Actual History: 100 Years Ago Today

[dicksbro]

I got the message that the first photo ... a Canadian officer's funeral ... does not exist. Could the URL be incorrect? Just asking.

Series is excellent!

[gekkogecko]

Hm, that was an odd entry: it double-posted from the site I posted. Wonder if they fixed the "double" by eliminating that particular one. I'll see if I can track it down. In the meantime:

Western Front
Lieut.-General Sir L.E. Kiggell, Chief of the General Staff, British Expeditionary Force, France, resigns (see 24th, and December 22nd, 1915).
Treves bombed by British, Conflans and Metz district by French.
Naval aircraft bomb Aertrycke and Engel.
Royal Flying Corps Second Lieutenants Scholtz and Wookey (PoWs on October 17, 1917 near Cambrai when shot down in Bristol Fighters) sentenced to 10 years penal servitude for dropping anti-war leaflets behind German lines on Western Front.
A trench message dog waits for a British officer to complete writing a note: © IWM (Q 6476): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956976335624294400

Southern Front
Trentino: (Asiago) Sassari Brigade and 4 Alpini battalions surprise attack and recapture Cols del Rosso and d’Echele with Mt Carone (until January 29) provoking 4-division counter-attacks that yield 2,500 PoWs, 6 guns and 100 MGs for 5,240 casualties.

Naval and Overseas Operations
The Yavuz Sultan Selim refloated inside the Dardanelles (see 20th).
Cunard liner S.S. Andania torpedoed off Ulster coast by U-46. The passengers are saved, but 7 crew are killed.
Argentine S.S. Ministro Iriondo torpedoed by Germans.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turkish Dead Sea Flotilla seized by Arab camelry at El Mezraa.
Mesopotamia: General Dunsterville's Mission leaves Baghdad for North-West Persia (see February 17th).
British soldiers of the mission of General Dunsterville on the march through northern Mesopotamia towards the Russian oil fields of Baku in the Caucasus: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Dunsterville-Marsch-Baku.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Bolshevik Government breaks off diplomatic negotiations with Romania, latter’s legation leaves Petrograd on January 28.
Grand Duke Nicholas Konstantinovich of Russia, the grandson of Tsar Nicholas I, died of pneumonia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956915937948598273
France: French Food Minister Victor Boret says France will stop importing coffee to free up ships for the transportion of troops and other materials.
United States: U.S. government bans the production of white bread. Instead “Victory Bread,” containing 5-20% of other cereals, must be produced.
Finland: Fighting breaks out in Kämärä, Finland between the Communist Reds and the Whites, resulting in a Red victory. The Finnish Civil War begins.

[gekkogecko]

Indeed, there is only one of the double-post from yesterday See if this is the correct link:
Funeral for a Canadian officer killed in action on the Western Front:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/956582471260364801

[dicksbro]

That worked ... thank you! Hard to believe there's only a bit more than 9 months left in this titanic struggle.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Britain: Airplane raid on London: 67 killed, 166 injured; one enemy machine down. A 660lb bomb from the Giant R 12 hits London Odhams Press, Long Acre (118 casualties of night’s total 233). This raid carried out by 3 Gothas and 1 Giant actually reaching London; overall, 13 Gothas and 2 Giants were dispatched, 7 Gothas and 1 Giant attacked somewhere in England, and 3 Gotha & 1 Giant reached London. Record 103 defence sorties (1 Bristol Fighter lost to Giant R 12, 1 Sopwith Camel shot down by own anti-aircraft fire). The first unqualified air combat victories at night against another airplane takes place, when two Sopwith Camels of No.44 Squadron, piloted by Hackwill and Banks, shoot down a Gotha bomber, and the loss of the Bristol Fighter during this raid. Banks’ Camel is special (3-gun) model with illuminated Neame ringsight.
Western Front: All British aircraft leaflet-dropping stopped (until October 31); balloons instead.
French make two small attacks in Champagne and one in Upper Alsace.
Air attacks by British on Roulers and other aerodromes.
German trench raid “repulsed” between Lens and Arras.
Chinese Labour Corps members in Crecy Forest, France put on a sword display: © IWM (Q 8515): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957331150023938049
British soldiers fishing over the Yser Canal in Belgium. One is using his rifle as a fishing rod: © IWM (Q 10637): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957668360325681152

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): 9 Red Guard battalions take Helsinki but Mannerheim seizes Vaasa and Russian garrisons (5,000 PoWs, 37 guns, 34 MGs, 8000 rifles for 20 casualties until January 31).
Kullervo Manner is appointed Prime Minister of the Finnish Socialist Workers’ Republic, a rebel state: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957653262387372032
Ukraine: Heavy fighting between Bolsheviks and Ukrainians at Lutsk.
Don: Cossacks mutiny and depose Alexei Kaledin.

Southern Front
Italians attack between Asiago and Brenta Valley and capture Col del Rosso and 1,500 prisoners.
“Suspicious” Italian civilians are escorted by Austro-Hungarian troops across a field in Veneto: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957592863004594177

Naval and Overseas Operations
Further naval air attacks on Aertrycke and Engel.
Submarine Depot Ship (converted from a torpedo-gunboat) H.M.S. Hazard sunk in collision in Channel.
Dardanelles: HM Submarine E.14 (11 survivors PoWs) mined (another source says accidental internal explosion, forcing it to surface, and subsequently shelled and sunk) and sunk off Kum Kale in vain attempt to torpedo Yavuz Sultan Selim. (Lieutenant Commander G S White posthumous Victoria Cross in only Royal Navy vessel to have 2 captains with VC).
Picture of the crew: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957576514077421568
The British submarine E.11, sister to the E.14, operated since 1915 in the Dardenelles and managed to sink the already obsolete Turkish pre-dreadnought Barbaros Hayreddin.
Spain: U-boat torpedoes SS Giralda, Government protests on February 6.
Mozambique: Ankwalu occupied by British.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Battle of Tafila: Actions for Et Tafile by the Arab forces end (see 1st).
War Office reports further operations near Hejaz railway.

Political, etc
Germany: Great strikes in Berlin, (until February 4). More than 100,000 people demonstrating in the streets of Germany to protest food shortages and the continuation of the war.
Russia: Romanian Legation ordered to leave Petrograd.
Lenin orders ‘Send grain, grain and again grain! Otherwise Petrograd will starve to death … for God’s sake!’
Council of People’s Commissars in Soviet Russia issues a decree forming the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army.
Estonia: Baron Eduard Dellinghausen invites Germans to occupy Estonia.
Romania: Ion Bratianu Cabinet resigns.
United States: Secretary of War Mr. Newton Baker makes statement on strength of Army.
(Listed for yesterday): U.S. government fires all lobbyists and lawyers employed by the railroads. American railroads were nationalized last December.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Another airplane raid on London: bombs dropped in outskirts, 10 killed, 10 wounded. This raid is carried out by 3 of 4 Giants sent; defences misidentified them as 15 Gothas. Major Murlis Green (No 44 Squadron Commander) attacks R 25 (hit 88 times) from close range but discovers new RTS ammo explodes prematurely; 4 other fighters (out of 73 sent up) also attack without success (night January 29-30).
Five engined Zeppelin Staaken ‘Giant’ (Likely the R-V, of which only one example was built): https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Zeppelin-RXV-02.jpg?ssl=1
Cambrai: Successful British trench raids and patrol encounters near Havrincourt and Bullecourt.
Royal Naval aircraft bomb Coolkerke aerodrome (Bruges).
Allied air raid on Zeebrugge.

Eastern Front
Ukraine: One report says Red troops take Kiev and Odessa. A separate report says: Ukrainian-Soviet War heats up, with Soviet Russian troops attacking a smaller Ukrainian force, made up of mostly students, near Kruty. While the Ukrainians lose the battle, they slow down the Russian advance towards Kiev.
Pro-Soviet workers in the Kiev Arsenal launch an armed uprising in the Ukrainian capital: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/958016930010615811

Southern Front
Italian attack continues, Monte di Val Bella captured.
Surrendered Austro-Hungarian soldiers being escorted by the Italians after they were captured at Monte di Val Bella: © IWM (Q 65285): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957970358187020289

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: German-aligned native forces driven down Lujenda Valley towards Mtarika.

Political, etc
France: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, Canadian poet and physician known for writing the poem “In Flanders Fields,” passed away at the front due to pneumonia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/957683464668635136
United Kingdom: Signor Vittorio Orlando's visit to London; official communique records “complete understanding.”
Switzerland: Enver Pasha and Basil Zaharoff hold fruitless talks, former says Kaiser has told him ‘the future of Mesopotamia and Palestine would be decided on the French front’.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
The Victoria Cross is awarded to Captain J.B. McCudden of No.56 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, for "conspicuous bravery, exceptional perseverance, keenness and very high devotion to duty.": https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/images/aviation_timeline/british-military-aviation/1918/thumbs/p004061.jpg
France: First of 31 Gotha raids on Paris (259 casualties), 267 bombs (14t) dropped by 30 Gothas in 30 minutes (1 shot down).
BEF now deployed from Houthulst Forest, northeast of Ypres, to Barisis, northwest of Laon.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Negotiations between Russian Bolshevik Government and Central Powers again resumed (see 23rd, and February 10th).
Royal Navy Air Service Armoured Car Squadron rear party sail from Murmansk (until February 1).

Southern Front
Battle dies down on Asiago plateau; Italians gain ground along Frenzela Gorge and at Val Bella and Rosso, claiming an additional 1,100 prisoners.
Church in Enego, Italy, currently occupied by the Austro-Hungarians, after it suffered artillery damage from the Italians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/958318924466147328

Naval and Overseas Operations
Brazil to send naval squadron to Europe.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British line advanced near Arnutiya, 12 miles north of Jerusalem.

Political, etc
Germany: German strikes spread to Kiel, Munich and Hamburg.
Poster of the German War Office against strikes: ‘What Hindenburg thinks about strikes!’: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/hindenburg-streiken.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: White politicians form Constitutional Council at Rostov.
Lenin orders 25,000 rifles and 30 MGs for Russian troops in Finland.
France: Allied War Council meets at Versailles.
France announces it will increase the rights of Algerians fighting in the French Army, such as by opening up all ranks and decorations for Algerians, equaling pay, and giving pathways for naturalization.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Western Front: In January Record of 18 Jastas (including 48-63) formed after 7 in December 1917; 14 new airfields opposite BEF Fifth Army.
Germany: In January monthly aviation fuel delivery 6,000t only 50% of target.
Britain: During January 3 National Aircraft Factories begin production (5 more by July).
British soldiers trying out a pillory they found in Bapaume, France: © IWM (Q 10646): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/958394435154432000
Australian soldier at a mine rescue station at Hulluch, France. The apparatus helps him breath in the tunnels underneath the trenches: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/958712778948333571

Eastern Front
Ukraine: (Listed for yesterday): The city of Kiev, Ukraine is paralyzed as the Bolshevik uprising strengthens and many other workers also go on strike.

Southern Front
Strong Austro-Hungarian counter-attack on Monte di Val Bella defeated.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: U-boat minelayers attempt until late September to seal off Forth to Grand Fleet and Norwegian convoys with batches of 36 mines at 10-mile intervals in a semi-circle, but after third batch British locate and sweep without Germans realizing.
‘Battle of May Island’: In sortie with 5 battlecruisers from Rosyth 2 K-class submarine flotillas suffer record disastrous night collisions in which K.4 and K.17 are lost (103 die); 2 others damaged along with battlecruiser Inflexible and cruiser Fearless (night January 31 to February 1).
Admiral Frederick Sturdee leaves Grand Fleet to be C-in-C the Nore, Vice-Admiral Sir M Browning takes over 4th Battle Squadron.
Allied and neutral shipping lost to U-boats: 123 ships (57 British with 291 lives) worth 302,088t (British 179,973). U-boat figure 160 ships worth 295,630t including 61 ships of 141,166t in Mediterranean (7 of 26,020t to Austrians); 10 U-boats sunk (3 unknown cause).
Germany: World’s largest destroyer S-113 launched at Elbing (Baltic) by Schichau, 2415t and 347ft overall with 4×5.9in guns, 4 torpedo tubes and 40 mines. Top speed 36 kts but poor seakeeping prevents her and 6 others launched by Armistice from being operational.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Two Royal Flying Corps Spads shoot down German two-seater near Falluja but crew escape. RFC loses 4 aircraft to engine failure in month.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Colonel-General Boehm-Ermolli made Field Marshal.
Germany: Martial Law in Berlin, Hamburg, etc.; Trade Unions refuse strike pay. Several factories militarized, many workers drafted. OHL prepares divisions for home use.
Russia: Third Soviet Congress adopts ‘Fundamental Law of Land Socialisation’ (decree published on February 19) and replaces Julian with Gregorian Calendar.
Red 1st Northern Flying Column (including 400 sailors) takes Orenburg (Urals) from Ataman Dutov.
Lenin as a hero of the revolution: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/lenin-held-der-revolution.jpg?ssl=1
France: Gare de Lyons ticket offices ‘besieged’ following German air raid on Paris.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Royal Flying Corps: The 41st Wing is renamed VIII Brigade.
France: In February 3 Italian Caproni bomber squadrons arrive (until February 19), fly 68 operations for 22 casualties by Armistice. Royal Flying Corps 41st Wing becomes 8th brigade. 4 Gotha bomber squadrons raid Paris, 45 die.
During February the French Army adopts lighter, more comfortable ARS gas mask (5 million made).
A funeral for a French officer at the front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/958758076491976704
Britain: Prince Albert (future King George VI) joins RNAS HMS Daedalus at Cranwell, Lincs, becomes OC No 4 Squadron Boy Wing (Captain in RAF from April 1). RFC fighter squadron aircraft establishment increased from 18 to 24; Sopwith Camel squadrons thus by March 21.
Germany: JG 2 (Captain Adolph von Tutschek) formed from Jastas (each 14 aircraft) 12, 13, 15 and 19 plus JG 3 (Captain Bruno Lorzer) from Jastas 2, 26, 27 (Goering) and 36. Another 12 Jastas including Nos 68-75 formed in February.
North Sea: US Air Service takes over Dunkirk seaplane station.
Artois: New German Seventeenth Army formed under Otto von Below.
Occupied Belgium: At Charleroi Bavarian Captain Bomschlegel restores during February 30 British Cambrai Mk IV tanks to an operational state for German use.

Eastern Front
5 German divisions transfer to Western Front during February.
Russia: Yeremeyev forms Soviet I Corps at Petrograd.

Southern Front
During February new high-speed Italian Ansaldo SVA5 two-seater introduced (1,200 built), improves long-range and photo reconnaissance work.
An Italian SVA5 flies a reconnaissance mission: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/SVA5-im-flug.jpg?ssl=1
Salonika: During February RFC now have up to 8 SE5as enabling it to destroy up to 4 German aircraft (January 31 and February 5).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Sir E. Geddes (inaccurately) states submarines being sunk as fast as Germany can build them.
Channel: From February High Seas Fleet U-boat flotillas abandon Dover Straits route due to mine barrage, but 29 Flanders boats use route in February.
North Sea: Royal Navy minelayers lay a deep minefield off the Skaw (Kattegat).
France: In February physicist Langevin begins sea test of quartz transducer off Toulon, detects submarine for first time at up to 5 miles-this is what was later known as ASDIC or active sonar.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Extension of the British East Persia Cordon into Khorasan begins. [In relief of Russian forces withdrawn by Bolshevik Government.] (see July 29th, 1915)

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austrian Naval mutiny at Cattaro. Initial demands for better treatment were soon replaced by political demands and a call for peace. Sailors initially demand better living conditions, then peace without annexation, and demobilization, but fail to win army garrison or German U-boat personnel. Mutiny collapses on ultimatum and arrival of 3 battleships from Pola. 3 leaders flee to Italy in seaplane, c.800 men removed from ships, 40 tried and 4 executed. Emperor Charles sends Archduke Admiral Stephen to conduct inquiry.
Germany: German strikes die down.
Ukraine: Central Powers recognise the Ukraine Republic (see 9th, and November 20th, 1917).
United Kingdom: British Foreign Office rejects Centrobalt idea of Britain paying Russian fleet.
United States: U.S. currently spends $39 million a day on the war, of which $15 million is used as loans for the Allies.
Greece: Mutiny of Greek troops at Lamia suppressed; M.M. Skouloudhis and Lambros arrested. King Alexander visits, refuses clemency to ringleaders and orders shooting of 2 who plunder a village.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
France: End of Supreme War Council meeting. Supreme War Council sanctions Allied General Reserve for Western, Italian and Balkan Fronts. Foch submits plan for 17 divisions behind Western Front and 13 on Italian on February 6. On February 12 Petain and Haig oppose then compromise on a 12-mile extension of BEF line.
U.S. troops reported in front line.
Men of the Kite Balloon Section rearing rabbits at Biefvillers: © IWM (Q 12143): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959111648660410370
Telegraph wires weighed down by heavy frost in Albert, France: © IWM (Q 6483): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959368322377797632

Naval and Overseas Operations
The HMS K.4 beached, after the disastrous operation known as the “battle” of May island: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959013488252391424
East Africa: Last 6 Royal Flying Corps planes withdrawn by February 9.
One of the British Voisin planes in East Africa, which was used for reconnaissance and for connecting flights. In addition there were also some Caudrons: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/brit-Caudron-Ostafrika.jpg?ssl=1
An ammunition train destroyed at Ytres, France: © IWM (Q 8450): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959458931625086976

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: (Listed for yesterday): Sándor Wekerle, the Prime Minister of Hungary, states: “Our readiness for peace is sincere and earnest. We never strove nor do we strive for conquests.”
Germany: Strikes and antiwar demonstrations in Germany continue, but dwindle in intensity, as workers are threatened with punishment if they do not go back to work. Several socialist and labour leaders have been imprisoned.
Russia: Russia issues a decree separating the church from state and school.
France: National Office of Disabled and Discharged Soldiers formed.
Netherlands: The Netherlands bans the serving of tea in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and other establishments due to lack of supplies caused by the war.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
About 185 German divisions on Western Front.
Allied propaganda poster celebrates politicians and generals as ‘giants of democracy’. Britain’s Lloyd George, Haig, US President Wilson and General Pershing and France’s Foch: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/giants-of-democracy.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): 1,600 White Guards capture Oulu in north and clear up to Swedish border until February 6. In center, Reds vainly assault White line from February 2 to 12.
An Austro-Hungarian prisoner of war with a violin returning from captivity in Russia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959474048458739712

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice, Padua, and other towns in Venetian plain.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: The mutiny of Austro-Hungarian sailors at Cattaro (Kotor) is crushed by loyalist forces, and around 800 mutineers are imprisoned. They had been demanding better treatment and the end to war.
Germany: Berlin garrison commander tells strikers return to work or be shot. Across Germany, 150 people are imprisoned, and 50,000 people are slated to be drafted into the army and sent to the front.
France: Following the German air raid on Paris last week, measures have been taken to protect artworks such as by placing sandbags around statues and taking down paintings and stained-glass windows to be stored safely.
United Kingdom: British Government announce enlargement of powers of Supreme War Council at Versailles (see November 7th, 1917, and December 1st, 1917).
Belgium: A pro-Flemish independence march in Antwerp in German-occupied Belgium. German authorities are alleged to have purposefully heightened divisions in the country: © IWM (Q 79588): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959792387374673920
Switzerland: American George D Herron meets Austrian Imperial adviser Heinrich Lammasch in low-level abortive peace feelers.
Sweden: Finnish Stockholm Minister on own initiative requests Swedish intervention, Prime Minister refuses, suggests mediation on February 4. The Finns cable Berlin.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Considerable aerial activity; more American troops occupy portions of western battle front.
Lorraine: Count Felix Bothmer (ex-Eastern Front Suedarmee) in command of new German Nineteenth Army for duration of war.
A British observation balloon falling down in flames after being shot by German aircraft over Boyelles: © IWM (Q 11972): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/959838933474521089
A British 12-inch howitzer mountain on a railway carriage near Arras: © IWM (Q 8466): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960110701422563330

Eastern Front
Ukraine: The Bolshevik uprising in Kiev is put down, but Soviet Russian forces are approaching the Ukrainian capital.
General Alexei Kaledin reported to have relinquished leadership of Cossacks to General Mikhail Alexeiev. General Alexeiev with Don Cossacks moves towards Moscow against the Bolshevik forces (see 13th), the ‘Ice March’.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Mtarika occupied by British troops.

Political, etc
France: Bolo Pasha trial commences; death sentence (February 14, executed at Vincennes April 17), had received German funds to corrupt press.
The poster calls on French civilians and soldiers to pay attention to enemy agents and spies: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/silence.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: British Government make declaration to King of the Hejaz reaffirming their pledges as to freeing the Arab peoples (see October 24th, 1915, December 15th, 1916, December 17th, 1917, and January 4th, 1918).
Canada: Canadian government orders the suspension of factories in eastern Canada on February 9, 10, and 11 to conserve fuel.
United States: German Aliens registration week.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French airmen bomb Saarbrucken junction.
Western Front: Lieutenant Thompson of 103rd Aero Squadron (mainly Lafayette Escadrille veterans) first American fighter pilot serving in US forces to score in air combat. AEF has 225 aircraft (9 squadrons) on February 1.
An American fighter squadron, equipped with British S.E.5a.: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/US-Fliegereinheit-SE5a.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Venice Mestre, and Treviso are bombed by Austro-Hungarian and German bombers for a second day in a row.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British S.S. Tuscania carrying United States troops, sunk by submarine off Irish coast, 166 US soldiers, 44 crew lost. (The only loss sustained by U.S. transports when under British naval escort).
SS Tuscania, sunk by the German submarine UB-77: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960473106950352897

Political, etc
Germany: Representatives from the Central Powers governments meet in Berlin to discuss food shortages and the ongoing peace negotiations with Russia and Ukraine.
Russia: First Duma of Independent Siberian Republic opens.
France: 3,000 people in Roanne (Loire Department) protest against bread shortage, burn cotton magnate’s house, looting (until February 6) but riots ends by February 26.
United Kingdom: Food Ministry offers amnesty to food hoarders.
Andrew Bonar Law says that German U-Boats have killed 14,120 British civilians over the course of the war.
United States: Captain Franz Rintelen and 10 other Germans fined and imprisoned for trying to sink British SS Kirk Oswald. Committee on Public Information appeals to public not to shoot US Signal Corps carrier pigeons.
American soldiers parading down 5th Avenue in New York before sailing to Europe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960231510031859712

[dicksbro]

More good, good stuff! Thanks.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
First US Royal Flying Corps squadron (No 17) arrives (left Texas December 19, 1917), 9 more follow until March.
Reprisals threatened if British leaflet-scattering airmen improperly treated.
Bulgarian soldiers on the Western Front after being transferred from the East: © IWM (Q 87426): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960580056698548227

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Peace negotiations between Soviet Russia and the Central Powers at Brest-Litovsk is in a deadlock over the status of Ukraine. Ukraine is also negotiating separately with the Central Powers.

Political, etc
Russia: German language Red broadcast from Tsarkoe Selo calls for military revolt and Kaiser’s murder.
Bolshevist campaign against Orthodox Church rousing opposition.
France: This French poster calls for women’s suffrage. Through the increased involvement of women in the world of work during the war, they gained the right to vote in Britain in 1918, while in France they had to wait until 1945: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/frauenwahlrecht.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Electoral Reform Act passed, 6 million WOMEN OVER 30 RECEIVE VOTE, Commons enlarged by 37 members to 707
Romania: German Government send ultimatum to Romania demanding peace negotiations within four days (see 25th).
M. Ion Bratianu, Romanian Premier, resigns (appointed January 14th, 1914) (see 9th). General Alexandru Averescu forms new Cabinet on February 9.
United States: President Wilson asks for new powers to reorganize the Government and war machine.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
British soldiers smoking and sharing jokes in the trenches at Cambrin: © IWM (Q 8458): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960957551226642433
British troops carry out successful raids against German lines east of Armentieres and at Queant, France, taking several German prisoners.
British officers wading through a communication trench that has been muddied by thawing snow at Essigny, France: © IWM (Q 10681): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/961223127656271872

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Kaiser orders Richard von Kühlmann to end talks and demand Baltic States.
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): Civil war in Finland still raging.

Southern Front
Salonika: King Alexander visits British including Struma front on February 9.
Italian Front: King Albert of the Belgians visits until February 9, ‘I thought that the Italian Army was more disciplined than ours’.
(Listed for yesterday): American Red Cross distributing gifts to Italian soldiers in the trenches along the Piave River: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960836739609874432

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: (Listed for yesterday): Gustav Klimt, Austrian symbolist painter https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960927350669172737 known for works such as the “Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I” https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/960927350669172737 , passed away.
France: Decree creates 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: Britain makes a call for Jews holding British or other Allied citizenship to serve in the British Army to fight against the Ottomans in Palestine.
Romania: British Foreign Office cables to Jassy urging no separate Romanian peace.
C-in-C Alexandru Averescu promises Col Colin Ballard to try and stop munitions going to Central Powers.
United States: Former President Roosevelt undergoes surgery for fistula and abscesses in his ears, but contracts an infection during the process.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
General Luigi Cadorna succeeded by General Gaetano Giardino on Versailles Committee.
Repulse of Germans on Chemin des Dames.
Britain: London Air Defence Area has 200 aircraft, 323 searchlights, 249 anti-aircraft guns.
Germany: French bombers attack Saarbrücken.
A British officer and a kitten at his dug-out at Essigny, France: © IWM (Q 10679): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/961298699237421056

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): Mannerheim moves Headquarter inland to Seinajoki rail junction, first 5 Swedish officers join him on February 10.
The Czech Legion in Russia: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Czech-Legion.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: British destroyer Boxer sunk by collision in English Channel with SS St Patrick. 1 crewman is killed.
Irish Sea: Only 3 Q-ships now based at Queenstown.
Mediterranean: Revel memo detailing Italy’s weak maritime situation shocks Allies in Rome conference (until February 9) which concentrates on Otranto Barrage. British mobile concept approved. US Admiral Sims presents plan for Adriatic offensive involving 30,000 troops, 25,000 mines and 5 US battleships to seize Curzola Island and attack Cattaro. First Sea Lord Geddes goes on to tour Mediterranean bases, urging end to shipping delays (until February 17).

Political, etc
Russia: Vladimir Lenin and Leon Trotsky slandered by Paris press to be receiving pay from German agents.
United States: R. M. McElroy, a history professor at Princeton, calls for the Frederick the Great statue in Washington DC to be melted down and made into bullets.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Somme: GHQ allows Gough (Fifth Army) to conduct fighting withdrawal before expected spring offensive.
French troops with a bomb thrower in a trench at La Ville-aux-Bois: © IWM (Q 70053): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/961615890402996224

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Peace signed at Brest-Litovsk between Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey and the Ukraine Rada; also supplementary Treaty between Central Powers and The Ukraine; borders of new Ukrainian State defined (see 1st and January 3rd). Treaty includes a provision of 1 million t food for Polish Kholm land.
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/961918883794956290
Pavlo Skoropadsky, Hetman of the Ukraine, talks to the Kaiser: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ukraine-hetman-kaiser.jpg?ssl=1
Ukraine: (Listed for yesterday): City of Kiev falls to the advancing Soviet Russian forces as the Ukrainian government retreats to Zhytomyr.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Embargo on Dutch commercial cables provisionally raised.
Economic Council sits in London.
Bertrand Russell is sentenced by a British court to 6 months in prison for opposing the U.S. entering the war on the Allied side.
Canada: Canada observes “heatless” days, where factories not deemed essential will be shut down for three days starting today.
Turkey: First Women’s Labour battalion (male officers initially) attached to First Army.
Romania: New Romanian Cabinet formed, with General Alexandru Averescu as Premier and Foreign Minister (see 6th, and March 12th).
United States: Disease spreads across U.S. Army and National Guard camps, with 117 soldiers dying of “pneumonia” in just one week.
American Museum of Natural History hosts a “Whale Steak Luncheon” to promote alternative food sources to combat food shortages and rises in price caused by the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/961677290412363777

[gekkogecko]

Some significant political developments today:
Western Front
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members tending to the graves of fallen British soldiers: © IWM (Q 8468): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962039694031601665

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Order given for demobilisation of Russian forces.

Southern Front
Renewed Austro-Hungarian activity on Asiago front driven away by heavy Italian artillery fire.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Poet Gabriele D’Annunzio goes on failed raid by 3 MAS boats to attack 4 steamers near Fiume (night February 10-11).

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser addresses Homburgers ‘War is a disciplinary action by God to educate mankind … Our Lord God means us to have peace’.
Russia: M. Leon Trotski announces that state of war between Russia and Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey is ended, but that Russia will not sign formal peace treaty (see 18th and January 30th). Russia out of the War.
Ukraine: Publication of peace treaty between Central Powers and Ukraine.
United Kingdom: “Information“ Ministry founded, Beaverbrook Minister in charge of Propaganda.(Ministry formally established March 4 ‘To direct the thought of most of the world’).
c.4,500 motor vehicles using coal gas.
Turkey: Death of Abdul Hamid II, ex-Sultan of Turkey. Abdul Hamid II: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962351731635089409
United States: US Navy recruiting poster: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/join-the-navy.jpg?ssl=1
Finland: Unarmed Finnish Civil Guards land in Aland Islands but forced out by Sweden.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Metz raided by French airmen.
Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps members at Dieppe, France baking bread for the British Army: © IWM (Q 8476): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962412133697847297
U.S. soldiers waiting to get hot drinks on a cold day at a canteen in a base in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962714122788929538
Men of the Chinese Labour Corps in France celebrating Chinese New Year: © IWM (Q 8484): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962774520288260096

Southern Front
Fighting in Asiago region to advantage of Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: British Adriatic Force reorganized. Franco-Italian net barraged completed between Fano Island and Corfu.
Atlantic: French submarine Diane suffers an internal explosion in the Bay of Biscay and sinks with all 43 of its crew.
Mozambique: (11-18 February): Main German force dislodged from Lujenda Valley, moves southwards from Mtarika area towards Upper Rio (frontier of Mozambique).

Political, etc
Germany: Berlin papers prematurely hail peace with Russia.
Skeptical German view of Wilson as ‘peace maker’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/willson-peace-maker.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Soviet Red Fleet founded on volunteer basis, 5 commissars (SOVNARKOM) to run Baltic Fleet on February 12.
General Alexey Kaledin, an early leader of the anti-Bolshevik forces in Russia, commits suicide after losing hope that the Bolsheviks could be defeated: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/962683914321047552
Belgium: Great Brussels demo against separate Flanders.
United States: President Wilson delivers Message to Congress restating War Aims and laying down four additional Points.
Lord Reading arrives in U.S. as Ambassador.
Poland: Polish Cabinet resigns as protest against Ukraine treaty.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
The Air Council approves the introduction of the terms 'areas' and 'groups' for the Royal Flying Corps’ higher formations.
Germany: 2 DH4s of No 55 Squadron bomb railways and barracks at Offenburg (Baden).
Allied planes also bomb Metz, etc.
Fighting in Passchendaele region.
French troops launch a raid against German trenches in Woëvre, taking 250 German prisoners.
A German prisoner being interrogated by a Canadian Intelligence Officer: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963046326048043008

Eastern Front
Southern Russia: Reds capture two points on Novorossiisk-Tsaritsyn railway and defeat Polish Corps at Rogachev.

Southern Front
Salonika: 20 Royal Flying Corps bombers burn out Cestovo ammo dump.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Atlantic: U-89 rammed and sunk off Malin Head (North Ireland) with all hands by British cruiser Roxburgh (night February 12-13)

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turkish Offensive (45,000-50,000 in 8 divisions with 160 guns) begins with taking Cardakli on Zara-Sivas road and advance to Erzincan (February 14). Colonel Morel’s 2,000 Armenians with 6 guns make epic retreat to Erzerum (February 14-25).
Turkish Mountain Ski Troops in the Caucasus: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/turk-gebirgstruppen-kaukasus.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Parliament meets. Mr. Herbert Asquith asks for explanation of extension of powers of Versailles Council; answer refused.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Champagne: French win salient between Tahure and Butte de Mesnil, US guns give fire support, 177 PoWs. German counter-attack on February 18.
Men of the Black Watch Regiment receiving mail outside of their dugout at Morchies, France: © IWM (Q 8508): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963076526211305472
In response to French air raids against Saarbrucken, German aeroplanes bomb Nancy, France.

Eastern Front
General Mikhail Alexeiev defeated by the Bolsheviki (see 4th).
Anatoly Nazarov elected Ataman (until February 25).

Southern Front
British line in Italy extended.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Around this day the French submarine Bemouilli probably lost to mines.

