, 1918.
Britain: Vickers Vimy twin engine heavy bomber first flies.
OHL has 144 twin-engine bombers in 7 Bogohl (36 in Bogohl 3 against England).
British troops showing off a captured donkey (wearing a German helmet) and cart once held by the Germans at the Battle of Cambrai. TMB on the sign possibly means Trench Mortar Battery: © IWM (Q 6341): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/935951543878275072

Southern Front
Macedonia: In Doiran region and north of Monastir, French and British batteries destroy Bulgarian dumps and break up positions.
French bomb valley of the Vardar and north of Monastir.

Naval and Overseas Operations
During November Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats lowest of 1917, with 126 ships (56 British with 376 lives) worth 289,095t (U-boat figure 302,599t, including 104,479t in Mediterranean) and 8 U-boats lost. 90% of British ocean-going shipping now in convoy.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
At Auja, Palestine, Australian Light Horse surround Turks, taking 148 prisoners.
British raid Turks at Beth Horun Upper (10 miles west of Jerusalem), taking 300 prisoners.
Mesopotamia: RFC bomb German Kifri airfield (night November 30-December 1), but fail to check reconnaissance for Turks.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austro-Hungarian Government accept Bolshevik proposals to negotiate for an armistice and peace (see 21st and December 3rd).
Germany: German press approves Lord Lansdowne's letter.
United Kingdom: Allied standing Naval Conference formed in London (see January 24th) creates coordinating Allied Naval Council including politicians for first time.
British claim that prisoners in all theatres taken by British during November are 26,869 and 221 guns.
Coventry aircraft works on strike, 50,000 men and women idle.
Canada: Anti-draft riot breaks out at a meeting in Sherbrooke, Quebec, preventing the Canadian Minister of Justice from speaking.

gekkogecko

12-01-2017, 10:54 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Gonnelieu recovered, but British withdraw from Masnieres salient.
The Germans attack heavily at Bourlon Wood and claim 4,000 prisoners and 60 guns.
RFC more active than Germans, 5 air combats cost 3 German and 1 British aircraft with 2 balloons.
Verdun: Violent German attack north of Fosses Wood, others fail to reach Avocourt and Forges (December 4, artillery duels northeast of city on December 8).
Record of 4,338 Royal Flying Corps aircraft serviceable.
Wounded Canadian soldiers and captured German prisoners sitting together at a dressing station: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/936310160645152769

Eastern Front
M. Vladimir Lenin demands surrender of General Nikolai Dukhonin, former Commander-in-Chief.
Russian General Staff surrenders at Mohilev.
Partial cessation of hostilities

Southern Front
In December first all-Greek reconnaissance-bomber escadrille (French-trained) formed, 3 other units created by Armistice.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: US CNO Benson promises Italian Marine Minister in London five 5,000-t merchant ships and 2 or 3 tankers, minesweepers, tugs, small escorts and 5-inch guns. US "dreadnought" division of 4 battleships (Rear-Adm Rodman in battleship New York) joins Grand Fleet.
Germany: During December all U-boats withdrawn from Baltic (last sinking was in October).
Western Mediterranean: During December 751 merchant ships arrive at Gibraltar, 252 with coal, 56 handle cargo, 107 repaired.
East Africa: German East Africa declared clear of enemy; von Lettow-Vorbeck retires across Rovuma river (Portuguese boundary).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turkish 19th Division’s German-style storm battalion destroyed attack of ALH and 52nd Division at El Burj. Kress hands over Eighth Army to Djevad Pasha. 2 Australian armored cars liberate Hebron in 210-mile round trip looking for a Turkish agent until December 2.
German officer inspecting a company of Turkish storm-troopers in Palestine. The soldiers and their commander wear the special Turkish steel helmet which differed slightly from the German original: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/tuerkische-sturmtruppen.jpg?ssl=1
Record of 692 RFC aircraft serviceable.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Neue Freie Presse prints Ludendorff interview: ‘Russian Revolution … is the outcome of our victory we can conclude an armistice with Russia only when we are certain it will be observed’.
Germany: German Foreign Secretary Richard von Kühlmann declares that Germany will only ask for “mild” peace terms from the Allies.
France: Allied Supreme War Council begins work at Versailles and presents plans for 1918 on December 13. Meeting is attended by the Premiers of Britain, France, and Italy. “Colonel” E. M. House represents the U.S. Allied Prime Ministers decide no more supplies for Russia, but guarantee Rumania’s monarchy and prewar territory and defer Polish question.
United Kingdom: British official casualties in November numbered 120,089 men, with 25,444 killed in action.
Canada: Canadian Victory Loan; Over £70 million subscribed.
India: (Listed for yesterday): Indian scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose establishes the Bose Institute in Calcutta, one of the first research institutions in India.
United States: The first of the U.S.’s wooden merchant ships, with a tonnage of 4000 tons and 290 feet in length and designed to make trans-Atlantic voyages, is completed in 120 days. An example of the wooden ships: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/936279021091946496

dicksbro

12-02-2017, 02:28 AM

I had not seen anything on the "wooden ships" shown in that last photo link. Do you know anything more about them ... were they produced in large numbers? Were they successful? Speed? Etc.

gekkogecko

12-02-2017, 11:18 AM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Only limited air operations until December 6, with 3 German aircraft shot down (2 by McCudden), 3 British with 2 missing.
Germans make a failed attempt to recover high ground about La Vacquerie.
British troops launch an attack towards Westroozebeke near Passchendaele, but are repulsed by German defenses with heavy casualties.
Further fighting north of Passchendaele.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Russian and German Peace Delegations welcomed by Prince Leopold of Bavaria (Commander-in-Chief). Suspension of hostilities between the Russian and German Armies begins (see 8th). [The actual suspension of hostilities took place on dates fixed by the local Arms Commanders (see 8th) in anticipation of truce arranged between the official negotiators (see 6th).]
Arrival of the Russian negotiators Adolph Joffe, lev Karakhan and Leon Trotsky in Brest-Litovsk, seat of the German headquarters on the Eastern Front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/russ-unterhaendler-brest-litowsk.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italian strength 552 battalions plus 86 Anglo-French as 3 British divisions take over Montello sector (until December 4) and 3 French Mt Tomba area, but not attacked as expected. Three German divisions ordered back to Germany, 4 remain. Emperor Charles suspends main offensive though Trentino attack to go on.
Intense artillery action on Asiago Plateau.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Coastal submarine UB-81 (1 survivor) mined and sunk off the Owers near Portsmouth.
Mozambique: Lettow captures Portuguese Fort Nanguari with food and ammo in Ukula Hills on river Lugenda, has already split force into columns under Wahle and Goering.

Political, etc
Russia: Lavr Kornilov and 5 fellow generals (including Anton Denikin) escape from prison in Bykhov, head for Don by train.
Turkey: General Hans von Seeckt appointed CoS and adviser to Enver at Constantinople.
United States: So far 1,348 U.S. soldiers have died, with 937 from “natural causes,” 352 to accidents, 18 lost at sea, 11 killed in action, and 30 due to other reasons.

gekkogecko

12-02-2017, 11:24 AM

I had not seen anything on the "wooden ships" shown in that last photo link. Do you know anything more about them ... were they produced in large numbers? Were they successful? Speed? Etc.

from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Shipping_Board_Merchant_Fleet_Corporation

A notable, possibly notorious, project was the wooden, ocean-going steamer. William Denman had been an early proponent of these ships, as the nation had abundant lumber supplies, and there was doubt whether domestic steel production could cope with the demands of shipbuilding in conjunction with other wartime pressures. Both British and U.S. officials considered the ships worthwhile if the ships could make a single, successful one-way voyage to the war. Still, the wooden ship program was so controversial that Edward N. Hurley, Chairman United States Shipping Board, had to defend them from "criticism and ridicule" with "I am convinced that we were amply justified in building the wood ships, although no one wished to assume the responsibility for them because of the criticism and ridicule which they had received."

Some of the several designs are commonly named Ferris Designs after Theodore E. Ferris, the official naval architect for the USSB. Ferris designed both steel and wood ships for mass production. One design, 1001, was for wooden 3,500 ton steam freighters with dimensions of approximately 281 X 46 X 23.5 feet (7.2 m) built largely of precut, numbered components of pine or Douglas fir.

There were other wooden ship designs, many unique to regional yards, and a large wooden fleet was built, one that has been called by some the "white elephant" fleet. Some were burned in accidents; however others were burned after the war to recover valuable metals. For example, in 1922 Western Marine and Salvage Company (WM&SC) of Alexandria, Virginia bought 233 such ships for $750,000 so that the ships could have machinery removed in Alexandria and then towed back to the anchorage on the Potomac and burned to regain remaining scrap. That activity brought protests from watermen and the operation was moved to in 1924 to 566 acres (2.29 km2) of company owned farmland surrounding Mallows Bay in Maryland.

gekkogecko

12-03-2017, 01:14 PM

Western Front
Battle of Cambrai: Battle of Cambrai, ends (see November 20th, 1917 and October 8th, 1918).
British withdraw at La Vacquerie and east of Marcoing, and bridgehead over canal.
German forces at Cambrai claim the capture of another 2000 British soldiers and 40 artillery guns in their attacks against the British salient.
Ypres: British gain ground south-west of Polygon Wood.
Haig warns his army commanders: ‘… situation on the Russian and Italian fronts … the paucity of reinforcements which we are likely to receive will in all probability necessitate adopting a defensive attitude for the next few months. We must be prepared to meet a strong and sustained hostile offensive’.

Eastern Front
First session of armistice [Also known as "Truce Delegates" and "Peace Delegates."] delegates at Brest-Litovsk-Bolshevik Russia, and Bulgaria, Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey (see 6th, and November 30th).
General Nikolai Dukhonin murdered by mob of soldiers and sailors at Mohilev station. General Lavr Kornilov escapes.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): 213 Austrian guns and mortars heavily bombard (mainly gas shell) Mt.Sisemol to Mt.Badenecche until December 4.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British 74th Division battalion (286 casualties) takes but loses Beit-Ur-el Foka.
Mesopotamia: Third Action of Jebel Hamrin: Egerton’s 20,000 men with 116 guns and Colonel Bicharakov’s 1,000 Cossacks advance against 4,400 Turks with 34 guns, occupy Sakaltutan Pass on December 4, take Kara Tepe on December 5, inflict 542 Turk casualties for 219.
British drive Turks out of Kara Tepe; Turks flood country between Nahrin and Diala rivers.
Armenia: War Cabinet decide to meet ‘any reasonable demands for money from Russian Caucasus Army.’ Russians attempt to co-operate from Persia.

Political, etc
Germany: German Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General von Ludendorff both express confidence in victory due to Russia’s Revolution, the German submarine campaign, and ineffectiveness of the U.S.
France: Allied Conference in Paris resolve to establish an Allied Maritime Transport Council (see January 6th and November 3rd, 1917 and February 15th, 1918).
7,000 strikers close Saint*-Etienne munitions factory until December 5.
United Kingdom: CIGS cables General Ballard (Liaison Officer with Rumanian Army) to finance Kaledin ‘up to any figure necessary’.
Voluntary food ration scale issued for all under 18. 4 German PoWs briefly escape from Farnborough.
Italy: First day of compulsory food rationing in Rome.
Bulgaria: Bulgaria declares readiness to negotiate war settlement.
Romania: Russian C-in-C General Dmitry Shcherbachev informs King Ferdinand of Mackensen’s ceasefire approaches.
United States: War Savings and Thrift stamps go on sale.
Shell casing from the first U.S. shot against Germany on the Western Front is presented to President Wilson at the White House.

dicksbro

12-04-2017, 04:33 AM

from:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Shipping_Board_Merchant_Fleet_Corporation

A notable, possibly notorious, project was the wooden, ocean-going steamer. William Denman had been an early proponent of these ships, as the nation had abundant lumber supplies, and there was doubt whether domestic steel production could cope with the demands of shipbuilding in conjunction with other wartime pressures. Both British and U.S. officials considered the ships worthwhile if the ships could make a single, successful one-way voyage to the war. Still, the wooden ship program was so controversial that Edward N. Hurley, Chairman United States Shipping Board, had to defend them from "criticism and ridicule" with "I am convinced that we were amply justified in building the wood ships, although no one wished to assume the responsibility for them because of the criticism and ridicule which they had received."

Some of the several designs are commonly named Ferris Designs after Theodore E. Ferris, the official naval architect for the USSB. Ferris designed both steel and wood ships for mass production. One design, 1001, was for wooden 3,500 ton steam freighters with dimensions of approximately 281 X 46 X 23.5 feet (7.2 m) built largely of precut, numbered components of pine or Douglas fir.

There were other wooden ship designs, many unique to regional yards, and a large wooden fleet was built, one that has been called by some the "white elephant" fleet. Some were burned in accidents; however others were burned after the war to recover valuable metals. For example, in 1922 Western Marine and Salvage Company (WM&SC) of Alexandria, Virginia bought 233 such ships for $750,000 so that the ships could have machinery removed in Alexandria and then towed back to the anchorage on the Potomac and burned to regain remaining scrap. That activity brought protests from watermen and the operation was moved to in 1924 to 566 acres (2.29 km2) of company owned farmland surrounding Mallows Bay in Maryland.

Thanks. That was very interesting. Almost sounds like the reluctance of the British government to accept the Mosquito aircraft in WWII. I think the idea as a good one.

gekkogecko

12-04-2017, 04:09 PM

Western Front
British obliged to evacuate salient of Brulon wood at Cambrai (night December 4-5 til 7) by threat of renewed German attacks, and loathsome conditions created by unburied corpses, clouds of poison gases and pools of stagnant water.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Viktor von Scheuchenstuel’s Eleventh Army (35 battalions) eliminates Mts Meletta-Badenecche salient northeast of Asiago in 4 hours, taking 16,000 PoWs, 90 guns and 200 MGs until December 5, helped by inadequate Italian gas masks and incompetent General Armani (later sacked); Italian 29th Division destroyed.
Austrian artillery very active towards Brenta river.
Elsewhere, Italian forces repel German and Austro-Hungarian attacks on the Asiago plateau, despite heavy artillery bombardment by the Central Powers.
Austro-Hungarian Major General von Vidale at his headquarters overseeing the attack on Italian troops defending the Meletta: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/937709380086181889

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Minor actions north of Jaffa and on Jerusalem road.
British seaplanes active.