Political, etc
Germany: Erich Ludendorff promises Kaiser victory in proposed spring offensive.
Bad Homburg Crown Council decides on further advance into Russia, Kaiser demands Bolsheviks be ‘beaten to death’.
Poster glibly assuring Germany that their army would win the freedom of the seas: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/freies-meer.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Pacifist group in House of Commons defeated.
United States: U.S. diplomats and naval officers in London celebrating the anniversary of Lincoln’s birthday: © IWM (Q 54173): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963106726059937793

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
(Listed for yesterday): French forces carry out a large raid in Champagne along a 1200 yards front, destroying German defenses and taking 100 prisoners.
New Zealand troops in France at Requiem Mass to honour their fallen comrades: © IWM (Q 69156): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963475393578663936
Wounded British soldiers on a hospital barge on the Lys River near Aire-sur-la-Lys, France: © IWM (Q 10664): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963671668324556801

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: U-35 lands 2 agents and it is also claimed 12 cases of anthrax germs hidden in sugar cubes (immediately seized) off Cartagena, Spain. The anthrax shipment, if it existed, was destined for Argentina as part of an alleged plot to destroy livestock in neutral countries that was being supplied to the Allies.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops advance at Mukhmas, north-east of Jerusalem; line advanced two miles on six mile front.

Political, etc
Russia: Red Army declared a Volunteer force, commanders to get 4 months basic training at four cities.
Soldiers of the new Red Army: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/soldaten-rote-armee.jpg?ssl=1
On 24 January 1918 (old style) the Council of People's Commissars issued a decree that Wednesday, 31 January 1918, was to be followed by Thursday, 14 February 1918, thus dropping 13 days from the calendar.
France: Bolo Pasha and Filippo Cavallini condemned to death.
Canada: Death of Sir Cecil Sping Rice, British Ambassador, U.S., at Ottawa. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, also author of the poem “I Vow to Thee, My Country,”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963762288019886080
Poland: Resignation of M. Jan Kucharzewski, Prime Minister, and Cabinet, Warsaw.
China: (Listed for yesterday): A magnitude 7.2 earthquake hits Shantou, China, resulting in over 1000 casualties: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/963368429611900929
Switzerland: Exchange of prisoners between Austria-Hungary and the Allies take place, with several hundred POWs exchanged at Buchs, Switzerland.

[gekkogecko]

Eastern Front
Poland: General Stanislaw Haller and 5,000 men escape to Russia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Third German destroyer raid by 11 German destroyers (2nd Flotilla) in Straits of Dover (night 15th/16th) (see April 20th, 1917) British trawler and seven drifters sunk in Straits of Dover; 4 more vessels damaged. No retaliation due to Royal Navy misreading of Dover Patrol signals.
Submarine shells Dover, one killed, seven injured.
U-55 last High Seas Fleet U-boat to use Dover Straits on February 18.
Representatives of Allied Governments arrange establishment of the "Allied Maritime Transport Council" (see December 3rd, 1917 and March 11th, 1918).
German destroyers at sea: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/de-zerstoerer.jpg?ssl=1
Mozambique: In Coastal area British column from Port Amelia approaching Meza.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Jan Smuts cables that Edmund Allenby should have 2 divisions from Mesopotamia for 1918 offensive.
Persia: Lionel Dunsterville and armored car leave Hamadan for Enzeli on Caspian Sea (arrives February 17). Last Russians evacuate Meshed in east, 176 British soldiers replace them on March 14.

Political, etc
United States: U.S. Government takes over complete control of foreign trade.
U.S. government threatens striking shipbuilders that their draft exemptions will be revoked if they do not go back to work.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
England: Moonlight raid on London. Giant R12 (Seydlitz-Gerstenburg) rams balloon aprox. 10,000ft over Woolwich and plunges 1,000ft, inadvertently dropping two 660lb bombs and injuring air mechanic; remaining bombs jettisoned at Beckenham, and before return to Belgian base. R39 drops first 2,204lb bomb (largest of war) delivered to England, destroys Northern Pavilion of Chelsea Hospital. 1 (or 2) Giants ineffectually raid Dover (night February 16-17); 60 defence sorties (3 brief attacks)
An unsubstantiated claim that one German machine goes down (This might refer to the aircraft that collided with the barrage balloon). Twelve killed, 6 injured.
Sighting of damage after a German air raid on England: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/schaeden-luftangriff.jpg?ssl=1
British Intelligence issue appreciation on imminence of German offensive.
France: Royal Flying Corps No 101 Squadron (FE2bs) begin night bombing of German airfields and rest billets (February 19, 21, 24 and 25). McCudden is again credited with 4 victories.
Ferdinand Foch aiming at Philippe Petain’s removal (Fayolle diary and on February 26). US Army Supply Services open at Tours.
Fighting in Cambrai section.
Women of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry attending to their ambulances at St. Omer, France: © IWM (Q 10700): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964187586838368256
A British soldier looks across the devastated landscape of Ypres, with a destroyed Mark IV Tank in the background. © IWM (Q 10709): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964202692968173568
Australian troops setting up camouflage screen over their trenches at Messines: © IWM (E (AUS) 4543): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964461897440464898

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Germans declare Armistice with Russia will end noon February 18.

Political, etc
Lithuania: Lithuania declares independence.
United Kingdom: Sir William Robertson, the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, announces his resignation due to conflicts with Premier Lloyd George on how to conduct the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964492114120802305
Sir Henry Wilson succeeds Sir William Robertson as Chief of Imperial Staff.
Canada: Canadian children playing tug-of-war in the snow in Toronto: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964523537393508352

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Britain: Air raid on London: 21 killed, 32 injured. Giant R25 bombs St Pancras Station and hotel (42 casualties of the total 53) in solo London raid (night February 17-18), engaged by only 3 of 69 defence sorties (1 fatal crash).
Zeppelin Staaken R25 Giant bomber in flight: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/zeppelin-staaken-r-300x168-1.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: Solid cloud cover with rain forces 12 DH4s of No 55 squadron to end mission against Mannheim chemical works. One ton of bombs dropped in and near Metz.
French troops training to fire a Chauchat light machine gun while advancing: © IWM (Q 57005): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964855724760281089
British Bristol fighters in formation after taking off from Serny aerodrome, France: © IWM (Q 12055): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964885922637598720

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: (until May 15): 80 Finn Jägers land from Germany with 44,000 rifles, 65 MGs and some guns; 1,130 more Jägers land on February 25.
Ukraine: Rada appeals for German help against Red invasion.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: General Lionel Dunsterville's Mission reaches Enzeli (see May 21st, 1915, January 27th and April 1st, 1918).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Károly Khuen-Héderváry, the former Prime Minister of Hungary, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964825523489771520
Germany: Carl Hoffmann diary ‘The whole of Russia is … a vast heap of maggots’.
Hindenburg memo to Chancellor; no more strikes, SDP and unions must condemn or be judged traitors.
Russia: Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party rejects Lenin’s proposal to accept German peace terms.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germany: 8 FE2s (1 lost) of No 100 Squadron bomb Trier, start fire at central station; town receives 3 British raids (February 18-19, 2 day and 1 at night). Damaging FE2 raid on Thionville blast furnaces and gasworks.
France: Germans bomb Calais causing false alert in southeast England, 55 sorties (night February 18-19) and 2,599 anti-aircraft shells.
Western Front, General: 95th Aero (Pursuit) Squadron arrives in France; first ‘homegrown’ US fighter unit, begins patrols on March 14.
A South African soldier with “Nancy,” a Springbok mascot of the 4th South African Regiment, at a memorial service at Delville Wood: © IWM (Q 10675): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/965165255767875585
Champagne: German troops raid French lines, but are thrown back and 30 prisoners are captured by the French.

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Armistice terminates on Russian front. Hostilities resumed by German armies (see 10th and 19th).
Dvinsk taken by German forces; they continue march on Lutsk, advancing down railways 30 miles per day.
Ukraine: A second German army advances into Ukraine against Bolsheviks.
German soldiers pursue Red troops: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/de-soldaten-verfolgen-rote.jpg?ssl=1
Soviet lines, plagued by desertions and low morale, collapse under the Central Powers offensive.
Finish Civil War: Southern Finland now in hands of Bolsheviks.
General Mannerheim (commanding Constitutional forces, "White Guards") gathers an army together in the north.
German officers captured in the first American trench raid on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/964916119445344256

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Russians evacuate Armenia.
Turks within eight miles of Trebizond.
Mesopotamia, Euphrates: British advance 14 miles from Ramadi to occupy Khan Abu Rayan and position 10 miles south of Hit.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Labour Ministry announces demobilization arrangements. Churchill attributes munitions increase to 12% bonus. Road Transport Control Board founded.
Finland: For Mannerheim Senate makes military training compulsory for men of age 21 to 40 (effective February 28).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
British soldiers constructing an “elephant iron” shelter for a reserve line at Wieltje. Belgium: © IWM (Q 10267): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/965279776641609729

Eastern Front
Germans advancing on whole line from Riga to Volhynia, enter Estonia and press towards Reval and Petrograd.
Seven German soldiers ‘capture’ 600 Cossacks. Carl Hoffmann radios leon Trotsky that acceptance of peace conditions must be in writing.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
British troops attack on 15-mile front east of Jerusalem; all objectives secured.
British now within eight miles of Jericho.
Turkish field guns in action with British troops in Palestine. On the left, a wounded gunner is taken away on a stretcher: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/tuerk-feldgeschuetze-im-gefecht.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Austria-Hungary and Ukraine sign agreement by which Kholm district of Poland will not necessarily be included in Ukraine Republic.
Emperor Charles sends peace message for President Wilson to King of Spain via Madrid Ambassador (Royal Navy Room 40 intercept it on February 20 and King Alfonso receives on February 21, handed to President Wilson on February 25).
Russia: Russian Bolshevik Government notify willingness to sign Peace Treaty with Germany.
Land Nationalization decree published.
United Kingdom: General Sir Henry Rawlinson appointed British Army representative at Versailles. Premier defends arrangements re: latter.
Prince of Wales takes his seat in the Lords.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
A horse-drawn artillery limber stuck in the mud near Ytres: © IWM (Q 8509): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/965659776213508096
A German Friedrichshafen G-III bomber after it crashed behind British lines near Ytres: © IWM (Q 12155): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/965674890350288898

Eastern Front
German armies still advancing towards Reval, Petrograd, Moscow and Kiev, meeting with little resistance, and occupy Hapsal and Minsk; have now taken over 1,500 guns and 9,000 PoWs.
Finish Civil War: German troops reach Finland to reinforce White Guard.
German troops enter a Russian city: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/einmarsch-de-truppen.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Great bombing raids from both sides; Venice, Padua, etc., again bombed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Germans form task force at Kiel of 3 battleships, 3 cruisers and 4 torpedo boats (Rear-Admiral Hugo Meurer) to support Finland intervention.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British troops north of Jerusalem advance on four-mile front on Shechem road; within four miles of Jericho.
Mesopotamia: Khan Abu Rayan occupied by British patrols within ten miles of Hit.
Persia: Lionel Dunsterville leaves Enzeli for Hamadan just before 3,000 Reds land from Baku to arrest him. He cables CIGS on February 26, that a brigade will secure British interests.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Foreign Minister (Mr. Arthur Balfour) informs Polish National Committee that Great Britain does not accept the treaty between The Ukraine and Central Powers (see 9th, January 10th and June 3rd).
Inter-Allied Labour and Socialist Conference meets at Westminster.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
France: George Patton writes from Langres ‘… I get requests … to transfer into tanks nearly daily’.
A cave entrance used as a barrack for French troops near Couverelle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966022176821346304

Eastern Front
Russia: Vladimir Lenin asks Sverdlov to form Revolutionary Defence Committee against Germans who take Rechitsa west of Gomel.
German forces capture the city of Minsk from Soviet Russia. Total number of Russians captured in the offensive reach 9000, along with 1353 artillery guns.
Don: Lavr Kornilov’s 3000-strong Volunteer Army evacuates Rostov in night February 21-22, as several Red columns converge on it.
Finish Civil War: Finnish Whites defeat the Red forces at Varkaus, thus securing northern Finland for the White forces. Around 180 captured Red forces are executed.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: King George V visits Harwich Force (new flagship cruiser Curacoa).
Adriatic: Austrian U-23 sunk by Italian torpedo boat Airone off Valona.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Jericho taken by British forces (19th/21st).
Captured Ottoman trenches, with the Dead Sea in the background: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966282647260581888
British established on line of the Jordan to east and Auja to north, threatening Hejaz railway.

Political, etc
Germany: Main Committee of German Reichstag adopts peace treaty with the Ukraine.
New peace terms for Russia formulated by Germany.
Government accepts Finn request for intervention.
United Kingdom: A view of a British Humber aeroplane factory: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966007079382155264
United States: US Tank Corps recruiting poster: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/join-tanks.jpg?ssl=1

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Flanders: German trench raid on Ypres-Staden line.
A group of Stormtroop soldiers before deployment: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/sturmtruppen.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Retreat of Turks beyond River Jordan.
Yemen: 4 Royal Navy Air Service seaplanes from carrier City of Oxford scout, photo and bomb Turkish positions near Loheia until February 28 giving the Idris’s men footing in the hills; more air operations over Maidi (March 19-22).

Political, etc
United States: The Carolina Parakeet, a parrot native to the Midwest and Eastern U.S., goes extinct when the last specimen in captivity dies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966343048128073728

[dicksbro]

It is a bit sad thinking of the number of species that have gone extinct like the Carolina Parakeet. Especially since so many weren't harmful to anyone. Now why couldn't it have picked the Japanese Beetle or mice or something that is not terribly beneficial to man? Oh well, I guess we play the cards we're dealt. :(

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Aisne: Franco-American trench raid over river Ailette, capturing 22 Germans and 1 machine gun.
Men of the Royal Flying Corps making a mosaic of aerial photographs taken over German lines: © IWM (Q 8533): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966689140531187712
Black Watch soldiers held up as a German shell explodes just ahead of them near Monchy: © IWM (Q 10699): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966734450506727425

Eastern Front
German General Max Hoffmann on the speed of the Central Powers offensive against Soviet Russia: “It is the most comical war I have ever known.”
Finish Civil War: Carl Mannerheim’s ‘Karelian’ order of the day against Vladimir Lenin. Bolsheviks agree to evacuate all Russian’ forces.

Southern Front
Italian civilians viewing the wreckage of a Sopwith Camel fighter aircraft after it crash landed: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966704246115700737

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Patrol activity on wide front north of Jerusalem, east of Jericho.
Mesopotamia: 3-10 Royal Flying Corps aircraft bomb Turkish camps and airfield in Hit area (until February 27) forcing German air unit back to Haditha.
The German fighter ace Buddecke was flying for the Turks and received the Pour le Merite: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/flieger-as-buddecke.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: German peace terms with Russia become stiffer: Central Powers now demand from Russia the ceding of the Baltic Countries, Poland, and Ukraine, as well as commercial concessions.
Adolphus Frederick VI, the last reigning grand duke of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, commits suicide: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967052719751094272
Russia: (Listed for yesterday): Soviet Russia publishes the decree “The Socialist Fatherland is in Danger!” to urge its citizens to resist the Central Powers offensive.
United Kingdom: Inter-Allied Labour and Socialist Conference in London pass resolution as to War Aims. After endorsing and quoting in full the resolution of the first Inter-Allied Socialist conference, the memorandum planned post war from a "supernational authority" in the form of a League of Nations, which would have the power to enforce the decisions of a World Court regarding international disputes and conduct elections for the purpose of national self-determination. There would also be an International Legislature in which each "civilised state would have their alloted share" that would pass binding international law. This implied a complete democratisation of all existing states including removal of "arbitrary powers", elected parliaments, publication of all treaties, abolition of secret diplomacy and the responsibility of foreign policy to the legislature. Other elements included the abolition of compulsory military service in all countries, concerted disarmament and the nationalization of defense industries.
Airplanes nearing completion at a Wolseley factory: © IWM (Q 69711): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967067822131163137
Romania: Richard von Kühlmann and Ottokar von Czernin arrive at Bucharest to negotiate with Romania.
United States: Men of the 77th Division parading in the snow in New York City before sailing to the front in Europe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/966719377453256705

[gekkogecko]

Eastern Front
Estonia: Germans take Borisov and Dorpat with 3,000 PoWs. Estonian Provisional Government forms in Reval, proclaims independent republic.
Novocherkask, capital of Don Cossack territory, in Bolshevik hands. Ataman Nazarov shot; 1,500 Cossacks follow Whites.
German soldiers in action on the Eastern front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/de-soldaten-ostfront-1918.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
German raider Wolf returns to Germany after 15 months' absence, having sunk 11 vessels, 33,000 tonnage. (see December 1st, 1916): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967464171876085761
Roger Keyes submits Zeebrugge Raid plan, Admiralty approves.
SS Florizel, a Newfoundland passenger ship, strikes a reef and sinks, resulting in 94 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967339591807176704

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Trebizond retaken by Turkish forces (see April 17th, 1916); Turkish 36th Division nearing Erzerum on February 25.

Political, etc
Germany: (Listed for yesterday): Arthur Scherbius applies for a patent in Germany for the mechanical cipher Enigma machine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967082937475895297
Russia: Russia accepts German terms of peace after Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party votes 116-85 for Lenin after he threatens resignation.
Estonia: The Estonian Salvation Committee publishes the declaration of independence of Estonia from Russia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967373570123943937
Japan: Count Ichiro Motono states if Russia concludes separate peace Japan will take decided and adequate steps to meet occasion.

[jseal]

Shridan, WY (https://www.sheridanmedia.com/news/look-back-time-feb-24-191898061) - Douglas Fairbanks stars in “The Modern Musketeer,” today only at the Orpheum theater. Admission is 10 and 20 cents for the matinee, 10 and 25 cents for the night shows.

[dicksbro]

Interesting tidbit jseal. Theatre prices just ain't what they used to be. :( Too bad. :)

[gekkogecko]

Nice tidbit, jseal.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
American troops in France going to the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967796358638899200

Eastern Front
Pernau, Reval, and Pskov taken by German forces (see 18th).
Peace negotiations begun at Bukharest (see 6th, and March 5th).
German soldiers take an abandoned Russian armored car: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/verlassener-russ-panzerwagen.jpg?ssl=1
Ukraine: Germans reach Zhitomir, temporary capital of Ukraine Republic.
Finish Civil War: Carl Mannerheim has 14,000 troops as 20,000 Reds attack towards Haapamaki and in Karelia (2000 Whites there).

Southern Front
Italy: Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice, Castelfranco and Mestre, resulting in 5 deaths and 12 injuries.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: Russians scuttle 11 submarines at Reval to avoid capture, cruiser Admiral Makarov last ship to leave after German cyclists ride in. Red evacuation (5 cruisers, 8 submarines, 12 minesweepers and 31 auxiliaries take 4,000 refugees) despite thick ice.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Kirmanshah occupied by British forces (see March 11th, 1917).
Palestine: Otto von Liman replaces Erich von Falkenhayn as Turk C-in-C.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government inform M. Tonisson that they are prepared provisionally to recognise the independence of Estonia until the future status of Estonia is settled by the Peace Congress (see January 13th and November 11th).
Meat (2 oz per adult per week) bacon and ham (4 oz per head per week), butter and margarine (5 or 6 oz per head per week) rationing for London and Home Counties affects 10 million people, German PoWs including from February 26; queues vanish.
Poland: Military Convention signed at Bobruisk between Germany and Poland.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germany: Royal Flying Corps night bombers destroy 100-yard-long hangar at Frescaty airfield near Metz (night February 26-27).
Western Front, General: 2nd Balloon Coy first US Air Service unit to give direct support to US front-line troops.
A French Eclaireur Zodiac Class airship near Boulogne-sur-Mer: © IWM (Q 58519): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/967826555794788354

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: Soviet delegates return. Arrival of the Soviet delegation at Brest-Litovsk: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/sowjet-delegation-brest-litowsk.jpg?ssl=1
Finish Civil War: Major-General Count Gustav von der Goltz put in command of 12th Landwehr or Baltic Division for projected German Finland intervention.

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian Gotha bombers fly damaging 8-hour raid over Venice (night February 26-27).

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Glenart Castle sunk by submarine UC-56 (commander Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Kiesewetter) in the Bristol Channel (see March 1st, 1917). Two sources claim 162 lives lost, another says “only” 95 were killed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Patrols reach Rujm el Bahr (at northern end of Dead Sea, two miles east of mouth of Jordan).

Political, etc
Russia: Foreign ambassadors in Petrograd prepare to leave the city as the German offensive continues to advance towards the Soviet capital.
Ireland: “Lawlessness” in Ireland; additional troops sent to aid police. British government announces it has declared martial law in Country Clare.
China: Spectator stands at the Happy Valley racecourse in Hong Kong collapses, resulting in a fire that kills around 600 people. It is the worst fire accident in Hong Kong's history: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968080727127527424

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Flanders: Big British trench raid in Houthulst Forest
British troops carrying statues and relics from the Church of Saint Vaast in Armentieres to save them from shelling: © IWM (Q 8544): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968186434787168256

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Ukraine Central Soviet accepts treaty concluded with Germany by the Rada.

Political, etc
Germany: Erich Ludendorff and Kaiser Wilhelm II first see the A7V German tank (crew on February 16) and captured British Mk IV tanks. The majority of the crew of the A7V rides on the tank during traveling without any combat conditions: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/A7V-01.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: War Cabinet agree aircraft priority for Western Front, but anti-aircraft guns first to home defence.
Japan: Japan proposes military action in Serbia.
Romania: German peace terms’ ultimatum sent to Romanian Govt at Jassy.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Aisne: “Repulse” of German “attack” near Chavigeron (north-east of Soissons).
Germany: General preparation period including training for 56 divisions over, now 180 divisions in West (6 arrive in February).
France: French order first (of 970) self-propelled guns (Renault 75mm).
British troops carry out two raids against German lines in France and Flanders, taking 24 prisoners and 3 machine guns. During February BEF take 312 German PoWs.
The damaged streets of Armentieres, France: © IWM (Q 8540): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968458225128562688
A Canadian soldier giving his dog a bath: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968548833717293056
A member of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry does maintenance on her ambulance, while members of the Chinese Labor Corps in the background at Saint-Omer, France: © IWM (Q 11557): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968805510882480130

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Continued German advance in the Ukraine, and reach river Dnieper near Mosyr: armed Pripet flotilla captured.
Austro-Hungarians invade the Ukraine north of the Pruth River. Around 10,000 Russian troops are captured.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats during February: 115 ships (68 British with 697 lives) worth 318,174t (British 226,896t). U-boat figure 138 ships worth 335,202t including 37 ships of 84,118t in Mediterranean or 574t per U-boat day on sea, highest since May 1917.
Adriatic: Admiral Maksimilijan Njegovan resigns as Austrian C-in-C to facilitate ‘rejuvenation’ of command
U-boat at sea. By 1918, the submarines had taken on a size and shape that also triggered the ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ of World War II: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/u-boot-1918.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Grant of £25,000 to Lady Maude.
Serbia: Resignation of M. Nikola Pashich and Serbian Cabinet.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Champagne: Germans recapture trenches south-west of Butte de Mesnil, but fail in local attacks elsewhere in Champagne and near Reims.
Verdun: Big German raids at Haucourt and Seicheprey (Lorraine), the latter against Americans.
France: In March French Army receives first Renault FT-17 light tanks. The French FT-17 was the first tank to have a revolving turret and was designed in 1917: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/French-FT17-800x647-1.jpg?ssl=1
Read more at https://ww2-weapons.com/diary-march-1-1918/#BCqT337GyFxbeUih.99
Britain: BEF strength 1,886,073 (including 293,264 Empire troops) plus 118,427 laborers and non-combatants.
Flanders: German trench raids, especially on Portuguese Sector near Neuve Chapelle (Portuguese counterattack succeeds on March 9).
Near Houtholst Forest, Belgium, English and Scottish troops raid and penetrate German lines to a depth of 1200 yards, taking 14 prisoners.
Artois-Somme: German final preparations (until March 14) begin with advance parties moving up until March 5.
Field Marshal Haig, the commander of the British Expeditionary Force, with General Currie, the commander of the Canadian Corps, on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968867188571598849
An automobile stuck under the rubble in Bethune, France: © IWM (Q 10708): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/968897396985028608

Eastern Front
Germans occupy Polotsk, Bobruisk, Gomel and Mohilev (old STAVKA headquarter). During March 11 German divisions leave for Western Front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M.S. Calgarian, armed merchant cruiser, torpedoed and sunk off Irish coast; 21 officers, 46 men lost.
Atlantic: In March top all-time U-boat ace Lothar von Arnauld recalled from Mediterranean to command new U-cruiser U-139 in which he sinks another 6 ships worth 7,208t.
Mediterranean: During march average of 10 U-boats at Sea.
Channel: In March 29 U-boats transit through Dover Barrage (Coastal submarine UB-54 lost on March 19).
Britain: Canadian physicist R W Boyle obtains echoes from Harwich submarine at 500 yards (inboard sets achieve up to 300 yards by Armistice).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Otto Liman orders XX Corps to recross river Jordan (March 3-4) plus 11th Div (from Armenia) down from Damascus. 38th Jewish Brigade lands in Egypt.
Mesopotamia: Ex-RNAS Armored Car Squadron lands at Basra to be Duncars (24 Austins).

Political, etc
Germany: German Army refuses to supply Bulgarian Army with munitions and clothing.
Russia: Robert Lockhart first sees Lenin, says Allied help acceptable against more German aggression. Trotsky cables Murmansk to accept ‘any and all (Allied) assistance’.
Turkey: Field Army (all fronts) only 200,000 strong. German Ambassador Count Johann von Bernstorff writes ‘Only Liman can pull off victory’.
United States: Woodrow Wilson approves Japanese action in Siberia, will send separate invitation until March 2 but rethinks on March 5.
Finland: Treaty of Peace and Amity signed between the Finnish Social Republic of Workmen and the Russian Federal Soviet Republic.
Switzerland: Fat and butter rationing cards.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Many German raids on British lines.
A group of wounded veterans at a Red Cross Hospital in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969278667191930880
69th regiment New York National Guard “The Fightin Irish” marching to the trenches at St. Clement, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969595789944217602

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Kiev captured by German forces (see December 20th), and continued advance of Austrians.
Central Powers offensive against Soviet Russia reach the Dnieper river near the city of Rechytsa (Belarus).

Naval and Overseas Operations
German force landed in the Aaland islands at request of Finnish Government (see 3rd). *900 Jaegers transported from Danzig.
German troops landing on Aaland islands: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/invasion-aaland-islands.jpg?ssl=1
British submarine HMS H.5 is mistaken for a German U-boat and rammed by a British merchantman, killing all of the submarine’s crew.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British (53rd Welsh Division) advance on 12-mile front astride Jerusalem-Nablus road.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Prince Mirko of Montenegro, the 2nd son of Kinch Nicholas I of Montenegro, passed away while in Vienna: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969535340204654592
Russia: Leon Trotsky orders old Russian Army‘s demobilization.
Romania: Romania agrees to negotiate for peace on basis of Central Powers’ demands.
United States: A U.S. Boy Scout wearing a gas mask: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969293770914254848

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Great raiding activity by British.
Germany carries out multiple raids against Allied lines in France as it prepares for its spring offensive.
A British soldier in the ruins of the cathedral of St. Vaas at Arras. © IWM (Q 8704): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969641074842009600

Eastern Front
Brest-Litovsk: The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk is concluded between Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey at Brest-Litovsk and the Soviet Revolutionary Government, ending hostilities between Russia and the Central Powers. Germany becomes free to transfer forces from the Eastern to the Western Fronts and to participate in a major offensive in the West, timed to take place later in the month. Russia renounces Baltic States, Poland, Belorussia, Finland and three Armenian districts to Turkey; 630,000 Austrian PoWs to come home.
Signature of the peace treaty of Best-Litovsk: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Friede-Brest-Litowsk.jpg?ssl=1
Estonia: German Eighth Army occupies Narva (c.85 miles west of Petrograd) after routing 1,600 Red Guards and sailors, have captured 17,000 Russians and 1500 guns for 109 casualties since February 18. Max Hoffmann orders advance to halt except in the Ukraine.
Ukraine: (Listed for yesterday): German troops enter the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev, one day after the Bolshevik forces were driven out by the Ukrainians: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969625991529328640
Finish Civil War: Red Guard offensive fixed for March 9.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Russia: Central Powers’ Diktat at Brest-Litovsk strips Russia of all Baltic naval bases except Kronstadt; also Odessa and Nikolayev stipulates disarmament and detention of Russian warships in these ports pending general peace.
North Sea: First mine of Northern Barrage laid in Area B up to 50 miles from Orkney.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance continued, reaching maximum of 3,000 yards.
Persia: Meshed occupied by troops of British East Persia Cordon. [Approximate date.]

Political, etc
Germany: Reinhard Goering’s play Seeschlacht (Sea Battle) opens at Berlin. Kaiser orders flags in every city and day off school to celebrate peace with Russia.
A war paintings exhibition in Munich, Germany, with the portrait of Emperor Charles I of Austria-Hungary in the foreground: © IWM (Q 112585): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/969927928195829760
Southern Russia: Terek Cossack Soviet Republic declared.
Turkey: Muslims of Samsun massacre all Armenians. (note: I think this is a mistake; while the persecutions of Armenians did amount to genocide, there were also programs/repressions/massacres/genocides of other ethnic groups. Notably, Samsun, prior to the First World War, had a large minority population of Greeks, and there are several references to the Greek population being massacred/deported in 1916/1917.)
Sweden: German Government notify Swedish Government of occupation of the Aaland Islands (see 2nd).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Continued raiding by both sides, including an important enterprise by the French at Les Eparges. French claim to advance on a 1200-metre line and take 150 German prisoners.
US 94th Aero (Pursuit) Squadron arrives (flies first US recon petrol over German lines on March 19), is joined by future top ace Rickenbacker.
US fighter ace Edward Rickenbacker, a renowned racing driver, will become with 26 victories top-scoring American pilot of the war: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Edward-Rickenbacker.jpg?ssl=1
Britain: DH10 (‘Amiens’) heavy bomber first flies. 8,403 women employed in Royal Flying Corps.
British Intelligence Staff Officers questions 2 German deserters (on right) at Ranchicourt, France: © IWM (Q 10715): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970276437256175617
A disabled Serbian veteran with a prosthetic arm working at an orthopedic center at Lyon, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970365802238103554

Eastern Front
Germans claim capture of 6,000 officers, 57,000 men, 2,600 guns, 5,000 machine-guns, and 500 planes since February 18, in recent invasion.

Southern Front
Italy: Austro-Hungarians bomb Venice for 8 hours (300 bombs) but lose 13 aircraft, also attack Padua, Mestre and Treviso; (early March). German Jastas 1, 31 and 39 return to Western Front (for “Ludendorff” Offensive).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Mysterious disappearance of ocean-going collier USS Cyclops en route Barbados-Baltimore with 10,800t Brazilian manganese (309 dead). It is the largest US Navy loss in history not related to combat: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970335599906447361

Political, etc
Russia: Supreme Military Soviet formed at Petrograd.
Romania: Romania also declares it is ready to negotiate a formal peace with the Central Powers.
United States: The first known case of the so-called Spanish flu was first observed at Fort Riley, Kansas.
Finland: Order of the Cross of Liberty instituted at Carl Mannerheim’s suggestion.
Sweden: Sweden protests Germany’s decision to occupy the Åland Islands and intervene in the Finnish Civil War.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germany: Germans introduce new ultrasecure 5-letter field cipher for “Ludendorff” Offensive, but French (Painvin) first solve c. April 4, break it on April 26; by May 29 only two-day delay in reading it.
Flanders: Belgian counter-attack north of Pervyse.


Eastern Front
Germans land on Aaland Islands at request of Finnish Government. The islands are now occupied by Finnish, Swedish, Russian, and German troops.
Northern Russia: 130 Royal Marines land at Murmansk (French cruiser Amiral Aube arrives at Royal Navy request on March 19).
Latvia: Erich von Falkenhayn (from Palestine) takes command of German Tenth Army for duration of war.

Southern Front
American Red Cross members gives out gifts to Italian soldiers in the frontline trenches in Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970638836148695041

Political, etc
Russia: The Soviet Russian government moves its capital from Petrograd to the more defensible city of Moscow.
United Kingdom: Sir Eric Geddes reviews shipping situation in House of Commons.
Romania: Preliminary treaty of peace between Romania and the Central Powers, Bulgaria and Turkey signed at Buftea (see December 9th, 1917, and February 25th and May 7th, 1918). Dobruja ceded; Hungarian frontier to be ‘rectified’; 8 divisions to demobilize at once; Rumania to help Central Powers’ march on to Odessa and grant German trade privileges.
Romanian Prime-Minister Alexandru Marghiloman signing the treaty: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/treaty-of-bukarest.jpg?ssl=1
Finland: Carl Mannerheim cables Ludendorff, thanks Kaiser for weapons and insists on Finn command of German troops and non-interference (Hindenburg agrees on March 10).

[dicksbro]

More really good stuff! Thanks, gg!

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Failure of German night attack on Belgians near Ramscapelle and Stuyvenskerke.
Unusual aerial activity on British front.
Royal Flying Corps night bombing of railways, airfields and ammo dump on 7 nights until March 20.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Further shipping-loss figures issued. War Cabinet gives 1917 Allied and neutral shipping losses, a 2,632,297t deficit.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Turks (including 703rd German battalion) retake Tafila from Zeid and drive him on to Shobek on March 7, but Arabs re-occupy Taftla on March 20.
German troops in Arabia: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/german-troops-palestine.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: The Austro-Hungarian Foreign Minister and German Foreign Secretary at Buftea, pursuant to the peace treaty with Romania: © IWM (Q 52806) : https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970729439293333506
Germany: Peace Treaty signed with Finland at Berlin.
Russia: 7th Bolshevik Congress renames Party Communist, majority vote for peace on March 8.
United Kingdom: Death of Mr. John Redmond.
United States: A German woman visiting her husband who is interned at an American concentration camp for enemy aliens at Angel Island, California: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970699239973060608

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Airplane raid on Kent, Essex, Herts, Bedforshire and London; 23 killed, 39 injured;
3 of 6 ‘Giant’ bombers sent attack London (25 houses destroyed, night March 7-8) in moonless conditions; second 2,204lb bomb employed. 42 defence sorties killed 2 pilots in collision, no sightings. A claim that one Gotha was downed, but this cannot be verified
Occupied Belgium: Scheldewindeke Giant bomber base opens south of Ghent, probably first airfield with paved runways.
Five-engined Zeppelin Staaken ‘Giant’ bomber: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Zeppelin-RXV-04.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers with captured German flame throwers at Menil-la-Tour, France: © IWM (Q 94318): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/970971017056342016
The ruins of Cloth Hall, a commercial building dating back to the 13th century, in Ypres: © IWM (Q 9938): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/971001219647983616
A submerged British tank in the destroyed landscape near Ypres: © IWM (Q 8703): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/971076726271987712

Naval and Overseas Operations
The SS Faith, the first concrete ship in the U.S., being constructed in California. Concrete ships were proposed to deal with lack of steel-making plants on the West Coast: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/971061628816056322

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance in Palestine, pressed continuously for some days, reaches maximum of three miles on front of 18.

Political, etc
Germany: Paul von Hindenburg persuades Kaiser invading Finland ‘healthy pressure’ on Reds. Hoffman diary ‘Our Bolshevik friends are now beginning to destroy the railways’.
United Kingdom: Vote of credit for £600,000,000. Estimated daily cost per day £6.75 million.
United States: A claim that Woodrow Wilson authorizes bronze Army medal DSM; however, AFAICT, the Distinguished Service Cross & Distinguished Service Medal were actually established on 2 January 1918.
Netherlands: Entente Note to Holland demanding unconditional use of Dutch shipping in ports of Allies (see 18th, and January 4th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Failure of heavy local attacks on British near Ypres.
Big airplane raid by night on Paris; 13 killed, 50 injured; one Gotha downed. A second report add some detail: 60 Gotha bombers (1 lost) drop 92 bombs on Paris (59 casualties).
Underground kitchen 60 feet below the ground for the Gordon Highlanders near Arras: © IWM (Q 10713): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/971354835776954373

Eastern Front
Ukraine: At Bakhmach, Czechoslovak Legion clash with German forces who are preventing their evacuation towards Siberia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: German U-boat mine found off Walney Island (Lancashire). Mersey-laid mines found on March 9 and cleared by paddle-steamers in 48 hours.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Royal Flying Corps bombs and strafes Turks retreating from Hit (until March 10), 225 bombs dropped.

Political, etc
Baltic: Duchy of Courland’s throne offered to Kaiser; Germans declare protectorate on March 15.
Germany: Admiral Otto von Diederichs, former German commander of the East Asia fleet and Chief of the Admiralty Staff, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/971702185162616832
Russia: M. Georgy Chichérin appointed Russian Foreign Minister and M. Leon Trotsky appointed Minister for War (see November 8th, 1917).
Soviet poster: ‘Comrade Lenin is cleansing the world of dirt’, by sweeping away kings, priests and capitalists: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/kamerad-lenin-sauebert-die-welt.jpg?ssl=1
France: Patriotic speech by M. Georges Clemenceau: Vote of confidence in Government.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Daylight air-raid by British on Mainz.
DH9 operational debut; controversial DH4 replacement aircraft of No 6 (Naval) Squadron attack St Pierre Capelle. 53 Royal Flying Corps aircraft attack 3 German airfields west of Le Gateau, hits on all three (repeated on Busigny on March 17 and 18). Ludendorffs Michael offensive, air units fly in (until March 12).
The D.H.9 should have been an improvement on the D.H.4, and indeed in terms of design it was. However, powerplant problems gave the new model a performance that was distinctly inferior to that of its predecessor: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/DH9.jpg?ssl=1
German gas bombardment for Somme offensive (Ypres-St Quentin): 500,000 rounds mustard gas and phosgene, of which 1,000t directed at British, esp. Flesquieres salient opposite Cambrai, and French positions. 7,223 soldiers gassed (87 deaths) until March 19.

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: 15,000 Red Guards attack and fail against 7,350 Whites in central region (until March 14). Red C-in-C sacked on March 15.


Southern Front
Germany Navy airship L-57 (Ludwig Bockholt) attacks Naples naval base and steel plant (50 casualties); raid attributed to Austrians (their seaplanes do raid on March 11). Royal Flying Corps claim 64 kills since November 10, 1917 for only 12 losses.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Hit (on the Euphrates) occupied by British forces.
Palestine: British cross Wadi Auja (Jordan valley) and advance 2-3 miles on front of 13, astride Jerusalem-Nablus road, taking height of Tel Asur.

Political, etc
Russia: Treaty of Peace signed between Romania and Bolshevik Russia (see 5th).
United Kingdom: War Bonds Week produces £138,870,240.
Romania: Berthelot’s French Military Mission leaves Romania (3 trains to Murmansk).
Switzerland: Last peace feelers till September: Smuts meets Austrian diplomat Skrzynski in Switzerland (until March 14) and Lloyd George’s Private Secretary Kerr also has meeting on March 15. Czernin cables Vienna on March 19 that Franco-Italian annexation demands destroy any continued talks.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Many German trench raids on French.
Daylight air-raid by British on Stuttgart. 11 DH4s (1 lost, crew taken PoW) of No 55 Squadron attack Stuttgart Daimler motor works; formation attacked after bombing (1 fighter driven down). Same sequel after 9 DH4s hit Koblenz barracks (70 casualties on March 12).
France: Bombing causes mainly orderly 200,000-strong rail exodus from Paris (until April 6).
Members of the British Agriculture Directorate working to reclaim the former battlefields at the Somme for usable farmland: © IWM (Q 10280): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972140243079004161
BEF GHQ Weekly Intelligence Summary: ‘… the imminence of the [German] offensive in the Arras-St Quentin area has been confirmed …’.
Hindenburg orders Operation Michael (first phase of the Kaiserschlacht [Emperor’s Battle]) Germans begin diversionary operations and feints in various sectors including Champagne and Verdun.
A German 21-cm howitzer is towed for Operation Michael in position: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/21cm-haubitze-in-stellung.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front
Austro-Hungarian/Bulgarian advance on Odessa continues.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Hospital ship Guildford Castle torpedoed in Bristol Channel, but not sunk.
Adriatic: Emperor Charles makes 49-year-old Captain Horthy Rear-Admiral and Austrian C-in-C, 4 cruisers and 2 old battleships soon taken out of service to redeploy crews.
Italy: Younger Vice-Admiral Cusani (ex-CNS) appt Italian Fleet commander.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance 3,000 yards on front of 12 miles astride Jerusalem-Nablus road.

Political, etc
Germany: Frank Wedekind, German playwright known for his influence on the development of epic theater and as a precursor to expressionism, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972110057897938944
France: German prisoners of war at work in at the Saint-Etienne Locomotive Shops, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972171452345733120
Pile of shoes worn out by American soldiers in Tours, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972438188966006784
United States: Film The Kaiser, the Beast of Berlin opens.
George von Lengerke Meyer, former U.S. Secretary of the Navy and ambassador to Italy and Russia, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972049496296296449

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
A claim that big German raids near Ypres and Armentieres are “repulsed”.
A claim that during a big airplane raid by night on Paris, four Gothas are downed (night March 11-12, 141 casualties including 101 killed when War Ministry hit). Another 66 die in panic rush for Metro shelters. Anti-aircraft guns fire 10,000 rounds. Single bomber attacks on March 24.
(Listed for yesterday): German flying ace Hans-Joachim Buddecke, credited with 13 victories, is killed in action over Lens, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972498591444062209
A destroyed neighborhood in Arras, France: © IWM (Q 78674): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972558992747704323
Lieutenant Paul Frank Baer shoots down a German aircraft, becoming the first pilot of the US Army Air Service (forerunner of the US Air Force) to shoot down an enemy craft: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972800572733710336
American soldier showing off a captured German pistol at Ancerville, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/972830774369161216

Eastern Front
Russia: Austro-Hungarians launch first ever scheduled international airmail service (until November) between Vienna and Kiev using modified Hansa-Brandenburg C-I two-seater recon aircraft.
A Hansa-Brandenburg reconnaissance aircraft of the Austro-Hungarian army: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Hansa-Brandenburg-Aufklaerer.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Seaplane raid by night on Naples.

Naval and Overseas Operations
First meeting of the Allied Maritime Transport Council (see February 15th).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Further British progress astride Nablus road.

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin article stresses Russia’s might will be restored. US President Wilson sympathy message to Congress of Soviets on peace treaty.
France: (Listed for yesterday): American Secretary of War Baker arrives in France to tour the frontlines and meet with other Allied officials.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George on connection between Government and Press.
National Expenditure Committee report on extravagance in munitions, etc.
United States: Comedy romance film “Amarilly of Clothes-Line Arlly,” starring Mary Pickford, is released: https://archive.org/details/AmarillyOfClothes-lineAlley1918MaryPickfordMarshallNeilanSilent

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
12-20 March: This period is marked by greatly intensified air operations on the part of the Luftstreitkräfte (the German Army Air Corps), enabling it to gain air superiority on the Somme sector. Over the Somme, 730 German aircraft, including 326 fighters, are opposed by 579 Royal Flying Corps aircraft, which include 261 fighters.
Daylight air-raid by British on Coblenz.
Western Front: Richthofen’s 64th victory in Jasta 11, clash with 9 Bristol Fighters of No 62 Squadron (4 lost). Next day (March 13) Richthofen’s c.35 fighters destroy 4 aircraft but lose 3 Fokkers and 1 Albatros (including Lothar von Richthofen wounded in crash).
A Fokker Dr.I from von Richthofen’s unit taxis under horse-power on the airfield: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Fokker-DrI-Pferdestaerke.jpg?ssl=1
Britain: Zeppelin raid on Yorkshire; Hull bombed, one woman killed. Woman dies of shock, another wounded when Navy Zeppelins L-61, L-62 and L-63 bomb Hull; dense cloud prevents attack on Midlands objectives, 2 of 3 Giant bombers divert to Boulogne; L-42 (Dietrich) drops 21 bombs on West Hartlepool docks (47 casualties, night Mach 13-14).
The French Ministry of War after it was bombarded by German aeroplanes: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973162981155655681
“Repulse” of big German trench raid on Portuguese near Laventie.

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: German troops land at Aabo (Finland), and advance inland.
Red offensive in Karelia ends, Whites 11,700 men strong
Ukraine: Linsingen occupies Odessa, Austro-German row over precedence. Austrians capture 3 Russian midget submarines at Reni, river Duna.
Siberia: Sino-Japanese volunteers fight Reds at Blagoveschensk.

Southern Front
Salonika: Royal Flying Corps derail Bulgarian train near Porna, shoot German plane into Lake Tahinos (March 13), bomb Drama airfield hitting 4 hangars (March 22, more raids follow).
Macedonia: 3,000 Russians riot at internment camp near Vertikop, French cavalry unit restores order with sabers. Greek 1st (Larissa) Division (12,000 men with 16 guns) begins move to Struma valley, enters British sector line from March 26; 13th (Chalcis) Division replaces 1st Division in Naresh training area.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: German-aligned forces driven from Poluvu.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Erzerum retaken by Turkish forces (see February 16th, 1916).
Palestine: British advance three miles on 7-miles of coastal sector, taking 5 villages and 112 PoWs.

Political, etc
Romania: General General Alexandru Averescu, Romanian Premier and Foreign Minister, resigns (see 21st, and February 9th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Flanders: Australian raid near Ypres-Comines Canal. British capture strong point southeast of Polygon Wood.
British soldier using a telescope to verify ranges for the anti-aircraft battery at St. Vaast, France: © IWM (Q 8557): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973511514471784449

Naval and Overseas Operations
British submarine D.3 is mistakenly targeted and sunk by a French airship in the English Channel, with the loss of all crew.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Prince Arthur, Duke of Connaught, decorating soldiers of the 7th Indian Division near Ismailia, Egypt: © IWM (Q 12526): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973223387928645632

Political, etc
Germany: Lts. Sholtz and Woolley released by Germans (v. 6 February 1918). [note: not at all sure what this refers to: I can find no further explanation].
Interior Minister Max Wallraf decides to cut farmers’ rations not workers to save 140,000t before Ukraine grain arrives.
Female workers in a German weapons factory: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/arbeiterinnen-waffenfabrik.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Russian composer César Cui, known as one of “The Five” who created created a distinct Russian classical music style, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973526614909825024
United Kingdom: War Cabinet told of Royal Navy Petrograd Attache’s warning that Japanese action may drive Russia into German arms.
United States: Propaganda film “Hearts of the World” is released. Director D.W. Griffith was contracted by the British government to make America more supportive of the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973285032663179266

[dicksbro]

Suck interesting tidbits always appear in the Political, etc section. Like seldom dp we see German women working in the factories; or think about some of the people who die naturally like Cesar Cui. It's part of what makes me not want to miss a single post. That's gg.

[gekkogecko]

; or think about some of the people who die naturally.

Unfortunately, we have the flu pandemic only barely starting to rear its ugly head: ultimately, this killed more people than died in all of World War I, absent the flu.

But since a huge portion of those affected by the flu were soldiers, the exact numbers are difficult to tell.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French recover trenches near Butte de Mesnil lost on 1 March.
Severe aerial fighting; 223 German machines claimed since 1 March.
North Sea: Floatplane clash; 2 Royal Naval Air Service planes attack 5 German planes (1 lost, 1 damaged, 1 observer killed).
Pitched battles were fought over the North Sea between these large, well armed Curtiss H-12 flying boats and Hansa-Brandenburg floatplane fighters: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Curtiss-H12.jpg?ssl=1
A salvage dump with discarded shell casings, petrol tins, etc. near Ypres: © IWM (Q 10717): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973587029299748865

Eastern Front
Reds occupy Ekaterinodar (Kuban Cossack capital).
The Czechoslovak Legion defeats German forces at Bakhmach, Ukraine, securing them passage to evacuate from the front through Siberia.

Southern Front
Italy: Royal Flying Corps No 42 Squadron leaves to rejoin BEF on Western Front.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British make small advance in Jordan valley.
Caucasus: Retreating Armenians on old Russian frontier. Turco-Transcaucasian Trebizond Conference opens.

Political, etc
Russia: Congress of Soviets at Moscow ratifies Best-Litovsk treaty by 704 votes to 261, officially ceding the Baltic, Belarus, and Ukraine to the Central Powers.
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour, speaking in House of Commons, defends proposed Japanese intervention in Asiatic Russia.
Meeting of Supreme War Council in London, attended by Entente Premiers and Foreign Ministers.
Japan: Japanese industrialist Matsushita Kōnosuke founds an electric company (that will later be known as Panasonic).
Belgium: Gennaro Rubino, Italian anarchist who unsuccessfully tried to assassinate King Leopold II of Belgium, passed away in prison: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973868339595530240
United States: Henry J. Hardenbergh, American architect known for designing buildings such as the Plaza Hotel in New York, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973647418314100737

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French ace Rene Fonck (20 victories to date) kills German ace and fighter leader Adolf von Tutschek (27 victories) over Champagne.
Captain Rene Fonck, with 75 victories at the end of the war, absolute Allied top ace and one of the most feared snipers among fighter pilots: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/rene-fonck.jpg?ssl=1
African American soldiers at Menil-la-Tour, France: © IWM (Q 85384): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973990142246440960

Eastern Front
German Government proclaim protectorate over an independent Kurland.
SOVNARKOM allows Czech Legion evacuation to Omsk.
Finish Civil War: Mannerheim Offensive (12,000 troops) towards Tampere (until March 19), takes 700 PoWs and 10 guns. Second phase (March 20-25) cuts off town (until March 25), he cables for speedy German arrival on March 20.
Another soruce reports this as: Battle of Tampere starts in Finland, as 16,000 White forces attempt to besiege 14,000 Red forces at Tampere in the largest engagement in the Finnish Civil War.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Atlantic: Destroyer HMS Michael depth charges and sinks U-110 off North Ireland.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Strikes in Austria-Hungary.
France: Explosion in an explosives factory in the Courneuve district near Paris (30 killed, 1500 wounded).
United Kingdom: Allies in London discuss Japanese intervention “against Germans” in Russia but Americans object.
Turkey: (Listed for yesterday): The Ottoman Empire and the Transcaucasian Commissariat (breakaway state from Russia) meet in Trebizond to negotiate a treaty for recognition and to settle border disputes.
United States: Lucretia Garfield, wife of former U.S. President James A. Garfield who established the first presidential library, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/973959692312510467
Sweden: Publication by "Politiken" of Prince Lichnowsky's memorandum.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germany: Most German Operation Michael artillery now in position, infantry begins night approach marches until March 18.
German infantry marches for Operation Michael to the Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/de-Inf-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Verdun: Big French raids near Cheppy and Malancourt, and counter-raiding by Germany, French take 160 PoWs, Germans 200.
Britain: Haig tells King he can smash any attack. Churchill memo envisages mine-clearing tanks.
British soldiers looking at a bridge over the Avre river at Roye, France, which was destroyed by the retreating Germans: © IWM (Q 9279): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/974322835383574528
Daylight air-raid by British on Zweibrucken (Pfalz), dropping 24 bombs. All bombers return safely.
French soldiers looking at a ruined church at Flirey near the frontlines: © IWM (Q 78983): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/974368384736464898
Portuguese soldiers in their trenches at Festubert, France: © IWM (Q 10752): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/974595129137926144

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: The Battle of Länkipohja phase of the Battle of Tampere concludes with a with victory. The battle is known for its bloody aftermath as the Whites executed 70–100 capitulated Reds.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Arabs disperse Turk camel corps northwest of Medina. Hejaz Railway near Bowat damaged, train derailed (March 19-20).
Persia: Hamadan (West Persia) evacuated by the Russian regular forces (see March 2nd, 1917).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Vienna police report ‘… great and rather widespread resentment against Germany’.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Big German trench raid north-east of Verdun, taking 200 French prisoners.
French troops raid German lines at Malancourt on a front of 1400 meters to a depth of 800 meters.
[note: I have to wonder if this is a repeat of the raids yesterday, or there exchanges of raids two days in a row. The report of prisoners taken inclines me to the former]
Daylight air-raid by British on Kaiserslautern (Pfalz), hitting the barrack and railway station.
Britain: Two German deserters tell BEF XVIII Corps to expect 6-hour barrage, but no date.
German 10.5 cm light field howitzers 16 at the acceptance by the army administration: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/abnahme-feldhaubitzen.jpg?ssl=1
British and French troops conversing near Barisis, France: © IWM (Q 8565): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/974686732925861889

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Robert Kosch’s German LII Corps (from Dobruja) occupies Nikolayev, hold all west of Dnieper including Kherson (March 20), advance continues (until March 29).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Black Sea: German occupation of Nikolayev gains ships building including 1 battleship, 3 cruisers, 4 destroyers, 2 gunboats and 3 submarines.

Political, etc
Ireland: In Belfast, the military is called out to quell riots that broke out last night between Sinn Féin members and police.
United States: White House announces it will cancel its annual egg rolling for Easter to conserve food. Other groups in the U.S. also urge people to observe an eggless Easter.

[jseal]

Letter from Harry S. Truman to Bess Wallace, March 17, 1918 (https://www.google.com/url?url=https://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/trumanpapers/fbpa/index.php%3FdocumentVersion%3Dboth%26documentid%3DHST-FBP_5-15_01%26pagenumber%3D3&rct=j&frm=1&q=&esrc=s&sa=U&ved=0ahUKEwjv1ebhmfTZAhXBdN8KHTHKDv0QFggUMAA&usg=AOvVaw20KKcTZ8z-D4MZTlkUXKkU)

[dicksbro]

Enjoyed reading Truman's letter to Bess, jseal. Thanks. Nice to see the humanity of people in the news ... not the scripted and rehearsed style we usually think of when celebrities say anything in public.

Thanks.

[gekkogecko]

Nice bit of usually-overlooked history, jseal. Thanks.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germany: Paul von Hindenburg and Erich von Ludendorff moved forward HQ from Spa to Avesnes.
Britain: British and Portuguese trench raids. Winston Churchill visits front until March 22.
Yser: Belgians (1,800 casualties) “repulse heavy local attacks” at three points and one east of Nieuport (March 30).
Hindenburg and Ludendorff at the map table: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/hindenburg-ludendorff.jpg?ssl=1
Daylight air-raid by British on Mannheim.
Air ‘Battle of Le Cateau’: Richthofen leads 30 fighters (among up to 50 German) vs 29 Royal Flying Corps aircraft, destroying 9 for 1 Albatros fighter. Germans claim total of 28 Allied aircraft for loss of 7.
British sentry near Peronne standing next to a bust wearing a helmet and having a smoke: © IWM (Q 9979): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975049876227723265
American troops preparing for an assault near Badonviller. Their bags are filled with hand grenades: © IWM (Q 61343): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975110525204946944
British soldier using a Lewis Machine gun tied to a wheel as an anti-aircraft gun: © IWM (Q 10749): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975334767444013056

Eastern Front
Czech Legion begins rail journey east but stopped at Penza by Soviet troops on March 22.

Political, etc
Publication of manifesto by Premiers and Foreign Ministers of Entente regarding Germany's policy towards Russia and Romania; they refuse to recognize the peace treaties. (see 3rd and 14th).
United States: Short comedy film “The Bell Boy,” starring Buster Keaton and Fatty Arbuckle, is released: https://archive.org/details/bellboy
Poland: (Special, 1921): The Polish–Soviet War, which determined the borders between the Republic of Poland and Soviet Russia, formally concluded with the signing of the Peace of Riga.
Netherlands: Dutch Government accept with reservations the Allied terms for use of Dutch shipping in United States and Entente ports (see 7th and 21st). Allies repeat it on March 19 and US Navy seizes 40 Dutch ships in her ports (March 20, full compensation to be given; 3000 sailors repatriated in July). Britain does likewise on March 21.

[dicksbro]

Enjoyed the Fatty Arbuckle short filmstrip. Don't remember the last time I saw an old movie with him (and Buster Keaton) in it. Thanks. A real treat.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
German raids in Champagne and on Meuse.
German gunners pull field guns for the upcoming offensive in their positions: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/de-artilleristen-ziehen-feldgeschuetze.jpg?ssl=1
Somme: General Gough writes home predicting German offensive on Thursday, March 21. Germans issued with special gasmask filters, 20 anti-tank bullets, and grenades.
British pre-emptive gas bombardment near St Quentin: 5,649 projectors fire 85t phosgene; 1,100 gassed (250 deaths).
Royal Garrison Officer at Monchy-le-Preux with the battery’s goat mascot: © IWM (Q 10744): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975455565265690624

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Germans still advancing in Ukraine.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Harwich Force (Captain St John vice Tyrwhitt on leave) with 3 French destroyers from Dunkirk tows 6 barges with seaplanes to make dawn reconnaissance mission off Terschelling island, shooting down 1 German seaplane (repeated on March 21).
Adriatic: Austro-Hungarian ship SS Linz hits a mine and sinks, resulting in 697 deaths, including 283 Italian POWs: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975682058042388480
Damage to the Australian ship SS Boorara after it was torpedoed by a German submarine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975682058621210624

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Small British advance in coastal sector of Palestine.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Debate in House of Lords on resolution approving principle of League of Nations, with Lord Landsdowne stating it was the only guarantee of future peace. The debate is adjourned.
United States: Daylight Saving Act for 31 May-27 October.
Netherlands: Allies demand unconditional acceptance of their demands by Dutch.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
“Repulse” of “strong German local attacks” in Champagne, near Verdun, in the Woevre, and in Lorraine.
Germany: Final council of war on Operation Michael at German GHQ Avesnes. Record (so far) 190 German divisions in theatre.
Iron Cross markings ordered changed to Balkenkreuze (Greek Cross) as from April 15.
On this Fokker Dr.I Triplanes the new ‘Balkenkreuz’ is visible on the top of the wings: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/fokker-dri-vor-start.jpg?ssl=1
Britain: Hugh Trenchard tenders resignation but retained till April 15.
Western Front: French capture German observation balloon with (bogus) documents revealing Roland offensive for March 26 in Champagne.
German soldiers gathering at St. Quentin, France before the Spring Offensive on the Western Front: © IWM (Q 55480): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975802863518736385

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied Blockade Committee formed.
Eastern Mediterranean: Allied convoy loses 4 ships to U-boat north of Alexandria, warning of its presence not received.

Political, etc
Germany: Reichstag debates Army seizure of Daimler (Stuttgart).
United Kingdom: Sir E. Geddes, speaking in House of Commons, gives figures relating to submarine warfare and shipbuilding (world shipping tonnage fell 8% in 1917, Britain’s by 20%), and announces that Lord Pirrie is to be Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding, soon improves repair procedure for damaged ships.
Mr. A. Henderson declares that Labour cannot accept peace of Brest-Litovsk.
COAL, GAS AND ELECTRICITY RATIONING INTRODUCED; theatres to close at 10.30pm, restaurants at 10pm.
Romania: M. Alexandru Marghiloman, Romanian Prime Minister.
United States: Dutch ships in ports of the U.S. seized by Government.
Christening of the Ferris-type wooden boat at Harrison, New Jersey. Large wooden boats capable of trans-Atlantic travel were constructed due to steel shortages: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/975742465662771202

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
The storm breaks: the Kaiserschlacht, the series of German offensives on the Western Front begins with Unternehmen Michael. The entire series is often referred to by the British as Operation Michael, with Michael itself (until April 5) often referred to as the Second Battle of the Somme. And occasionally, this is further broken down and the beginning (until March 23) is referred to as Battle of St Quentin.
The German offensive on the Western Front (Operation Michael) opens with a massive assault against British forces in Picardy by 56 German Army Divisions, on 50-mile front between Sensee and Oise rivers. The offensive achieves a number of spectacular early successes, shattering the British defensive line.
German main attack against British Fifth Army (Hubert Gough) on 42-mile southern sector from Gouzeaucourt to Barisis, south of La Fere.
German Northern attack on British Third Army (Julian Byng) by 25 divisions of Seventeenth (Otto von Below) and Second (Georg von der Marwitz) Armies.
5 hour German bombardment by record 6,473 guns and 3,532 mortars on 43-mile front vs 2,500 British begins at 0440 hours, shelling 20 miles behind, causing up to 7,500-8,000 casualties. Lavish use of Blue and Green Cross gas shells is expected to paralyze British artillery (2 million gas shells expended by April 6). German stormtroopers attack in dense mist at various points between 0700 and 0930 hours and advance up to 4 1/2 miles; meet fierce battle zone resistance. Germans advance to Crozat Canal southwest of St Quentin. First of Gough’s reserve divisions in evening action. First 9 German tanks in action.
The German A7V tank makes its debut in the offensive, with 9 tanks deployed, but 3 break down before seeing combat. A7V tank at Roye: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976455921462333440
On Michael sector of attack 720 German aircraft (326 fighters) vs 579 Royal Flying Corps (261 fighters) in 31 squadrons. Udet designated commander Jasta 11 succeeding Lothar von Richthofen. Total German front line strength 3,668 aircraft. Fog hinders early air operations but 36 RFC squadrons see action by end of day losing 16 planes for 14 claimed crashed kills (Germans admit 11 loss and claim 21 Allied planes). British lose 3 observation balloons. 27 German Schlachtstaffeln (168 ground-attacker planes) attack British Third and Fifth Armies.
During the initial stages of the offensive, the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) is instrumental in gathering intelligence about the timing and composition of the attack and on the first day of the offensive, 250 British aircraft from 27 squadrons strafe and bomb the advancing German Army, disrupting its operations and damaging enemy morale. 50 aircraft are lost overall.
British battle positions penetrated at various points, especially near St. Quentin. The German advance forces 17 Royal Flying Corps Squadrons to evacuate airfields that are in danger of being overrun.
For 39,929 casualties Germans inflict 38,512 casualties (including 21,000 PoWs), take 532 guns, 46 ruined villages and 98.5 square miles of ground more than Allied 1916 Somme offensive in 141 days.
British defenders watch the advancing Germans appear through the mist on the first day of the Michael-Offensive. Fog aided the German attackers: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Michael-Offensive.jpg?ssl=1
Artois: British gas attack at Lens: 3,728 projectors fire 57t phosgene; 700 gassed (150 deaths).
Champagne: German diversionary attack between Maisons de Champagne and Navarin; hand-to-hand fighting in French forward trenches. Mustard gas attack on US 42nd Division.
General Pershing, Commander of the US Expeditionary Force in France, addressing his troops at Condrecourt: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976181625548623873

Naval and Overseas Operations
Destroyer action in North Sea between Allied and German flotillas (see October 17th, 1914).
Dunkirk bombarded by German destroyers, Ostend by British monitors; two destroyer actions, two German vessels (torpedo boats A 7 & A 10) sunk.
Mozambique: Official report of fighting 22 February 1918 at Msalu (Portuguese East Africa) and of occupation of Nampula by column from Mozambique.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Passage of the Jordan by British forces (21st/23rd).

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm: “We are at the decisive moment of the war, and one of the greatest moments in German history.”
United Kingdom: Miners under age 25 lose military service exemption (to recruit 50,000).
Romania: M. Constantine Arian appointed Romanian Foreign Minister (see 12th and November 8th).
United States: Railroad Control Act gives Federal control until 21 months after peace ratification.
Netherlands: Dutch shipping question to the fore.

[gekkogecko]

Unternehmen Michael, Second Battle of the Somme, Battle of St Quentin: Germans generally held on northern part of battle-front, but British defenses broken through west of St. Quentin, and troops here and in adjoining sectors retreat hastily. Germans claim 16,000 prisoners and 200 guns. Masses of infantry advance; Germans ‘leapfrog’ fresh divisions through tired troops. British slowly pushed back, 25 tanks (16 lost) and 19th Division counter-attack well at Beugny. Germans capture Epehy and Roisel, cross Crozat Canal and reach Vaux. 2nd of Gough’s reserve divisors enters battle after midnight. Gough decides to fall back on positions east of Somme.
British soldiers gather at a plug-in tank. The German spring offensive hits the Allied front with unexpected power: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/brit-soldaten-tank.jpg?ssl=1
17 Royal Flying Corps squadrons move bases back; operations almost all ground attack (RFC lose 30 to German 11). RFC night bombers destroy 2 ammo dumps.
A wounded captured British soldier being treated by German troops: © IWM (Q 88060): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976486124385390592

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Finnish White Troops launch an expedition to annex Karelia from Soviet Russia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British minesweeping sloop Gaillardia (68 lives lost) mined and sunk due to too shallow-laid Northern Barrage mines. Laying not resumed until April 20. Destroyer HMS Kale mined and sunk (March 27).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British cross Jordan and advance eastward. First Trans-Jordan ‘Raid’: Shea’s Force (85 casualties) cross swollen river at Hijla against 1,000 Turks with 6 guns for raid on Amman.