Political, etc
France: Foreign Minister Stephen Pichon signs decree forming independent Czech Army. A group of Czechoslovak soldiers in French uniforms on the Western Front. They were recruited from captured or deserted Austro-Hungarian soldiers: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/tschechoslowakische-soldaten-westfront.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Operations at Aden described in House of Lords.
United States: Wilson message to Congress says peace will come when German people agree to a settlement of ‘justice and reparation’: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Woodrow_Wilson%27s_Fifth_State_of_the_Union_Address
US War Trade Board blacklists 1600 German firms in Latin America.
Finland: Declaration of Independence of Finland from Russia is read in the Finnish Senate. It will be voted on the 6th: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/937739600155602944

gekkogecko

12-05-2017, 05:14 AM

Western Front
British airmen raid Zweibrucken and Saarbrucken.

Eastern Front
Negotiations at Brest-Litovsk re: Russian Armistice; preliminary suspension of hostilities signed.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Conrad drives towards Foza, but delayed by Bersaglieri and Alpini troops rearguard.
Austro-Hungarian progress at Asiago, storm M. Zomo and Castelgomberto and attack Melette, claiming 11,000 prisoners.
Field marshal Conrad von Hoetzendorf inspecting troops on the Trentino Front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Hoetzendorf-inspiziert-Truppen-Tirol.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
A claim that the S.S. Apapa (Elder-Dempster) is torpedoed, with a loss of 79 lives. One of the most egregious of British propaganda fabrications; the SS Apapa wasn’t even built until 1927.
Mozambique: Lettow sends Captain Kohl’s 5 coys with the gun east from Nanguari to Mwalia-Medo district, keeping in touch by relay.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: First British trains reach Ramleh. Mott’s Detachment occupies Hebron, 17 miles south of Jerusalem.
British take Sakaltutan Pass (on Deli Abbas-Kifri road) and 230 prisoners.

Political, etc
Germany: U-boat office opens in Berlin.
Portugal: Major Paes with 1,500 men overthrow Democratic Government until December 8 after 1,350 casualties. Paes Prime Minister, War and Foreign Minister on December 11 and Provisional President of New Republic on December 28.

gekkogecko

12-06-2017, 11:50 AM

Western Front
London and south-east counties raided by 25 airplanes (another soruce claims 19 of 21 German (including 2 Giant) , two brought down; eight killed, 28 injured.
Germany claims the capture of 148 artillery guns over the course of its counter-attacks, and British evacuation of the salient at Cambrai.

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Vladimir Antonov forms Red Southern Front.
Don: French captain from Romania meets Alexei Kaledin at Novocherkask and other White leaders later, reports hopes of new anti-German front exaggerated.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-Hungarians capture Mount Sisemol and 2,000 PoWs; attacks in Val Frenzela frustrated. Italians consolidate new line farther south across Valstagna and Frenzela valleys.
Austro-Hungarian soldiers carrying game caught near the front at Cervignano, Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/938073011164499968

Naval and Overseas Operations
United States Battleship Division, under Rear-Admiral Rodman, joins Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow.
U.S. destroyer Jacob Jones torpedoed and sunk by U-53 off Scillies; 37 survivors.
Channel: U-96 collides with UC-69 (sunk) off Cape Barfleur; the latter sank 50 ships worth 88,138t in 1917.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
The first British soldiers enter the city of Hebron, south of Jerusalem, after it was abandoned by the Ottomans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/938103218613243904

Political, etc
Truce arranged between Russia, and Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey from 7th to 17th. Negotiations suspended.
Austria-Hungary: Count ottokar Czernin tells Hungarian delegation ‘I see no difference between Strassburg and Trieste.’
France: Loire Department strikes end with union officials reinstatement and promise of negotiated wage rises.
Canada: Halifax (N.S.) wrecked: SS*Mont-Blanc, a French cargo ship laden with high explosives bound for Bordeaux, France, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Narrows, at the north-west tip of Halifax Harbor. When a fire on board the French ship ignited her cargo, around 2,000 people were killed by the blast, debris, fires and collapsed buildings, and an estimated 9,000 others were injured. Nearly all structures within an 800-meter (half-mile) radius, including the entire community of Richmond, were obliterated. A pressure wave snapped trees, bent iron rails, demolished buildings, grounded vessels, and scattered fragments of Mont-Blanc for kilometers. A tsunamicreated by the blast wiped out the community of Mi'kmaq First Nations people who had lived in the Tufts Cove area for generations. estimated cost $40 million.
Aftermath of the explosion at Halifax, Nova Scotia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/938407981733105667
Turkey: Djemal Pasha at Beirut reveals Sykes-Picot Agreement and ‘taunts Hussein’.
Romania: Hostilities between Romania and Central Powers suspended.
United States: Nationalisation of railways in U.S.A. announced.
Manacling of conscientious objectors ends but 142 get life imprisonment (last 31 set free December 1923).
Finland: Finland votes for independence, seeks Swedish recognition on December 29, Bolsheviks recognize on December 31.
Spain: Anglo-Spanish Commercial Agreement.

gekkogecko

12-07-2017, 05:20 AM

Western Front
British line improved north of La Vacquerie.
A claim that today, not a few days ago is the end of Battle of Cambrai. British 2-2 1/2 miles in advance of November 20 line in north but have lost almost equal own ground in south.
Captured British tanks Mark IV at Cambrai. These vehicles form the main force of the German tanks in the upcoming spring offensive: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/erbeutete-tanks-cambrai.jpg?ssl=1
BEF GHQ Intelligence predict German 1918 offensive no later than March 1918.
France: US 42nd ‘Rainbow’ Division arrives (personnel from 26 US states).

Eastern Front
Truce between Russia and Central Powers comes into operation officially (see 2nd and 6th).

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Asiago: Italians continue withdrawal to Melette lines.
Austro-Hungarians claim 15,000 prisoners since 4 December.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Hebron (17 miles south of Jerusalem) captured.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Ministers agree on peace with Russia without gains.
United States: The United States of America declares war on Austria-Hungary.
Minor Allies: Ecuador severs diplomatic relations with Germany.

gekkogecko

12-08-2017, 09:58 AM

Western Front
Germans make 225 trench raids against BEF until March 21, 1918 and gain 62 unit identifications.
Small actions west of Graincourt (south-western Cambrai).
Kaiser Wilhelm decorating officers after the Battle of Cambrai: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/938810394755211264
Great artillery activity north-east of Verdun.

Eastern Front
All hostilities on the Eastern front suspended.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): German and Austro-Hungarian advance against Italy on the Asiago plateau slows down after Italian troops retreat to new lines. 16,000 Italians had been captured in the recent offensive. French and British join Italian line, latter in Montello district.
150 Allied aircraft over Frenzela valley fighting, Trentino. Italian ace Francesco Baracca scores 3 victories, winning Gold Medal.
Count Francesco Baracca, standing by his SPAD XIII fighter with the prancing horse logo that later became the emblem of*Ferrari: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/77/FBaracca_1.jpg

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Germans capture Portuguese force at Ngoma (River Rovuma).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Advance on Jerusalem begins despite heavy rain, 60th Division takes two villages, 297 PoWs, 3 guns and 12 MGs. British, by cutting Jerusalem-Jericho and Shechem roads, isolate city. Local authorities arrange to surrender. Turkish XX Corps (12,000 soldiers with c.50 guns) evacuates Jerusalem (until December 9.)
Turkish cavalry in a camp near Jerusalem: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/turk-Kav-Jerusalem.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: British Ambassador in Petrograd disclaims wish to interfere in internal affairs.
Russian Bolshevik captain addressing his soldiers at Kronstadt: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/938749961147224064
Japan: 8 family-owned soy businesses in Noda, Japan come together to form the Kikkoman company.
Portugal: Sidonio Pais, Portuguese politician and military officer, completes a successful coup in Lisbon after 3 days of fighting: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939128736959614976

gekkogecko

12-09-2017, 12:40 PM

Eastern Front
Armistice, named the Truce of Focsani, signed between Rumania and Central Powers (see 6th, and November 10th, 1918).

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians contain Austrian bridgehead on Lower Piave delta, more fighting on December 19. Plumer tells Diaz British will not retreat even if Italians do.
A war memorial at an Austro-Hungarian cemetery in Trient (now Trento, Italy): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939189144051503104

Naval and Overseas Operations
Italian naval raid on Trieste harbor (night 9th/10th). Austrian coast defense ship Wien sunk.
Convoy escort trawler Ben Lawer rams and sinks coastal submarine UB-18 (sinker of 126 ships worth 128,555t in 1916-17).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Jerusalem surrenders to British forces (see 11th). Mayor hands keys to Ptes Church and Andrewes (mess cooks), then to GOC 60th Division which storms Mt Scopus. Mott’s Department occupies Bethlehem.
British artillery prepares for action in Palestine: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/brit-ari-palaestina.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: South Russia: Soviet Commissars declare war against Cossack chiefs. Escaped generals, excluding Lavr Kornilov, sent on to Kuban. First White Volunteer Army units, organized by General Mikhail Alexeiev, parade at Novocherkask.
Romania: German soldiers and civilians crowd in Central Powers-occupied Bucharest after the signing of the Focsani Armistice. © IWM (Q 87113): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939521298186887168
Finland: Removal of Russian troops demanded.

gekkogecko

12-10-2017, 10:25 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: German post carried east of Boursies.
Verdun: German attacks on Chaume Wood, etc., checked.
British seaplanes bomb aerodromes near Ghent, and Bruges Docks.

Eastern Front
Bolshevik railway detachments defeat General Kornilov at Tamarovka (north of Kharkov).
Austro-Hungarian officer greeting Russian delegates to negotiate the armistice: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939551508688965635

Southern Front
Salonika: Clemenceau recalls Sarrail who leaves on December 22.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Italian MAS torpedo boat of the type Grillo (responsible for the overnight sinking of the Austrian coast ship Wien) from the year 1917: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ital-MAS.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mayor of Jerusalem holding a white flag of truce delivers a letter of surrender of the city to the British forces: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939566602361634816

Political, etc
Russia: Vladimir Lenin drafts outline peace program for negotiations.
Belgium: Petain visits King Albert, ‘deplores the inefficiency of the British Command. The troops are excellent but they have been clumsily used. The Americans lack discipline and experience’.
Portugal: Dr. S. Cardosa da Paes (also spelled Pais) succeeds Dr. A. A. da Costa as Portuguese Prime Minister (see April 25th, 1917, and May 15th, 1918).
Minor Allies: Panama declares war on Austria-Hungary.

gekkogecko

12-11-2017, 10:58 AM

Western Front
American artillery being inspected before they head to the front in Lorraine, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/940213357226942465

Eastern Front
Forces from Russian front sent against Don Cossacks.
Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary inspecting soldiers of the Polish Auxiliary Corps in Bukovina: © IWM (Q 112592): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939911367041146886

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Alfred Krauss with 4 divisions and 460 guns attacks Mt Grappa (‘Sacred Mountain’) sector; German 5th Division storms Mt Spinoncia but can get no farther despite repeated attacks. Austrian 4th Division, arrived from Eastern Front, captures Col della Berretta.
A destroyed a church in San Polo di Piave after its capture by the Austro-Hungarians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939926454577582080

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Atlantic: U-155 shells Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.
North Sea: British airship N. S. 5 lost (with crew of five) over the North Sea.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Edmund Allenby makes formal entry into Jerusalem (see 9th), with Allied parties including Major TE Lawrence and Lieutenant-Colonel Archibald Wavell (film released in Britain in February 1918): https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/allenby-betritt-jerusalem.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Constituent Assembly meets in Petrograd (see 13th).
France: Georges Clemenceau demands removal of parliament immunity from ex-Prime Minister Joseph Caillaux (arrested December 12) and two other deputies (done December 22-23).
United Kingdom: Mr. Arthur Balfour announces receipt in September of German peace proposals.
Non-Ferrous Metals Bill passed.
Winston Churchill: “The longer Great Britain and America are fighting side by side the closer they will be drawn together. That is a tremendous fact, and it will make amends for what we are now suffering.”
Canada: (Listed for yesterday): Mackenzie Bowell, former Prime Minister of Canada, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/939881165821042689
Italy: Italy establishes the National Institute of Exchange, which is given a monopoly on foreign bank exchanges in order to reduce currency speculation.
Norway: Nobel Prizes are awarded in Oslo. Peace Prize goes to the Red Cross, Physics goes to Charles Glover Barkla, and Literature goes to Karl Adolph Gjellerup and Henrik Pontoppidan.
Portugal: Dr Machado Guimarães, Portuguese President, deposed.

gekkogecko

12-12-2017, 05:23 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: Germans capture small salient between Bullecourt and Queant.
Gotha Bogohl 3 unit loses Commander Captain R Kleine shot down and killed in daylight attack on Allied troops, Lieutenant R Walter replaces.