Political, etc
Netherlands: Dutch Government informed that Allies have decided to seize Dutch ships in their ports.
Spain: New Spanish Cabinet under Senores Maura and Dato.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Paris first shelled by long-range gun (from Crépy-en-Valois, 75 miles distant) (see August 15th). Note: this gun, for some abysmally stupid reason sometimes referred to as “Big Bertha” was one mount, with several replacement barrels. It was a special 8.26in Krupp design. The first bombardment, lasting until May 1, consists of 183 shells. Overall, the daily shelling of Paris continues until August 9), for a total of 303 rounds fired, with 23 shots at range of 74 miles (256 killed, 620 wounded).
Unternehmen Michael. Second Battle of the Somme. Battle of St Quentin: Battle of St Quentin phase ends. Germans take Monchy-le-Preux, cross Tortille river. British lose line of Crozat Canal: Gough decides to continue retreat to western bank of the Somme. Germans enter Ham and Peronne (evacuated) and pursue to there; some bridges lost more or less intact. French infantry (5 divisions ordered) begin to arrive by lorry to take over front south of Peronne, 1 regiment in action. Byng’s Third Army abandons Flesquieres (Cambrai) Salient.
A British tank Mark IV (female) in the ruined streets of Peronne, shortly before evacuation: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Tank-IV-Peronne.jpg?ssl=1
French refugees leaving the commune of Ham in order to escape the German Spring Offensive: © IWM (Q 10828): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976818313245462529
A wounded British soldier at Peronne after fighting the Germans at St. Quentin: © IWM (Q 10779): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976864864168759297
U.S. Marine receiving first aid in a trench in the Toulon Sector, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/976879964447526914
German forces claim the capture of 25,000 British prisoners, 400 artillery guns, and 300 machine guns so far in its offensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977151747700510721
British soldiers setting up an improvised barrier in Peronne as defenses against the German offensive: © IWM (Q 11568): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977181956847865857
British air-raid on Konz (near Treves) by night.
French fighters reinforce Royal Flying Corps (38 planes lost including 6 in Flanders; Germans claim 29 Allied aircraft for loss of 14) between the Oise and Somme (until March 24) who claim 36 German aircraft as weather improves.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: 4 British echo-ranging East Coast stations accurately fix Dover Patrol monitors bombarding Zeebrugge.
Dardanelles: British destroyer HMS Arno sunk in collision.
Western Mediterranean: Italian minelayer Partenope sunk by UC-67 off Tunisia after firing her last shell.

Political, etc
Germany: Russian and Romanian treaties adopted by Reichstag.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Michael/Second Battle of the Somme: First Battle of Bapaume phase (24th/25th): Bapaume and Péronne taken by German forces (see March 17th and 18th, 1917 and August 29th and September 1st, 1918). Germans also cross Somme between Peronne and Ham, and take Nesle and Peronne, and further south capture Guiscard and Chauny. They now claim 30,000 prisoners and 600 guns. Germans destroy 500-strong South African Brigade.
Separation of BEF and French Armies threatened. A shaken Petain orders Fayolle above all to keep ‘the solid connection of the French armies and then, if possible, to preserve contact with the British Forces’. At 2300 hours Petain visits Haig and refuses further reserves as he expects main German blow in Champagne at any moment. Haig enquires if he means to abandon BEF right flank and allow Germans to penetrate; Petain nods assent. Haig cables War Office for Wilson and War Minister Milner to come to France at once, emphasizing ‘unless General Foch or some other determined general is given supreme command of the operations … there will be a disaster’.
Petain, the hero of Verdun, inspects a new barbed wire assembly: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Petain-besichtigt-Stacheldraht.jpg?ssl=1
German artillery pulled by horses towards the front to support the ongoing offensive: © IWM (Q 29951): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977212163352875009
British Mark IV Tank in the streets of Peronne: © IWM (Q 10832): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977242353571454978
British 3rd Cavalry Division going towards the front to meet the German offensive: © IWM (Q 10790): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977544333858607104
Waves of 20-80 French bombers intervene in BEF’s Somme battle, Group Fequant from Soissons and Fareen-Tardenois, with Group Manard from Chalons (March 25), effort especially against German convoys continues (March 26-29). Captain J L Trollope in Sopwith Camel of No 43 Squadron Royal Fling Corps scores 6 victories. Royal Flying Corps lose 65 aircraft to claim of 42 German (17 in Flanders). German claim is 35 Allied for 14 lost. Germans night bomb Albert and Amiens (10 hours interruption to rail traffic).
Germany: British airplanes raid Mannheim by day and Cologne by night, the latter by Handley Page bombers (first raid on Cologne since 1914 (night March 24-25)).
A photograph of the massive “Paris Gun, used to bombard Paris from a distance of 75 miles: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977257455011942400

Southern Front
Italy: 3 French divisions recalled to Western Front (until March 26); Corsican Graziani replaces Maistre as C-in-C.

Naval and Overseas Operations
India: Northwest Frontier: A British air raid drops 3 bombs, killing 14 armed tribesmen at Marri district capital (submits April 19).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance nine miles towards Es Salt (Jordan); British 60th Division captures El Haud Hill with 3 guns. There are now 9,600 British soldiers with 82 guns vs 5,500 (maximum) Turks and Germans with c.26 guns. Eight RFC aircraft bomb Amman.

Political, etc
Germany: Germany recognizes the independence of Lithuania, declared on February 16, but very little changes as the country remains occupied by Germany.
United States: Scottish-American magician William E. Robinson (stage name Chung Ling Soo) dies after failing to do the “bullet catch” magic trick: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977514134282670080

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Western Front
Unternehmen Michael/Second Battle of the Somme: Battle of Noyon phase. Noyon taken by German forces (see March 18th, 1917 and August 29th, 1918). Germans carry Bapaume in night attack; subsequently their advance, though less rapid than on previous two days, continues on whole front from Ervillers (north of Bapaume) to the Oise. Germans claim 45,000 prisoners since beginning of attack.
General Emile Fayolle takes command south of Somme; 7 French infantry divisions and 1 cavalry division now engaged. Germans oust Third Army from Bapaume. Noyon falls to night assault despite British 18th Division counter-attack. Gaps opening between BEF and French armies and between British XIX Corps (Herbert Watts) and XVIII Corps (Ivor Maxse). Crisis of the battle: Hubert Gough summons his chief engineer Major-General Peter Grant and directs him to form scratch force (Constantine Carey’s Force until April 2) of 3,000 men with 92 MGs including 500 US rail engineers and hold line east of Amiens. John Pershing offers Philippe Petain 4 US divisions at 2200 hours; 2 relieve French divisions in quiet sectors. Haig, Wilson and Weygand meet at Abbeville.
An improvised battle group of French and British soldiers occupy a hastily prepared defensive position: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/frz-brit-soldaten-verteidigung.jpg?ssl=1
Thick smoke rises up as British troops burn stores and hutments at Omiecourt during their retreat from the German offensive: © IWM (Q 10796): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977621257867980801
German officers cooking their meal in a trench at Roye: © IWM (Q 55244): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977845058505494528
Over 100 Royal Flying Corps aircraft ground attack to support BEF Third Army.
British pilot Captain John Lightfoot Trollope is credited with shooting down 7 German aircraft in a single day, the first British pilot to do so.

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Carl Mannerheim attacks Tampere (until March 28) against bitter resistance. Karelian Finn ski troops raid into Russia and cut railway to Petrograd (until March 26). Last Red attack on Ahvola (Karelia) just fails on March 26.

Naval and Overseas Operations
A view of the Italian minelayer Partenope, torpedoed and sunk two days ago by the German submarine UC-67 north of Tunisia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977574536546865152

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British take Es Salt.
Mesopotamia: RFC Commander Colonel Tennant shot down and captured in DH4 at Khan Baghdadi by Euphrates (8 armored cars rescue him on March 28). RFC air liaison essential in British Khan Baghdadi victory, also make 32 ground attacks dropping 6,344lb of bombs (March 26-27).

Political, etc
Belarus: The Belarusian People’s Republic declares its independence from Russia in Minsk.
France: French composer Claude Debussy, associated with Impressionist music, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977876515449864192
United Kingdom: War Cabinet discuss possibility of BEF retreat to Channel ports.
Japan: Sino-Japanese Agreement to resist hostile influences.
United States: Mexican rebels cross the Texas border and raid a ranch, killing two. This is the last major attack by Mexican rebels on U.S. soil.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Michael/Second Battle of the Somme: Albert and Bray taken by German forces (see March 17th, 1917 and August 22nd and 27th, 1918). British make stand north of Somme on line Roeux-Ayette-Beaumont Hamel-Albert-Bray, Very heavy fighting south of Somme; Germans capture Lihons, Chaulnes, Roye and Noyon.
British Whippet light tanks first time in action: 12 rout 2 German battalions, helping ANZAC troops to plug Hebuterne-Collincamps gap in Third Army front after 22-mile retreat in 5 days.
The Whippet tanks of the 3rd Battalion Tank Corps move up first time into action near Maillet Mailly on this day: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Whippet-erster-Einsatz.jpg?ssl=1
DOULLENS CONFERENCE: between Georges Clemenceau, Alfred, Lord Milner, Douglas Haig, Philippe Petain and Ferdinand Foch (all but Haig met at Compiegne at 1700 hours on March 25). "Doullens Agreement" concluded. At Haig’s proposal FOCH APPOINTED TO CO-ORDINATE ALLIED MOVEMENTS (President Wilson approves on March 29) (see April 14th). [Note: Although labeled “Haig’s” proposal, this was a face-saving formality; the French had been pressing for this decision since before the American involvement, with confusion only about whom should be appointed. The British strongly resisted, and only reluctantly agreed in the face of nearly overwhelming disaster, and in fact, continued for the rest of the war to undercut Foch’s decisions when they perceived such decisions would lead to more British disasters].
Germany claims 45,000 British prisoners captured since the start of the offensive.
The ruins of Albert Cathedral, damaged by German (?) shelling: © IWM (Q 37367): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978208707510194176/photo/1
Foch immediately switches Marie-Eugène Debeney’s First French Army from St Mihiel sector towards Amiens and asks both Haig and Petain to maintain a united front. Petain makes a pessimistic report on his plans to fortify and defend Amiens 20 miles behind front. Foch retorts: ‘We must fight in front of Amiens. We must stop where we are now. As we have not been able to stop the Germans on the Somme, we must not retire a single centimeter!’
British and French military and government leaders meet in Doullens France to coordinate the war effort, and both governments agree General Ferdinand Foch should be appointed “commander-in-chief” of the Allied forces: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978286741986607106/photo/1
British Third Army uses 27 of its 34 Royal Flying Corps squadrons or over 250 aircraft for close support, total 29t (c.1437) bombs and 228,000 rounds by formations of up to 60 aircraft. RFC lose 50 planes (Germans claim 12 for loss of 5) for 10 German claimed. Both sides night bomb. RFC drop record of 1,326 bombs.
A wounded British soldier is carried past defensive positions manned by French soldiers near Roye: © IWM (Q 10824): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977952015950209025/photo/1
German artillery moving forward near Bapaume: © IWM (Q 51465): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/977967116455424005/photo/1
A French cavalry patrol near the Amiens-Roye Road during the German offensive: © IWM (Q 10826): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978238909493731329/photo/1

Naval and Overseas Operations
St George’s Channel: Royal Navy PC-51 depth charges and sinks U-61, sinker of 36 ships (90,770t) since 1916.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British cavalry advancing towards Amman (east of Jordan).
Mesopotamia: Action of Khan Baghdadi (26th/27th). British carry Turkish positions on Euphrates and claim 3,000 prisoners. A further source claims: H. T. Brooking’s c.11,000 men, 48 guns, 16 planes, 13 armored cars and 300 Ford vans storm 2 Turk trench lines and cut Aleppo road trapping 5,254 PoWs (including Nazim Bey, commander 50th Division), 12 guns and 47 MGs for 159 casualties.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Churchill cables all factories for increased output and Easter holidays’ deferment (over 1,500 firms do); assures War Cabinet 2,000 guns ready for BEF by April 6. Light, Heating and Power Order, no lighting in public places after 10.30pm.
Japan: Prime Minister of Japan says gravity of situation in Siberia may shortly compel action.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Michael/Second Battle of the Somme: Battle of Rosières phase (26th/27th). Germans advance on both side of Somme in night attack, reaching Sailly le Sec (12 miles from Amiens), but lose ground in British counter-attacks. Germans afterwards fail in attacks from Bucquoy to Rosieres and are checked near Lassigny and Noyon, but take Montdidier after rapid advance (see August 10th).
British XIX Corps takes 800 PoWs and holds firm by the Somme. In Allied center Germans capture Proyart, Morcourt and Lamotte-Warfusee and are 12 miles East of Amiens. Still a 10-mile gap between the British and French armies. Foch orders ‘lose not another meter of ground!’ Dismounted cavalry halt key German thrust 11 miles east of Amiens as 3rd Australian Division (Monash) comes up.
BEF weekly officer casualties record 6,325 since March 21. Turning point in great offensive (by Crown Prince Rupprecht).
Assault of German infantry in the west: https://ww2-weapons.com/diary-march-27-1918/sturmangriff-de-inf/
The Victoria Cross is posthumously awarded to 2nd Lieutenant A.A. McLeod of No.2 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. At 19 years old, he is the youngest airman to receive this award during the First World War, for action during a bombing mission over Bray-sur-Somme in France and for saving the life of his observer, Lieutenant A.W. Hammond, after being shot down in an Armstrong Whitworth FK8 (B5773).
JG 1 shoots down 13 Royal Flying Corps (RFC) planes (39 lost in all) over Albert (3 to Richthofen) without loss. Schlachtstaffeln attack 4 villages on Somme and Ancre. RFC drops record of 50t bombs and fires 313,345 MG rounds. On whole front Germans admit 6 losses for 34 Allied victims.
Map showing extend of German gains in the offensive. Perpendicular lines are today’s gains, diagonal is the previous day’s, and the bold line is the German positions on the 21st: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978347142413737984

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British destroyer HMS Kale, as reported several days ago in connection with other operations, sunk by mine.
5 minelaying British destroyers sink 3 German armed trawlers (72 PoWs) 70 miles northwest of Heligoland Bight.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Allenby warned to stay on defensive and spare troops for France (9 Yeo regiments on March 26). Anzac Mounted Division attacks and temporarily isolates Amman, but second attack fails on March 28 as Turkish Fourth Army C-in-C Djemal Kuchuk takes over German-stiffened defense.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: First Battle of Arras 1918 (aka FOURTH BATTLE OF ARRAS) phase (see August 26th).
Great German attack on wide front north and south of Scarpe river defeated with very heavy loss. Ludendorffs Operation Mars fails bloodily with 9 divisions against 4 to clear northern flank of his ‘bulge’ against British Third Army and Arras itself. Local German attacks towards Amiens gain 3 miles; Germans take Hamel, Mezieres and Demuin, but fail to cut off XIX Corps’ retreat from Rosieres.
At 1630 hours Henry Rawlinson replaces Hubert Gough (recalled).
Strong French counter-attacks gain ground near Montdidier and between Hainvillers and Pont l'Eveque (Oise).
The end in the barbed wire – fallen German soldier in a Cheval de frise: https://ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/ende-im-stacheldraht.jpg
British Whippet Tanks on the move to meet the German offensive near Albert: © IWM (Q 8811): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978971236943441920
General Pershing asks for employment of U.S. troops.
Ludendorff orders completion of preparations for reduced Flanders Operation Georgette. In the estimated 8-10 days before (actually 12 days) he orders all efforts be made to secure Amiens. King visits BEF until March 30.
Royal Flying Corps lose 58 planes in low-level operations (7 German planes shot down) dropping 40t bombs and firing 242,000 rounds.
Royal Engineers near Roye setting an explosive charge on a tree to cause to fall across the road to slow down the German offensive. © IWM (Q 11573): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978695684022038528
French gunners firing on German positions at Nampcel: © IWM (Q 91197): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979002746606178304

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: H.M. boarding steamer Tithonus torpedoed.
Atlantic: Submarine-cruiser U-157 investigates Spanish liner Infanta Isabel de Bourbon. The latter is then allowed to proceed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: 2/14th Battalion (London Scottish) soldiers with bagpipes marching through the recently captured town of Es Salt: © IWM (Q 12610): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/978665503676928000
At Amman (Jordan), Ottoman troops launch counterattacks against British forces to prevent them from taking the city.
Mesopotamia: British armored cars capture Ana, its radio station and drive 73 miles beyond until March 29.

Political, etc
Australia: Australian Cabinet reconstituted.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: No serious fighting north of Somme. Between Somme and Avre Germans continue to advance, taking Hamel, Mezieres and Demuin.
French hold line west of Mezieres-La Neuville-Sire Bernard-outskirts of Montdidier. Continued French counter-attacks on southern flank.
Germans claim 70,000 prisoners and 1,100 guns since opening of offensive.
Quiet phase begins until April 3. Kaiser briefed at Mons. Luettwitz’s III Corps drives Anglo-French back up to 2 miles on 7-mile front between the Avre and Luce.
General Ferdinand Foch appointed to co-ordinate action of Allied Armies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979381442215055360
Paris: Long-range gun causes 165 civilian casualties in Church of St Gervais.
French cemetery near Lens wrecked by shell fire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979063147351994368
A Frenchwoman refugee with her cow in Amiens to escape the German offensive: © IWM (Q 10836): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979078234540212224
King George V in a conversation with men of the Gordon Highlanders at Frevent, France during his visit to the front: © IWM (Q 315): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979289610403631104
German soldiers helping push a 77mm field gun over rough terrain: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979319830691147776
Destroyed town of Misery, France in the Somme: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979351242534281216
German carts pass by an abandoned British tank near Combles, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979411640788582400

Eastern Front
Ukraine: German 2nd Cavalry Division occupies Poltava.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters:
Palestine: British troops of the Imperial Camel Corps taking positions near Amman (Jordan) during the battle to capture it: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979305940515262464

Political, etc.
Austria-Hungary: Ottokar von Czernin urges Emperor Charles to launch Italian Front attack to support Hindenburg
Germany: Germans ratify Brest-Litovsk treaty of 3 March.
France: Senate votes 1919 class call up.
Canada: (Listed for Yesterday) In Quebec, anti-war and anti-conscription riots break out, fueled by French-Canadian nationalism.
Turkey: Turks ratify peace with Russia and Ukraine.
United States: Lloyd George cables Woodrow Wilson for immediate commitment of US troops plus 120,000 per month to Europe (Georges Clemenceau also on March 31).

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: French heavily engaged on 25-mile front between Moreuil and Lassigny as 14 Germans divisions gain 2 miles on average, capturing 6 villages and doubling Avre bridgehead.
French continue their counter-offensive; desperate resistance to German attacks.
French troops await a gas attack: https://ww2-weapons.com/?attachment_id=21461
North of Somme in Boivy and Boyelles region (Cojeul river) heavy German attacks break down. British, Australian and Canadian troops (including 1,400 cavalry) counter-attack, recapture most of Moreuil Wood and 3 other woods. Georg von der Marwitz’s 8 divisions gain only a mile, now 11 miles east of Amiens.
“Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron” by Alfred Munnings, depicting the battle in Moreuil Wood: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979668333749469185
South of Somme in Luce valley, Demuin is lost and retaken by British.
Attack on Belgian trenches east of Nieuport repulsed.
RFC personnel loss of 199 since March 24 highest weekly total of war until September 15-21.
A view of the St-Gervais-et-St-Protais Church, damaged by the Paris Gun: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979441840624726016

Southern Front
The Victoria Cross is awarded to Lieutenant A. Jerrard of No.66 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, for gallantry displayed during an offensive patrol over Italy in a Sopwith Camel (B5648). for destroying 3 of 6 out of 19 Austro-Hungarian fighters engaging 3 Camels.
Albania: Austro-Hungarian attempt against bridgehead in Avlona sector fails.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British raid Hejaz railway near Amman (east of Jordan). Third attack on Amman fails against citadel, night retreat ordered. NZ Brigade covers it on March 31.
Armenia: Turkish I Caucasian Corps takes old Karaurgan frontier post, patrols penetrate c.8 miles.
War breaks out between Armenians and Azerbaijanis. In the next few days, several thousand Azerbaijanis are killed in Baku (Azerbaijan) by Armenians and allegedly by Bolsheviks.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: H.M. the King returns from a visit to the front.
Mr. Lloyd George issues statement on course of present battle and announces appointment of General Foch.
British women at a munitions factory working during Easter weekend: © IWM (Q 110357): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979729998746673155

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: French make some progress between Montdidier and Lassigny.
West of Albert German attack is stopped.
Indecisive fighting in Luce and Avre valleys. Eberhard von Hofacker’s LI Corps recaptures woods lost on March 30. Ludendorff orders April 4 thrust for Amiens after supplies brought up. British capture then lose Hangard.
1,059 aeroplanes reported brought down on all fronts in March, of which Allies make the ridiculous claim of 838, and Germans 221.
822 German aircraft supporting Ludendorff Offensive vs 645 British, but only 3 Anglo-German combats as Germans claim 19 Allied aircraft for loss of 4. BEF Fifth Army’s anti-aircraft guns claim 17 aircraft since March 21. Germans admit March loss of 161 aircraft and claim 447 Allied.
Comparative statement of bombing activity by British and German aircraft issued.
Easter Day: Germans claim 75,000 PoWs and c.1000 guns captured since March 21. German Army peak ration strength 7,917,170 men.
BEF March losses 173.721 soldiers, second worst month of war, including 124,462 infantry and cavalry since March 21.
General Erich Ludendorff as hard-working talented staff officer. During 1917-1918 he is the most powerful man in Germany, but he waged war as an end in itself, ignoring Clausewitz’s great maxim: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Ludendorff.jpg?ssl=1
American Army nurses receiving instructions on using gas masks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979805499347566593

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Germans form new Army Group Eichhorn (18 divisions) at Kiev for Ukraine occupation, CoS Karl Groener to organise railways; Alexander von Linsingen removed and Bugarmee dissolved.

Southern Front
Announced that British troops in Italy are now holding sector on Asiago Plateau instead of Montello.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Black Sea: Battlecruiser Yavuz Sultan Selim carries Central Powers Armistice Commission to Odessa.
Allied and neutral shipping losses during March: 169 ships (79 British with 490 lives) worth 244,814t (British 199,458t including 3 mined). U-boat figure 190 ships worth 368,746t, including 68 ships of 128,620t in Mediterranean (4 to Austrians); 5 U-boats sunk (2 to unknown cause).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
War Office reports progress in Mesopotamia, Palestine, and the Hejaz.
Palestine: However, despite the “progress”, British efforts to take Amman (Jordan) fail due to Ottoman counterattacks and rainy weather that frustrated supply efforts.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Arbeiter-Zeitung on Sea-power.
Russia: Russo-Romanian agreement on subject of Bessarabia completed.
France: “Blue Bird,” a fantasy film directed by Maurice Tourneur, is released: https://archive.org/details/theBlueBird1918
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George in message to Dominions says "the last man may count".
Canada: Thousands of Canadian soldiers are sent to Quebec to quell anti-war and anti-conscription riots.
The Toronto Arenas defeat the Vancouver Millionaires to win the 1918 Stanley Cup Finals: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/979790393003954177
United States: Agreement between Capital and Labor to refer all questions to arbitration announced.
Daylight Saving Time goes into effect for the first time in the United States, moving the clocks forward one hour.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: Local attacks near Albert repulsed. British war poet and painter Pte Isaac Rosenberg killed aged 27 east of Arras (4th Division).
Grivesnes (southern Moreuil) heavily attacked but remains in French hands.
At Hebuterne (Bucquoy) heavy local fighting.
Germany: During April 8 German divisions transfer to Western Front.
British soldiers taking a rest near Amiens to eat during their retreat from the German offensive: © IWM (Q 10842): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980152775211470848
The Royal Air Force (RAF) is formed by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). The Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) is also formed from those serving in air units of Women's Royal Naval Service, Women's Auxiliary Army Corps, the Voluntary Aid Detachment and the Women's Legion.
The Royal Aircraft Establishment is formed from the Royal Aircraft Factory at Farnborough.
That’s the for realz note. Wikipedia reports this as: Wikipedia's report on this is: 1918 – The British Armed Forces started to grant personnel the power to fly.
All ex-RNAS units (add 60 to squadron numbers and 200 to wing nos); RNAS officers receive military ranks; 63 RAF squadrons and 1 Special Duty Flight in France. Includes RAF Nos 100 and 216 night bombing Squadrons transferred to French zone to raid rail targets in Chalons-sur-Marne sector on six 6 nights (until May 9).
Two mascot dogs of the British No. 22 Squadron on top of a Bristol Fighter: © IWM (Q 11991): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980425817019879426
England: In April London Air Defence Area has 282 fighters on 14 airfields, 260 guns and 353 searchlights.
France: 7 Gotha bombers drop 21 bombs on Paris.
Men of the South African Scottish brigade with their pet baboon holding a rifle: © IWM (Q 10841): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980167872914903046
British tanks at Mont-Saint-Éloi to meet the German offensive: © IWM (Q 338): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980395613782241280
German (??) observation balloons being sent up over Coblenz: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980456017409560577

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: German Expeditionary Force for Finland leaves Danzig.
Whites close ring on 1,000 Reds in Battle of Rautu (until April 5).
USSR: Red Army now 114,678 soldiers strong, 30 divisors planned (88 in May).
Ukraine: During April French Captain E Bordes, officially helping Red Ukraine C-in-C Antonov, moves 3,000 rail wagons of munitions to Samara on Volga, out of German reach. Similar convoys (including strategic minerals) to Tsaritsyn and Baku.

Southern Front
Mediterranean: RAF HQ at Malta, 6 aircraft/seaplane carriers based there or at Alexandria and Mudros.
Salonika: No 150 Squadron RAF formed with flights from Nos 17 and 47 Squadrons, destroys or captures 36 Bulgarian aircraft for loss of 1 (until September 18).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British destroyer HMS Falcon sunk in collision.
Atlantic: In April fast US troop convoys begin, transporting 1,037,000 troops for loss of 3 transports; Aquitania carries 60,000 men in 9 voyages.
An American troop convoy is approaching the French coast with the safety of airships: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/US-Truppengeleitzug.jpg?ssl=1
Mediterranean: In April First Sea Lord and Royal Navy Intelligence chief Rear-Admiral Hall visit Malta to reorganize C-in-C’s staff to reduce shipping losses. Fixed Otranto Barrage begun (until September) but 121 U-boat passages (until August) despite 58 depth charge attacks.
Britain: In April HMS Simoom, first S-class destroyer completed (ordered Apr 1917), 18 more completed by Armistice. During April Allied shipbuilding for first time exceeds lost tonnage and does so for duration of war.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Strong Turkish resistance near Amman; British retire to Es Salt.
During April one British anti-aircraft section of 2 guns (17 sections with EEF) in action 76 times, firing average of 100 rounds, Germans especially note hampering of reconnaissance during April 13-19.
Persia: Enzeli evacuated by the Russian regular forces (see February 17th).
Martinsyde Scout of No 72 Squadron RAF joins Dunsterville at Hamadan.
Mesopotamia: British troops 73 miles beyond Ana (Middle Euphrates).

Political, etc
Germany: Berlin reports the despatch of ultimatum to Russia on subject of Finland.
Canada: Anti-conscription riots continue in Quebec. Troops fire on rioters.

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Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: Artois: British 32nd Division recaptures Ayette south of river Scarpe.
Somme: British Fifth Army renamed Fourth.
Local fighting between Moreuil and Lassigny.
Generally fighting has died down.
U.S. agrees to brigade troops with British and French.
US C-in-C General Pershing with French troops: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pershing-Franzosen.jpg?ssl=1
Miss Sylvia Hodkinson becomes the first Women's Royal Air Force (WRAF) recruit.
The British Official Dispatches report James McCudden (57 victories) awarded Victoria Cross.
Canadian soldiers sleeping and writing letters in the trenches near Willerval: © IWM (CO 2533): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980501316106629122
French troops in rifle pits on the frontlines at Le Plessier: © IWM (Q 78097): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980788216109453312

Political, etc
Russia: Siberia reported dominated by Bolsheviks, German and Austrian prisoners being armed.
United Kingdom: "Curfew" order comes into force.
Canada: Prime Minister intends to enforce Military Act on Quebec rioters. A report that yesterday’s clash the deaths of 5 people and several dozen injuries.
Poland: New Polish Cabinet formed by M. Jan Kanty Steczkowski.

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Western Front
Local fighting in Scarpe river region and at Hebuterne.
Heavy air fighting and bombing.
One long-range gun reported blown up.
British troops marching out from their billets at Hardivillers, France: © IWM (Q 78985): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980863722125234176
Beauvais Conference: Foch further empowered to direct Allied strategy. U.S. agrees to let its troops directly reinforce British and French units to help stem the German offensive.

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: German Expeditionary Force lands in South Finland at Hangö (see 1st, 13th and December 16th). Germans total 9,445 German soldiers with 18 guns and 165 MGs, though another source claims up to 30,000.
German and Finnish troops hold a parade in Helsinki: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/de-fin-truppen.jpg?ssl=1
White Guards capture Tammefors with 1,000 prisoners.
Ukraine: Ekaterinoslav taken by German forces. Indications of coalition between local authorities and Entente to “safeguard” Murman railway.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Baltic: 3 Russian and 7 British submarines blown up outside Helsinki harbor (latter by remaining 26 Royal Navy sailors) to avoid capture (until April 5) together with their mines and torpedoes; crews transferred to Murmansk via Petrograd. Captain Cromie stays behind to continue as Naval attaché and scuttle 3 small British merchantmen (April 9-10) trapped since 1914.
British Shipping output for first quarter 320,280 tons.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Baluchistan: Successful progress of operations against the Marris.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Ottokar von Czernin speaks on international situation and declares he has received peace offer from France (M. Georges Clemenceau denies this).
Russia: All-Russian Bureau of Military Commissars formed, works when military regions created from April 8.
United Kingdom: Allied Blockade Committee meets.
South Africa: General Botha appeals to "Fellow South Africans" for recruits.
United States: Large guns being constructed at the U.S. government arsenal at Watervliet, New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/980848624933490688

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: Battle of the Avre: 15 German divisions vs 7 Allied and 1,278 guns. After initial panic British and 2,250 Australian soldiers repulse 9th Bavaria Reserve Division before Villers-Brettoneux. and French between Avre and Luce rivers.
North of Somme, attack near Albert is repulsed.
Five French divisions counter-attack between Grivesnes and Noyon and gain ground in Castel-Cantigny sector.
Since March 21 Germans have advanced up to 40 miles and secure 1,200 sq miles of Allied territory, with 90,000 PoWs and 1,300 guns. BEF has received 101,000 infantry replacements so far, often teenagers. US 3rd Divisions lands in France.
British and French soldiers in a common line of defense: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brit-frz-soldaten.jpg?ssl=1
Troops of the London Regiment (London Scottish) at a boxing tournament at Mont. St. Eloi: © IWM (Q 321): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981213521353601029
A British soldier next to a fallen comrade awaiting burial near Domart, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981228620084588546

Naval and Overseas Operations
English Channel: British destroyer HMS Bittern sunk with all hands in collision: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981471557229973505
Adriatic: 61 Austrian sailors land north of Ancona (night April 4-5) but are captured before they can seize a MAS boat and blow up submarines there.
Baltic: Rear-Adm Meurer’s Squadron (including 2 battleships) supports German landings at Hangoe; 2 more Russian battleships, 2 cruisers and 2 submarines escape from Helsinki to Kronstadt (arriving April 10).
Reported German intrigues in Morocco.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Delegation of the Zionist Commission arriving in Palestine to study the settlement of Jews following the Balfour Declaration: © IWM (Q 13184): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981183320225648640
Armenia: Sarikamish occupied by Turkish forces (see January 2nd, 1915).

Political, etc
Germany: Hermann Cohen, German Jewish philosopher who founded the Marburg School of Neo-Kantianism, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981501739479248897
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George returns from visit to the front.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Unternehmen Mars: Battle of the Ancre 1918 brings to an end the First Battles of the Somme 1918 or the German Kaiserschlacht: both Operation Michael, and the follow-on Operation Mars (see March 21st). Germans again attack from Somme to beyond Bucquoy. Ancre front stabilized by 4th Australian Division (1,233 casualties) after 50th Prussian Reserve Division (c.1,600 casualties) gains 1,500 yards; British take 200 prisoners in counter-attack near Hebuterne.
German troops fail to capture the commune of Villers-Bretonneux, France from Allied troops. German forces resting in the Somme battlefields: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981592410504482816
French attack north of Montdidier and near Noyon.
LUDENDORFF DECIDES ‘TO ABANDON THE ATTACK ON AMIENS FOR GOOD … The enemy resistance was beyond our powers’ (War Memoirs). 13 German division are left in awkward Avre salient and Western Front 26 miles longer.
German troops cross the Maas-Aisne Canal over a bridge destroyed by the Allies: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/zerstoerte-bruecke-maas-aisne-kanal.jpg?ssl=1
German flamethrowers in action on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981562343854362624

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Battle of Rautu ends with Whites sealing Karelian frontier.
Ukraine: Germans occupy Kharkov.
Siberia: Japanese marines land at Vladivostok, followed by a British detachment “to protect foreign nationals“ (until April 25),

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Sir J. Van Deventer's despatch on East Africa published.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Armenians leave Sarikamish night April 5-6 after Turks take a village to north; Van retaken by the Turks.

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin threatens Japan with war on April 8.
Ireland: 51st Meeting of Irish Convention adopts draft report. Convention adjourns sine die.
United States: German immigrant Robert Prager lynched as suspected ‘spy’ (Collinsville, Illinois), countless other non-lethal incidents. Wilson discusses with cabinet on April 6 but does not publicly deplore mob spirit till July 26. Prager buried on April 10, Germany tries to pay funeral expenses, 12 tried for crime from May 13 but acquitted. War Finance Corp created with $500 billions.

[dicksbro]

Interesting about Robert Prager being lynched as suspected spy in Collinsville, Illinois. Been through Collinsville many times but never knew of this story. Once again, it's the details that really brings the story to life, isn't it?

[gekkogecko]

DB, check out the notes in the "Political, etc." section today:

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Severe fighting in Aveluy Wood (Albert), near Hebuterne, in Luce Valley, north and south of Montdidier, and in Oise region. Artillery duels until April 7.
British Whippet tank moving through the mud near Albert, France: © IWM (Q 11497): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981895519151763458
Strong German attacks near Beaumont (Meuse).
Reims heavily bombarded. Six divisions of Boehn’s Seventh Army drive French Sixth Army from bridgehead north of river Ailette until April 9 taking 2,300 PoWs.
French, British, and American army and navy officers exchange greetings during a military parade in St. Nazaire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981925741892898816
British artillerymen resting near Boues: © IWM (Q 10863): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981955919184650242
U.S. soldiers in Maron, France boarding trains to head towards the front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982227704945639424

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Tampere falls with 11,000 PoWs and 30 guns to Mannerheim who makes his 3 corps commanders major-generals. The destroyed streets of Tampere, Finland: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982197503121485824
Siberia: Disorders in Vladivostok are confirmed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: The Zionist Commission for Palestine parading through the streets of Tel Aviv, a Jewish suburb of Jaffa: © IWM (Q 13186): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982257912566300678
Armenia: Turks occupy Ardahan.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: The King sends greetings to U.S.A. on anniversary of entrance into the war.
United States: President Wilson speaks at Baltimore on war aims and resolves.
Third Liberty Loan drive for $3 billions begins, passes $4.1 billions by May 18. This women’s choir in New York supports the ‘American Loans for Freedom’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Frauenchor-NY.jpg?ssl=1
Memorial to Private James Gresham (first AEF killed) laid at Evansville, Indiana.
A photograph of German coal miner Robert Prager, lynched by an American mob due to anti-German xenophobia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981835108138274816
Tonga: (Listed for yesterday): Sālote Tupou III becomes the first Queen of the Kingdom of Tonga: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/981865311547904000

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Heavy artillery work on the Oise and between the Somme and Armentieres; two attacks on Bucquoy repulsed.
German forces begin bombarding Allied lines in Flanders in preparation for the next phase of its Spring Offensive.
Captain G McElroy RAF (18 victories since February 18) in SE5 collides with tree; he returns to front June, killed in action July 31.
British soldier diving for cover from a bursting German artillery shell at Ayette, France: © IWM (Q 6494): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982333412244586496

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Bolsheviks evacuating Helsingfors. Red Guards also evacuating Helsinki; German Colonel Otto von Brandenstein’s 2000-strong brigade with 8 guns from Revallands unopposed at Lovisa to east.
German soldiers advance with an armored train in Finland: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/de-Panzerzug-Finnland.jpg?ssl=1
Siberia: French military mission ordered to screen all Czechs.

Southern Front
Adriatic: German Navy airship L-59 (Bockholt) catches fire (cause unknown), crashes in Straits of Otranto before planned raid on Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta (23 killed, no survivors). Odd, because L-59 had earlier been reported as destroyed from a fire that was possibly the result of sabotage (see 5 January, 1918).
ETA: Apparently, it was the L-58 which was destroyed in the fire of 5 January, along with L-46, L-47, L-51 & SL-20. L-59 is indeed, listed as destroyed by unknown causes on this date. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_airship_accidents#1910s).


Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Roger Keyes addresses Zeebrugge raiders, not one withdraws. Wind and high sea abort attempt on April 11 and 12.
Baltic: Red Fleet’s final ‘ice-crossing’ evacuation (until April 11) from Helsinki of 48 destroyers; 2 torpedo boats; 12 minesweepers/layers; 10 submarines; 92 other vessels to Kronstadt by April 22, only 85 left behind according to April 5 agreement with Germans.


Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Kerak (south of Dead Sea) occupied by Hejaz troops.
Armenia: Transcaucasia; Turkish troops reported to be marching on Batum.
Ottoman Empire announces it has cleared Armenia of Russian troops and has crossed the frontier into the Caucasus.

Political, etc
Russia: Russian protests to Germany about landing in Finland and to foreign Consuls in Moscow about Vladivostok.
France: M. Georges Clemenceau receives Mr. Newton Baker, U.S. Secretary of War.
A suspected German spy being captured in Amiens, France: © IWM (Q 11582): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982318308451127296
United Kingdom: National meat rationing introduced (until December 15, 1919).
United States: U.S. announces it has shipped 1.1 million tons of food to the Allied countries in March. Shipments include 200 million pounds of pork, 80 million pounds of beef, and 15.5 million bushels of wheat.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Oise river French are forced back in Forest of Coucy, and Coucy le Chateau and Landricourt are lost. 2000 French prisoners have been taken in the past few days.
German attempts in districts of Reims, Verdun and Vosges.
Heavy German bombardment on whole British front, up to Armentieres, including 40,000 mustard shells on Armientieres. Portuguese battalion refuses to march to trenches (relief due evening April 9).
British troops blinded by gas await medical treatment and evacuation to the rear: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/british-troops-blinded-gas.jpg?ssl=1
First Renault FT-17 tank battalion formed with 72 tanks.
Australian soldiers watch as French Army cooks work at Villers-Bretonneux: © IWM (Q 10865): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982622793958330369
American troops at a heavy artillery repair shop in St. Nazaire, France: © IWM (Q 108348): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982637900176285697
French and Australian soldiers pose together at Villers-Bretonneux: © IWM (Q 10868): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982683192787423233
Women of the Salvation Army serving donuts and coffee to American soldiers at Ansonville, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982985188681633792

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Kharkov captured by German forces.

Southern Front
A view of the German zeppelin L-59, destroyed yesterday: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/982652997724463107

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Rosecol reconnaissance company skirmish east of Medo (84 miles from coast). Gambia Company returns home to Bathurst.


Political, etc
Germany: Germany answering Russian protests demands disarmament of Russian Fleet.
France: M. Georges Clemenceau discloses contents of Emperor of Austria's letter.
Canada: Sir Sam Hughes speaks on conditions in Quebec.
Turkey: Constantinople housing rents fixed at 50% of March 1, 1916 level for war plus 6 months, but law largely dead letter.
Italy: “Conference of Nationalities oppressed by Austria” opens.
Romania: Bessarabian Council of Land vote for autonomous union with Romania.
United States: National War Labor Board appointed.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive begins (see 29th) with the Battle of Éstaires (9th/11th). Ludendorff aims to drive back British and Belgians west of Dunkirk and open road to Calais. After 4 1/2 hour hurricane shelling 14 German Sixth Army divisions attack from 0845 hours on 10-mile front; 4 divisors overwhelm Portuguese 2nd Division (6,000 PoWs) and drive a 3 1/2-mile deep wedge, steadily widened, into BEF front. This heavy bombardment from La Bassee Canal to Armentieres, followed by strong attacks, force British and Portuguese back to Lys river at Estaires. “Fine” stand by Guards Division (55th Division) holds southern wing taking 750 PoWs and 100 MGs. Neuve Chapelle taken by German forces.
German gas bombardment of Lys (until April 27) sector: 1 million rounds (2,000t) mustard gas, phosgene and diphenylchlorarsine; 8,424 gassed (30 deaths).
Portuguese troops in their trenches before the German attack: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/port-truppen-stellungen.jpg?ssl=1
Hangard lost and retaken by French; between it and Noyon all German attempts repulsed.
Fog delays Flanders flying in Ludendorff Lys offensive till late pm (until April 11). 492 German aircraft (including 14 Jastas) vs 38 RAF squadrons, RAF lose 10 planes and claim German 15.
British mounted military police on a muddy road near Domart: © IWM (Q 10874): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983015385581670400
Troops of various Highland regiments at a casualty clearing station in Frevent: © IWM (Q 332): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983045579256233985
Women of the Salvation Army serving pastries for American troops at Ansonville, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983318642040496128

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Lavr Kornilov’s 6,000 Whites repel Red attack on their river Kuban crossing place, and storm ridge west of Ekaterinodar (April 10), but Avtonomov’s 20,000+ Reds in town resist fiercely (until April 12).

Naval and Overseas Operations
German torpedo boats bombard Belgian coast.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Action of Berukin (until April 11): British 75th Division (plus 162 guns) attacks in Judean foothills vs Turkish 16th and 46th divisions (over 85 guns), gains only 2,500 yards. Turks capture operations order on first day and 2 German battalions strike back. (EEF 1,498 casualties; Turks c.700)
Arabia: Arabs claim 800 miles of Red Sea coast, and to have put 40,000 Turks out of action since declaration of independence.
Armenia: Turks reported before Batum and marching on Kars.

Political, etc
Germany: Count Wilhelm von Mirbach appointed German Ambassador at Moscow (see July 6th).
France: Georges Clemenceau discloses Emperor Charles’ 31 March 1917 peace letter to Prince Sixtus. Ottokar Czernin calls it a lie. Stephan Burian diary ‘Now we really are tied to the fate of Germany whether we want it or not’.
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George introduces Man-Power Bill, reviews battle situation, and refers to Irish affairs.
Romania: National Council of the Moldavian Republic (Bessarabia) pass Act of Union with Rumania, with stipulation for local autonomy (see 16th, December 23rd, 1917, and December 10th, 1918).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Éstaires (9th/11th): Battle of Messines 1918 (10th/11th): Messines taken by German forces (see June 14th, 1917 and September 28th, 1918). North of Armentieres, line forced back to Wytschaete, Messines Ridge and Ploegsteert; Armentieres evacuated with practically no loss, after 8 German Fourth Army divisions attack on 6-mile front.
Germans reach left bank of Lys river. From Estaires south to Givenchy position is maintained.
Assault of German infantry in the West: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/angriff-deut-soldaten-westen.jpg?ssl=1
British troops trying to tow a Leyland lorry that went over the steep side of the road: © IWM (Q 10886): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983379046456229890
German prisoners captured by the British near Bethune, France: © IWM (Q 10883): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983394145531318272

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Germans take Kherson and Belgorod, northeast of Kharkov. Don Cossack Rising under Esaul Fetisov.
Siberia: Bolsheviki at Vladivostok reported to have fired on Japanese troops.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Monrovia (Liberia) bombarded by a German submarine (see August 4th, 1917), wireless station destroyed, 4 people killed.
Adriatic: 8 Franco-Italian destroyers, escorting 3 Italian battleships, move from Brindisi to Taranto, lose 2 of their number in night collisions.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Action of Berukin (until April 11): Turco-German troops attack British position in coastal sector and after preliminary success are driven back, and British line is slightly advanced.

Political, etc
Germany: Settlement Treaty between Germany and Turkey ratified at Berlin (see January 11th, 1917).
Estonia: Estonian Riga assembly refuses union with Germany but Kaiser consents on April 21.
United Kingdom: Third Military Service act passed in British Parliament. Military age limit raised to 50, and Conscription extended to Ireland (see 18th, and June 8th 1916).
Canada: Bill appropriating £100,000,000 for war expenditure introduced.
Italy: Conference of Oppressed Nationalities ends. Agreement reached between Italy and the provisional State of Slovenes, Croats and Serbs ("Pact of Rome").

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Éstaires (9th/11th): Battle of Messines 1918 (10th/11th): Armentières and Merville taken by German forces (see October 11th and 17th, 1914, August 19th and October 3rd, 1918).
The ruined streets of Armentières: © IWM (Q 61031): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983748976062156800
Fighting general on whole battle-front.
British forced back beyond Ploegsteert and Steenwercke to south of Neuve Eglise and Bailleul. At Hollebeke and Messines attacks repulsed. Strong local attacks repulsed south of Arras. British 25th Division loses Hill 63.
Germans claim 20,000 prisoners in Northern fighting.
Haig’s ‘Backs to the Wall’ Order of the Day: ‘… there is no other course than to fight it out… with our backs to the wall… each one of us must fight on to the end.’
German tank crew sit astride a captured British tank Mark IV following the occupation of Armentieres: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/mark-iv-de-armentieres-april1918.jpg?ssl=1
German prisoners captured by the British near Bethune, France: © IWM (Q 10883): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983394145531318272
Wounded Highlander troops coming back from the trenches at Bethune: © IWM (Q 355): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983687316471500800
The Royal Air Force Marine Craft Section is formed, with personnel from the Section initially tasked with operating support vessels that have transferred to the Royal Air Force (RAF) from the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS).
US I Corps Observation Squadron flies first mission over German lines. 94th Aero Pursuit Squadrons first successful patrol destroys 2 German aircraft on April 14, pilots PoWs.
Single Gotha bomber drops 1,543 lb bomb on Paris (99 casualties).
Only 4 of 7 Handley Pages bomb near Zeebrugge area (2 lost).
A Gordon Highlander soldier feeding a French refugee child fleeing from the German offensive near Locon: © IWM (Q 7855): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983717524922621952
First American reinforcements arrive in the area of fighting during Operation Georgette.
French children in Soulosse waving at American soldiers heading towards the front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/983732635800399873
Damage to a maternity ward at Baudelocque Hospital in Paris after it was hit by long-range German artillery fire: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984020762708398080
American Army band performing a concert at Boucq, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984050970253578240

Naval and Overseas Operations
British naval forces bombard Ostend and aircraft bomb Zeebrugge.
Mediterranean: Marseilles-bound British transport Kingstonian (9 lives lost) sunk by U-boat.
North Sea: Dover Patrol shells Ostend and its aircraft bomb Zeebrugge. Dover Barrage claims coastal submarine UB-33.
Baltic: German battleships Westfalen and Posen arrive off Helsinki from Reval, but sister ship Rheinland crippled by rocks off Lagskar (600t including all guns removed before refloated for return to Kiel but not repaired).
Irish Sea: American S.S. Lakemoor sunk by submarine.
Mozambique: British columns from coast and Lake Nyassa in touch with German-aligned forces at Medu and Msalu river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Action of Berukin (until April 11): Turks attack near El Ghoraniya (East Jordan): defeated and pursued by cavalry six miles towards Es Salt. Arab regulars storm stations north and south of Maan and hill to southwest until April 13, take but fail to hold Maan Station on April 16; 327 PoWs and 3 MGs taken.

Political, etc
France: Major-General Hon. C. Sackville-West succeeds Sir Henry Rawlinson (who goes to the front) at Versailles.
United Kingdom: Report issued of Government Committee on treatment of prisoners of war behind lines.
Netherlands: Food riots in Holland.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Hazebrouck begins (see 15th). Strong German pressure, especially at Bailleul and Wulverghem; Neuve Eglise and Messines penetrated. 4 British division defend Nieppe Forest. BEF First Army defends Hinges Ridge north of Bethune. Kaiser arrives at Armentieres, anticipating victory. German offensive slackens 6 miles from Hazebrouck (until April 16) although Merville falls. British 5th Division arrives from Italy and 1st Australian Division comes up.
Tank wrecks on the battlefield. The funnel fields of the previous Flanders battles are a major obstacle to the advance: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Tankwracks-Kampfgelaende.jpg?ssl=1
Over 170 RAF planes attack at Merville junction on river Lys for 13 hours, lose 10 planes for 5 German and 5 German balloons. Little German air support for advance till April 25 but German fighters check RAF from April 13.
Map showing German advance (dotted line): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984126460490330112
British artillery setting up to defend a canal bridge at Saint-Venant from the German offensive: © IWM (Q 6611): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984347922610511877
Argonne: In Apremont Forest Franco-Americans repulse continued attacks.
110 German Divisions engaged till now.
Air raid on Paris, one raider shot down at Compiegne.
Last airship raid over England in which British casualties were inflicted (see January 19th, 1915 and August 5th, 1918). 5 Navy airships scatter 33,340lb-worth bombs across Western Midlands and Northern England (night April 12-13, 27 casualties). L-61 (Ehrlich) bombs Wigan (claims attack on Sheffield). 27 defence sorties (5 sightings) cost 3 aircraft.
Following a dispute with Lord Rothermere, Major General Hugh Trenchard resigns from the post of Chief of the Air Staff and is succeeded by Major General Sir Frederick Sykes.
Captain H Woollett RAF in a Sopwith Camel claims 6 victories.
British troops helping French refugees escape the German offensive at Lillers: © IWM (Q 10892): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984081159373119488
A British tank captured by the Germans on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984111363814543361

Southern Front
Sir Herbert Plumer's despatch from Italy published.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Austrian raid on Otranto Barrage (until April 13).
North Sea: Grand Fleet base moved from Scapa Flow to Rosyth for duration of war.
Mozambique: Action at Medo; Kartucol and Rosecol (over 155 casualties) join after former’s flanking move ambushed in swamp by Captain Kohl’s 800 Germans, 12 MGs and 1 gun; 7 hours fighting before Kohl retreats from Chirimba Hill. Rosecol resumes advance on Mwalia on April 15, skirmishes (28 casualties) with German rearguard on April 17.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Colonel Sir Ronald Storrs, the Military Governor of Jerusalem, and the men of the 1st Egyptian Infantry Battalion at the Mosque of Omar: © IWM (Q 12651): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984378136925294593

Political, etc
Germany: Food Dictator says that no satisfactory solution of economic situation can be expected.
United Kingdom: Manpower Bill: Military service for Ireland agreed to by majority of 165.
Netherlands: Food riots quelled by troops.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Hazebrouck (see 15th). Battle of Bailleul begins (see 15th): British re-occupy Neuve Eglise and repel further attack, but loses it on April 14 again.
Germans gain less than 1/2 mile vs British 34th and 59th Divisons. Ludendorff sacks II Bavarian Corps commander.
Continuous fighting round Wulverghem, Bailleul and Meteren, and at Festubert. Lys river front remains firm.
British soldiers at an improvised field kitchen. There is a lot of discouragement among British troops and desertions are coming. A Brit reported: ‘It is not the bar to get in the doubt that the Germans will take the channel ports’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/engl-improv-feldkueche.jpg?ssl=1
Along the Meuse river, Americans north-west of Toul are twice attacked.
Long-range gun shells Paris by night.
German bombers raid Paris, causing around 100 casualties. Aftermath of the raid: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984710325936238593
Zeppelin Works near Friedrichshafen burnt out.
Portuguese soldiers heading to the front near Merville: © IWM (Q 360): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984438579622490113
British and Portuguese troops digging a trench through the town of Noeux-les-Mines, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984740532743229442

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Helsingfors captured by German forces (12th/14th) (see 3rd and 4th). Finnish Government announce that all German troops landed in Finland had been dispatched at their request.
Germans take Helsinki for 200 casualties, German troops in the city: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984408351751712768
White Western Army occupies Pori and its railway with Rauma on April 17.
Kuban: White Volunteer Army repulsed from Ekaterinodar, Lavr Kornilov killed by Bolshevik shell: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984773228588609536 . Anton Denikin succeeds and orders retreat north back to Don.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Sir A. A. Barrett's Gazette on Mahsud operations of 1917 published.
Palestine: Colonel Sir Ronald Storrs, the Military Governor of Jerusalem, and the men of the 1st Egyptian Infantry Battalion at the Mosque of Omar: © IWM (Q 12651): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984378136925294593
Armenia: Turks occupy Batum.

Political, etc
Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania: United Diets of Baltic Provinces adopt resolution to form themselves into a separate State within the German Empire.
Ireland: Irish Convention Report published.
South Africa: Mr. Hertzog's “seditious” speech, demanding separation.
Turkey: Transcaucasian Council break off peace negotiations with Turks.
Serbia: National Assembly of Yugo-Slavs, Croats and Slovenes at Agram take oath of solidarity.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Hazebrouck (see 15th). Battle of Bailleul (see 15th): Seven attacks in Merville sector repulsed. Near Bailleul, British line penetrated, but position restored. East of Robecq, British take prisoners and machine guns. Neuve Eglise is re-taken by the Germans.
General Foch appointed Commander-in-Chief of Allied Armies in France [The Belgian forces were not placed under the command of General Foch.] (see March 26th, August 6th, and November 5th)
Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) is a deliberate organizer and diplomat and can overcome the national self-interests of the Allied nations: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ferdinand-Foch.jpg?ssl=1
French refugees on the road at Noeux-les-Mines: © IWM (Q 10899): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984803427346722817
British machine gunners setting up to defend a bridge crossing of the Lys Canal at Marquois: © IWM (Q 6612): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984863822757363714

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Captured Red forces in Helsinki: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/984848722386456580

Southern Front
Salonika: Anglo-Greek operations across the Struma temporarily occupying 7 villages (night April 14/15 until April 20) but, due to poor reconnaissance, Bulgarians nearly cut off a British battalion (most of 349 casualties) and Greeks lose half 33 casualties to own premature grenades; Bulgarians claim 150 British PoWs with 3 MGs.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: U-151 (Heinrich von Nostitz) leaves Kiel for US Eastern Seaboard. She re-enters Kiel on July 20, claiming 23 ships sunk of 61,000t (+ 4 mine victims). In all, big U-cruisers carry out 7 transatlantic summer cruises but fail to sink one loaded transport.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Foreign Minister Count Ottokar von Czernin resigns, Count Stephan Burián von Rajecz again in post on April 16.
France: M. Georges Clemenceau issues statement that France does not recognize present Russian Government nor its acts.
United States: U.S. removes the statue of Frederick the Great, a gift from Kaiser Wilhelm, from the front of the Army War College in D.C. after two bombing attempts were made by angry Americans.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Battle of Hazebrouck ends. Battle of Bailleul ends: Bailleul taken by the Alpenkorps together with 2 other divisions. Germans capture Wulverghem. Herbert Plumer evacuates 5 divisons from Passchendaele Ridge. Robillot’s French II Cavalry Corps (3 divisions) arrives near Cassel, 5 infantry divisions follow April 17-18.
Very violent artillery action in Luce Valley (Somme).
(Listed for yeterday): American forces conduct their first dogfight over the Western Front, with (future ace) Douglas Campbell and Alan Winslow shooting down 2 German planes.
French cavalry and armored cars heading towards the front near Hesdin: © IWM (Q 378): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985135607134420993
A member of the British Royal Flying Corps shakes hands with a French cavalryman at Hesdin: © IWM (Q 376): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985226201705926657
American signalers writing messages to be sent by carrier pigeons while facing German fire near Larne: © IWM (Q 58208): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985422491635142656
British horse-drawn artillery passing by French armored cars near Caestre: © IWM (Q 8804): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985453947631661062

Southern Front
Macedonia: Greek troops cross Struma river and occupy villages in Seres district.
British troops take two villages south-west of Demirhissar.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Raid by British naval light forces on the Kattegat. British Naval forces claim that they sank ten German armed trawlers, but this is utterly unverified.
2 Royal Navy minelayers lay deep minefield 10 miles northeast of Laeso.
Adriatic: Admiral Miklos Horthy orders increased security at Pola. Allies begin to lay net barrage from Fano to Otranto (until September 30).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Archibald Wavell made Brigade-General and CoS of XX Corps.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Details of Count von Czernin's resignation as Foreign Minister of Austria-Hungary over the Sixtus Affair. In the scandal, it was revealed Emperor Karl I attempted to make a separate peace with France by promising to return Alsace-Lorraine. Von Czernin: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985514351590289408
United Kingdom: Major General Hugh Trenchard’s resignation from the post of Chief of the Air Staff becomes effective; he is succeeded by Major General Sir Frederick Sykes.
British government reports 1.413 million women have replaced jobs formerly held by men in industrial, professional and civil service positions.
United States: Charlie Chaplin film “A Dog’s Life” is released: https://archive.org/details/ADogsLife1918.www.zoneTelechargement.com
American opera singer Geraldine Farrar gives a performance with her dog to sell Liberty Bonds in New York for the war effort: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985484144078618624

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Passchendaele reoccupied by German forces (see November 6th, 1917 and September 29th, 1918). Heavy attacks develop at Wytschaete and south-west of Vieux Berquin, with record c.1,000 ΝΖ PoWs.
British soldiers making a street barricade out of furniture at Bailleul, France to defend against the German offensive. The town fell a few hours later: © IWM (Q 6530): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985544552705679361
Wytschaete and Metern lost and retaken. Attacks near Bailleul repulsed. Heavy fighting in Boyelles district, south of Arras.
French troops and an armored car at Meteren: © IWM (Q 6640): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985822627318165504
British officers treating a wounded soldier at Meteren: © IWM (Q 6542): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985852831797268481
Sir Douglas Haig issues special dispatch "The 55th Division at Givenchy", praising its gallantry.
Open warfare breaks out on the Western Front for the first time since 1914. Here, German howitzers advance: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/westfront-offene-kriegsfuehrung.jpg?ssl=1
American Red Cross Hospital in Evian housing sick refugee children who fled the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985574749404266497
France calls on its class of 1919 (men 19 years old) to report for military training. New French conscripts: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985883037564104706

Eastern Front
Kuban: Renewed fighting between Soviet troops and those of General Anton Denikin.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: A claim that Dr. Sandor Wekerle (Prime Minister of Hungary) resigns; but other sources state that he remained in office until October.
Ukraine: The Ukraine Government issue protest against union of Bessarabia and Rumania (see 9th and 23rd).
France: (special, 1912): American Harriet Quimby became the first woman to fly across the English Channel.
United Kingdom: Military Service Bill passes House of Commons; majority 198.
Romania: League of the People Party formed at Jassy, General Alexandru Averescu leader.
United States: Mr. Charles Schwab appointed Director-General of U.S. Shipbuilding (4 Εast Coast shipping firms taken ονer on April 11).
Netherlands: Dutch Government decides to send convoy to East Indies.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: First Battle of Kemmel Ridge begins (see 19th): Intense bombardment, followed by infantry attack, on whole line from Nieppe Forest to Wytschaete. Wytschaete and Meteren again lost. North-west of Dixmude, Belgians take 700 prisoners and 42 machine guns.
French repulse local attacks on Meuse and in Champagne.
Specially-prepared positions for Vickers machine-gun teams somewhere among the Flanders battlefields: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/MG-Stellungen-Flandern.jpg?ssl=1
Heaνy German mustard gas attack οπ Villers-Bretonneux.
Germany: Erich Ludendorff orders Aisne attack preparations by German Crown Prince.
A horse wounded near the front being treated at a veterinary hospital at St. Omer, France: © IWM (Q 10909): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/985913245272862724
A British soldier having a shave while another mans a Lewis gun near Robecq: © IWM (Q 8721): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986169918252109824

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British monitors Erebus and Terror bombard Ostend.
North Atlantic: 4 Royal Navy drifters sink coastal submarine UΒ-82 in Northern Channel.
Adriatic: Italian submarine Η.5 sunk in error by ΗΜ Submarine Η.1.
Mozambique: War Office reports progress.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turks approach Kars, and claim 250 guns at Batum.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Baron Burian succeeds Count Czernin as Minister for Foreign Affairs.
France: General Emile Belin succeeds General Maxime Weygand on Supreme War Council.
Bolo Pasha is executed.
Canada: Government makes proposals for increase of manpower.
United States: Americans testing mobile anti-aircraft searchlights in Washington, DC: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986154821311959040

[dicksbro]

Hard to imagine that the war is within seven months of ending but the battlefield reports still suggest heavy fighting is the norm rather than the exception with Germany giving about as well as she's getting. I'm just thinking how different that seems from WWII when after Stalingrad, Germany was basically on the defensive through the end of the war.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: First Battle of Kemmel Ridge (see 19th): In the north, attacks south of Kemmel repulsed. Belgians repulse attack north-west of Passchendaele.
Battle of Béthune: Heavy attacks from Givenchy to Lys river. Fighting particularly severe at Givenchy, where Germans make advance of 10 miles gained since April 9.
British soldiers fighting in the ruins of Cuinchy: © IWM (Q 10942): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986245432392208384
French progress on Avre river and take 650 prisoners at Castel with tank support.
The new recruits for the British infantry in 1918 in Etaples: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/brit-rekruten-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Two groups of African American soldiers having a tug-of-war contest: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986185025082228736
British Major General F. B. Maurice: “The British army is playing the role which it often has played before. It is fighting a Waterloo...”
French children riding a carousel in the streets of Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986578884488515584

Southern Front
Macedonia: Bulgarian detachments attack Italians in Cherna Bend and are repulsed. Four-day British artillery harassing in Lake Doiran sector plus 3 trench raids (April 20 and 22) cost 136 casualties for 100 Bulgarians.
Italy: Italian II Corps (3rd and 8th Divisions) begins tο entrain (until April 27) for Western Front; comprises 52,826 men as symbol of Αllied unity and affront tο Austria.

Naval and Overseas Operations
German destroyers bombard Adinkerke (Belgian coast).
A dazzle-camouflaged American transport ship arriving with American troops at Brest: © IWM (Q 58240): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986609085364785152

Political, etc
United Kingdom: The 3rd Military Service Bill (Manpower) receives Royal Assent. This law , lowers age to 17 1/2 and raises it to 50, eyesight criteria lessened. It also extended military conscription to Ireland.
Shakeups in the British government: Lt.-Gen. Sir D. Henderson resigns from Air Board. Mr. A. Chamberlain joins War Cabinet. Early of Deby appointed Ambassador to France, vice Lord Bertie. Viscount Milner to be Secretary of State for War.
Ireland: The conscription law faces widespread opposition in Ireland, and Sinn Fein and labour movements plan strikes. Dublin Mansion House Conference, after consultation with Bishops, denies right of Government to enforce conscription.
South Africa: Cape Town: In House of Assembly, Sir P. Fitzpatrick denounces Mr. Hertzog for sedition.
Italy: Prime Minister Orlando announces Italian troops sent tο Western Front.
Central Inter-Allied Propaganda Commission begins work at Padua (by October 70 million publications sent tο Austrian Army and beyond cause “much” desertion).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: First Battle of Kemmel Ridge (see 19th): First Battle of Kemmel Ridge ends. North of Merville heavy shelling, but no infantry attacks. Position restored at Givenchy.
Battle of Béthune: Scarpe river British capture a few prisoners and machine guns.
Sharp fighting at Robecq, but then there is a lull in fighting; minor actions (until April 24). General Antoine de Mitry assumes command of French Νorthern Army Detachment (until July 5) which relieves British ΙΧ Corps, 6 battered British divisions withdrawn for rest.
French artillerymen go into action with a train-mounted naval gun during the fighting to halt the German offensive along the Lys River: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/frz-eisenbahngeschuetz-lys.jpg?ssl=1
Frenchwomen workers sorting and repairing underwear for American troops at Tours, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986639305438310400

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: German troops under Colonel Brandenstein captures Lahti, cutting off 25,000 Red Guards and joins with Whites on April 20. Fighting till Reds surrender until May 2.
Ukraine: German forces enter the Crimea. Germans report occupation of two stations of main Sevastopol line.

Southern Front
Asiago Plateau: Successful minor action by British announced.
Macedonia: British withdraw from positions in Struma valley occupied on 15th.

Naval and Overseas Operations
English Channel: German submarine SM UB-78, which sunk 2 ships during its career, hits a mine off Dover with loss of all 35 crew.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Lieutenant-Colonel Α Dawnay and Lawrence plus 5 armored cars, 2 aircraft, Egyptian Camel Coy and Bedouin capture Tell-esh* Shakin Station (54 PoWs, 200 rifles), occupy Ramleh and wreck 80 miles of line; Medina cut off from north.
Armenia: Turkish Ι Caucasian Corps breaks Nazarbekov’s 9,000-strong Armenian line (350 casualties) southwest of Kars.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government announces right of search re: Dutch convoy of 16 April.
Belgium: Lieutenant-General Cyriaque Gillain replaces Lieutenant-General Louis Rucquoy as CoS under King Albert.
United States: U.S. State Department says American landing in Vladivostok is merely police precaution.

[dicksbro]

I love the picture of the French ladies sorting and repairing "underwear" for the American troops. Who would have thought? Love this series. Amazing what you learn. (Almost hate to see the war end this coming November ... well at least the 100th anniversary of the ending.) Thanks!