Eastern Front
Fighting between Cossacks and Bolsheviks at Rostov (River Don), occupy it on December 14. General Kaledin retakes it on December 15 with Alexeiev’s Volunteer Army forcing local Reds to flee to Black Sea Fleet.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Battle on Monte Grappa front between Brenta and Piave; heavy Austro-Hungarian attacks.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: German destroyers raid British convoy in the North Sea and sink H.M.S. Partridge (see October 17th), and 3 other vessels. Another source says:
4 German destroyers annihilate British Norwegian convoy, sink destroyer Partridge, damage consort Pellew, 6 merchant ships and 4 trawlers in 45 minutes (75 PoWs); 3 covering British cruisers arrive too late. 4 other German destroyers sink 3 convoy stragglers off the Tyne. Admiralty sails Norwegian convoys at longer intervals with stronger escorts.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British claim to have taken 562 officers and 11,474 men prisoners in Palestine to date.

Political, etc
Germany: General Oskar von Hutier is one of the founders of the successful German stormtroopers tactics: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/general-hutier.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Estonian nobility appeal for German help. General Count Kirchbach takes over German Eighth Army (Hutier to Western Front).
Vladimir Lenin proposes Joseph Stalin, Grigori Sokolnikov and leon Trotsky for Pravda editorial board.
France: French Government decides to bring M. Joseph Caillaux before Court Martial, for “treason”, based on his peace efforts.
Worst civil railway disaster in history, 543 killed at Modane when train jumps tracks.
U.S. troops in France donate $4000 for Christmas gifts to French refugee children settled in their sector.
United Kingdom: Enquiry into the reverse at Cambrai ordered by Government. The Times calls it ‘One of the most ghastly stories in English history’.
Commons votes £550 millions war credit (1917-18 total £ 2,450 millions).
Turkey: Djemal Pasha resigns as Gouverneur-General of Syria and Arabia and as C-in-C Fourth Army, returns to Constantinople.
Minor Allies: Cuba declares war on Austria-Hungary.

gekkogecko

12-13-2017, 10:33 AM

Western Front
Moderate fighting on Ypres, Cambrai and Verdun fronts.

Eastern Front
Armistice negotiations on Russian front resumed.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): German and Austro-Hungarian launch attacks against Italian troops between the Piave and the Brenta.

Naval and Overseas Operations
(Listed for yesterday): Royal Navy destroyer HMS Wolverine collides with the a sloop off the coast of Ireland and sinks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/940607230638022657
North Sea: U-75 sunk in mine nets off Terschelling (she had mined HMS Hampshire and drowned Lord Kitchener).
Adriatic: 3 Austrian destroyers sortie against Valona-Otranto route but sight 4 Allied ones and retire (night December 13-14).
Eastern Mediterranean: French ship Paris II sunk at Adalia (Anatolia).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British line extended north-east of Jerusalem and advanced between latter and Jaffa, capturing 140 Ottoman prisoners.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Constituent Assembly dispersed by Bolsheviki.
Italy: After Austrian Czernin status quo peace hint from December 5, Prime Minister Orlando tells deputies in secret session Italy will fight on even if armies have to fall back to Sicily.
After the defeat of Caporetto, the Italian propaganda tries with ‘Soldiers Forward’ to highlight the national defense: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/ital-propaganda-caporetto.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

12-14-2017, 05:18 AM

Western Front
British troops collecting mistletoe near Hesdin, France: © IWM (Q 8341): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/940969612707090434
British soldiers sliding on top of a frozen pond near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8369): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/941030024626524161

Eastern Front
Rostov occupied by Bolshevist troops.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians surrender Col Caprile (Valstagna, Brenta river); but shell shortage postpones exploitation. Otherwise Austro-Hungarian attacks repulsed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Ionian Sea: UC-38 (Wendlandt) sinks French cruiser Chateaurenault (10 lives lost, 1162 saved including 985 troops for Salonika) in Gulf of Patras off Cephalonia. UC-38 (also sinker of 36 merchant ships worth 52,525t) then depth charged and sunk by convoy escort destroyers Mameluk and Lansquenet.
Naval Allied Council to be formed (ministers and Chiefs of Naval Staffs).

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George speaks at Gray's Inn on "No halfway house between victory and defeat".
Home Office and MI5 decide not to prosecute in 41 subversion cases. Local butter and margarine rationing begins. In December local tea rationing begins (1 1/2 oz per head per week), affects 17.5 million people.
Turkey: Single members of ‘Society for Finding Employment for Women’ (c.15,000 members) must marry or lose job (those eligible listed in press see February 9, 1918).

gekkogecko

12-15-2017, 10:46 AM

Western Front
Flanders: Snow hampers operations. Since 15 June 77 German divisions have been transported to Fourth Army front (from Lille-Armentieres road to coast) and 63 transferred elsewhere.
German troops launch attacks against French lines north of the Aisne to the Meuse, but make little gains.
Verdun: Germans repulsed at Chaume Wood. In December Charles Mangin restored to duty in command of French IX Corps.
Kuhl memo to Ludendorff urges his St George scheme for a Flanders offensive since now fairly certain BEF unable to launch offensive until numerous US troops arrive.

Eastern Front
Armistice signed at Brest-Litovsk between Russian Bolshevik Government and Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey, to begin at noon December 17th, and terminate January 14th, 1918 (see 13th and 22nd). Fraternization centres fixed, week’s notice of termination. Germans given police powers in Baltic Provinces.
Fraternisation between Austro-Hungarian and Russian soldiers on the Eastern Front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/fraternisation-russen-oesterr.jpg?ssl=1
After six days' fighting, General Alexei Kaledin (Cossacks) enters Rostov; local Bolshevist chiefs flee to Black Sea fleet.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-Hungarian and German forces claim the capture of 3000 Italian troops in their attacks between the Piave and the Brenta.
General Adolphe Guillaumet succeeds General Maurice Surrail at Salonika as Commander-in-Chief.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British left center in Palestine advanced 1.5 miles on five mile front. EEF losses 18,928 to 25,000 Turkish (12,036 PoWs), 100 guns and over 132 MGs, more than 20 aircraft.
Persia: Around this date mutinies among Nikolai Baratov’s troops at Hamadan.
Turks and Russians to evacuate according to Brest-Litovsk Armistice demarcation agreed at Mosul.

Political, etc
Russia: (Listed for yesterday): Bolshevik Foreign Minister Leon Trotsky gives Russian delegates power to negotiate a peace with the Central Powers if an armistice is signed at Brest Litovsk.
Bolshevist ultimatum to the Ukraine demands free passage for troops.
The Moldavian Democratic Republic is declared by the National Council of Bessarabia, breaking away from Russia.
United States: U.S. Public Information Committee reveals it is spending $1,285,500 for U.S. propaganda in other countries.

gekkogecko

12-16-2017, 10:54 AM

Western Front
East of Avion (south of Lens) British position improved.

Eastern Front
The Bolshevik government in Russia signs an armistice with the Central Powers. It will go into effect on the 17th: https://twitter.com/centuryagotoday
German and Russian soldiers together after Russia signs the armistice with the Central Powers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/941725857407791106

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians regain some positions in Brenta valley.
Macedonia: Allied aeroplanes bomb depots at Cestovo.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Ionian Sea: A claim that a French destroyer sinks two submarines. The only loss I can track for the Mediterranean for the entire month of December, 1917, is the destruction of UC-38, after it sank the Chateurenault on 14 December.
Bristol Channel: Sloop HMS Arbutus sunk by U-boat.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Edmund Allenby made G.C.M.G. (Order of St Michael & St George)

Political, etc
Germany: German poster, which promotes war donations at Christmas 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Kriegsspenden-Weihnacht17.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Lieutenant-Colonel Bernard Freyberg – Victoria Cross – condemns Siegfried Sassoon’s anti-war attitude to Lady Cynthia Asquith.
Portugal: New Portuguese Government declare they will honor all Portuguese engagements.

jseal

12-16-2017, 07:51 PM

Arthur C. Clarke, science aficionado, was born.

gekkogecko

12-17-2017, 11:58 AM

Indeed, I had missed that; included with today's post, with the disclaimer listed for yesterday. Good spot, jseal.

gekkogecko

12-17-2017, 12:00 PM

Western Front
Fighting near the Ypres-Comines Canal.
A British soldier with Christmas pudding in the trenches near Saint-Pol: © IWM (Q 8337): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942362509700403207
Two Canadian polling officers at the Western Front inspecting a German gas shell. Canada is holding its federal election today: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942422913554186240
Canadian cavalrymen getting ready to vote for the federal election: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942424349340037122

Eastern Front
Armistice between Russia and Central Powers begins.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-Hungarians repulsed on Upper Brenta.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Italian Navy ordered to economize stringently on coal and oil fuel (c.50,000t used per month and national stocks only c.360,000t).
Pacific: 2 US submarines collide in fog; USS F-1 sinks with 19 crew members.
Mozambique: Paul von Lettow with headquarters arrive at Chirumba (Mtarika), Portuguese Nyasa Business Company’s station.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British Government give the King of the Hejaz (see December 15th, 1916, and February 4th, 1918) written assurance of the future independence of the Arab people.
Yosf Lishansky, Jewish spy working for the British in Ottoman Palestine, is executed by the Ottomans in Damascus: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942030329157734400

Political, etc
Germany: Count Georg Hertling replies to Mr. Lloyd George's speech of 14 December.
Russia: All Church property to be confiscated, religious teaching abolished.
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): Arthur C. Clarke (future British science fiction writer known for works such as 2001: A Space Odyssey) is born in Minehead, England.
(Listed for yesterday): Former British Prime Minister Asquith states a partnership of nations “with equal rights and reciprocal duties” is necessary to maintain peace after the war.
Lord Rhondda says ‘Food queues must be stopped’, rationing probably inevitable.
No post to neutrals, except to PoWs or under permit.
Don’t waste bread: British appeal for economy in face of the U-boat menace: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/dont-waste-bread.jpg?ssl=1
Canada: Unionist Government wins General Election.
Italy: 35,000 people march in Rome to celebrate the British capture of Jerusalem. The Pope says any Christian nation that would aid the Ottomans in retaking the city will be condemned.

gekkogecko

12-18-2017, 10:20 AM

Western Front
Airplane raid on London, Essex and Kent; 14 of 16 German bombers (1 Giant) attack southeast England, 6 reach London. Total of 11,300lb bombs cause 97 casualties (another sources gives 14 killed, 85 injured.), and £238,861 property damage, worst since Zeppelin Raid vom September 8-9, 1915. No 44 Squadron commander Captain Murlis Green MC achieves first night fighter success against aircraft over Britain in Sopwith Camelwith 4 attacks over East London, forcing Gotha to ditch off Folkestone (armed trawler Highlander rescues 2 survivors); 2 other Gothas burnt after crash landing.
A claim that heavy air fighting ends in Allies' favor on northern front.
A British soldier shaking hands with a kitten at Neulette, France: © IWM (Q 6400): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942469523818590209

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Ukrainian Rada rejects Red transit demands (Lenin ultimatum from December 17) and mobilizes and cuts telegraph links on December 19.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italian Fourth Army heavily attacked near Mt. Asolone (Mt. Grappa), Austro-Hungarians claim 2,000 prisoners.
Erwin Rommel’s Wurttemberg Mountain Batallion withdrawn from final but local and costly success (after German failure to take Mt Solarolo); he and his commander receive Pour le Merite.
A mountain gun is positioned on the Italian front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/gebirgsgeschuetz-ital-front.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
A photograph of the US submarine USS F-1, sunk yesterday in a collision with the submarine F-3: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942439472674766852

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British clear ground south-east of Jerusalem, beyond Abu Dir.
Armistice of Erzincan is signed, ending the fighting between Russian forces and the Ottomans in the Caucasian and Persian fronts.

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser in Kreuznach Crown Council approves Armistice terms.
Russia: Trotsky appeals to Europe’s ‘oppressed peoples’ after Brest-Litovsk armistice signing.
Canada: In the Canadian federal election held yesterday, Unionists win 153 seats, while the Liberals win 82. The main issue of the election was over conscription, with the Unionists supporting it and the Liberals opposed.
Switzerland: Jan Smuts meets Austrian Albert von Mensdorff (ex-Ambassador to London) on separate peace chances (until December 19). Also, a claim that at Geneva, Lloyd George’s Secretary Philip Kerr meets Dr Parodi (Turkey).

gekkogecko

12-19-2017, 05:31 AM

Western Front
Air defences finally told of Giant bomber, codenamed Bertie, after its eighth raid.
Five-engined Zeppelin Staaken ‘Gigant’ bomber: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Zeppelin-RXV-03.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Odessa supports the Ukraine against the Bolsheviks.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Brisk fighting in Piave delta; Italian counter-attacks against Mts Rertica and Asolone fail to gain ground until fog and thick snow end operations on December 21.
German and Austro-Hungarian forces claim another 1000 Italian prisoners captured. Italian soldiers riding on the front of a train while retreating from Austro-Hungarian and German attacks: © IWM (Q 114386): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/942801778017554433
British guns heavily engaged at Montello.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: New Dover Straits minefield claims first victim, coastal submarine UB-56 after Vice-Admiral Bacon advised to start flare and searchlight surface patrol along it.
Adriatic: 2 old Austrian battleships, 1 cruiser, 6 destroyers shell Italian Cortellazzo batteries again, but big ships withdrawn to Pola on December 20, 3 old battleships mothballed after December 28 to obtain personnel.