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive:
Flanders: German gas bombardment of Kemmne-Ypres with 9 million rounds (2,000t) mustard gas, phosgene and diphenylchlorarsine fired (until April 25) at BEF; 8,470 gassed (43 deaths). North-east of Ypres German minor attempt fails.
(Listed for yesterday): William Hope Hodgson, English author known for works like the “Sargasso Sea Stories, “The House on the Borderland” and “The Night Land,” is killed in action at Ypres: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986967769005613057
Somme: Skirmishes go in favor of British (until April 22).
Richthofen’s 80th (and last) victory, a Sopwith Camel northeast of Villers-Brelonneux.
Meuse: Germans gain ground at Seicheprey (Woevre) against Franco-Americans, who counter-attack successfully on April 21.
German troops capture Seicheprey, France from American soldiers, but they retake the town after hand-to-hand fighting: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987269777893871616
Artois: Pershing visits Canadian Corps.
German shells falling on the village of Rambucourt, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987300021828816896

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Details of intentions of Finnish "White Party" are published in Stockholm.
Carl Mannerheim attacks towards Viborg with 24,000 men and 40 guns (until April 29).
The Finnish Commander-in-Chief Carl Gustav Mannerheim: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Mannerheim-1WK.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
British and German destroyers in contact in Heligoland Bight. One German destroyer damaged.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Lord Derby, Secretary of State for War, Great Britain, resigns to become ambassador to France: Viscount Milner appointed Secretary of State for War, Great Britain (see 18th).
First National Emergency Proclamation, withdrawing exemptions up to 23.75 years, issued.
Canada: 20-22 year-old men called up.
United States: “Sabotage Act”, a codification of the Alien Enemies Act. It was used by the government to identify and imprison “dangerous” enemy aliens from Germany; more commonly used to suppress German-language publications in the US, and to prosecute those who spoke out against the US participation in the war. (Also, used later in World War II to persecute ethnic German, Japanese, and to a lesser extent, Italian descendant American citizens.
President Woodrow Wilson, while riding a British tank in front of the White House, accidentally burns himself when he grabbed on to a hot exhaust pipe: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/986998102686162947
Karl Fredinand Braun, German physicist and Nobel laureate who invented the cathode-ray tube, passed away in Brooklyn, New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987330309199925248

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Rittmeister Manfred Albrecht, Baron von Richthofen, the 'Red Baron', is shot down and killed. Manfred von Richthofen was the most successful fighter pilot of the First World War and at the time of his death, he had shot down 80 Allied aircraft in air combat. Although Captain Roy Brown of No.209 Squadron is credited with the destruction of von Richthofen's Fokker Triplane, it is virtually certain that the Red Baron actually fell victim to ground fire whilst being pursued by Captain Brown.
Von Richthofen: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987632128300126208
The funeral of Richthofen with military honors by the 13th squadron of the Australian Air Force: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Richthofen-Begraebnis.jpg?ssl=1
https://www.rafmuseum.org.uk/images/aviation_timeline/british-military-aviation/1918/thumbs/p021391.jpg
Footage of Australian soldiers breaking apart the Red Baron’s crashed triplane: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/1/16/Richthofen_crashsite.ogv/Richthofen_crashsite.ogv.240p.webm
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Position at Seicheprey restored. Local fighting round Albert, Villers Brettonneux and Robecq.
Great aerial activity and much bombing on whole front.
British Casualties on Somme and in Flanders since March 21 total nearly 250,000 soldiers.
Result of 29 days' bombardment of Paris: 118 killed, 236 injured.
British war dog wearing a gas mask at the kennels near Etaples, France: © IWM (Q 29559): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987360599804956672
British and French soldiers sitting on an artillery gun and smiling for the camera: © IWM (Q 10926): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987662398550106112

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: Royal Navy ML.413 depth charges and sinks Cattaro-bound coastal-submarine UB-71 off Ceuta.

Political, etc
France: New constitution of Versailles Council announced.
United Kingdom: The King sends message to munition workers.
Sir M. de Bunsen sent on Mission to South America.
Australia: Australian Roman Catholic Bishops protest against Government action in Ireland.
Japan: Count Ichiro Motono, Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs, resigns (see 22nd, and November 21st, 1916).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Local fighting to slight British advantage in Albert, Robecq and Wytschaete sectors. Near Villers Brettoneux and on Ancre river, some German concentrations are dispersed.
Austrian troops reported to be arriving in Belgium.
DH4 bombs Zeebrugge harbor mole (night April 22-23) as diversion for Royal Navy Zeebrugge Raid.
French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau visiting the front and inspecting the British 33rd Division at Cassel: © IWM (Q 6550): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987692707970723846
French colonial troops moving up to the front near Domart: © IWM (Q 10950): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/987723921884631046
British artillery officer using the shoulder of another soldier to act as a support for his telescope: © IWM (Q 6539): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988008277282836480
The remains of von Richthofen’s downed triplane on display: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988053578538504192

Naval and Overseas Operations
Νorth Sea: Zeebrugge Raid: St George’s Day Raid by British Dover Patrol: 3 old cruiser blockships; 9 monitors; 5 cruisers; 7 flotilla leaders, 44 destroyers on Zeebruge and Ostend (night April 22-23) (2 blockships miss). Zeebrugge Raid lasts 1 hour and costs 588 Royal Navy casualties mainly from 900-strong landing party that tries tο storm harbor mole. Obsolescent submarine C.3 destroys viaduct linking mole to mainland; 24 CMBs and 60 Minelayers lay flanking smokescreen; 8 Victoria Cross won (King invests them on July 31) and 209 other decorations. Destroyer North Star (35 casualties) sunk, probably by torpedo from Mole, and German destroyer probably torpedoed on inside. Germans dredge in 24 hours 60-feet wide channel round blockships, canal fully open within 3 weeks; coastal submarine UB-16 uses it on April 24, larger boats diverted to Ostend, but raid a great British morale booster at home and in France.
The state of the entrance to the German destroyer and submarine base Zebrugge after the British raid: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Zeebruegge-Raid.jpg?ssl=1
Adriatic: Destroyer action (night April 22-23) as 4 Austrian ships chased from West of Valona back to Cattaro by 5 British (Hornet suffers 32 casualties) and 1 French.

Political, etc
Germany: "Das neue Europa" publishes estimate of German losses up to 31 July 1917 as exceeding 5,000,000.
Lithuania: United Diets of Baltic Provinces request German Government to form them into a monarchy under King of Prussia.
United Kingdom: Mr. Bonar Law introduces the Budget.
India: Baluchistan: India Office announces unconditional surrender of Khotran Tribe.
Japan: Baron Goto Shinpei appointed Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs (see 21st, and September 28th).
Denmark: Denmark conducts its Parliamentary election, which is the first election Danish women are eligible to vote. The Venstre (Left) Party wins the most seats.
Netherlands: Severe tension reported between Holland and Germany.
Armenia: The Trans-Caucasian Council decide to declare independence (night 22nd/23rd) lace September 20th, 1917 and May 6th and 26th, 1918). The Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic (based in modern-day Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia) declares its independence from Russia. and reopens negotiations with the Turks.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Violent artillery fire from Avre river to Albert, followed by heavy infantry attacks at Albert and in region between Somme and Avre.
US 1st Division enters line opposite Cantigny (west of Montdidier) between French IX and VI Corps.
Paris raided by one aeroplane, which is brought down.
Naval aircraft bomb docks at Zeebrugge and Ostend.
Paul Frank Baer becomes the first American serving in the U.S. military to become a flying ace: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988407170319421440
Special dispatch from Sir Douglas Haig mentions 14 divisions: 102 German divisions employed against British alone during great offensive.

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Finnish Western White Army reported to have reached Russian frontier.

Southern Front
Albania: Durazzo bombed by British Naval aircraft:- only one warship seen in harbor.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: LAST GERMAN HIGH SEAS FLEET SORTIE (until April 24). Vain bid from 0500 hours, initially undetected (Scheer eliminates radio traffic), to attack British Norwegian convoys (81 ships off Forth nowhere near Norwegian waters). Hipper finds nothing, sends back battlecruiser Moltke with engine trouble (40 miles southwest of Stavanger). Distress signal (April 24) alerts Room 40 and Grand Fleet’s 35 capital ships (including 4 US battleships) plus 111 cruisers and destroyers put to sea from Rosyth in record 1 1/2 hours. Battleship Oldenburg takes Moltke in tow but she is torpedoed by British submarine E.42 on April 25 before she and whole fleet of 17 battleships re-enter harbor.
A late sortie by the German High Seas Fleet as the ‘Bayern’ class battleship on the right has a mainmast and all have landed their torpedo nets. The Germans successfully preserved the greater part of their battle fleet as a ‘fleet-in-being’, tying down the superior strength of the British: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/hochseeflotte-bayern-klasse.jpg?ssl=1
Kaiser Wilhelm inspecting a Mole at Zeebrugge, Belgium damaged by British submarine C.3: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988346766327275520

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: War Office reports progress in Hejaz.
Armenia: Bayazid occupied by Turks.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Hungarian Prime Minister Dr Sandor Werkerle says Emperor’s peace letter had German agreement.
Russia: Russian Bolshevik Government issue protest against union of Bessarabia and Rumania (see 9th and 16th, and December 10th).
United Kingdom: Major-General Tom Bridges, appointed to Military Adviser to Lord Reading in U.S.
Canada: Newfoundland: Conscription Bill introduced.
Ireland: Ireland launches a general strike to protest the British government’s decision to extend military conscription to the Irish.
Minor Allies: Guatemala declares war on Germany (see April 27th, 1917).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Actions of Villers-Bretonneux: Violent attacks on junction of British and French in Amiens sector south of Somme; Villers-Bretonneux lost to 2 German divisions with 13 tanks (over 390 PoWs); they also threaten Allied junction in Amiens sector. Battle very severe at Hangard; Germans finally capture village.
First tank-vs-tank action: a British Mk IV ‘Male’ (Mitchell) knocks out German A7V Elfriede (after it disables 2 ‘Females’), which is then captured; 7 British Whippet light tanks (1 lost) run down 400 German infantry.
A7V “Elfriede” was disabled by four shots of the 6-pounder of a Mark IV tank and captured: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/A7V-02.jpg?ssl=1
Attacks beaten off east of Robecq and north-east of Bailleul.
Heavy artillery fire in Woevre.
British Naval aircraft riad Zeebrugge and Ostend.
A French car camouflaged with tree branches: © IWM (Q 7871): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988422266642890753
British and French soldiers playing with baby goats: © IWM (Q 6561): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988452475761053696

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: 8,000 Red Guards and 10 guns vainly try to retake Lahti from 800 German troops until April 29.

Southern Front
Macedonia: Lively fighting west of Doiran and in Cherna Bend.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Kartucol push checked at Mbalama Hill, but Captain Brodie’s reconnaissance party storm observation post and force German retreat on April 25. Rosecol advances on Koronje and Nanungu (April 27-29), Kartucol takes over on April 30.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: During past week, a 53-mile section of Hejaz railway south of Maan effectively occupied by Arab troops.
Manchuria: Cossacks under Colonel Semenov defeat 500 armed Hungarian prisoners of war and drive them back towards Chita.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Bela Serenyi tries to form Ministry; and fails next day.
France: French papers publish Lichnowsky memorandum in full.
United Kingdom: Rectification of Anglo-Turkish agreement for exchange of prisoners announced.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge or Second Battle of Kemmelberg (Lys) (25th/26th): Mount Kemmel stormed by German forces (see 19th, and August 31st). Allied line forced back. Very strong attack on British and French from Bailleul to Hollbeke.
Anglo-Australian night attack by 2 brigades (night April 24-25) recaptures Villers-Bretonneux with 600 PoWs. German illustration showing the battle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988740606565470208
Following yesterday’s tank-against-tank battle during the Battle of Villers-Bretonneux, a destroyed German A7V tank: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988755705736974337
96 German planes fire 60,000 MG rounds and drop 700 bombs on 3 villages in low-level preparation for assault on Kemmel Hill; RAF lose 4 planes to only 1 German.
A British 13-pounder anti-aircraft gun in action at Omiecourt, France: © IWM (Q 11023): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988785908131483649
In the Woevre, after heavy bombardment, German attack is stopped.
British engineers setting up a roadside mine near Robecq to slow the German offensive: © IWM (Q 6557): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988846302179086336
British soldiers defending the canal at Robecq. The canal is crossed by German troops later today: © IWM (Q 7874): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989125649007824896

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Germans report junction with Finnish army 30 miles north of Helsingfors.
Ukraine: Germans announced to be near Sevastopol.

Southern Front
In Asiago basin British patrols force enemy detachments to retire.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: World’s first dedicated anti-sub hunter-killer submarines (British R.1 and R.2) launched at Chatham (class of 12 launched by October 5, 1918).
7 German Zeebrugge seaplanes shoot down 1 of 2 Felixstowe flying boats (down another on June 6).
Damage to the British cruiser HMS Vindictive, which participated in the indecisive Zeebrugge raid: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/988816107678175232
Eastern Atlantic: U-boat sinks sloop HMS Cowslip off Cape Spartel (near Gibraltar).
Adriatic: Royal Navy Air Service aircraft bomb Durazzo.
Britain: First Lord Geddes memo on ‘The Future of the Russian Fleets.’
St George’s Channel: Royal Navy sloop Jessamine depth charges and sinks U-104.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Small British column (aided by 4 RAF aircraft) defeats pro-German Sinjabis northeast of Kasr-i-Shirin.
Armenia: Turks occupy Kars (first time since 1878), find over 212 field and fortress guns.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: German demands for use of Limburg (Lemburg, now, Lvov) railway agreed to.
United Kingdom: Mr. Winston Churchill reviews work of Ministry of Munitions; losses since March 21 more than made good; 750,000 women working, doing 90% shell production; 100,000 men released to forces since May 1917.
Women as workers in a British munitions factory: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Frauen-brit-Munitifabrik.jpg?ssl=1
Harold Harmsworth, Lord Rothermere, resigns his position in the Air Ministry.
Red Cross sale £151,000.
Exports prohibited to Russia.
Australia: Mr. Hughes and Mr. Cook appointed to represent Australia at War Conference.
Belgium: A Belgian refugee family who fled Lille, Belgium due to the hardships of German occupation: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989155842875379713
United States: Potato eating urged instead of bread.
Netherlands: Mr. Loudon, Dutch Foreign Minister, says relations with Germany difficult.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Second Battle of Kemmel Ridge or Second Battle of Kemmelberg (Lys) (25th/26th): In Kemmel region, Germans occupy Kemmel Hill and village and Dranoutre after very severe fighting, capturing 6500 French prisoners. Kemmel Hill overlooks south of Ypres. Ruins of Ypres: © IWM (Q 6730): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989427631279001600
Locre is lost and retaken by French.
Along the Ypres-Comines Canal, the Allied line falls back; at Voormezeele (Ypres) heavy fighting results in ultimate repulse of Germans; (and twice on April 27).
In Luce Valley and at Givenchy, fighting is to the advantage of the Allies.
French Foreign Legion (851 casualties) storms Hangard Wood and holds it against 5 counter-attacks.
Map showing the German order of battle during its current offensive: © IWM (Q 17200): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989186048143052801
Smoke billows from Amiens due to the German bombardment on the city: © IWM (Q 11152): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989201141371162625

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: 3,000 German troops capture Hameenlinna and meet Finnish Nyland Dragoons on April 27. Red director Kullervo Manner flees Viborg with 3 steamers for Petrograd.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: General Egerton’s 10,500 men (5 columns) wrest Kifri-Tuz Khurmatli from 3,000 Turks (until April 29); 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade charges at Kulawand on April 27, destroying Turk rearguard (200 killed, 565 PoWs and 1 gun captured); 13th Division takes Tuz as 13th Hussars’ charge causes 1,300 Turks with 12 guns and 20 MGs to surrender on April 29.
British cavalry charging in Middle East: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/attacke-brit-Kav.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: Bolsheviks protest against German Brest-Litovsk violations.
United Kingdom: Ministry of Reconstruction issues report of Balfour Committee on commercial and industrial policy after the war.
Netherlands: Birth of the Dutch athlete, Francina "Fanny" Elsje Blankers-Koen, best known for winning four gold medals at the 1948 Summer Olympics in London.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: In Ypres sector Voormezeele is twice attacked by Germans without success. Local fighting astride Ypres-Comines Canal.
The Museum of Picardie (Musée de Picardie) in Amiens damaged by German shelling: © IWM (Q 11451): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989835317682327552
First contingent of Italian troops arrive on the French front. [Approximate date.]
Canadian Armoured Autocar in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989457834155954176
British soldiers examining the downed fuselage of a German Pfalz D-III at the Vert Galand Aerodrome: © IWM (Q 12165)
A member of the British Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps carrying rations in a German helmet at Etaples: © IWM (Q 8743): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989518233844834305
British and French troops sharing drinks near Amiens: © IWM (Q 10940): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989548439108292609
A French doctor tending to the wounds of a British soldier at Villers-Bretonneux: © IWM (Q 10936): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989774923768909824
African American Army cooks on a hospital train at Horreville, France: © IWM (Q 93185): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989867031158812672

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Rapid British advance north of Baghdad; Kifri captured.
Armenia: Turks report capture of Kars with 860 guns (also reported for earlier).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Dr. Sandor Wekerle again appointed Hungarian Prime Minister (see 17th and October 24th).
Russia: Soviet Central Executive Committee abolishes rights of inheritance. At Petrograd White plotters name Grand Duke Alexis Nikolaievich ruler of Russia.
Georgia: Independence of Georgia (Trans-Caucasia) declared by its Diet.
France: France announces that there will be three meatless days a week starting on May 15 due to limited supply and the need to feed arriving American soldiers.
United Kingdom: Announcement of Sir W. Weir's appointment as Secretary of State for Royal Air Force.
Wheat acreage highest since 1882 but only 500,000 bales of cotton (11 weeks supply) left.
India: Important War Conference at Delhi.
Italy: Italy’s role in an international front is highlighted on this Italian propaganda poster: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/ital-gemeinsame-front.jpg?ssl=1

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: Germans again make a local attack at Locre and are repulsed.
Great artillery activity in Luce Valley and south of Lassigny.
Further attacks on Hangard Wood are repulsed.
At Langemarck, Belgians repulse a big German raid.
Allies announce that an American force has entered the line under French command on Northern battle front.
American troops wearing body armor tested with bullets at Langres, France: © IWM (Q 112258): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/989897292655276033
German prisoners captured by the Canadians on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990175055459086338

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Reds shoot 26 White PoWs in Viborg prison. Red Guard night attacks throw back Germans, taking 2 guns, but held at Lahti.
Southern Russia: German troops reach Taganrog, Sea of Azov, in Donetz coal basin.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British forces reach the Ak Su river (Tigris).

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Death of Gavrilo Princip (the assassin of Sarajevo 1914), age 22, in hospital of tuberculosis, Theresienstadt. The assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Sophie, the student Gavrilo Princip, who eradicated an entire era. At time of the crime with an age of 18 years, which precluded a death sentence against him, he dies in prison of tuberculosis: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/student-gavrilo-princip.jpg?ssl=1
Poland: Polish Government addresses Note to Central Powers.
Portugal: Senhor Sidonio Paes, Provisional President, is elected President of the Portuguese Republic.

[gekkogecko]

Kaiserschlacht: Unternehmung Georgette, known in the west as Battles of the Lys or the German Lys Offensive: The Battle of the Scherpenberg (Lys) brings to an end the Battles of the Lys (see 9th).: Heavy bombardment between Meteren and Voormezeele followed by violent infantry attacks by 13 Divisions; but only capture Scherpenberg, a knoll 2 miles northwest of Mt Kemmel from French and 2-mile stretch of British-held Salient outpost line, 3 miles south of Ypres. French regain Locre.
Haig and Plumer contemplate retreat to prepared St Orner line. Ludendorff suspends the offensive at 2200 hours.
Lorraine: US codebreakers give Doughboys 1/2 hour warning of attack.
First of Rickenbacker’s 26 victories; an Albatros fighter at Baussant. German aircraft losses since March 21 are 659; RAF/RFC in March and April 1,032 planes.
Eddie Rickenbackjer in front of his SPAD fighter: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Eddie-Rickenbacker-Spad.jpg?ssl=1
A YMCA tent damaged by German selling at Ansauville, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990205256721223681
A French pilot and an American soldier boxing during a tournament at St. Aignan: © IWM (Q 70262): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990265654925291524

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Viborg taken by White Guards. In the following days, several hundred Red prisoners and civilians suspected of having Communist ties are massacred. Captured Red troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990531168704614400
Ukraine: General Groener establishes military dictatorship (Kiev martial law from April 26) under landowner Hetman (ex-Tsarist) General Skoropadski, having arrested anti-German League dissolved Rada.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: British columns from coast and Lake Nyssa have forced Germans to River Lurio; other British and Portuguese columns approaching this river from the South.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British capture Tuz Khurmati.
British soldiers carrying a wounded man during the fighting against Ottoman troops north of Baghdad, Mesopotamia (Iraq): © IWM (Q 24663): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990235451863851009
British medic tending to the wounds of an Ottoman soldier north of Baghdad: © IWM (Q 24666): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990561422273843200

Political, etc
Germany: Formation of State Grain Bureau in Ukraine announced. (Yes, this is referring to the German cooperative occupation of the Ukraine, in support of Ukrainian independence).
France: Bonnet Rouge treason trial opens.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Fierce fighting in Noyon sector.
OHL decides on major diversionary offensive (Goerz) against French designed to draw Allied reserves south from Flanders. Once achieved, a further heavy attack will be mounted to encompass BEF’s destruction.
180 German triplanes available. Allied April losses 232 aircraft and 16 balloons to Germans’ 136 aircraft.
A standard Fokker Dr I triplane in 1918: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Fokker-DrI-Serienflugzeug.jpg?ssl=1
Since April 27 flights of obsolete DH6s on anti-U-boat patrol.
During April 118,000 US troops sail for France, BEF losses 143,168 soldiers, only 48 of 61 divisions battleworthy.
Trainload of British tanks being transported near La Vicogne, France: © IWM (Q 11495): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990591608168075265
British soldiers defending behind a wire block on a road at St. Jean, France: © IWM (Q 6594): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990606697398964225
Camouflage netting used to hide the American 26th Division headquarters at Boucq, France from German aerial surveillance: © IWM (Q 63746):

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Red Western Army cut in half by German-White Guard attacks.
Russia: Ex-Tsar and family brought to Ekaterinburg in the Urals.
By now 386,000 Austro-German PoWs returned home. Turkestan Soviet Republic proclaimed.

Southern Front
Operations during the month confined to artillery, air and patrol actions.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: Canadian Pacific liner, S.S. Oronsa, sunk by submarine.
Irish Sea: Royal Navy convoy sloop Coreopsis gunfire sinks coastal submarine UB-85 in Northern Channel.
Further prohibited area in North Sea announced for 15 May.
Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats in April: 112 ships (67 British with 488 lives) worth 273,355t (215,543t British from all causes); German U-boat figure 134 ships worth 300,069t including 43 ships worth 80,126t in Mediterranean; 6 U-boats sunk.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Second action of Es Salt begins (see May 4th). Line advanced at Mezra (Jerusalem).
Second Trans-Jordan ‘Raid’ (until May 4): Chauvel’s 13,000 men with 66 guns vs 9,000 Turks and Germans and c.70 guns. 60th Division and NZ Mounted Brigade only take first line of Turk Nimrin position east of Jordan, 3rd ALH (Australian Light Horse, mounted infantry) Brigade captures Es Salt (Turk Fourth Army HQ) but 4th ALH Brigade checked at Jisr-ed-Damieh bridge.
Arabia: British reach Tank river on Mosul road and capture 12 guns and 1,800 prisoners.
Persia: Sykes’ Mission: 3,344 British troops and 7,898 South Persia Rifles (292 British-Indian officers and NCOs).

Political, etc
Russia: Rumoured that a counter-revolution is about to take place.
Ukraine: German troops dissolve the Ukrainian People’s Republic and instead install Pavlo Skoropadskyi as Hetman of Ukraine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990621812013793281
France: Wounded French veterans given training as barbers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990893635133722624
United Kingdom: Mr. Ian Macpherson, Under-Secretary of State for War, appointed Vice-President of Army Council.
Major-General Charles Harrington to be Deputy Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Comparative quiet on Western Front.
French improve their positions before Locre.
U.S. troops join Amiens front.
No.1 to No.5 Air Force Areas are formed, but the words 'Air Force' are dropped from the titles of almost immediately.
Zeebrugge lock gates heavily bombed with 32t of bombs (and on May 2, 6, 12 with Ostend on May 22) aiming for lock gates. Bruges docks also attacked on May 25 with 36t of bombs.
In May first flight of super-Handley Page V/1500 ‘Berlin Bomber’ at Belfast, but crashes in June, second prototype tested mid-October and 3 of 255 ordered ready in Norfolk (No 166 Squadron) on Armistice Day.
In early May Fokker D-VIIs reach German fighter units in quantity, 828 by August 31. Germans have 2,551 pilots at front.
The actual link that got left out yesterday: Camouflage netting used to hide the American 26th Division headquarters at Boucq, France from German aerial surveillance: © IWM (Q 63746): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990925024453373954
American soldiers putting on their gas masks after a gas alarm is sounded: © IWM (Q 61480): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990955209911422976
British soldiers setting up a machine gun post in a barn near Haverskerque, France: © IWM (Q 6571): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991228246070046720

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Sevastopol taken by German forces (April 30th/May 1st).
Russia: General Skoropadski proclaimed Hetman, Germans occupy Odessa.

Southern Front
British airmen in Balkans bomb Bulgarian aerodromes in Vardar valley.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Part of Russian Black Sea Fleet seized by the Germans (see June 21st, 1917 and June 18th and November 26th, 1918).
South Atlantic: During May Brazilian squadron of 2 cruisers, 4 destroyers and a tender sails for European waters, but crew illness delays them at Sierra Leone.
Adriatic: Austrians suppress plot in Tb80 at Pola.
Germany: In May light cruiser Stuttgart converted to carry 3 seaplanes on davits (since January).
North Sea: Blackburn Kangaroos of No 246 Squadron at RNAS Seaton Carew (Tees) fly 600 hours on anti-submarine patrols from May 1 to November 11; 12 U-boats sighted, 11 attacked.
Britain: During last of 44 P-Boat type patrol craft/minesweepers/submarine chasers launched (since October 1915), serve with Dover Patrol, Portsmouth and Nore commands.
Mozambique: British in East Africa capture important convoy from Germans retreating towards Nanungu.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British mounted brigade, guarding ford at Jisr ed Damiya, attacked and compelled to fall back, leaving 9 guns.
No 1 Squadron AFC aircraft forced to land and burnt near Amman. 1 German strafing attack on May 4.

Political, etc
Between warring sides: France and Germany arrange for exchange of prisoners of war.
Austria-Hungary: Hungary: General strike, marches in 4 towns despite ban.
Germany: In May Ludendorff Fund for War Wounded opens.
Hoffmann diary on difficulties of repatriating Austro-German PoWs and 3-4 million Baltic and Polish refugees. During May 2 German divisions transfer to Western Front (until May 10).
Russia: Lenin addresses first May Day rally in Red Square and attends flying display.
The Bolshevik soldiers currently guarding (and would later execute) the Russian imperial family: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/990985423940980738
France: Mr Lloyd George, M. Georges Clemenceau and Signor Vittorio Orlando attend Fifth War Council in France.
35,000 armaments workers in May Day strike at Saint-Etienne and vicinity.
United Kingdom: RFP 107% (March level). New War Pensions Warrant issued. Anglo-Australian zinc agreement for 250,000t per year for duration of war plus 1 year. In May record month’s gun production: 1750 pieces with 1275 carriages.
Inside a British gun factory in Coventry: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/brit-geschuetzfabrik-coventry.jpg?ssl=1
Turkey: Fist war loan in Constantinople (until May 31 and until Juni 30 outside) raises T17.8m.
United States: Further increase of U.S. Army sanctioned.
Finland: Mannerheim holds victory parade in Viborg.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Minor infantry actions.
German guns active on Villers-Bretonneux sector.
French gains in Avre valley, seize Hill 82, between Hailles and Castel.
British airmen bomb Thionville.
Zeebrugge again bombed.
Members of the British Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps playing basketball with convalescing soldiers at Etaples: © IWM (Q 8756): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991288648443326464
German soldier posing inside the barrel of the “Paris Gun,” the long-ranged artillery gun that bombarded Paris from behind German lines: © IWM (Q 87407): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991349067707011072
Royal Artillery officers rest while one plays a piano at Saint-Floris. Their dog mascot sits on top of the piano: © IWM (Q 6586): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991595680287416320
French gunners loading a massive 400mm howitzer at Sommesous: © IWM (Q 108347): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991656102638039040

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Red Western Army collapses, 20,000 PoWs; 50 guns and 200 Mgs.
German troops arrest suspected Bolsheviks: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/festnahme-bolschewiki.jpg?ssl=1
Russia: Germans occupy Taganrog in Donetz region.

Southern Front
Italy: Ferdinand Foch’s authority extended to Italian Front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: U-boat sinks transport Tuscania (211 of 2,400 US troops lost) 7 miles north of Rathlin island.
Channel: Dover Barrage sinks coastal submarine UB-31, which sunk 26 Allied ships during its career.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Heavy fighting in Palestine; Turks cross Jordan at Jisr ed Damiya; attack troops holding Es Salt.

Political, etc
Germany: Prussian Landtag votes 235-183 against equal suffrage; pro-equal suffrage meetings banned on May 25.
Russia: Cossacks cable Kaiser for help against Bolsheviks.
United States: Montana bans German language teaching and textbooks, half states curtail German by summer, much book burning.
Netherlands: Agreement concluded regarding export of sand and gravel from The Netherlands for German use (see July 15th).
Spain: Real Unión wins the 1918 Copa del Ray after defeating Madrid FC by 2-0.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Quiet on front, artillery active locally. Germans fire 10,000 rounds (15t) mustard gas at US 1st Div opposite Cantigny, 693 gassed (4 deaths).
Major-General James W McAndrew now AEF CoS.
British claim 36 enemy planes. DH4s of No 55 Squadron seriously damage goods statin rail tracks and rolling stock at Thionville. Actual German losses were 22 for 33 Allied.
Flight of DH4s: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DH4-flug.jpg?ssl=1
A French Chasseur plane shot down by German fighters near St. Maurice: © IWM (Q 60799): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991958085513236480
British soldiers next to the 16th-century Church of St. Vaast, destroyed by German artillery: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/991716544974598146

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Germans and Finns surround and defeat Red Guard forces in south-west Finland. Whites occupy Kouvola. White ministers meet Mannerheim at Haapamaeki.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Attacked by superior forces, British withdraw from Es Salt and retire to west of Jordan.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George returns with cheering message from Paris.
Turkey: Samsam es Sultaneh succeeds Mustaufi ul Mamalek as Persian Prime Minister (see 31st, and January 19th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Germans open intense bombardment of French and British positions from Locre and south of Ypres; no attack develops.
French make slight progress in Locre sector.
A German 38-cm gun in railway carriage firing: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/de-38cm-kanone.jpg?ssl=1
France: 440 Renault FT-17 tanks delivered, only 216 with units.
French soldiers marching towards the frontlines at Ribecourt: © IWM (Q 69360): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992048722266804224
A British officer of the Tank Corps with his pet dog on a motorcycle at Neulette, France: © IWM (Q 8770): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992078941073608704
American Army barber cutting the hair of children in Bronville, France: © IWM (Q 114507): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992364484294561793

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Whites take Kotka and 3 Red evacuation ships (4,000 PoWs, 38 guns and mortars, 50 MGs).
Russia: Siberia: Novonikolayevsk Soviet arrests Czech Captain Gajda.

Southern Front
Italy: Activity increased on Italian front.
Serbia: Serbians capture and hold Bulgarian advanced positions on Dobropolye sector.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Second action of Es Salt ends (see April 30th). British troops retreat from their 2nd offensive against Ottoman forces in Transjordan due to strong counterattacks.

Political, etc
Between warring sides: Germany and Soviet Russia establish a special commission to exchange 3 million Russian prisoners in German hands for 1 million Germans held in Russia.
Austria-Hungary: Officials seize German food from Romania and Ukraine.
Emperor closes Reichsrat.
Ukraine: Armistice signed at Korenevo between Russia and The Ukraine (German-Ukrainian Command) (see June 12th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Artillery fire on both sides and local encounters on whole front.
British line advanced a little at Morlancourt between Ancre and Somme.
Killed British machine gunners at the Somme: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/gefallene-MG-Mannschaft-Amiens.jpg?ssl=1
A German long-range gun (Not the Paris Gun) put out of action by French guns.
France: Foch orders army commanders and higher not to yield ground for defense in depth.
American 320 mm railway gun near Mailly, France: © IWM (Q 58209): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992773470974042114

Eastern Front
Finish Civil War: Battle of Ahvenkoski: Last Red Guards surrender in Kymi Valley; 9,000 PoWs; 57 guns and 120 MGs; c.280 Reds shot (until May 15) despite orders. This is the last battle of the Finnish Civil War.
Russia: Trotsky approves ‘in principle’ re-routing Czech 2nd Division (still west of Omsk) via Archangel.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: U-boat sinks sloop HMS Rhododendron.
Channel: Australian ocean liner Kyarra is sunk by the German submarine UB-57, causing 6 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992711771315228672
Mozambique: Rosecol takes over Pamforce advance.
Action of Nanungu: Two very different accounts. One says: Paul von Lettow-Vorbeck is defeated at Nanungu (East Africa) by General Edward Northey's forces; Germans driven to north-east with much loss. Account two says: Paul von Lettow’s 404 men (107 casualties) beat c.800 KAR from NRFF (c.211 casualties including 106 PoWs), but both sides retire during night (until May 8).