Political, etc
Canada: Conscription Law becomes effective.
The first ever NHL game is played between the Toronto Hockey Club against the Montreal Wanderers, with the Wanderers winning 10-9.
United States: U.S. Congress proposes a Constitutional Amendment which institutes alcohol prohibition to be ratified by the states. House of Representatives voted 282 to 128, Senate voted 47 to 8.

gekkogecko

12-20-2017, 10:06 AM

Western Front
West of Messines, Germans capture British advanced post in fog.
Petain Directive urges defence in depth (and on December 22) but not all generals comply.
British soldiers throwing snowballs near Hesdin, France: © IWM (Q 8343): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943206841974251522

Eastern Front
Don: Lavr Kornilov arrives at Novocherkask, is made “White” Russian C-in-C.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians recapture part of M. Asolone.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Battle of Jaffa (until December 22): XXI Corps’ 8,100 men and 88 guns surprise cross river Auja on December 21, take 259 PoWs and 5 MGs from 6,200 Turks with 60 guns. 6 Royal Navy ships and 36 Royal Flying Corps planes aid 52nd Division 5-mile coast advance to Arsuf on December 22, Jaffa put out of Turkish gun-range. 54th Division captures Bald Hill and two villages inland.
British field artillery prepares for combat in Palestine: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/brit-ari-palaestina-2.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Lower House adopts peace resolution.
Russia: Bolshevik Cheka [Всеросси́йская чрезвычайная коми́ссия по борьбе́ с контрреволюцией и саботажем, tr. Vserossiyskaya chrezvychaynaya komissiya po bor'bye s kontrrevolyutsiyei i sabotazhem: "The All-Russian Emergency Commission for Combating Counter-Revolution and Sabotage"] Secret Police founded under Felix Dzerzhinski to ‘fight counter-revolutionaries and saboteurs’.
Australia: Second referendum again defeats conscription 1,181,747 vs 1,015,159 votes; 1918 recruiting falls to c.2,500 per month.
Australia holds a referendum on whether to institute conscription. The “no” vote wins 53.79%. A “no” campaign poster: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943448418403475457
United States: (listed for yesterday): U.S Federal Food Administration set Wednesday as a “Wheat-less Day,” but it is largely a failure as it is not enforced, with bakeries and restaurants freely serving bread, pastries, and other wheat products.
Tentative German peace terms in Washington.
M.J. Cambon, adviser for U.S. affairs in Paris.

gekkogecko

12-21-2017, 05:26 AM

Western Front
Alsace: Stiff fighting at Harmannsweilerkopf.
British troops struggling to push up a horse-drawn cart up a snow-covered road in Hesdin, France: © IWM (Q 8351): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943508815839760384
British soldier kissing a French woman while holding up a sprig of mistletoe: © IWM (Q 8354): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943569225150615552

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians recapture whole of M. Asolone.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Battle of Jaffa (until December 22): 54th (East Anglian) Division crosses the Yarkon River in darkness. The attack completely surprised the Ottoman defenders, and all Ottoman resistance was overcome by British troops using their bayonets and no shots were fired. and their front line were forced back 5 miles (8.0 km). By dawn the British held a line from Hadrah to Tel el Rekkeit, around 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the river.

Political, etc
Germany: Special offer in Germany to send gifts for Christmas 1917 to the front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/weihnachten-im-feld.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Vladimir Antonov, People’s Commissar for War, made C-in-C ‘for the struggle with counter-revolution’.
France: Lucien Petit-Breton, French cyclist who won the Tour de France twice, is killed when the French army truck he was driving crashes into a cart: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943539030905573376
United Kingdom: British Government issue Order in Council instituting the Air Council (see November 29th, 1917, and January 3rd, 1918).
Mr. Lloyd George appeals for increase of agricultural cultivation. Local rationing schemes authorized. Munitions Ministry empowered to restrict lighting.
Italy: Italian war industry establishments number 3,500 as against 125 in 1915.
United States: A train wreck occurs in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, resulting in 49 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/943624609517178880

gekkogecko

12-22-2017, 10:08 AM

Western Front
Several Gothas thwarted in raid on southeast England by bad weather (1 Gotha emergency lands south of Margate, burnt by crew), 3 Giants (1 diverts to Boulogne) merely drop bombs in sea off Kent.
Germans drive in British advanced posts on Ypres-Staden railway.
The town of Ypres, its houses ruined and deserted, pitted by huge water filled shell craters: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/twon-of-ypres.jpg?ssl=1
Lieut.-General Sir R. C. Maxwell, Quartermaster-General, B.E.F., France, resigns (see 23rd, and January 27th, 1915); succeeded by Lieutenant-General Sir T Clarke.
General Marie-Eugène Debeney in command of French First Army for duration of war.
British soldiers guarding German prisoners as they clear a road of snow: © IWM (Q 11553): British soldiers guarding German prisoners as they clear a road of snow: © IWM (Q 11553)

Eastern Front
Peace negotiations between Russian Bolshevik Government and Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey opened at Brest-Litovsk (see 15th, and January 5th, 1918).
Romanian troops occupy Bessarabia. Independent Moldavian Republic proclaimed there on December 23.
Bolshevik Red Guard forces in the Ukraine occupy the city of Kharkov.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Austro-Hungarian massed attack carries hills near Valstagna.
General Adolphe Guillaumat appointed Allied Commander-in-Chief at Salonika (see 14th, and June 6th, 1918). He reads Milne his instructions on December 30 to protect Greece, then use her army in offensive.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Battle of Jaffa (until December 22): Battle of Jaffa ends. British advance north and east of Jaffa.
Arabs under Sheikh Feisul capture Turkish troop train on Hejaz railway.

Political, etc
Russia: Bolshevik peace proposals; Austrian Ottokar Czernin rejects most on December 25.
Leon Trotsky, the Bolshevik Foreign Minister, says Russia will reject “offensive” German peace terms, declaring that, “We did not overthrow Czarism to kneel before the Kaiser.”
United Kingdom: Lord Rhondda's scheme for rationing by localities comes into force; main cause of queues removed.
Belgium: Flanders proclaimed independent.
United States: U.S. Army during the past two months has court-martialed over 100 American soldiers at Camp Merritt, New Jersey, for pro-German views and activities.
China: Chinese government at Harbin orders Russian Bolshevik headquarters in the city to disarm within 48 hours.

gekkogecko

12-23-2017, 10:19 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: Skirmishing at Poelcapelle, near Epehy: German troops at Ypres launch a raid against half-mile line of British trenches and succeeds in capturing 30 prisoners.
Verdun: Skirmishing at Caurieres Wood.
British soldier with his pet dog on the Western Front: © IWM (Q 10597): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/944268841110171648

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Franz Conrad’s final attempt to break through before winter snows, promises soldiers winter at Bassano in plains below and Christmas Mass in Venice. After hurricane shelling including gas (by 550 guns) Austrian Eleventh Army captures Col del Rosso (4183ft), Mt Melago and 3 other features in the Monte Buso Valley; after a 2-mile advance, they claim 9,000 PoWs until December 24.
Austrian 10.4cm Langrohrkanone on the Italian Front firing gas shells. The crew wears gas masks: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/austrian-104mm-langrohrkanone.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Channel: Armed boarding steamer H.M.S. Stephen Furness sunk by submarine; six officers and 95 men lost.
North Sea: 3 Harwich Force destroyers on Dutch convoy duty (Torrent, Surprise and Tornado) blunder into German minefield and sink north of Maas Light Buoy, 252 lives lost. Flotilla leader Valkyri gets home with broken back. Surviving destroyer Radiant rescues survivors.

Political, etc
Germany: The Kaiser, visiting Second Army on Western Front, says the events of 1917 are proof the Almighty is a German ally.
France: Former French Prime Minister Joseph Caillaux loses immunity after the Chamber of Deputies votes 417 to 2 to revoke it. Caillaux will now be tried for treason.
Anglo-French Paris Convention on spheres of influence in Southern Russia (British War Cabinet approve on December 26).
Belgium: Text of the declaration by the Council of Flanders, nominally supported by the German occupation of Belgium: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/944253750692270086

dicksbro

12-24-2017, 03:22 AM

I'll call a halt to the war for just a minute while I wish you gekkogecko, a very Merry Christmas.

gekkogecko

12-24-2017, 12:19 PM

Ah, but we're up to 1917; the Christmas truce of 1914 was a great idea, but it didn't last.

gekkogecko

12-24-2017, 12:21 PM

Western Front
Mannheim (on the Rhine river) heavily bombed by British airmen.
British seaplanes bomb Bruges Docks and other aerodromes.

Eastern Front
German forces not sent west or to Italy being massed on southern and Romanian fronts.
Ukraine: Battles at Tamarovka Station and Oboyan (West of Kharkov), Sievers’ Reds capture Lyubotin on December 25. Telegraph between Petrograd and south-west interrupted by Ukrainian authorities.
Austrians row with Bulgars at Brest-Litovsk.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Italians regain “much” of lost ground near the Brenta, specifically, Mt Melago and Col del Rosso save summit.
Snow severe on Italian front.
French raids in Albania.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British forces claim that since this year in Palestine, they have captured 91 artillery guns, 120 machine guns, 7000 rifles, and over 10 million rounds of ammo from the Ottomans.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Ottokar Czernin to Emperor Charles ‘Your Majesty must therefore get Poland in order to maintain parity’ (with Germany).
Germany: German government announces it has raised 12.6 billion marks ($2.9 billion) in its 7th war loan.
Russia: Ivan Goremykin, former Prime Minister of Russia, is killed, along with his family members, in a robbery at his dacha in Sochi: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/944964668321402883
United Kingdom: Sir John Jellicoe resigns as First Sea Lord at Eric Geddes’ “request” (made public on December 26). Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss succeeds, Admiral Sir Sydney Fremantle replaces Henry Oliver as DCNS; Reginald Bacon recalled from Dover Patrol on December 28.
Meeting of British Naval Officers. Left foreground standing on the left Beatty of the Grand Fleet, and far right Jellicoe, who was C-in-C at Jutland: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/British-Naval-Officers-1.jpg?ssl=1
Canada: Starting today, Canada prohibits the importation of alcohol of more than 2.5%. Prohibition of liquor will follow in 1918.
Belgium: King Albert replies to Papal peace note.
Switzerland: Swiss cavalrymen patrolling the frontier, with the country surrounded by nations at war (except Lichtenstein): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/944904275502747648
Korea: Kim Jong-suk (future wife of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung and mother to Kim Jong-il) is born in the Japanese colony of Korea.

gekkogecko

12-25-2017, 11:39 AM

Western Front
“Christmas with the Corpsmen,” by Carl Simon, depicting German corpsmen: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/945025065682337794

Eastern Front
Ukraine: RNAS Armoured Car Squadron rear party disable remaining cars and guns after ugly confrontation with local Reds.
Ukrainian People’s Republic of Soviets is proclaimed in Bolshevik-occupied Kharkov. Most of Ukraine is controlled by the anti-Bolshevik Rada.

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave (until December 30): Heavy fighting continues on Asiago plateau for passage of Brenta river. Toscana Brigade and 5th Bersaglieri regiment etc stiffen Italian line and repulse final Austrian attack.
Soldiers and Italian civilians gather around a crash site of an Austro-Hungarian aeroplane: © IWM (Q 26545): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/944979782525177857

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: Royal Navy sloop Buttercup and PC56 (convoy escorts) ram and sink U-87 with all 44 crew. Twice-victorious Q-ship Penshurst sunk by U-boat.
Mozambique: British pursue Germans 40 miles south of River Rovuma; latter broken up. KAR (King’s African Rifles) Native troops follow Lettow-Vorbeck’s troops into Portuguese East Africa: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/KAR-portug-ostafrika.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Ottokar Czernin replies to Russian peace proposals of 22 December.
France: French Premier Georges Clemenceau says age limits for commanders are too high, and instead urges that more younger soldiers with experience at the front be promoted.

gekkogecko

12-26-2017, 05:39 AM

Western Front
German artillery activity near Vimy and east of Ypres.
Verdun: Germans “repulsed” in Caurieres Wood
Outskirts of Lens, France on Christmas Day: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/945382412103639040

Eastern Front
Bolsheviks break off Brest-Litovsk talks when Germans say Poland and Baltic States will become independent.
Prince Leopold (on the right), Commander-in-Chief of the German Army on the Eastern Front, at a Christmas celebration: © IWM (Q 52229): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/945335854112833536

Southern Front
First Battle of the Piave: A report that this battle ends, in the form of: Twelfth Battle of the Isonzo, aka the Battle of Caporetto ends.
Big aerial fight 18 miles north of Venice; an English pilot, William Barker and two others made an unauthorized flight, raided a German airfield at Motta on the 25th, ignoring an unspoken truce. They also dropped a sign reading: “To the Austrian Flying Corps from the English RFC – wishing you a merry Xmas.” This provoked a retaliatory raid by Austro-German bombers and fighters on Istrana airfield, as recorded in the diary of the Italian ace, Silvio Scaroni. Also a brief mention here: https://books.google.com/books?id=TYCJGna4uJcC&pg=PA23&lpg=PA23&dq=Battle+of+the+Istrana&source=bl&ots=hw1vALMiGg&sig=oBcvjbqo25B73qFo-jRp3cLjSiE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiL-dnNuafYAhUEleAKHaKAA8gQ6AEIVDAH#v=onepage&q=Battle%20of%20the%20Istrana&f=false
Raids repeated nights December 29-30 and 30-31.
An Austro-Hungarian Brandenburg D-I before take-off, built by the Phoenix Works in Vienna: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/brandenburg-DI.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
East Africa: During a revolt against the British-established “protectorate”, 502 King’s African Rifles and levies disperse Aulyehan at Hagagabli, capture 1,233 camels. By February 20, 1918 fines, 402 rifles and chiefs collected excluding the leader.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British defense of Jerusalem begins. Sharp fighting during night; British picketts attacked.

Political, etc
Russia: Ukraine tells Berlin she wants separate status at Brest-Litovsk peace talks.
United Kingdom: Admiral Sir John Jellicoe’s resignation as First Sea Lord is announced.
Mr. McAdoo appointed Director of Railways.
United States: U.S. Shipping Board promises five million tons in 1918.
Mexican raiders cross the U.S. border and attack a ranch in Presidio County, Texas, killing three people. They are pursued by U.S. Army cavalry back across the border. It is uncertain if the raiders were the Constitutionalist Venustiano Carranza's, or if they belonged under Pancho Villa’s command.
Guatemala: A 5.6 magnitude earthquake hits Guatemala, killing hundreds. Damage done to Guatemala City Cathedral: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/945524596048097280

dicksbro

12-27-2017, 03:46 AM

Looks like the war took a holiday. :yikes:

gekkogecko

12-27-2017, 01:39 PM

Western Front
The snow-covered ruins of Ypres: © IWM (Q 9806): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946068184079138816
Verdun: More German “attacks” around the Verdun are repulsed by French defenders, although 100 French prisoners are taken.

Eastern Front
Bolsheviks’ inducements to the Ukraine for them to join in the fight against Cossacks.

Southern Front
(listed for yesterday): British soldiers inspecting a shot down German biplane near Istrana aerodrome in Italy. © IWM (Q 26549): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/945715988452044800

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turko-Germans attempt to recapture Jerusalem. Deciphered radio message warns Allenby and Chetwode before December 24; British 60th Division repels eight Turkish attacks; 10th and 74th Divisions capture Zeitun Ridge and village in 4,000 yards advance. Turkish counterattack towards Jerusalem fails 3 miles north astride Nablus road despite fresh 1st Division. 33,000 British troops and 180 guns subsequently advance up to 6 miles against strong but flagging resistance by 20,000 Turks and c.100 guns (December 28-30).
Turkish troops at Jerusalem: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/turk-truppen-jerusalem.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Second conference between Erich Ludendorff and army group staff chiefs on 1918 offensive in the West. General Oskar von Hutier, from Eastern Front, takes over new Eighteenth Army at St Quentin.
Russia: Riga Council declares Latvian independence from Russia and requests Kaiser’s protection.
Bolsheviks issues a decree ordering a nationalization of Russian banks, including foreign-owned banks in the country.
United Kingdom: Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss’ appointment as First Sea Lord, Great Britain, is announced.
Romania: George Diamandy, Romanian writer and politician known for pioneering revolutionary socialism in France and Romania, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946037995265777664
United States: Sir F.E. Smith emphasizes British solidarity in New York.
The nationalization of most U.S. railroads, law passed 6 December, 1917, now takes effect. The ostensible reason is in order to facilitate the transport of troops and materials needed for the war effort.
Mexico: (listed for yesterday): In response to the Mexican bandit raid yesterday, U.S. Army cavalry cross into Mexican territory and kill 10 of the raiders.

gekkogecko

12-28-2017, 05:20 AM

Western Front
Much activity on both sides north of St. Quentin.
Royal Flying Corps ace McCudden, who had scored 4 kills on December 23, shoots down 3 LVGs in 20 minutes.
Major James Thomas Byford McCudden received his commission on January 1, 1917 flying S.E.5s. As a fighter he was instinctively a loner, preferring to stalk his prey so as to attack unseen from close range: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/McCudden.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier and a carrier pigeon named “Dreadnaught.” © IWM (Q 11954): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946099643791708161

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian bridges at Zenson bend (lower Piave) destroyed.
Austro-Hungarians bomb Padua, 13 killed, 60 injured; also bomb Treviso, Bassano, Vicenza and Castelfranco (December 31).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Turkish forces driven back north of Jerusalem; Ramah and Bertunia captured.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Arthur Arz, Chief of the General Staff replies to Ludendorff (from December 23), agrees his Western Front 1918 spring offensive will be decisive and Austrian troops will be sent, once no longer needed in Russia.
Russia: Lenin attends Demobilization Congress which votes for Army’s dissolution; he requests ‘revolutionary units’ to hold front line.
France: French Foreign Minister in speech outlines French War Aims (see January 5th, 1918).
United Kingdom: Labour memo on War Aims accepted in special Conference.
Portugal: Dr. da Silva Paes appointed Acting President of Portugal (see December 11th, 1917, and May 9th, 1918).

gekkogecko

12-29-2017, 10:41 AM

Western Front
Local German attacks south of St. Quentin and near Ypres-Staden railway.
Heavy snows continue to hamper any major infantry operations on the Western front.
British anti-aircraft gun in action on the Western Front: © IWM (Q 8363): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946341230870515712
British Captain with his pet dog: © IWM (Q 8345): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946446932595134464

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Red Guards capture Lozoyova and Pavlograd on Kharkov-Crimea railway, occupy Kharkov on December 31.

Southern Front
Local German attacks south of St. Quentin and near Ypres-Staden railway.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops advance another 13 miles near Jerusalem, adding on to their gains from yesterday.

Political, etc
Russia: German Naval Mission under Admiral Graf von Kaiserling arrives at Petrograd.
Old Russian Army ranks abolished; decision in principle to organize new Red Army.
France: French Chamber of Deputies adopts a resolution prohibiting the manufacture of gin.
United Kingdom: National Labour Convention demands general rationing. Churchill letter ‘I am strongly pressing that the cavalry should be put by regiments into the Tanks’.
Charles Masterman of War Propaganda Bureau ‘As a result of the double propaganda, 19 countries have declared war against Germany and 10 have broken off relationships with her’.
United States: Efforts of U.S. Shipping Board bent on steel ships.
Disgraced women and slain children behind them, medals for murder and destruction on the breat and the chunky boots set on a US flag – that’s how the propaganda sees the ‘bestial Germans’: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/bestialischer-deutscher.jpg?ssl=1
US Generals slam the War Department for the shortage of arms, as soldiers are training without guns.
Cold weather and a coal shortages cause two riots in break out in New York City.
Finland: Finnish Republic asks for recognition.
Netherlands: First batch of British prisoners arrives in Holland for internment.

gekkogecko

12-30-2017, 11:18 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: South of Marcoing British regain portions of Welsh Ridge. However, a German attack at Cambrai retakes British lines on a two-mile front and captures several hundred prisoners, further reversing the gains the British had made there last month.
Canadian soldiers walking in the snow: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/946813117815840768

Southern Front
Piave: Heavy snows in the Alps halt infantry actions at the front in Italy, slowing down the German and Austro-Hungarian offensive.
French 47th Division (259 casualties) recaptures Mt Tomba in 25 minutes with nearly 1,564 PoWs. Austrians forced to evacuate Zenso bend bridgehead, Lower Piave. And also storm Austrian trenches east of M. Grappa.
Salonika: Sir R Ross urges the minimum of 15,000 British malaria cases be sent home; 9,000 repatriated by April 30, 1918.
Padua again bombed.
Austro-Hungarian dressing station on the Italian Front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/verwundeten-sammelstelle-ital-front.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Troopship H.M.S. Aragon torpedoed in Mediterranean, by SM UC-34 with the loss of 610 lives. British destroyer Attack mined and sunk off Alexandria by UC-34 while rescuing survivors of torpedoed troopship Aragon (610 lost). Fleet auxiliary Osmanieh sinks on another mine on December 31 (198 lives lost). https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947126406869286913

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British defence of Jerusalem ends (see 26th). British continue advance north; take Bethel, etc.
Turkish casualties since December 27: over 1,558 (558 PoWs) and 9 MGs vs British EEF of 1,360 soldiers, 1 armored car and 2 MGs. Total Turkish losses since October 31, 1917: 28,443.

Political, etc
United States: Tuskegee Institute releases report that 38 African Americans were lynched in the United States this year.

gekkogecko

12-31-2017, 03:03 PM

Western Front
A limited British attack takes 1,018 PoWs and 4 guns. Renewed German attacks on Welsh Ridge repulsed.
183,896 AEF (American Expedition Force) personnel now in Europe.
An American troopship has docked in a French port: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/us-truppentransporter-frankreich.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier looking at the ruins of the Ypres cathedral: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947201904584609793
British horses pulling a dummy tank near the front to fool German planes: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947520302887723008
Canadian soldiers having a meal outside their dugout: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947535375647506432

Eastern Front
Civil war raging in Russia; large numbers of officers have joined General Alexei Kaledin.

Southern Front
Austrians forced to abandon bridgehead in Zenson bend.
Austrians bomb Treviso, Vicenza, Castelfranco and Bassano.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British 1917 Dutch convoys (1,031 ships) lose only 6 ships, but escorts lose 5 destroyers, 9 damaged, and 1 cruiser damaged in collision (520 lives lost).
Baltic: Russians have laid annual record of 13,418 mines.
Allied and neutral December shipping losses to U-boats: 160 ships (76 British, 520 lives lost) worth 382,060t (U-boat figure 411,766t including 148,331t in Mediterranean; 8 U-boats lost, only 2 in Mediterranean). 3,680 portable hydrophone sets now in British service.
Mozambique: ”Progress” reported in East Africa.

Political, etc
Russia: Bolshevik supporters in Petrograd march in the streets to celebrate the ongoing peace negotiations with the Central Powers.
Soviet Government issues a decree recognizing the independence of Finland. Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6th.
France: Elections postponed for duration. Stamp duty on purchases over 10 francs.
French artist Jules Arthur Joet’s painting an equestrian portrait of Field Marshal Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force: © IWM (Q 10195): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947505172426776577
United Kingdom: Lowest working days lost since April. Now 217,000 allotments in urban areas.
Lord Rhondda issues model rationing scheme. Sugar is also restricted to half a pound a week.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): U.S. Justice Department sets February 4 as the date when all German men of fighting age without US citizenship must register with the government and carry a special identification card.
Army strength 485,250; National Guard 416,031; National Army 480,000; Reserve 157,225.
Switzerland: Anglo-Turkish agreement for exchange of prisoners signed at Berne.

gekkogecko

01-01-2018, 02:32 PM

Western Front
German raids near Loos, Mericourt, Beaumont and on other portions of front fail.
German troops again advance at Cambrai against British lines, taking 450 prisoners.
Flanders: BEF strength 1,907,906 (1,192,668 on January 3, 1917). British 4th Tank Brigade formed.
Verdun: French repulse raid at Beaumont, and Chaume Wood flamethrower attack (January 12 and 13), make successful raid to southeast on January 16. Max von Gallwitz in command of Army Group for duration of war.
In January RFC No 19 Squadron first to receive Sopwith Dolphin high-altitude fighter, No 141 Squadron at Rochford, Essex gets and crashes one but used only as day fighter.
Britain: Total air defences have 376 aircraft, 469 anti-aircraft guns, 622 searchlights, 258 height-finders and 10 sound locators.

Eastern Front
German soldiers toasting the New Years. The sign reads, “Comrades in the East already drink for peace.” © IWM (Q 88021): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/947900254300573696

Southern Front
The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) in Salonika is re-equipped with Royal Aircraft Factory SE5As, Bristol Monoplanes and Sopwith Camels to replace the Nieuport 27s previously operating in this theatre. This marked the beginning of British air supremacy on this Salonika front.
Austrians bomb Bassano, Treviso and Mestre (Venice).
Successful British raid across Piave river.
Austrians driven from Zenson.

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Arbutus and Grive (small vessels) reported torpedoed.
Britain: Depth charge production up to 4,647 per month, escorts armed with 30-40 each, use 1,745 per month from June.
Germany: Now 21 German MTBs in service, 14 in Flanders.
Channel: Vice-Admiral Roger Keyes takes over Dover Patrol from Admiral Reginald Bacon.
Biscay: Acting on Room 40 intercepts, armed boarding steamer HMS Duke of Clarence captures Spanish ship Erro Berro (sinks in tow) before she transfers wolfram (ore-producing tungsten) to 2 U-boats which are ambushed unsuccessfully.
Mediterranean: 2 U-boat Flotillas formed, 1st at Pola, 2nd at Cattaro, 7-8 boats on operations in January, including coastal subamrines UB-49 and UB-48 together.
Baltic: Estimated 40,000 sailors have left Russian Fleet for home or interior land fighting.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arab forces begin Actions for Et Tafile (see 28th).
British advance continues north of Jerusalem.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: In January door locks and latches being removed for metal.
Poster calling on the population to support arms production by delivering metal objects: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/plakat-recycling.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm in his New Year’s address: “Trusting in our righteous cause and in our strength, we face the year 1918 with firm confidence and iron will. Therefore, forward with God to fresh deeds and fresh victories!”
In January 2.3m exempted workers, half Field Army eligible.
During January Fokker wins first competition to find obsolescent Albatros fighter replacement.
Russia: Reported German peace term cause consternation in Russia and denounced as annexationist.
France: Inter-allied War Purchases Committee meets in Paris.
In January Seine freezes over for first time in 120 years.
Eastern France: Germans exact 92 million francs from Lille (until October 17).
United Kingdom: M. Litvinov appointed Bolshevik Plenipotentiary in London.
RFP 106%, up 10% during 1917. Sugar rationing (1/2 lb per person per week) plus compulsory
meatless day (two from January 25). Local lard rationing of 2 oz per person per week for 1.5 million people.
British government announces it will house the Air Board offices at the British Museum. This results in controversy and protests, as it would make the museum a military target.
India: Calcutta: All-India Moslem Association formed.
Turkey: 40,594 non-military 1918 deaths in capital (22,244 in 1914)
Belgium: M. Paul Hymans succeeds Baron de Broqueville as Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs (see August 4th, 1917).

gekkogecko

01-02-2018, 05:26 AM

Western Front
British repulse raid near La Bassee.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: All-Russian Board formed for organizing Red Army. Kaiser in Berlin discusses new Russian frontier with Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff.

Southern Front
Austrians bomb Castelfranco, Veneto (west of Treviso); Italians claim they hit hospitals.