Political, etc
Ireland: Field-Marshal Lord John Fench appointed Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland (see December 15th, 1915); Mr. Ed Shortt, Chief Secretary.
John French: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992681573186265088

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Flanders: Germans raid French positions south of Locre.
Aisne: 3 British divisions enter line to ‘rest’ (until May 15).
African American soldiers of the Harlem Hellfighters/Black Rattlers defending a trench near Maffrecourt: © IWM (Q 69943): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/992803663126155264
Australian troops advanced 500 yards on a 2000-yard front against German troops at Morlancourt, France, taking 150 prisoners.
A British military traffic control signal post at Blendecques, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993098137119150081
A damaged German A.E.G. G IV aircraft brought down by anti-aircraft fire near Villers-Bretonneux: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993113202656456704
British troops erecting a camouflage screen besides a road at Abeele, Belgium to prevent German fire: © IWM (Q 8803): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993143400605143040

Eastern Front
Southern Russia: Max Hoffmann diary ‘… OHL and Eichhorn are … driving the Ukraine back into the arms of Great Russia’. Russian ships shell German troops in Mariupol on Sea of Azov, General Haller’s Poles fight Germans at Kaniow. Denisov’s Anti-Soviet Cossacks capture Novocherkassk (reinforced by Drozdovski’s 900 Whites on May B), call Krug (Assembly) for the Salvation of the Don on May 11.

Southern Front
Salonika: British coy trench raid (81 casualties) west of Lake Doiran uses body shields, blows up pillbox (night May 6-7).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Sea of Azov: Russian ships bombard Germans in Mariupol Harbor.
Russian Black Sea Fleet arrives at Odessa, surrenders to local authorities.

Political, etc
Georgia: Turko-German delegates arrive at Batum to negotiate peace with the Georgians and Armenians (see April 22nd, May 26th, and June 8th).
United States:A street beneath the Brooklyn Bridge in New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993128297969147905

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Rain prevents all but artillery fighting at front.
Canadian Corps withdrawn into reserve (until July 15); 5,690 casualties since March 21 although only Canadian Cavalry Brigade in major battle.
Canadian soldier with his battalion’s goat mascot: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993460575471656963

Eastern Front
Finnish Civil War: Frederickshamn (South Finland) captured by Finnish White Guards: End of the Finnish Civil War.[The civil war may be said to have begun about March 1st, 1918.]

Southern Front
British successfully raid Austro-Hungarian trenches near Lake Doiran, on Balkan front.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Kirkuk taken by British forces (see 24th) (until May 8), 600 Turks sick and 3 damaged planes taken but evacuated with 1,600 refugees (May 11-24) due to supply difficulties. Turks retire towards Lesser Zab river.

Political, etc
Russia: Sidney Reilly (MI1c) arrives in Moscow and tries to see Vladimir Lenin.
United Kingdom: Letter of Major-General Sir F. Maurice in "Times" charging Ministers with mis-statements on the military position.
Romania: Peace of Bucharest: Final Treaty of Peace signed between Romania and Bulgaria, Central Powers and Turkey (see March 5th), together with various supplementary treaties between the separate contracting parties (see November 10th). Bulgaria gets all land lost in 1913, Central Powers to control Danube estuary, 1/3 Army to be demobilized at once; indefinite military occupation (August von Mackensen C-in-C in May 11).
Signing of the Treaty of Bucharest: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Friede-von-Bukarest.jpeg?ssl=1
Minor Allies: Nicaragua declares war on Germany.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Strong local attack by Germans between La Clytte and Voormezeele, making gains around Morlancourt.
Australians push forward.
Activity in Avre valley.
The Royal Air Force is reorganized. The designations of the newly established Areas are revised to reflect their geographical locations within the United Kingdom:
• No.1 Area became South-Eastern Area - Major General F.C. Heath-Caldwell
• No.2 Area became South-Western Area - Major General M.E.F. Kerr
• No.3 Area became Midland Area - Major General J.F.A. Higgins
• No.4 Area became North-Eastern Area - Major General the Honorable Sir F. Gordon
• No.5 Area became North-Western Area - Major General G.C. Cayley
Hugh Trenchard accepts command of Independent Air Force for bombing Germany.
The first heavy British strategic bombers is the Handley-Page 0/400, here in flight. But they arrive too late to see many operations before the armistice: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Handley-Page-im-Flug.jpg?ssl=1
Frenchwomen workers at a food warehouse for American soldiers: © IWM (Q 69425): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993490816587976706
British officer at Neulette, France feeding a canary rescued at the front: © IWM (Q 10948): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993521116898619392

Eastern Front
Russia: German forces occupy Rostov, on the Don.

Southern Front
Salonika: 6 RAF aircraft drop 4,500lb bombs (in 72 sorties) on Bulgarian Drama airfield, 24 aircraft bomb rail stations and dumps on May 13-14; 27 aircraft bomb Hudova airfield (repeated on May 21, 23, 29, 30); probable 8 Bulgarian aircraft shot down in May.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Royal Navy convoy sloop Wallflower depth charges and sinks veteran U-32 attacking convoy 40 miles northwest of Malta.
Adriatic: 4 Austrian destroyers fail to land raiding party to cut coast railway north of Pescara (night May 8-9).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Operations continued on Baghdad-Mosul road.
Turkish troops attacked by British airmen on Tigris, north of Tekrit.

Political, etc
Russia: Red Army forms General Staff under Lenin’s friend Major-General Bonch-Bruevich with 5 fronts.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Local German attacks in La Clytte-Voormezeele sector repulsed; French and British positions re-established.
Germans gain small success at Albert.
Minor French success at Grivesnes, north-west of Montdidier.
French troops by a destroyed German A7V tank at the Villers-Bretonneux battlefield: © IWM (Q 55073): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993801450944856065
France: French ace Fonck in 5min 50sec (in Spad) destroys 6 German aircraft (again on September 26) over the Somme firing only 52 rounds.
Capitaine Rene Fonck was a master of deflection shooting and his sparing of ammunition bordering on the uncanny. His official victory score as a thoughtful and analytical fighter pilot was 75 at the end of the war, but he claimed 127 kills: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Rene-Fonck.jpg?ssl=1
Allied Supreme War Council first discusses air policy. 3 of 4 ‘Giant’ bombers flying raids on coastal targets destroyed in crash-landings (fog).
British First Aid Nursing Yeomanry ambulance drivers attached to the Belgian Army at Calais: © IWM (Q 3257): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/993893310862274561
British soldier talking with a French farmgirl at Rollencourt: © IWM (Q 3259): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994195310611189760
British 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers returning from the frontlines at Ancre: © IWM (Q 10952): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994225510954754050

Southern Front
Italians storm Monte Corno, in the Vallarsa (Upper Piave) during night; take 100 prisoners.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Belgium: Second blocking attack on Ostend fails. H.M.S. Vindictive sunk to block the harbor (see April 23rd).
There are several sources which claim: The attempt is partially successful, but smaller German ships continue to use the port: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994134896854609920
Since the port was only used by small ships (minesweepers, torpedo boats and coastal submarines) in the first place, the effect on German usage was nil. Thus, the claims of “partial success” must be discarded.
Channel: Troop transport Queen Alexandra rams and sinks coastal submarine UB-78 north of Cherbourg.

Political, etc
Ukraine: M. Ustemovich proclaimed President of The Ukraine; General Pavlo Skoropadski remains Hetman (see April 29th).
United Kingdom: Debate in House of Commons on General Maurice's letter; motion by Mr. Asquith defeated by large Government majority.
Portugal: Dr. da Silva Paes, elected Portuguese President (see December 28th, 1917 and December 14th, 1918).
Netherlands: Joint Trade Committee of Entente Powers formed in Holland.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: British eject Germans from front trench north-west of Albert.
Great activity of British bombing-machines on whole front.
French improve positions north of Kemmel village.
Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders defending a position at the Lys Canal near Saint-Floris: © IWM (Q 6613): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994255705808031744
Occupied Belgium: 7 Handley Page bombers (1 lost) bomb Ostend in support of Royal Navy raid.
North Sea: Zeppelin L-62 blows up after attack by British flying boat.
Argonne: 1,000 German projectors fire 8t phosgene on French positions; 187 gassed (20 deaths).
Meuse: German gas attack (500 projectors) on US 26th Division in St Mihiel-Toul sector.
Lorraine: German gas attack (1,000 projectors) on French north of Parroy.

Naval and Overseas Operations
A German 17 cm Schnell-Ladekanone (fast loading gun) L/40, as it was used to defend Ostend: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/17cm-schnell-ladekanone-l40.jpg?ssl=1
Eastern Atlantic: 6 U-boats attempt to attack convoys (until May 25), only 2 succeed, 30 convoys pass through group’s area.
Britain: Eric Geddes proposes to Italian Ambassador Imperial an Allied Mediterranean ‘admiralissimo’, eg John Jellicoe, to settle command differences as on land, Lloyd George cables Clemenceau (May 13), Anglo-French agreement (May 17) but scheme founders at Supreme War Council (June 2) due to prolonged Italian objections.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: 6th Indian Cavalry Brigade, armored cars and 24 Ford vans drive Turkish 2nd Division north of river Little Zab 70 miles from Mosul.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Minor local actions on front; hostile artillery active in Ancre sector.
First ‘Liberty Plane’ (US-built DH4) reaches AEF.
A crashed French Spad biplane which was brought down by British friendly fire at Hazebrouck: © IWM (Q 10312): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994589148123140101
Ruined buildings in Amiens, France: © IWM (Q 3298): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994891142662631425

Eastern Front
Fighting between Bolsheviks and Anarchists in Moscow.
Conflicts at Kiev between German troops and supporters of Rada.

Southern Front
Italians retain Monte Corno against Austrian counter-attacks.
First of 12 RAF raids on Cattaro (only 4 Austrian Phoenix fighters, Italians bomb on May 12) and 7 on Durrazo (until August 31). U-boat Commander at former requests 2 squadrons of German fighters.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: (Listed for yesterday): German officers onboard the wreck of the HMS Vindictive, which was sunk in Ostend by the British in an attempt to block the harbor: © IWM (Q 58102): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994574050193264640
Atlantic: British submarine E.35 torpedoes and sinks U-154, a large cruiser U-boat in Atlantic in lat. of C. St. Vincent; the first submarine of this type to be destroyed.
The submarine cruiser U-154 was originally designed as a transport submarine and received later torpedo tubes and two 15-cm and two 8.8-cm guns: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/U-154.jpg?ssl=1
Mediterranean: German submarine SM UC-54 sinks the French troopship SS Sant Anna, causing more than 600 deaths. Another submarine, UC-52 sinks the Italian troopship SS Verona, causing 880 deaths.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Hejaz Railway: Arab regulars (+ 3 RAF planes) capture Jerdun Station with 140 PoWs, but another attack cut short by Turkish train arriving on May 17. Nasir destroys 2 stations to north (May 23-24) without loss. Partial Arab success against bridges 80 miles northwest of Medina on May 23.
Persia: Turks advance, occupy Uskner and Suj Bulak:- Enzeli on Caspian Sea being their objective.
Dunsterville cables Baghdad that Baku’s seizure possible, leaves Hamadan for Kazvin and Tehran visits (May 12-18).
Mesopotamia: General Marshall drives Turks over Lesser Zab river at Alton Keupri, 70 miles from Mosul.
Soldiers of the Australian 1st Cavalry Divisional Signal Squadron fording a river with their motorbikes near Kirkuk (Iraq) as they advance towards Mosul: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994619356888911872
Armenia: Peace Conference resumes at Batumi, Turkish delegates arrive (May 6) and demand Aleksandropol’s evacuation within 24 hours (May 14). Ludendorff gets Chancellor’s agreement to sending a few battalions from Crimea to Caucasus.

Political, etc
Germany: Peace signed in Berlin between Finland and Turkey.
Ukraine: Congress of Ukraine peasants demand land, etc.
United Kingdom: Sir Richard Keyes thanked by War Cabinet.
The King reviews American troops in London.
United States: (Listed for yesterday): US Post Office accidentally issues the “Inverted Jenny” stamp, which features an upside-down image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane (the stamps go on auction for around $1 million today): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994558946974339073

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Quiet on all sectors; artillery duel on right bank of Meuse.
Between 6-12 May R.A.F. contingents from Dunkirk attack Zeebrugge and Ostend continuously.
Mannock’s SE5a flight of No 74 Squadron claim 6 of 8 German fighters encountered, Mannock is credited with over 20 victories during May including 3 Pfalz fighters and a Hannover two-seater (May 21).
The top ace of the British fighter pilots ‘Mick’ Mannock is credited with 73 kills until the armistice, although he has lost one of his eyes: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Mick-Mannock.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers returning from the trenches in Sommedieue, France. The large banners are meant to camouflage the street from aerial surveillance: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/994951546608680962
South African Scottish Regiment soldiers cheering in Rouen, France: © IWM (Q 3274): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995315178504949761

Eastern Front
In eastern Siberia, Colonel Grigory Semenov's (also spelled Semyonov) forces, acting against Bolsheviks, move west from Manchurian border towards Lake Baikal.

Southern Front
British airmen make raids in Balkans and bomb aerodrome at Drama.
Naval base of Cattaro successfully bombed by Italians.

Naval and Overseas Operations
St George’s Channel: White Star liner and troopship Olympic (46,359t) rams and sinks U-103 after she summons 4 others to intercept convoys (coastal submarine UB-72 sunk by Royal Navy submarine D.4). Olympic in dazzle camouflage: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995283731807162368
Eastern Atlantic: ‘Invasion of St Kilda’: U-19 (Johann Spiess) shells remote Scottish Western Island’s only settlement; then lands armed party to shoot sheep.
Adriatic: Italian destroyers sink transport from Austrian convoy off Durazzo.
Mediterranean: British transport Omrah sunk by U-boat off Cape Spartivento (Sardinia); transports Leasowe Castle (99 lives lost; May 26) and Missir (44 lives lost; May 29) similarly sunk off Alexandria.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Successful Arab raids on Hejaz railway line and the Turkish defences round Maan.

Political, etc
Germany: The Kaiser and Emperor Charles confer at German headquarters. Military Treaty ("Waffenbund") signed between Germany and Austria-Hungary, includes economic cooperation especially in Ukraine; Charles agrees to major offensive in Italy; one draft of ‘Charles’ journey to Canossa’ extends political treaty to January 1, 1940.
United Kingdom: Return of Mr. Montagu from India.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: German artillery active on Lys and Somme battlefields; heavy rain throughout day.
Local fighting north of Kemmel.
It is announced that an Independent Air Force (IAF), under the command of Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard, will be formed from 6 Jun 1918. This is the first time that an Air Force had been formed for the express purpose of conducting a war, without reference or subordination to Army or Navy Commands.
The IAF is to operate by day and night against industrial targets in Germany and enemy aerodromes. In five months, the nine squadrons of the IAF, equipped with de Havilland DH4, DH9, and DH9A, Handley Page 0/400 and Royal Aircraft Factory FE2b bombers, with one squadron of Sopwith Camels for escort work, drop a total of 550 tons of bombs, 390 tons by night.
British soldier talking to French children in a ruined shop in Abbeville, France: © IWM (Q 3265):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995330283384852480
British Machine Gun Corps practicing shooting at aeroplanes: © IWM (Q 3284): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995604607920459778
British, French, and American military policemen in front of a wrecked shop at Amiens: © IWM (Q 11142): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995634841247940608

Southern Front
Increased raids and bombing activity on Balkan front.
11 Austro-Hungarian planes claimed destroyed on Italian front.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Adriatic: Italian tracked naval torpedo motorboat (like a ‘tank’) Grillo (foiled May 6-7) crawls into Pola harbor, is discovered and scuttled to avoid capture, but Austrians raise her and build 2 similar craft (unfinished at Armistice). Early pair of Italian naval ‘tanks’ scuttled similarly (April 13).
Italian Grillo tracked torpedo motorboat: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Grillo-Motortorpedoboot.jpg?ssl=1
MAS raid on Trieste also fails (night May 14-15). British destroyer Phoenix sunk by Austrian U-27 in Otranto Straits.
Black Sea: On Moscow’s orders 14 Soviet destroyers sail from Sevastopol for Novorossisk, escaping Germans as do 4 more and 2 dreadnoughts (night May 14) under fire but Germans seize predreadnoughts and smaller vessels including ex-Turkish cruiser Medjidieh.

Political, etc
France: To unions’ surprise 40,301 Paris munition workers strike against war, 105,131 in 53 factories by May 14. Government impose news blackout, back to normal on May 21.
United Kingdom: Government announce policy denouncing all commercial treaties which contain "most favoured nation" clauses.
United States: War labor Policies Board appointed.
The Faith, the largest US ship made out of concrete, undergoes trials in San Francisco Bay. It is made of concrete to preserve steel: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995574425587154944
French “Blue Devils” (Chasseurs Alpin) visiting the White House and meeting President Wilson: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995665088823603200
L. Frank Baum releases “The Tin Woodman of Oz,” the 12th book in the Land of Oz series: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995695239758319618

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Germans attack on a mile front south-west of Morlancourt; German troops take a hill from the French near Mount Kemmel but fail to advance against a British and (especially) Australian counter-attack near Morlancourt.
A British soldier helping another get out of a dugout at Lievin, France: © IWM (Q 6625): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995967081077182465

Eastern Front
Siberia: Czech 1st Division first clashes with Bolsheviks at Chelyabinsk (east of Urals) and seizes town.
The Czech Legion itook over the control of the Trans-Siberian Railway: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Czech-Legion.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Great massing of Austro-German troops and artillery along Alpine lines and Friuli Plains for new offensive.

Naval and Overseas Operations
First million tons of ships ordered by U.S.A. on the seas.
Britain: Compulsory anti-submarine warfare training for Merchant Navy officers.
The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Phoenix, sunk yesterday by Austro-Hungarian submarine SM U-27. It is the only British warship sunk by the Austro-Hungarian Navy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/995998438243303424

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin’s Report on Foreign Policy to Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party and Moscow Soviet.
Lithuania: Kaiser proclamation declares Lithuania free and allied to Germany.
Canada: Prime Minister refuses farmers’ sons conscription exemption plea (10,226 drafted until November 22).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Heavy artillery fire on whole front; infantry actions locally.
North of Kemmel, French advance their line; capture a wood south of Hailles in Avre Valley.
Somme: US 1st Division ordered to capture Cantigny.
Aisne: 28 German assault divisors begin concentrating opposite Chemin des Dames (1,800 trains used).
British 8-inch BL howitzer in action at Wagonlieu in May 1918: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/8inch-BL-How-May-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Ruined belfry in Bethune, France destroyed by shelling: © IWM (Q 3293): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996058857800650752

Eastern Front
Finnish Civil War ends with Whites entering demolished and evacuated Russian Fort Ino.
Volga: Anarchists and Socialist Revolutionary (Russian peasant party) demonstrate in Tsaritsyn.

Southern Front
Reconnoitring raids on both sides along Italian front.
In Balkans ‘lively’ artillery actions near Lake Doiran; British airmen bomb depots near Seres.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British cease reconnaissance of Fat-ha, 45 miles north of Tikrit.
Armenia: Vehip Pasha resumes Turkish offensive and occupies Aleksandropol.

Political, etc
France: "Bonnet Rouge" trial ends in Paris; Duval sentenced to death (executed July 17) for receiving c.£40,000 from Germans, other accused men imprisoned.
United Kingdom: Official account of Ostend raid issued.
Exports to US need British War Mission’s approval.
Italy: G Villa replaces General Dallolio (resigned) as Munitions Minister.
Portugal: Dr. S.B.C. da Paes, Portuguese Premier, resigns (see 16th, and December 10th, 1917).
China: Agreement between Entente Powers, Japan, and China against German penetration in Far East announced.

[dicksbro]

In the "Western Front" section ... is the entry "Ruined belfry in Bethune, France ..."
kind of like "Blast in the belfry" instead of bats? Just askin'. :D

[gekkogecko]

The entire continent of Europe probably had bats in the belfry to start the war in the first place. Unfortunately, as has been shown, most of the rest of the world soon demonstrated that their bats were just as good as Europe's.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Big-gun duel still in progress; few infantry actions; successful British raid near Beaumont Hamel (Ancre River).
Sharp air fights.
Saarbrucken raided by 12 DH4s (1 shot down, crew killed), shoot down 3 defending fighters. Direct hits on rail targets (61 casualties).
Germans mistakenly bomb hospitals at Hoogsbade and Calais.
French Aviation Res designated 1 st Air Division under General Duval reporting to Petain.
A fox mascot of the British No. 32 Squadron near St. Pol, France: © IWM (Q 12039): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996330627833253889
American 320 mm railway gun at Mailly, France firing against German positions: © IWM (Q 58198): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996360832710774784
A British soldier next to horses with gas masks during a drill at Mont St. Eloi: © IWM (Q 8795): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996665326870892544
A Scottish soldier posing next to a sign warning soldiers not to go beyond due to enemy fire: © IWM (Q 6621): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996726985694023680
French, American, and British troops with French civilians and children at Boulogne beach: © IWM (Q 10968): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996757185198788609


Eastern Front
Central Russia: Red Army revolt at Saratov on Volga.
German troops in Ukraine: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/german-troops-ukraine.jpg?ssl=1
Southern Russia: General Pyotr Krasnov elected Ataman of Don Cossacks (replaces Popov) seeks arms and recognition from Germans in Ukraine (15 million roubles; 12,000 rifles; 46 guns and 89 MGs by July).

Naval and Overseas Operations
The torpedo boat destroyer USS Ward is launched 17 days after its keel was laid: © IWM (Q 110341): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996391042579615745

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles sacks Filed Marshal Eduard von Böhm-Ermolli for rowing with Germans, General Alfred Krauss from Italy takes over Ostarmee.
Subject Nationalities Congress in Prague: right-wing Czech Christian Democrats demand independence under federal monarchy (May 22).
United Kingdom: U.S. delegates received by King and Queen.
Penalties on excess food profits.
United States: The Sedition Act was passed in the United States, forbidding Americans from using "disloyal, profane, scurrilous, or abusive language" about the United States government, flag, or armed forces during the ongoing World War I. Overman Act expands Presidents’ war powers on May 20.
US Postal Service starts its first airmail service between Washington DC-Philadelphia-New York. The first mail sent through the service: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996421251668369408
Finland: Carl Mannerheim leads 16,000 White Army victory parade through Helsinki (Germans only foreign observers): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996696782624215040
Portugal: Senhor J.T. de Souza Barboza, appointed Portuguese Secretary of the lnterior [The appointment of Premier lapsed between May 15th and December 23rd. During this period the functions of the office were performed by the Secretary of the Interior.] (see 15th and December 22nd).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Much artillery and aerial activity along front.
Metz station bombed by British airmen: Metz-Sablon main station, goods sheds and train hit by 12 DH4s of 55 Squadron (c.90 casualties). Later, 1 Handley Page and 10 F.E.2s (2 lost) attack Thionville (much damage, 35 killed) and Metz-Sablon (night May 17-18).
An F.E.2b prepares for a night mission: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/FE2-night-mission.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Albania: Franco-Italian troops drive back Austro-Huingarians west of Koritsa and advance 12 miles.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: French convoy escort Ailly sinks UC-35 (destroyed 42 ships worth 65,569t) with gunfire off Sardinia, Germans believe Q-ship the killer.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Arab troops raid Turkish post at Wadi Jerdun (Palestine) on Hejaz railway.
Mesopotamia: British mounted troops occupy Fatha on Tigris, 45 miles north of Tekrit; Turks retire north.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: All men born 1898 or 1899 called up.
Compulsory meatless day abolished. President of Board of Trade estimates half industry on war work, output below pre-war.
"Denaturalisation of Dangerous Aliens" Bill issued.
Ireland: Sinn Fein leaders arrested in Ireland and interned (see 25th): Sudden arrest of about 150 Sinn Fein leaders in Ireland for “plotting with Germany”. only Michael Collins and Cathal Brugha escape, but no prosecutions.
United States: New York City policemen riding a motorcycle with a machine gun: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/996802490325757952

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Successful raid by Australians west of Morlancourt; in the night they capture Ville-sur-Ancre, take 360 prisoners, 20 machine guns.
First British “retaliatory” air raid on German towns. Cologne bombed by day; 33 bombs dropped, from 6 No 55 Squadron DH4s; kill 110 people at Cologne (some panic on streets), which returning repulse 2 German formations, shoot down 2 fighters. Considerable building damage (est. RM 340,000). All British machines return safely.

Eastern Front
Alexandropol (Georgia) occupied by Turkish forces.

Southern Front
Air fights in Upper Adriatic, west of Pola, between Italian and Austrian seaplanes.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Mediterranean: Heavily damaged (by carrier Empress seaplane escorting convoy off Gibraltar) U-39 forced into Cartagena (Spain) where interned for duration of war (UC-56 likewise at Santander on May 24). French destroyer Catapulte sinks in collision with British SS Warrimoo off Bone, Algeria.
Seaplane carrier HMS Empress: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/HMS-Empress.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: CIGS agrees to postpone Tigris operations till mid-September, railway to be extended to Tikrit.
Armenia: Turkish 12th Division attacks south of river Aras against Gen Silikov’s 6,000-7,000 Armenians with 28 guns (until May 19), occupying Igdir while 5th Division captures two passes on Tiflis road (May 19).

Political, etc
France: Metal workers strikes ‘until peace’ (until May 28) in Loire Department; 3 infantry battalions, 9 cavalry squadrons, 560 gendarmes tied down. Mainly peaceful until police officers wounded on May 23. Clemenceau’s deputy PPS Barnier arrives on May 24; 43 union leaders arrested night May 25-26 and 73 workers drafted.
Ireland: Proclamation by Lord John French (Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland) re: pro-German conspiracy.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Last German night airplane raid on London in which casualties were inflicted; 49 killed and 177 wounded [There were altogether nineteen airplane raids on London during which bombs were dropped, and one air reconnaissance during which no bombs were dropped.] (see May 7th, July 7th and October 19th, 1917 and August 5th, 1918). This is the largest, last and costliest raid on London by bomber aircraft: 28 of 38 Gothas sent (6 lost, 1 crashes), 3 Giants with 600 (14.3t) bombs. British claims are anti-aircraft fire destroys 2 Gothas, and 88 defence sorties shoot down 3 Gothas in 11 interceptions.
The night of 19-20 May 1918 saw the last of the major night raids on England, when 28 G-type and 3 t-type bombers converged on London. Night-flying Sopwith Camels and S.E.5As, together with AA guns, brought down six of he intruders: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Nachtangriff-London-Mai1918.jpg?ssl=1
Kaiserschlacht: British trench raid south-west of Meteren. French attack near Locre (Kemmel) bags 400 PoWs on May 20.
Heavy air fighting and many bombing raids behind German front.
France: Heavy German raids on railways and munition dumps (12,500t ammo destroyed until May 22) by Bogohl 6 (and on May 20-21); 935 further British soldiers wounded and nurses killed or injured in 15-plane Gotha raid (1 shot down) on Etaples military camp and hospital complex (key rail bridge, the real target was completely missed) (night May 19-20), repeated (night May 30-31, 47 casualties) when one span of bridge hit, but alternative soon in use (short breaks on June 30 and July 24).
Fayolle diary ‘… still discord between Petain and Foch. They … ought to be … one single man’.

Southern Front
At Capo Sile (north-east corner of Venetian Lagoons) Italian storming party captures and holds Austrian advanced positions.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Irish Sea: US destroyers Patterson and Allen depth charge and sink new coastal submarine UB-119 west of Cardigan Bay.
Mozambique: In East Africa General Edwards occupies Nanungu without opposition; Germans retire south-west towards Mahua.

Political, etc
China: Agreement signed between China and Japan for naval co-operation (see 16th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: French carry out successful operation east and north-east of Locre, 400 prisoners; also big raid near Bermericourt, penetrating the German third line.
Local fighting north of Albert; successful operations north-west of Merville by a Surrey battalion.
Koblenz bombed.
French and British troops wearing gas masks patrolling the damaged streets of Bethune: © IWM (Q 11173): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998145071387201536
Streets in Bethune destroyed by German shelling: © IWM (Q 11163): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998176532525912066
British soldiers bathing in the river near Arras, France: © IWM (Q 8805): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998206728582856704

Eastern Front
Trotsky orders Czechs’ disarming by arrest or shooting.

Southern Front
British airmen bomb Cattaro, return undamaged.
Italian seaplanes bomb Durazzo and Lagosta (off Dalmatia).
An Italian seaplane is returning to its base: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/ww1-ital-flugboot-zurueck.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: 2,000 troops of 6th Infantry Regiment at Pees mutiny against being sent to Front (especially returned Serb PoWs from Russia), seize arsenal and aided by armed miners but suppressed by 3 Honved regiments.
Russia: Central Executive Committee of Bolshevik Party “declares war” on Kulaks (rich peasants).
United Kingdom: Appeal to shipowners to provide extra emergency rafts. First minimum agricultural wage in force.
Finland: Pehr Svinhufvud and General Gustav von der Goltz agree on German-modelled 30,000-strong peacetime army with German troops remaining.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Hostile “counter-attack” (once again, probably just a raid, not a full counter-attack) north-west of Merville fails.
Successful British raids on Lys front and Arras district.
Mannheim, etc., heavily bombed by British airmen: 7 Handley Page bombers (1 lost) of No 216 Squadron RAF cause two-day plant closure at Oppau chemical works, Mannheim (direct hit on gas main). Rail workshops and locomotives hit at Karthaus. 13 F.E.2s of No 100 Squadron dislocate rail traffic at Saarbrücken (night May 21-22).
A Handley Page O/400 bomber: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/handley-page-400.jpg?ssl=1
Raid on Paris by two Gothas, one downed.
Rumpler C-VII (Drechsel and Foell) flies daring 375-mile high-altitude undetected photo-reconnaissance sortie over London, returns safely to Tournai base.
Ernst Udet appointed Commander Jasta 4.

Eastern Front
Increasing unrest at Kiev; acts of terrorism ineffectually repressed by Germans.

Southern Front
2 SVA-5s of Italian 87th Squadriglia photograph Zeppelin works at Friedrichshafen (440-mile round trip).

Naval and Overseas Operations
French sailors manning a gun on a French Navy ship: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998236928708358144
Mozambique: General Edwards' troops come up with German-aligned forces’ rearguard nine miles south-west of Nanungu.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Turkish 36th and 9th Divisions throw back Nazarbekov’s c.9,000 Armenians from Amamll Station until May 22; Antranik’s 2,000 Armenians make rearguard stand near Jelal-oglu from May 22-23.

Political, etc
Russia: SOVNARKOM starts peace talks with Hetman Skoropadski (of the Ukraine) on May 23.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Liege and Metz railways bombed by British airmen; Mannheim again attacked. 11 F.E.2s and 5 Handley Page bombers attack Kreuzwald electric power station.
Raid attempted on Paris by about 30 German machines, but only one reaches capital. 72 bombs cause 23 casualties.
A downed German Friedrichshafen G-III bomber at Villers-au-Bois being salvaged by British soldiers: © IWM (Q 12047): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998569125801840640
Canadian ace Billy Bishop returns, as Commander of No 85 Squadron (SE5s, with 3 American pilots), scores 27 more victories until June 19. Billy Bishop checks the Lewis machine gun, here still in his old Nieuport fighter: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/billy-bishop-nieuport.jpg?ssl=1
British 13-pounder anti-aircraft guns in action at Villers-au-Bois: © IWM (Q 8810): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998538921431748608
A U.S. Marine barrack camouflaged to hide it from German aerial surveillance: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998599329899274241

Southern Front
Italy: Increased artillery fighting along Piave; an attack at Capo Sile bridgehead repulsed.
Allied airmen active.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: HMS Vega picking up a ditched Sopwith Camel aircraft during anti-Zeppelin operations: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998508724087087105
Air-raids on Zeebrugge; a German torpedo boat sunk in harbor.
Mozambique: In East Africa British engage Germans between Nanungu and Mahua; capture guns and ammunition, (60 casualties including 11 Germans, 67 shells and 70,000 bullets), drive Germans westward.
Belgian Congo: Katanga Railway (Bukama – Cape Town) completed.