Political, etc
Germany: Erich Ludendorff and Carl Hoffmann (effective Eastern Front commander as CoS) part company over latter’s plan to retain only small part of Poland.
Russia: Central Committee of Soviets meets to receive reports of Peace pourparlers. German conditions denounced.
United Kingdom: An Order in Council defines the composition and duties of members of the Air Council and a separate Air Ministry is formed in London.
In January Royal Flying Corps stops enlisting American citizens.
King gives Haig his Field Marshal’s baton at Buckingham Palace, latter urges clear war aims be announced to BEF.
Canada: Newfoundland: Sir E. Morris, Prime Minister, resigns.
United States: U.S.: Statement showing result of American War Mission in Europe issued; urges speedy troop dispatch and merchant ship building; first 100 of 1,500 US farm tractors en route to France.
Outlook magazine article denounces anti-German hysteria especially forced flag kissing.
Stars and Stripes: In the US war loans are provided: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/stars-and-stripes.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

01-03-2018, 11:48 AM

Western Front
Allied air raids on Metz district.
South of Lens British line is advanced slightly.
Alsace: French repulse attack near Anspach with heavy loss.
South African ace Lieutenant Beauchamp-Proctor scores first of 54 victories.
A Bristol Fighter prepares for a mission on a wintry day: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/bristol-fighter-wintry-day.jpg?ssl=1
British soldiers marching through the destroyed village of Metz-en-Couture, France: © IWM (Q 8385): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/948187165233643521
British soldiers practicing a pantomime of “Cinderella” at Bapaume: © IWM (Q 8378): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/948247565094588417

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Ukrainian delegation arrives. Bolsheviks propose moving talks to Stockholm (Central Powers refuse on January 9).

Southern Front
Austrians bomb Treviso and Padua.
British and French troops in Italy successfully carry out raids across the Piave River, capturing Austro-Hungarian and German prisoners.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Royal Flying Corps bomb airfields at El Afule and Jenin (until January 4).

Political, etc
Russia: Sir J. Buchanan, British Ambassador in Petrograd, granted leave of absence (that is, recalled).
France: French novelist Georges Lecomte proposes that the French families should adopt American soldiers for the duration of the war to forge closer ties between the two nations.
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): Edward Burnett Tylor, English anthropologist who founded the subfield of cultural anthropology, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/948172051088658432
The first Air Council is formed and Harold Harmsworth, Lord Rothermere is appointed the first Secretary of State for the Air Force (re-titled Secretary of State for Air from March 1918). Hugh Trenchard first Chief of Air Staff.
Man-power Conference between Government and Trades Unions addressed by Sir A. Geddes.
British Labour Party proposes that the national minimum wage, democratic control of industry, reform of national finance, and use of surplus wealth for the common good be instituted after the war.
Spain: King Alfonso of Spain signs a decree dissolving the government. Elections will be held on February 24.

gekkogecko

01-04-2018, 07:36 AM

Western Front
Further British air raid on Metz district.
British naval aircraft bomb Ghistelles aerodrome near Ghent.
Flanders: U-boat Flotilla has 29 boats (loses 24 subs in 1918).
A German U-boat is leaving the base: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/auslaufen-uboot.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Austrians bomb Mestre, Bassano and Castelfranco.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Rewa sunk by submarine in Bristol Channel by U-55; 4 lives lost.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Edmund Allenby telegram insists on consolidation and capturing Jericho as EEF advances another mile north of Jerusalem.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government in message to the King of the Hejaz declare intentions with regard to future status of Palestine; i. e. that Palestine must have special regime. (see December 17th, 1917 and February 4th, 1918).
Lloyd George warns of food shortages, stating Britain must feed itself. Lord Rhondda, British Food Controller, says that compulsory rationing is necessary: “You have only to tighten your belt.”
Canada: The first group of Canadian men chosen by the draft report for military service.
Japan: A girl selling artificial flowers in Tokyo for victims of storms and floods: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/948884239017218050
Finland: Russian Bolshevik Government and French and Swedish Governments recognise the independence of Finland (see 10th and December 6th, 1917).
Netherlands: Allied request for handing over of Dutch ships in Allied ports formulated (see March 7th).

gekkogecko

01-05-2018, 11:53 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: A claims that strong German attacks on British positions east of Bullecourt repulsed; also two raids near Hollebeke.
However, another source says: On the Western Front, clear weather and frozen ground lead to resumptions of infantry attacks, with German troops capturing British lines east of Bullecourt.
Ypres: German raid repulsed.
British bomb Conflans station.
German stormtroopers undergo realistic training by advancing through a cloud of gas: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/training-sturmtruppen.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: 5 Navy airships (L-46, L-47, L-59, L-58 and SL-20) destroyed by explosions and fire at Ahlhorn (petrol fire under L-59 rear gondola likely, or possibly sabotage), 15 dead.
Men of the 15th Battalion, Royal Scots manning a Lewis gun in the trenches at Croisilles, France: © IWM (Q 10609): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/949005049501552640

Eastern Front
Negotiations again suspended on Russian front.

Southern Front
Artillery activity from Asiago to Adriatic and aerial activity on whole front.
Italy: 74 Royal Flying Corps aircraft serviceable, later 1918 strength varies from 65 to 91.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Lt.-Col. R. Storrs made Governor of Jerusalem.
Aden: British make strong reconnaissance towards Hatum and Jabir and destroy the former.

Political, etc
France: Permits for U.S. soldiers in France to visit Paris are curtailed in the interests of “temperance and morality.”
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George addresses Man-power Conference on War Aims. Envisages peace based on moral principle and League of Nations war alternative. No intention of molesting Turk homelands, Straits to be internationalized. (IOW, Turkey to be dismembered, despite claim of not ‘molesting’ Turkish homelands). The actual text is here: https://wwi.lib.byu.edu/index.php/Prime_Minister_Lloyd_George_on_the_British_War_Aims
Canada: Newfoundland: Mr. Lloyd forms new Cabinet.
Turkey: Turkey communicates peace terms to Russia.
Italy: (Listed for yesterday): The Pope protests the Central Powers’ bombing of Padua, Italy due to the loss of life and the damages caused to priceless works of art and architecture.
Finland: Germany also formally recognizes the independence of Finland from Russia. Then, Greece recognizes the independence of Finland from Russia, becoming the 5th government to do so.
Spain: Spain announces it has dismissed 1500 soldiers and officers from its Army for planning a coup.

gekkogecko

01-06-2018, 10:59 AM

Western Front
British troops recapture lines near Bullecourt taken by the Germans yesterday, but German troops capture French trenches on the Aisne and Verdun fronts.
British soldiers using a collapsed water tower at Riencourt as their billet: © IWM (Q 8392): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/949352333720375297
German fighter ace Walter von Bülow-Bothkamp, who has 28 aerial victories, is killed in action near Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/949625372320071680

Southern Front
Patrol actions between Brenta and Piave rivers.
Austro-Hungarian patrols active north of Costalunga.
Albania: Italians repulse large Austro-Hungarian detachments on Osum river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Arabs raid Hejaz railway south of Maan; Nasir’s 300 Arabs with 1 gun capture Jurf-ed-Derawish Station with over 200 Turks 30 miles north of Maan.
Turkish Arab cavalry on the march: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/turk-arab-cav.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Czech Prague Convention demands sovereign state.
Germany: German socialists denounce German government demands of territory from Soviet Russia. They instead urge no annexations and to uphold the principle of self-determination.
Russia: British agent Major Banting reports ‘On all sides German agents are appearing … buying up existing stocks’.
Lenin takes Finland holiday until January 11.
Finland: Independence of Finland recognized by France.

gekkogecko

01-07-2018, 11:57 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: Germans raid British post near Flesquieres. Another raid near Ypres repulsed.
Meuse: French repulse German attempts at Bethincourt.
Britain: BEF GHQ Intelligence analysis ‘If Germany attacks and fails, she will be ruined.’
British soldiers enjoying coffee supplied by the YMCA near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8398): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/949987752153636870

Eastern Front
Leon Trotsky and Russian peace delegates return to Brest-Litovsk and negotiations continue.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: U-95 (Athalwin Prinz) rammed by sunk by steamer SS Breaneil after sinking 14 ships (37,930t) since mid-1917.
Mozambique: Main body Gold Coast Regiment (500 + 300 carriers) lands at Port Amelia. British column from Fort Johnston engages German-aligned force and drives it northwards.
German Askaris of the ‘Schutztruppe’. They have a wide mixture of uniforms and equipment: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/german-askaris.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: German mathematician Georg Cantor, known for inventing set theory, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/949670674553016323
King Ludwig of Bavaria at his birthday reception declares, “Not an inch of German territory will be give up.”
United Kingdom: Lord Reading appointed High Commissioner to U.S.
British War Office claims a total of 114,544 Central Powers prisoners and 781 artillery guns on all fronts were captured in 1917. In turn, 28,379 British soldiers and 166 artillery guns were captured by the Central Powers.
Italy: Italy calls on all men aged 18 to 44 previously exempted from the draft to present themselves for examination again in order to conscript more manpower.
Portugal: Naval mutiny in Lisbon arrested.

gekkogecko

01-08-2018, 11:30 AM

Western Front
Cambrai: Strong German local attack near Bullecourt repulsed.
Woevre: French make successful raid on large scale near Seicheprey. Legion (141 casualties) brings back 188 PoWs, 16 MGs and 9 mortars.
Sir Douglas Haig's fourth dispatch published. This covers the Battles of Arras, ‘Lens’, Messines and Third Ypres in previous summer, makes the utterly fantastical claim of 131 German divisions defeated.
Philippe Pétain writes to Georges Clemenceau ‘In reality, the 1918 battle will be defensive…‘. He and Haig present strategy together on January 24 and 30, only choice until US arrives in strength.
British soldiers marching through the snow-covered ruins of Ypres: © IWM (Q 8413): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/950371557842530305

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Talaat Pasha arrives to join talks.
German officers meeting with Soviet delegates at Brest-Litovsk to negotiate a peace treaty. The delegates, from right to left, are Leon Trotsky, Lev Karakhan, and Adolph Joffe. © IWM (Q 70777): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/950078349749248000

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Qasr-i-Shirin occupied by British forces (see July 8th, 1917).

Political, etc
Russia: Russian Bolshevik Government withdraw demand for transfer to Stockholm and resume negotiations at Brest-Litovsk (see 5th and 22nd).
Australia: Mr. Billy Hughes and Nationalist Cabinet resign.
United States: President Wilson delivers Message to Congress laying down the "Fourteen Points" (see February 11th). Office of Public Information distributes all over Europe. French Parliament adopts it on January 11. The Fourteen Points are to be found herer: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1324.html
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) attempted to invite the European nations into the League of Nations, but was no supported by the Congress, and was subsequently defeated in the 1920 elections: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/woodrow-wilson.jpg?ssl=1
Mississippi becomes the first state to ratify the 18th amendment, which establishes prohibition of alcohol in the U.S.

gekkogecko

01-09-2018, 05:29 AM

Western Front
Successful raid by Canadians south of Lens.
British soldiers trying to get a car out of a snow-filled ditch: © IWM (Q 8407): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/950401750967734272

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Russo-German negotiations at Brest-Litovsk.
South Russia: White Volunteer Army manifesto by Lavr Kornilov and Mikhail Alexeiev pledges resistance to Reds and Germans.

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Racoon founders in snowstorm off coast of Scotland: all hands lost.
North Sea: Royal Navy destroyers Opal and Narbrough wrecked on rocky Pentland Skerries off Scotland (12 resp 1 survivor from 180).
Western Mediterranean: Convoy escort sloop HMS Cyclamen sinks coastal submarine UB-69 with high-speed paravane off Bizerta.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
War Office announces further Arab activity on Hejaz railway.
Mozambique: Hawthorn’s 3 KAR battalions drive Göring Detachment (3 coys) to east bank of river Lugenda and take Luambala from it on January 15.
A light field gun of the German Schutztruppe fires: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/le-feldgeschuetz-schutztruppe.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Bolsheviks issue appeal for volunteers to march against "Bourgeoisie of the world".
United Kingdom: Beatty memo establishes new Grand Fleet strategy of containing Scheer in his bases rather than fighting at any cost (Cabinet approves on January 18).
Australia: Mr. Hughes forms new ministry.

gekkogecko

01-10-2018, 12:31 PM

Western Front
Britain: Supreme War Council recommend BEF take over more of French sector, and creation of general Allied reserve (January 23). British War Office orders reduction in battalions per division from 12 to 9 thus disbanding 141 battalions and 2 cavalry divisions until March 10 to compensate for insufficient reinforcements (200,000 instead of 615,000 requested).
Somme: British Fifth Army relieves French in St Quentin sector (completed January 14).
Ypres: British trench raid takes prisoners and captures 2 machine guns.
Ammunition depot near Courtrai bombed.
British recruiting poster with the perished popular Secretary of War Kitchener: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/britons-want-you.jpg?ssl=1
(Listed for yesterday): German ace Max Ritter von Müller, who is credited with 36 victories and is the highest scoring Bavarian pilot, is killed in action over Belgium: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/950764148161380352

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Central Powers and Bolsheviks recognize the Ukraine as separate state; latter to be represented at negotiations.
Don: Independent Republic declared under General Alexei Kaledin.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
General Stanley Maude's dispatch of 15 October 1917 issued.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: (Listed for yesterday): The British Air Board abandons plans to move its offices to the British Museum due to logistical difficulties and public protests that the move would make the museum a military target.
British Government assure Russian Bolshevik Government of their support in the creation of an independent Poland (see April 5th, 1917 and February 20th, 1918).
Board of Admiralty reconstituted, with Sir Eric Geddes as First Lord and Sir Rosslyn Wemyss as First Sea Lord.
House of Lords adopts Women's Suffrage clause.
Arthur Balfour’s Edinburgh speech: ‘the horrors of war… are nothing to... a German peace’,
Australia: Conscription Referendum: majority against - 165,000.
Italy: Italy bans the making and sale of cakes, pastry, and confectionery as a measure to conserve food supplies.
Romania: After request on January 6, 3 Romanian divisions cross river Pruth into Bessarabia, enter capital Kishinev on January 26.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): U.S. Cavalry engage with Yaquis warriors in the Battle of Bear Valley in Arizona, resulting in 1 Yaquis death and 9 captured. It is the last armed engagement between the US Army and Native Americans.
US War Cabinet at a meeting today: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/950779251653070849
Finland: Danish and Norwegian Governments recognize the independence of Finland (see 4th).
Guyana: Arthur Chung (the 1st President of Guyana and first ethnic Chinese to become head of state in a non-Asian country) is born in Guyana.

dicksbro

01-11-2018, 02:17 AM

Always those interesting little tidbits ... like Arthur Chung ... and the recognition of Finland by Denmark and Norway. This series is priceless. Thanks for all your work on it GG!

gekkogecko

01-11-2018, 05:21 AM

Western Front
French raids in Argonne, Vosges and Champagne, German one fails south of Anmentieres.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Three columns of British troops pursuing Germans.

Political, etc
Russia: SOVNARKOM (Council of People's Commissars) orders all interest and dividend payments to cease.
France: Waiting for heating coal in Rue du Faubourg Saint-Denis in Paris: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Paris-Kohleschlange.jpg?ssl=1
United States: U.S. Labor supports War Aims declarations.
The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution, which gives women the right to vote, passes the House of Representatives with the required two-thirds majority by a margin of 1 vote.

gekkogecko

01-12-2018, 11:23 AM

Western Front
Northern France: British make successful raid at Loos and disperse four German raids south of Lens and east of Monchy.
Meuse: French repel flame attack on Chaume Wood.
The 1st Battalion of the Russian Legion in France, made up of members of the former Russian Expeditionary Force, head to the trenches of the Western Front.
British soldiers walking through the waterlogged fields near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8429): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/951521717851250694

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: (Listed for yesterday): Soviet Russia agrees to extend its armistice with the Central Powers for another month to negotiate a peace treaty at Brest-Litovsk.
(For today): Russo-German Peace Conference adjourns.

Southern Front
(Listed for yesterday): On the Italian front, German troops are forced to retreat from the area between the Piave and Brenta rivers due to heavy Italian artillery fire.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Pacific: First of three Japanese warships arrives at Vladivostok (Royal Navy cruiser Suffolk from Hong Kong on January 14) to ‘protect’ 600,000t of Allied supplies.
Couple of different sources claim that today, not 9 January is the date of the wrecking of British destroyers HMS Narborough and HMS Opal.
Mozambique: British column disembarks at Port Amelia, in what was then Portuguese East Africa.

Political, etc
Russia: Romanian Minister in Petrograd arrested by Bolsheviks.
Latvia: Latvia declares independence (see November 11th).
France: French War Department takes over all postal and telegraph services in the country.
United Kingdom: Officers pay put up to 10s 6d pd plus child allowances. Workers loot closed food shops in Leytonstone and Wembley.
An explosion occurs in the coal mine of Minnie Pit at Halmer End, England, resulting in 155 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/951778359691837440
United States: (Listed for yesterday): US factories making corsets and covers for automobiles and carriages are ordered by the government to manufacture powder bags. This is the first time in the US during the war where factories are ordered to change production for war goods.
Employment Service organizes women’s division.
US Army institutes DSC (Distinguished Service Cross) and DSM (Distinguished Service Medal) decorations.
Read more at https://ww2-weapons.com/diary-january-12-1918/#i3W1yf7ZcHL2vTzR.99 Medal of honor for the mothers of American soldiers: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/us-mum-medal.jpg?ssl=1

gekkogecko

01-13-2018, 09:11 AM

Western Front
Raid by Canadians north of Lens.
British soldier using a mirror attached to his bayonet as a makeshift periscope: © IWM (Q 8434): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/951900370913124354
British soldiers having a meal in a shell hole near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8441): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952144459998941184
U.S. soldiers in France are ordered not to swear at mules, as mules respond better to kindness than to “cusses.”

Southern Front
Italy: Italian Army has received 300,000 British gas masks.

Political, etc
Russia: Reds continue imprisonment of Romanian Ambassador Diamandi (released January 15 after diplomatic corps protest) and seize Rumanian gold in retaliation for Bessarabia takeover, also order King of Romania’s arrest on January 15.
Lenin and Stalin’s Decree No 13 in Pravda backs Armenian self-determination.
Estonia: Estonian Government issue declaration of independence (see November 28th, 1917 and February 25th and November 11th, 1918).
United States: Worst cold wave in 19 years hits the U.S., as well as multiple snowstorms, exacerbating the coal shortage plaguing the nation.
Norway: Sugar, coffee, corn and meal rationing.

gekkogecko

01-14-2018, 11:58 AM

Western Front
British bomb successfully, by day, Karlsruhe, Thionville and Metz area.
French repulse attacks on Chaume Wood and make successful raid in Lorraine.
Canadian raid north of Lens, successfully destroying German positions and taking prisoners without casualties.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Von Kuhlmann warns Russians that German terms have now reached extreme limit.

Southern Front
Italians advance east of Brenta Valley in Asolone District and to lesser extent in Piave Delta. Italian 22nd Infantry Division reaches Mt Asolone summit, taking 400 PoWs, but forced off until January 16.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German destroyers bombard Yarmouth (Norfolk); six killed, six injured.
Harwich Force (Reginald Tyrwhitt promoted Rear-Admiral today above 48 captains) sails within 90 minutes of shelling starting but unable to intercept until January 15.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Tafile, south-east of Dead Sea, captured by Hejaz troops.

Political, etc
Russia: Attempted assassination of Lenin at Petrograd, after he receives diplomatic corps, and speaks at departure of ‘first volunteers of the Socialist army’. Lenin is unhurt, but Fritz Platten, a Swiss Communist who forced Lenin to take cover from the fire, is slightly injured.
Soldiers of the socialist revolution. A relatively small party of 350,000 men should succeed in bringing a country with 150 million inhabitants under control: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/soldaten-der-revolution.jpg?ssl=1
France: M. Joseph Caillaux arrested on treason charge of ‘peace intrigue’ with Germans during 1915 Argentina visit. Convicted on lesser grounds February 1920 and soon released.
United Kingdom: House of Commons reassembles. Sir A. Geddes introduces Man-power Bill. 420,000-450,000 men needed immediately.
Argentina: Allies sign wheat convention with Argentina.

gekkogecko

01-15-2018, 11:11 AM

Western Front
Lorraine: US I Corps formed (General Hunter Liggett) at Neuf Chateau – 1st, 2nd, 26th and 42nd US Divisions.
US troops with Springfield rifles in front, probably from the ‘Rainbow’ division: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/us-troops-springfield-1917.jpg?ssl=1
A British corporal manning a machine gun at night at Cambrai: © IWM (Q 6969): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952628907169189893

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Czernin receives Vienna’s appeals to make early ‘bread peace’.
British War Cabinet cables General Poole to destroy Allied military stores.

Southern Front
Austrian counter-attacks on new Italian positions are repulsed.
A small destroyed chapel on the Italian front near Romanziol: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952598709187039232
A church damaged by shelling at Tezze sul Brenta, Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952930906624405504

Naval and Overseas Operations
Construction begins on the HMS Hermes, the first ship designed as an aircraft carrier, at Walker, England.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Considerable air and patrol activity in Palestine.
Amman (Hejaz railway) bombed.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Strikes in Austria.
Russia: Bolsheviks issue 24 hours' ultimatum to Romania. Corps Diplomatique secure release of Ambassador. Arrest of King of Romania ordered by Bolsheviks
United Kingdom: Results of Cambrai enquiry published. British War Cabinet satisfied German counterstroke did not surprise BEF commanders, but admits ‘breakdown’.
Draft of compulsory rationing scheme issued to Control Committees.
Italy: Public schools in Venice, Italy reopen today. They were closed when the Austro-Hungarian and German offensive threatened the city last year.
United States: War labor administrator appointed.
Mexico: After January 15, US agent captures German spy Lothar Witzke (alias Russian Pablo Waberski) in Nogales. Sentenced to death in Texas, but commuted and freed 1923.
Egypt: Gamal Abdel Nasser (future President of Egypt) is born in Alexandria.

gekkogecko

01-16-2018, 05:31 AM

Western Front
Verdun: Successful French raid.
British again bomb Metz.
Men of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers with their goat mascot near Sommes: © IWM (Q 10654): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952961112626036736

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Settlement in principle arrived at between Central Powers and Ukraine.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian attack on Italian positions at Cape Sile (lower Piave) repulsed with “heavy” loss.
A church damaged by shelling at Tezze sul Brenta, Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/952930906624405504

Naval and Overseas Operations
Spanish Commissioner guarantees all conditions were observed aboard Hospital ship Rewa.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: General strikes until January 21 over daily bread ration cut (7 1/2 oz to under 6oz) and Brest-Litovsk impasse involve nearly 100,000 workers in Lower Austria alone and Government taken by surprise. Spreads to Hungary on January 18.
Germany: Prussian Finance Minister Hergt declares sufficient American troops cannot reach Europe. Hindenburg letter removes Kaiser’s radical Civil Cabinet chief (for past 10 years) Graf von Valentini (who protests to Crown Prince).
Russia: CEC (Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik) adopts decree forming Red Army.
Soviet Russia sends an ultimatum to Romania demanding the release of detained Russians and punishment for Romanian officials who disarmed Russian troops.
United Kingdom: Committee of Enquiry into expenditure of Government Departments announced. Board of Trade and Munitions Ministry allowed to drill for oil.
United States: U.S. publishes documents referring to Caillaux case.
Fuel Administrator closes all non-war industry east of Mississippi for 5 days (January 18-22) plus nine Mondays to save moving coal.

gekkogecko

01-17-2018, 11:52 AM

Western Front
(Listed for yesterday): French troops carry out a successful raid north of Badonviller in the Vosges, taking 40 German prisoners.
Canadian troops repairing a trench in Lens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/953320978381197317

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: At Brest-Litovsk, Central Powers reject Soviet Russia’s proposal that armies of the Central Powers leave occupied areas before official peace is concluded.
Ukraine: Red Guard drive on Kiev begins, takes Poltava on January 18.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Light cruiser Köln II completed at Hamburg, first of projected 10-ship class, only 5 launched and one other, Rostock II completed on March 28.
Mozambique: British War Office announces progress in East Africa.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Strikes and riots break out in Vienna due to reduced flour rations and the perceived lack of progress in the peace negotiations with Russia.
Emperor Charles cables Ottokar Czernin ‘If peace is not made at Brest-Litovks it will be revolution here, no matter how much there is to eat’.
Emperor Karl I and Empress Zita of Austria-Hungary with Crown Prince Franz Josef Otto: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Kaiser-Karl-Kaiserin-Zita.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: House of Commons defeat a bill that would have extended conscription to Ireland by a vote of 136 to 48.
Romania: Romania ignores Soviet Russia's ultimatum from yesterday, heightening tensions between Romania and Russia soldiers still stationed in the country.

gekkogecko

01-18-2018, 05:31 AM

Western Front
Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard is appointed as the first Chief of the Air Staff. He is succeeded as General Officer Commanding of the Royal Flying Corps in France, by Major General John Salmond.
German raids near Neuve Chapelle and Lens “repulsed”.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Germany refuses undertaking to withdraw troops from Russia. Trotsky breaks off talks, envoys leave to confer at home on January 20.
A professional revolutionary heads for peace talks with a Prussian general. The Germans knew that Russia could not stop their armies, but Trotzky hoped for a revolution in Germany: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Trotzki-Brest-Litowsk.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Italian patrols active on Asiago plateau.

Naval and Overseas Operations
HMS Cavendish (later HMS Vindictive), Royal Navy cruiser converted into an aircraft carrier, is launched. The ship later in the year after completion: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/953714843428810752

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Major-General Lionel Dunsterville arrives at Baghdad (left Karachi on January 6) to head British Mission to Caucasus.
Palestine: British advance at Dura, 12 miles north of Jerusalem.
British bomb Samaria.
Arabia: Arabs capture important Turkish convoy east of Medina.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Hungary: Serious strikes in Budapest.
Russia: Bolsheviks send further two hours' ultimatum to Romania demanding passage of troops.
Constituent Assembly meets in Petrograd and denounces Bolsheviks.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George again addresses Man-power Conference.
Australia: Mr. Hughes' Government defeats "No confidence" vote.
United States: U.S. Senate votes to oppose a planned shutdown of factories tomorrow, which would temporarily put millions of Americans out of work. The shutdown is planned to conserve coal supplies.
Finland: Mannerheim, Army C-in-C since President Svinhufvud’s promise of no Swedish intervention on January 16, takes night train from Helsinki to West coast port of Vaasa.

gekkogecko

01-19-2018, 10:23 AM

Western Front
Raids and counter raids in Cambrai sector.
British soldiers stacking captured German helmets for disposal at Metz: © IWM (Q 8444):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/953956424547266560
Royal Field Artillery horses sheltered near a destroyed church in Ytres, France: © IWM (Q 8446): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/954062126049619968
Squadron of British F.E.2b night bombers at Aire Aerodrome in France: © IWM (Q 11958): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/954357806030782464

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops in Palestine advanced one mile on a four-mile front north of Jerusalem, taking Ottoman prisoners.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Hungary: 86th Infantry Regiment mutinies at Szabadka, 2 other regiments likewise (February 11 and 14).
Hungarian War Loan appeal: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/ung-kriegsanleihe.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: All passenger railroad traffic in Germany is reduced by 60 percent in order to free up capacity for the transport of soldiers and war-related materials.
Russia: Constituent Assembly forcibly dissolved by Bolsheviks.
United Kingdom: In Britain, it is announced that compulsory rationing will go into effect on February 25th.
Turkey: Mustaufi ul Mamalek succeeds Ain ed Douleh as Persian Prime Minister (see November 24th, 1917 and May 3rd, 1918).
Mushaver ul Mamalek succeeds Ala es Sultaneh as Persian Foreign Minister (see June 6th, 1917, and August 10th, 1918).

gekkogecko

01-20-2018, 10:30 AM

Western Front
Two British officers struggling to get through the mud near Arras: © IWM (Q 10626): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/954418233888657408

Eastern Front
Ukraine: French General Georges Tabouis vainly orders Czech Corps to cover Mogilev-Vinnitsa rail line against Germans.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dardanelles: Naval action outside the Dardanelles. Turkish cruiser Midilli (ex-German Breslau) and British monitors Raglan and M28 sunk. Yavuz Sultan Selim (ex-German Goeben) strikes mines and is beached (see 27th). After 65 Royal Navy Air Service raids drop 180 bombs (2 hits), she is refloated and towed into Constantinople end of March. Admiral Calthorpe arrives at Mudros to direct operations on january 25.
SMS Goeben, before she was transferred to Turkish control at the beginning of World War I: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/954659795407130625
English Channel: Sloop H.M.S. Mechanician torpedoed and sunk by UB-35.
North Sea: German torpedo boats A.73 & A.77 mined and sunk; destroyer S.16 likewise.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: (Listed for yesterday): General strike in Austria-Hungary grows, with hundreds of thousands of people stopping work to protest the continuation of war and cuts in rations.
(Listed for today): General strike in Austria-Hungary wanes, as people return to work. However, demonstrations continue in Bohemia and Moravia, fueled by rising Czech nationalism.
Russia: Russian politicians Fyodor Kokoshkin and Andrei Ivanovich Shingarev are murdered in a Petrograd hospital by pro-Bolshevik sailors. The Ministry of Justice later revealed that the murders had taken place with the connivance of the Bolshevik Red Guard and the Commandant of the Hospital, Stefan Basov, who justified the murder on the grounds that there would be 'two less bourgeois mouths to feed'. Basov was brought to trial and convicted, but none of the murderers was ever caught.

gekkogecko

01-21-2018, 11:56 AM

Western Front
French trench raid in Argonne.
British bomb Thionville and Metz district. Royal Flying Corps bomb German Flanders airfields (and on January 23), Roulers (and on January 28), Menin, and Coutrai bombed (January 22).
Germany: Erich Ludendorff makes final decision to launch great spring offensive. D-Day to be March 14.
Lorraine: US 1st Division takes over 8 miles of trenches northwest of Nancy (first casualties January 30).
Flanders: Jan Smuts and Maurice Hankey visit GHQ (until Jnauary 26), find no alternative to Douglas Haig.
Paul von Hindenburg, Emperor Wilhelm II and Erich Ludendorff on the ordnance map: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/hindenburg-kaiser-ludendorff.jpg?ssl=1
German prisoners stacking trees in Eawy Forest, France, while members of the French Native Labor Corps watch over: © IWM (Q 10238): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/955110264701177862

Southern Front
Salonika: 3 Royal Flying Corps aircraft fly to Mudros to share in bombing of battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim (aka Goeben); 7 more aircraft sent on January 22 and 28, return on January 29.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Transport H.M.S. Louvain torpedoed and sunk in Mediterranean by UC-22, resulting in 224 deaths and 16 survivors.
Mozambique: War Office reports ‘further progress’ in East Africa.
British occupy Mwembe.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: 12 Royal Flying Corps DH4s (1 lost to anti-aircraft guns) bomb German Kifri airfield. 2 German aircraft retaliate against Baghdad on January 24, Royal Flying Corps respond against Humr and Kifri airfields (night January 25-26).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Strikes reported at an end, but 7 divisons permanently recalled from fronts and news leaks to Germany. Factory workers to get extra bread rations, at Army’s expense.
Germany: Germany announces agreement with Ukraine.
Emil Jellinek, an entrepreneur at the Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft (later Mercedes-Benz) who introduced the Mercedes 35hp car (named after his daughter), passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/955095162086215680
Russia: Lenin discusses German peace terms with 63 Red leaders, 32 vote for ‘revolutionary war’
France: Ex-Interior Minister Louis-Jean Malvy’s Senate trial (until August 6).
United Kingdom: Sir E. Carson resigns.
Daily Mail attacks General Staff for squandering Britain’s manpower.
Man-power Bill passes Committee stage.

dicksbro

01-22-2018, 01:46 AM

I did not know where the name "Mercedes" came from. Just goes to prove that old saying, "Ya' learn something new every day!" Thanks.

gekkogecko

01-22-2018, 11:42 AM

Western Front
German trench raids near St. Quentin and La Bassee.
Much British bombing at Roulers, Menin and Courtrai.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Russian Bolshevik Government accuse Central Powers of falsification of reports of proceedings (see 8th and 23rd).
Battle of Galati: Romanian troops defeat Russian troops in the country, forcing them to surrender and disarm. The battle was the first time in this war where formerly allied countries purposefully fought each other.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: German and arsenal workers at Pola strike (until January 27) worsening U-boat repair situation (up to 17 per day), although leaders sacked.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Samaria again bombed.
Hejaz Railway: Arabs repulsed from Mudauwara Station despite 3 Royal Flying Corps attacks by 3 planes.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: A claim that the resignation of von Seidler (Austrian Prime Minister) took place; but this makes no sense, as numerous other sources list Ernst von Seidler as serving until July, 1918, and giving his actual title of Minister-President of Cisleithanien.
Ottokar Czernin back in Vienna asks permission to make separate peace if necessary, Austria has only two months grain.
Germany: Food distribution to the German civilian population in the last year of the war: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/lebensmittelausgabe.jpg?ssl=1
France: French government announces it will cut bread rations, starting on the 29th, due to the need to feed arriving U.S. soldiers.
United Kingdom: First meeting of Allied Naval Council in London, including Admirals Ferdinand de Bon and Paolo Revel; agenda including neutral waters and potential fear of Germans seizing Russian Black Sea Fleet.
Basil Thomson (Special Branch) reports ‘a decided increase in letters for an immediate peace’.
Japan: Prime Minister Count Terauchi warns Russia that Japan will intervene in Eastern Asia “if necessary.”
United States: U.S War Department announces it will introduce limited usage of the metric system on maps and on ranges for machine guns and artillery.

gekkogecko

01-23-2018, 05:20 AM

Western Front
Germans occupy trenches east of Nieuport (Belgian Coast) after heavy bombardment. French restore position later.
British bomb aerodromes at Courtrai and Ghent.
Champagne: French trench raid east of Auberive.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Negotiations between Russian Bolshevik Government and Central Powers once more suspended (see 8th, 22nd and 30th). M. Leon Trotsky declares policy of Central Powers to be "a monstrous annexation".

Southern Front
Otto von Below’s German Fourteenth Army headquarter closes.
General Otto von Below of the German 14th Arnym who led the attack against the Italians during the successful Battle of Caporetto. He is now needed on the Western Front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/v-Below.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Action between a British submarine and three German submarines reported from Canary Islands.
Britain: Royal Navy convoy sloops and 20 PC patrol boats (based at Pembroke) no longer to be used as Q-ships (had sailed regularly with convoys but as Q-ships since October 1917).

Political, etc
Russia: Rioting with much bloodshed in Moscow.
Congress of Soviets meets in Petrograd.
British form Allied Petrograd Trade Barter Co to stop supplies falling to Germans. Kerensky reaches Helsinki from Petrograd.
Ukraine: Ukrainian Central Rada proclaims the complete independence of the Ukrainian People’s Republic from Russia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/955524242891837441
France:
United Kingdom: Public Meals Order issued.
Average daily expenditure: 7.5 millions.
Appointment of Sir H. Lawrence to be Chief of the General Staff, France, vice Sir L. Kiggell; other H.Q. appointments announced.
New Army officers to be employed more in staff and higher ranks.
Labour Party Conference meets in Nottingham.
Signor Vittorio Orlando, Italian Prime Minister, arrives in London.
United States: A 5-day shutdown of U.S. industries, caused by coal shortages, ends today, but the nation still faces fuel supply problems.

gekkogecko

01-24-2018, 11:09 AM

Western Front
Great aerial activity in Flanders: Courtrai, Ledeghem and Douai bombed.
Air raids into Germany on Mannheim, Treves and Thionville.
French repulse trench raids north of Aisne river and at Caurieres Wood.
American Marines training to dig a trench in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/955856437628063744
Men of the Indian Labour Corps carrying large saws at a forestry camp in Lyon, France: © IWM (Q 8497): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/955871536384274432
Men of the Gordon Highlanders next the ruins of Arras Cathedral: © IWM (Q 7263): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956174800623472641

Eastern Front
Crimea: Red Guards take Feodosia and Yalta, suppress Tartar counter-revolt.

Southern Front
Italy reports that German and Austro-Hungarian troops have withdrawn from trenches around Monte Tomba. Italians occupy Austrian advanced post at Capo Sile.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Naval aircraft continue to bomb Yavuz Sultan Selim (aka Goeben).
Mozambique: German post at Pamuni Hill taken.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Turkish air raids on Baghdad cause slight damage (until January 25).
Arabia: Fakhri Bey’s 1,000 troops from Amman and Kerak surprise Arabs east of Tafila.
South Persia: Burma Mounted Rifles squadron cause c.105 casualties to robbers at Gumun northeast of Shiraz (and on January 27)
Arab infantry of the Turkish army on the march: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/turk-arab-inf.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
General: Count Georg Hertling and Count Ottokar Czernin (German Imperial Chancellor and Austrian Foreign Minister) make public replies to statements of President Woodrow Wilson and Mr. Lloyd George on War Aims (see 5th and 8th).
Russia: Lenin’s immediate peace policy rejected 9 vs 7 for Trotsky’s ‘no war no peace’.
United Kingdom: Lieut.-General The Hon. Sir H.A. Lawrence appointed Chief of the General Staff, British Expeditionary Force, France [Did not take up appointment till the 27th.]
Mr. Lloyd George and Signor Vittorio Orlando confer.
Lord Rhondda outlines comprehensive scheme of national food distribution; rationing of meat, butter, and margarine will begin February 25.

gekkogecko

01-25-2018, 05:33 AM

Western Front
East of Loos, Germans make trench raid after heavy bombardment.
Great Allied air activity: Courtrai, Tournai, Ghent and Douai districts heavily bombed by British and Thionville, Freiburg and Ludwigshafen by French.

Eastern Front
Fight between Romanians and Bolsheviks at Galatz.

Southern Front
Piave: British 5th Division relieves Italian VIII Corps (until January 27).
The new Italian commander-in-chief General Armando Diaz with a British divisional commander on the Piave: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/diaz-brit-co.jpg?ssl=1
German Südarmee disbanded.
American Red Cross ambulance drivers in Milan, Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956205003282186247

Naval and Overseas Operations
Unsuccessful bombing of Yavuz Sultan Selim continues.
Mozambique: War Office report progress in East Africa.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British bomb troops south of Shechem.
General Edmund Allenby's despatch issued.
Arabia: Battle of Tafila: Lawrence’s 600 Arabs (c.100 casualties) destroy Fakhri Bey’s force (over 200 PoWs, 2 guns, 27 MGs). Turks evacuate Kerak and retreat to Amman, Lawrence later awarded DSO. Turkish Fourth Army (Djemal Kuchuk) put under Falkenhayn with German CoS Major Papen.

Political, etc
Central Powers: Germany and Austria-Hungary rejects Allied peace conditions, particularly on the point that Alsace-Lorraine be returned to France.
Russia: Red Commissar of Military Affairs orders sailors to stiffen all detachments sent to the interior.
United Kingdom: 36th Meeting of Irish Convention considers letter from Prime Minister.

gekkogecko

01-26-2018, 10:04 AM

Western Front
Germans report they stage air attacks on Dunkirk, Calais and Boulogne.
Germany: OHL publishes The Attack in Position Warfare, bible of 1918 offensives, stresses attack in depth with air support.
Somme: British Fifth Army relieves French Third Army from St Quentin south to Barisis, south of river Oise until January 30.
Flanders: Haig dines with Asquith (visiting his surviving son).
Funeral for a Canadian officer killed in action on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956552268131815424
Australian soldier in a flooded communications trench: © IWM (E(AUS) 1497): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956612681338904577

Southern Front
Austrian attempt at Capo Sile repulsed.
Austrians bomb Mestre and Treviso; Italians claim that they damage hospitals.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Submarines sunk Dublin steam packet S.S. Cork and Spanish steamer Giralda.
U-boats’ costliest day of the war.
Channel: Returning U-109 blown up in Dover Barrage (only 5 High Seas Fleet boats try it outward bound in January). Note: U-109 may actually have been lost two days later. Destroyer HMS Leven depth charges and sinks coastal submarine UB-35 north of Calais.
St George’s Channel: Royal Navy PC.62 rams and sinks U-84. The vessel responsible is sometimes listed as a United States patrol craft, but as far as I can tell, no US vessel was issued this hull number. There was, in fact, an HMS PC.62 . The US did use the PC-designation, but as a follow-on to the earlier SC, so any 62 hull numbers should have been under that category (there was in fact, an USS SC-62). HMS PC.62 however, was a modification of the British P-class patrol sloops, the PC-class sloops being those P-class that were modified as Q-ships.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Battle of Tafila: Turkish attacks near Tafila and Maan repulsed by Hejaz troops.

Political, etc
Germany: With the popular Hindenburg war bonds are advertised in Germany: ‘Times are hard, but the victory is certain’: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/hindenburg-kriegsanleihe.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Ukraine declares its complete independence.
Provisional Siberian Government elected by Regional Government at Tomsk.
Ensign Krylenko, acting Soviet Russian Commander in Chief, naval troops: “We are against the whole world. We shall fight for the revolution, and the revolution alone.”
Canada: 4,036 RFC airmen trained in past year (34 fatal accidents); 200 trained pilots per month sent to Britain in 1918.
United States: President Woodrow Wilson cancels all engagements today due to catching a cold.
Finland: Red Guards mobilize at midnight.