Political, etc
United States: U.S. Sedition Bill passed, and $300,000,000 voted for ordnance.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: One source labels infantry fighting “unimportant”: Successful local raids round Arras. French raids on Kemmel front.
Artillery active south of the Avre.
A British soldier demonstrating to Americans on boxing at Moulle, France: © IWM (Q 9076): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998879915347992577
British soldiers giving instructions to Americans on camouflage at Moulle, France: © IWM (Q 10315): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998895014796316673
British and captured German soldiers carrying a wounded soldier back from the frontlines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/998925218637901826
A hospital in Paris destroyed by a German long-range cannon: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999198368378257409
A British soldier using a hose to extinguish a fire after an ammunition dump exploded at Saigneville: © IWM (Q 11479): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999243732397457408
Destroyed remains of a British ammunition dump at Saigneville, France after it caught fire: © IWM (Q 11478): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999228576573554692
Two French veterans showing off their prosthetic legs at an American Red Cross facility at St. Maurice. In the middle is a French boy who also lost a leg due to a grenade: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999274048742977536

Southern Front
Italy: Infantry fighting on Italian mountain front increases; much aerial activity.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: British armed mercantile cruiser Moldavia, carrying American troops, torpedoed and sunk in Channel; one source says 56 lost, another says 64 lost.
Adriatic: Royal Navy submarine H.4 sinks returning coastal submarine UB-52 40 miles south of Cattaro.
UB-52 sunk on the way back to Cattaro: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/UB-52.jpg?ssl=1
Belgian Congo: Katanga Railway (Bukama – Cape Town) completed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Arabs successfully attack Turks near Abu Naam (80 miles north of Medina).
Armenia: Movses Silikov retakes Sardarabad and drives Turkish 11th Division 30 miles north until May 24 while other Armenian units drive Turkish vanguard back to Amamli.

Political, etc
Russia: Factory delegates in Moscow call for strike against Soviet Government.
United Kingdom: War Cabinet decides to send 560-man military mission to Archangel to train Whites and 600 troops to Murmansk; they decide large scale intervention inevitable on May 29.
Robert Lockhart sends Foreign Office Savinkov plan ‘to murder all Bolshevik leaders on night of Allied landing and form a Government … in reality a military dictatorship’.
United States: U.S. National Conscription (fight or work) after 1 July decided on.
U.S. Army in France announces it will issue its troops 0.4 ounces of tobacco and 10 rolls of cigarette papers as part of daily rations.
Minor Allies: Costa Rica declares war on Germany (see September 21st, 1917).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Many raids by both sides.
Flanders: British at Nieppe Forest bombed by gas shells.
Aisne: 12 tanks from German lines unable to cross French ‘Bardooelles Trench’.
A German captured tank Mk IV is rolling to Allied lines: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/de-Angriff-mit-erbeutetem-brit-Tank.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: Thyssen blast furnaces and iron/steel works Hagendingen attacked by 8 DH9s of No 99 Squadron (which shoot down 1 fighter).
A nursery room at an American Red Cross hospital near Paris damaged by German bombs. There was no loss of life in this attack at the nursery: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999561907194417154
Britain: BEF Tank Corps Lieutenant-Colonel JFC Fuller writes ‘Plan 1919’ for Allied tank (4,992 requested) and all-vehicle breakthrough on broad front. Haig receives revised version July 21. Foch agrees in principle August 6. Further refinements of this plan served as the basis for the Blitzkrieg operations by the Germans in World War II.

Southern Front
Josef Kiss, the most successful flying ace of the Austro-Hungarian Empire with 19 victories, is killed in action over Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999637419610857472

Naval and Overseas Operations
Cruiser USS Olympia joins Royal Navy squadron in Murmansk.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British Field Marshal Edmund Allenby, commander of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, being greeted by members of the Jewish community in Jerusalem: © IWM (Q 13211): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999592111178739713
Mesopotamia: Kirkuk evacuated by the British forces (see 7th and October 25th).
Siberia: General F.C. Poole lands at Murmansk to organise the North Russia Expeditionary Force (see June 4th, 8th and 23rd).
General Grigory Semyonov makes steady progress, organising anti-Bolshevist forces in Siberia.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Government issues statement exposing Sinn Fein intrigues with Germany and the revolutionary movement in Ireland.
Canada: Canada passes an Act granting women the right to vote in federal elections. Asian and aboriginal women are excluded.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Day and night trench raids by British.
Heavy shelling by Germans of Villers-Bretonneux area.
British air raid on Bruges docks.
The Royal Scots Greys doing drills at Brimeaux, France: © IWM (Q 8948) © IWM (Q 8948): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999955764042223619
British and French troops cheering on top of a captured German A7V tank near Saleux: © IWM (Q 65533): (Isn’t this photo a repeat?) https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000046369372024833

Eastern Front
Western Russia: Germans arrest 60 conspirators in Dvinsk.

Southern Front
Italian Alpini troops advancing on Mount Zigolon and Cima Bresena in the Alps: © IWM (Q 65333): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999985958236942336
Austro-Hungarian prisoners captured by the Italians at Tonale Pass: © IWM (Q 65331): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000016167585579010
Piave: Bersaglieri and Arditi surprise more Austrian Capo Sile positions and repel two counter-attacks (night May 25-26).
Trentino: Alpini attack in Tonale-Adamello region (west of Lake Garda) and capture line of five major peaks commanding upper Val Carnonica.
Austria-Hungarian position in the Alps 1918: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/stellung-alpen-1918.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Arabs raid El Hasa and Ferafrai stations (Hejaz railway, north of Maan).
Persia: 1,600 British (51 casualties) with 4 guns defeat Saulat’s 4,800 tribesmen (estimated 600-700 casualties) at Deh Shaikh 11 miles west of Shiraz and return there on May 27.
Armenia: Heavy fighting continues between Ottoman and Armenian forces, with the Ottomans attacking at Karakilisa and Armenians counterattacking at Bash Abaran. Armenian 2nd Cavalry Regiment charge Turks successfully. Dro’s troops hold Bas-Abaran Defile north of Erevan (May 29) against Turkish 3rd Regiment of 11th Division.
Siberia: c.60,000-strong Czech Legion begins revolt against Reds.

Political, etc
Russia: First Congress of Councils of National Economy in Moscow.
Canada: Canadian workers in Toronto constructing a Felixstowe F5 Flying Boat: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/999668881579966464
Belgium: King Albert thanks U.S.A.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: No infantry actions of importance; increased artillery activity at certain points north and south of the Avre.
A shop in Amiens, France covered by sandbags to protect it from German bombs and artillery: © IWM (Q 11011): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000329463341764608
Aisne: 2 German PoWs reveal offensive next day, Duchene’s Sixth Army mans overdense first line from 16:15 hours.
Members of the Chinese Labour Corps in France entertaining British and American troops at Samer: © IWM (Q 8855): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000359665253969920
American, British, Canadian, and Australian soldiers playing a baseball game in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000389865698099201
African American soldiers in the US Army performing in a jazz band at Camp Upton in New York state: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000420063806140416

Southern Front
Good progress made by Italian troops in mountain passes between Lake Garda and Swiss frontier (Monticello and Adamello region).

Naval and Overseas Operations
H.M. Transport Leasowe Castle sunk in Mediterranean by enemy submarine, 101 lost.
North Sea: US Mine Squadron 1 (Captain Reg Belkap’s 19 minelayers with 5,530 mines) arrives at Invergordon to help lay Northern Barrage with 57,000 US-made mines in next 5 months, about 5% explode prematurely. Often 1 minelayer laid over 43 miles in 3 1/2 hours.
Grand Fleet cruises off Heligoland Bight minefields while Harwich Force goes through, but no German response. Destroyer Shakespeare mined but towed home by cruiser Centaur.
A mine of the type used in the Allied North Sea barrage built during 1918: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/mine-nordsee-sperre.jpg?ssl=1
Channel: Royal Navy patrol yacht Lorna depth charges and sinks coastal submarine UB-74 in Lyme Bay.
Mozambique: In Portuguese East Africa Germans driven south towards Upper Lurio river.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Battle of Karakilise (until May 28): Nazarbekov, outflanked north and south by Turks, escapes via mountain paths and covers Delljan from west with 5,000 survivors (until May 29).

Political, etc
Russia: Trans-Caucasian Federal Government (see September 20th, 1917 and April 22nd, 1918), dissolved.
Georgia: The Democratic Republic of Georgia declares itself independent. The National Council Meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia declaring independence: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000298004455321600
Armenia: Armenian National Council assume charge of Armenian affairs (see June 8th).
Azerbaijan: Tatar National Council proclaim establishment of a "Republic of Azerbaijan."

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck begins (see June 6th). Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne on Chemin des Dames. 4000 German artillery pieces fire on Allied lines. German infantrymen then attack on a 25-mile front. Craonne again taken by German forces (see May 4th, 1917 and October 12th, 1918). Four tired French and 4 weak British divisions on river Aisne are attacked between Soissons and Reims, river first reached in under 6 hours. Germans capture Chemins des Dames and Craonne in record advance up to 12 miles destroying 4 divisions. 1 million German rounds phosgene and diphenyl-chlorarsine vs French troops; 4,980 gassed (71 deaths) until June 5. There is also a smaller attack between Locre and Voormezeele.
German stormtroopers cross a makeshift bridge during the drive against Chemin des Dames: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/sturmtruppen-chemin-des-dames.jpg?ssl=1
Wounded British and French troops returning from the frontlines at Muscourt: © IWM (Q 6661): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000752248236990470
German troops reach the Aisne and Vesle Rivers, advancing 15 km against Allied lines. German troops on the advance: © IWM (Q 88094): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000782450623119360
Kaiser Wilhelm Geschuetz (long-range gun; aka Pariskanone) bombard Paris (104 shells until June 11).
German troops watching their artillery fire at British lines at Berry-au-Bac: © IWM (Q 55007): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000661649026666501
British troops defending against the new German offensive at the Aisne River at Maizy: © IWM (Q 6659): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000691851056304128
Germany: 12 F.E.2s (1 lost) of No 106 Squadron raid Kreuzwald power station and Metz-Sablon railway. An F.E.2 force-lands in enemy lines, crew escape and rejoin squadron on May 30. 3 Handley Pages attack Mannheim and Kreuzwald (night May 27-28).
Western Front: JG1 and 3, 5 Jagdstaffeln, 14 Schlachtstaffeln, 23 Fliegerabteilungen and 2 Bombengeschwader support Ludendorff’s Aisne offensive after lavish air reconnaissance, 19 planes lost until May 30, mainly to anti-aircraft fire; 3,323 fighter sorties until June 18.
France: 15 German aircraft (1 lost) raid Paris (4 bombs).
An American soldier training to use an anti-aircraft gun by aiming at a model aerocraft: © IWM (Q 108878): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000722051303342080

Southern Front
Italians storms Austrian positions at Capo Sile, north-east of Venice.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British air raid on Durazzo (Albania); Austrian torpedo-boat sunk.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Armenia: Battle of Karakilise (until May 28): Battle is ongoing, but no particular developments today.
Siberia: Czechs take over Chelyabinsk and refuse to surrender arms at Penza, take town on May 28 (400 Red casualties) but evacuate it on May 31.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Parliamentary Paper (Cd. 9059) published on methods used by Germany in the past to influence British trade.
Finland: Carl Mannerheim resigns as C-in-C over future army organization (excessive German influence), leaves for Stockholm on June 1.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: Germans cross the Aisne on 18-mile front; battle of plateau between Aisne and Vesle, Allies fall back, Germans force passage of Vesle. Allies left and right wings make stand at Vregny plateau and heights of St. Thierry. Germans now have 40-mile wide, 15-mile deep bridgehead across Aisne, also cross the Vesle. Ex-BEF GHQ liaison officer General des Vallieres, French 151st Division Commander, killed by German machine-gun at Juvigny. Allied stand at Vregny plateau and heights of St Thierry as 3 reserve divisions arrive. German officer reports ‘regrettable excesses … serious drunkenness’. Germans capture Magneux airfield on Aisne with all its aircraft. A second French bomber group joins Aisne air battle.
German troops on the advance: © IWM (Q 88094): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1000782450623119360
German troops advancing on Fismes during the 3rd Battle of the Aisne: © IWM (Q 55017): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001123499329642498
Tired British soldiers sleep in a ditch while a French soldier stands guard: © IWM (Q 6681): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001153695915167744
Line restored south of Ypres.
Battle of Cantigny: First AEF offensive operation, by US 28th Infantry Regiment (3,874 men; 823 casualties), 1st Division captures village and beats off 3 counter-attacks by German 82nd Reserve Division (c.1,000 casualties) until May 29.
US troops supportted by French Schneider tanks advance during the Battle of Cantigny: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/us-truppen-cantigny.jpg?ssl=1 and https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001138599985909761
“Big” British R.A.F. raids into Germany: 10 DH9s of No 99 Squadron attack rail targets at Bensdorf.
A British soldier in a ditch with his pet dog at Guyencourt: © IWM (Q 6682): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001078189832265729
British tank captured by the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001093297375465473

Eastern Front
The Cossacks of the Don notify Ukraine Government of their opposition to the Soviets and of independence of the rest of Russia.

Southern Front
Italy: Two Austro-Hungarian counter-attacks repulsed at Capo Sile. General Armando Diaz informs Ferdinand Foch and CIGS Sir H Wilson that he has postponed his own offensive (towards Valsuguna) to deal with imminent Austrian one.
British aeroplanes bomb Cattaro.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance two miles north from Jaffa.
Armenia: Battle of Karakilise (until May 28): Severe fighting near Alexandropol (90 miles south of Tiplis).
Siberia: Colonel Grigory Semyonov forced by Bolsheviks to retire to right bank of Onon (Mongolia).

Political, etc
Between warring powers: British Government opens negotiations with Germany for direct exchange of prisoners on lines of Franco-German Convention.
Armenia: Armenia declares her independence. The documents of Armenia and Azerbaijan's declaration of independence: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001046691049541636

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: Soissons again taken by German forces (see 27th and August 2nd). Further Allied retreat. On left, the Germans sweep over Vregny Plateau, take Soissons; in center gain heights south of the Vesle, make progress towards the Marne, and cross river Ourcq. French forced off ‘Paris Line’. Duchene tells Clemenceau his army ‘simply marching to the rear’. On right, Allied troops covering Reims fall back behind Aisne Canal.
French PoWs who were captured at the opening stages of the German offensive: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/frz-KG.jpg?ssl=1
Germans repulsed near Kemmel.
Bombs on Metz and Thionville; Half of 12-strong formation of No 99 Squadron return with engine trouble.
Four French Spad fighter patrols (1 lost) first encounter new Fokker D-VII and claim to shoot 5 down.
French and British troops defending an open field near Courville: © IWM (Q 6656): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001376371954933760
A French refugee family at Reuil fleeing the German offensive: © IWM (Q 6690): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001409076948029440
German troops enjoying fresh milk from a cow they captured in the French countryside near Soissons: © IWM (Q 55335): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001440592197545989
French and British soldiers on the retreat, along with a pig they brought with them, at Romigny: © IWM (Q 6692): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001470811964891138

Southern Front
Artillery actions on the Doiran-Vardar front and in Serbian sector.
Bad weather hampers activity.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Peace Treaty signed at Vienna between Austria-Hungary and Finland.
Russia: Central Executive Committee decrees partial conscription for Red Army and forms Supreme Revolutionary Tribunal. Martial law in Moscow; Lenin sends Stalin to Tsaritsyn to organize food supplies.
United Kingdom: Report of Food Production Department issued, showing that four million acres have been added for tillage; and that four-fifths of country's food for the year will be home-grown.
United States: U.S. communique sympathising with Czecho-Slovaks and Yugo-Slavs.
Finland: Government forms special 5-man courts to try Reds (67,000 convicted, 265 executed); 11,783 Red PoWs die of disease until August.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: French hold Germans up south of Soissons, preventing further advance. Fère-en-Tardenois taken by German forces (see 27th and July 28th): in center Germans capture Fere-en-Tardenois and Vezilly, and increase their pressure towards Ville-en-Tardenois, reach the Marne near Jaulgonne, and gain some forts north-west of Reims. Germans claim capture of 35,000 prisoners and much war material. Germans reach river Marne in strength, capturing Chateau-Thierry and Dormans and advance on Compiegne but 8 Allied divisons arriving including US 3rd Division. French retire from river Ailette. British form Gater’s Force (until June 19) from 21st Division remnants. Foch gives Petain reserve Tenth Army (Maistre) from Picardy.
Banks in Sopwith Camel of No 43 Squadron destroys Friedrichshafen night bomber; RAF bomb towns behind German lines in occupied France and Belgium.
Germany: 16 D.H.4s attack Thionville; direct hits on officers’ billet (10 casualties), rail station, tracks and rolling stock.
France: 6 German bombers raid Paris (and on May 31), 17 bombs cause 6 casualties.
North Sea: 5 German seaplanes (from Borkum) destroy Yarmouth-based flying boat (3 PoWs including US NCF Ensign JJ Roe)
German troops in the ruined streets of Soissons: © IWM (Q 87661): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001501022228025346

Southern Front
Macedonia: Franco-Greek success at Srka di Legen, 1,500 prisoners taken (11 miles west of River Vardar). At 0455 hours Greek Crete and Archipelago divisions (2,659 casualties) storm fortified Bulgarian 49th Regiment salient, rocky outwork of their line 10 miles west of the Vardar, in a morning behind Anglo-French creeping barrage and after diversionary operations since May 28; 1,812 Bulgarian-German PoWs (800 killed), 50 MGs and 60 mortars taken. Brilliant limited military success of great political value in Greece for Venizelos, makes war fashionable. Bulgarian afternoon and night counter-attacks fail.
Greek Evzones in May 1918. The five elite Evzone regiments are used as assault troops, but incurred such heavy losses in the two Balkan and World Wars that they were disbanded in 1944, leaving just the Royal Guard: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/greek-wvzones.jpg?ssl=1
Trentino: 35 Royal Flying Corps Sopwith Camels bomb (1t) and strafe (9,000 rounds) Austro-Hungarian huts north of Val d’Assa.
Italian Voisin lands air observer Lieutenant Camillo de Carlo behind Austrian lines for 3 months; he discovers date of Piave offensive.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: British bomb Turks at Fatha (Tigris, above Tekrit) and at junction of Lesser Zab river.

Political, etc
Japan: Publication of Chino-Japanese Note re: military agreements.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: Germans reach Marne river from Chateau Thierry to Dormans and advance on Compiegne. French retire from River Ailette, drive Germans east of Sempigny, and recover Thillois (west of Reims).
Battlefield debut of French Renault FT-17 light tank: 30 (3 lost) in Retz Forest helps stem German advance as do 4 more divisions.
French light FT-17 with Hotchkiss machine-gun passes Allied soldiers in the summer 1918: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/FT-17-1.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier taking cover as German artillery shells burst near him at Achicourt, France: © IWM (Q 11038): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002136371165892608
During May 250,000 US troops sail for France, record of 9 divisors land.
British bomb Karlsruhe, (78 casualties) and stop factory production for 1 hour.
Air-to-air combat over river Aisne costs 12 German and 17 French aircraft. Lieutenant Duncan Campbell (94th Aero Squadron) becomes first American air arm ace with his 5th victory. Total Allied May losses 362 aircraft and 24 balloons. German non-combat loss 175 aircraft and 201 in action.
A crashed RAF Sopwith F.1 Camel aircraft in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001863415860748289
French refugee woman with her dog at Dormans fleeing the German offensive: © IWM (Q 6689): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001772759028989953
American cavalryman at Rennes, France: © IWM (80360): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001802995447881728
The statue of St. Luke decapitated by the German bombing of the Madeleine church in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001833205346062336

Southern Front
Greek and French troops capture Bulgarian positions at Skra, taking over 2000 prisoners. Bulgarian prisoners of war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002104953706635264

Naval and Overseas Operations
British destroyer HMS Fairy sunk in collision with SM UC-75, which also sinks. The Fairy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002166578698387457
President Lincoln, U.S. transport, torpedoed by U-90; 26 dead.
During May Allied and neutral shipping lost to U-boats: 112 ships (59 British with 407 lives lost) worth 294,019t (192,432 British including ship mined). U-boat figure 139 ships worth 296,558t including most successful 1918 month in Mediterranean, 56 ships worth 122,7175t of which 12 (9,923t) to Austrians. Record of 14 U-boats sunk (3 in Mediterranean).
Mozambique: Fighting near Imagu Hills (160 miles north-east of Blantyre).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: British bomb Turkish camps near Amman (Hejaz railway).

Political, etc
France: Paris munition plants: ‘Morale of the workers is excellent’.
United Kingdom: War Savings certificates reach 2 million. In May Labour Ministry creates Appointments Department for officers. May’s 197,274t new merchant shipping a record.
Turkey: Great fire at Constantinople for 27 hours, causes 520,000 Turkish Pounds damage. Maximum prices abolished, trade made free.
Belgium: Gérard Cooreman succeeds Charles, Baron de Broqueville as Prime Minister.
United States: War Secretary can conscript conscientious objectors for unpaid farm work.
Frederick Trump, German-American businessman born in Kallstadt, Kingdom of Bavaria, has passed away in Queens, New York: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1001878502524772357
Netherlands: Dutch Government refuses to tolerate British examination of convoyed ships.

[gekkogecko]

164 Days to Armistice

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: Germans advance down River Ourcq, taking Chouy and Neuilly St. Front.
Marne: Germans held between the Oise and Marne (US 3rd Division MG battalion in action, with 5 more divisions arriving including US 2nd) but reach edge of Villers-Cotterets Forest 40 miles from Paris.
Champagne: French lose and retake Fort de la Pompelle (dominating Reims-Chalons Railway, south-east of Reims); French retreat between Oise and Aisne to line Carlepont Wood (south of Noyon) - Fontenoy (north of Soissons).
Map of the latest German advance: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002242081174310913
German bombardment of, and air raid on, Paris. 3 German bombers raid Paris (14 bombs, 28 casualties), single aircraft raids (June 3-7, 15,26) and three more (June 27, 2 lost, 25 casualties).
A chart for recognizing German military airplanes: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002483660375945218
US troops march through a French village to the front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/us-soldaten-frz-stadt.jpg?ssl=1
The Royal Air Force Nursing Service is formed.
Germans claim 32 Allied aircraft for loss of 12. Captain P L Weiller made Commander of Groupe des Escs de Grande Reconnaissance (Breguet recon, artillery spotter and bomber units).
A Handley Page Type O/400 bomber preparing to takeoff at Dunkirk Aerodrome for a mission: © IWM (Q 11547): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002544057187487745
Germany: During June 1,000-2,000 flu cases per German division.
An American Red Cross nurse serving water to a badly wounded British soldier at Montmirail, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002196783743864834
Allied military officials meet in Versailles to coordinate the war. General Herbert Studd, Chief of Staff of the British section of the Supreme War Council, arriving: © IWM (Q 78174): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002513858211262464

Southern Front
Salonika: During June 10,000 French and 10,000 British withdrawn for Western Front (12 British battalions transferred from June 16); Greek 2nd (Athens) Division becomes operational (in line by June 26); 28 Bulgarians desert to British in mid month warn of offensive, but cancelled due to mutiny. 80,000t of supplies per week being landed at Salonika (10,109 British casualties in hospital).
During June Anglo-French claim to destroy 12 Bulgarian aircraft.
Italian Front: Diaz warns his 7 army commanders not to repeat recent Anglo-French Western Front mistakes with their reserves. During June Czechoslovak Division formed.
Adriatic: In June Germans send 6 seaplanes for courier and postal work.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Germans retreat in East Africa, crossing River Lurio (to east of southern end of Lake Nyassa).
Fighting near Imagu Hills (160 miles north-east of Blantyre, Nyassaland).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Mesopotamia: Withdrawal of British in Kirkuk area (east of Tigris, between Mosul and Baghdad).

Political, etc
Germany: Krupp’s Essen Works now has 75,000 men and 23,000 women. During June 1920 conscript class called up.
France: Food rationing cards compulsory. In June Andre Maurois publishes Les Silences of Colonel Bramble.
United Kingdom: IN JUNE FLU PANDEMIC BEGINS IN INDIA AND BRITAIN. Required farm production 108% (February level). Sugar production cut to 25% of 1915 for year. OW Griffith’s Hearts of the World(starring Lillian Gish) opens in London in June.
United States: Food Administrator warns v boycotting sauerkraut (‘liberty cabbage’). War Secretary Baker authorizes inquiry into conscientious objectors, 130 Mennonites jailed.
At Pittsburgh, expatriate Czech and Slovak leaders sign an agreement to form a united, independent country after the end of the war.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Operation Blücher-Yorck. Known to the Allies as Battle of the Aisne 1918 or Third Battle of the Aisne: Violent battle on Ourcq; Germans take and lose Longpont, Corcy, Faverolles (again retaken) and Troesnes.
German attack on Chateau-Thierry road, south-east of Bouresches (north-west of Chateau-Thierry), repulsed.
French troops patrolling the damaged streets of Chateau-Thierry: © IWM (Q 58199): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002589361869918208
French capture Champlat (12 miles south-west of Reims).
Fierce fight at Choisy Hill, south of Noyon.
End of Third Battle of the Aisne.
Battle of Belleau Wood begins as American reserves are rushed to the woods to cover a gap created in the French lines by the German offensive.
(Listed for yesterday): Roderic Dallas, the 2nd most successful Australian ace with 39 victories, is killed in action over Liévin, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002574259707895815
Oberleutnant Göring awarded Pour le Merite. Hermann Göring with the Pour le Merite (Blue Max) around his neck: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Hermann-Goering-Pour-le-Merite.jpg?ssl=1
Germans claim 38 Allied aircraft for loss of 17.
A Paris block damaged by an overnight German Gotha bomber raid: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002830950995283969
Pershing to ask for 250,000 men per month in June and July.
A British soldier of the 6th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment with the regiment’s cat mascot in a trench near Cambrin: © IWM (Q 8463): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002891343574847488
A British soldier wearing anti-mosquito clothing issued to soldiers on night duty during the summer: © IWM (HU 82035): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002921544623026177

Eastern Front
In the aftermath of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk and Russia's exit from the First World War, the Allied Supreme War Council sanctions joint intervention to secure the existing Allied presence in Russia's northern ports. The excuse is that Allied intervention is undertaken in an effort to inhibit the transfer of German troops between the Eastern and Western Fronts, to deny Russian resources to the Germans and to prevent the German Navy from using the ports as bases from which submarines could threaten transatlantic shipping.

Southern Front
An Italian Obice da 305/17 modello 16 self-propelled heavy howitzer at Sandrigo: © IWM (Q 78085): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002861145689116672

Naval and Overseas Operations
U.S.N. has 150 vessels in European waters.
At Allied Supreme War Council Admiral Revel says with pride no major Italian warship has left harbor for 6 months and no losses incurred!

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Defeat of Bolsheviks by Semyonov in east Siberia.

Political, etc
Sweden: Publication in Politiken (Swedish Socialist paper) of Secret Convention between Germany and Finland.

[dicksbro]

I'm not sure I'd ever heard the Allied reasoning for stationing troops in Russia's northern ports. Interesting tidbit. Thanks. So much good stuff in this series. Thanks, GG!

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Choisy Hill retaken by French for 5th time.
Germans capture Pernant (west of Soissons).
Petain organizes reinforced French cordon round Aisne salient. 27 Allied divisons have arrived since May 28. Legion stiffens French defense northwest of Villers-Cotterets (night June 5-6 until around June 14). French check German attempts to enter Forest of Villers-Cotterets, re-capture Faverolles.
French and US soldiers rush ammunition supplies to the front at the Aisne: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Nachschub-Aisne.jpg?ssl=1
Battle of Belleau Wood: After 30-mile advance Germans reach the Marne: French and Americans force Germans back over Marne at Jaulgonne (north-east of Chateau-Thierry). US 2nd and 3rd Divisions block the advance at Chateau-Thierry, ‘Retreat hell! We just got here’ attributed to Captain Lloyd S Williams USMC, Belleau Wood. Franco-American troops eliminate German Jaulgonne bridgehead (100 PoWs).
American soldiers manning a trench near Baccarat, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003253732707045377
Churchill visits BEF GHQ, Paris and Front until June 13.
Le radiogramme de la victoire’: French intercept German Eighteenth Army ammo delivery message, hints at Montdidier offensive (June 9).
Funeral for nurses killed in a air raid at a hospital at Etaples, France: © IWM (Q 11035): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003283932824121346
French and American troops inspect a German AEG G.IV bomber shot down near Catillon, France: © IWM (Q 65566): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003315393249890306

Naval and Overseas Operations
German submarines off New Jersey (U.S.A.) sink nine vessels. Six of them are by U-151: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1002951743100149760 in a single day.
SS Pinar del Rio sunk off Maryland on June 8.
Mozambique: German retreat in East Africa; Germans dislodged from crossings of Upper Lurio.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British air-raid on Amman (on Hejaz railway, 25 miles north-east of Jericho). Limited imports allowed through Egypt.
Siberia: Retreat of Semyonov on Borsia (120 miles from Karimskaya on Siberian Railway); similarly captures Gurks, 93 miles northeast on June 6, but retreats on June 10.

Political, etc
Among Allied Powers: British, French, and Italian Governments make declarations supporting national aspirations of Poles, Czecho-Slovaks, and Yugo-Slavs (see February 20th, June 29th, August 13th, September 25th and November 16th).
United Kingdom: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Force Cross, Distinguished Flying Medal and Air Force Medal are instituted for acts of gallantry in the air.
British Government admits recognition of Czecho-Slovak aims.
King George V fires all men up the age of 35 in the service of the royal household so that they can serve in the military.
Ireland: Proclamation of Lord French re: Irish recruiting.
Japan: Government approves Allied intervention in Siberia.
United States: U.S. Secretary of War Baker announces military deaths due to suicide, homicide, and military execution will not be disclosed and cause of death will be listed under “accidents and other causes.”

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Germans capture Veuilly-la-Poterie (half-way between Ourcq and Chateau-Thierry).
Battle of Belleau Wood: Americans check Germans at Veuilly Wood.
Map showing the extent of the German advance at the Third Aisne Battle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003558244026081280
France: Dover Patrol given 82nd Wing (7 squadrons) for continued bombing of Belgian coast. Germans bomb Dunkirk airfields (nights June 4-5, 5-6); 200 bombs from 24 aircraft disable 52 RAF aircraft on June 6 and 7 and force Couderkerque airfield’s abandonment.
North Sea: Large 50-minutes seaplane action off Terschelling Island, 2 of 5 RAF planes lost after action with 10 German seaplanes (1 washed ashore).
Western Front: Commander Vuillemin’s 120 French bombers (GB6 and GB9) break up German Ninth Army attack east of Retz Forest. Germans claim 18 Allied aircraft for loss of 1.

Eastern Front
British Marines land at Pechenga (North Russia) (see May 24th).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British air raid on Amman.
Persia: Lionel Dunsterville at Kazvin, leaves with Anglo-Russian force on June 5; 1,000 motorized troops and 2 guns with 500 vans forming at Hamadan (2 Duncars arrive on June 6).

Political, etc
Among Central Powers: Ukraine Government recognized by Central Powers.
Germany: German article on main Continental idea.
Russia: Robert Lockhart to British Foreign Office ‘If you do not intervene within … days or weeks … we shall have lost a golden opportunity’.
Lithuania: Lithuania proclaims royal constitution, Duke of Wurttemberg accepts throne (elected August 31).
Ukraine: The Don Cossacks declare independence.
France: M. Georges Clemenceau praises armies of French and Allies:, addresses French Chamber ‘I shall fight before Paris … in Paris … behind Paris.’, wins vote 337-110.
The old ‘Tiger’ Clemenceau (second from left) visits a French aviator unit: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Tiger-Clemenceau.jpg?ssl=1
United Kingdom: Men of 18 generally lose military service exemption.
Turkey: Government sign peace with Armenians, Azerbaijanis and Georgians.
Belgium: M. Gérard Cooreman succeeds Baron Charles de Brogneville as Belgian Prime Minister.
United States: Renewal of Anglo-American Arbitration Treaty.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Near Vingre (north-west of Soissons) German attempt to cross Aisne checked.
German attacks at Longpont (north of Forest of Retz) and at Chezy (south of Ourcq) defeated by French.
Germans claim 31 Allied aircraft for loss of 7, air fighting diminishes until June 9.
British independent Air Force in France constituted under tactical command of Major-General Sir Hugh M. Trenchard. It begins operations from Nancy. Organized as 8th Brigade RAF, initially with 4 squadrons (grew to 9); Nos 216 (Handley Pages), 55 (DH4), 99 (arrived May 3) and 100 (F.E.2). Only the Handley Pages and DH4s have strategic range and high performance, but 74 attacks made in June.
A Handley Page bomber is landing. More than 400 were delivered until the end of the war: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Handley-Page-landing.jpg?ssl=1
Sir W. R. Robertson appointed to command of British home forces.
Scottish Highlanders at a shrine damaged by German shellfire at Sailly-Labourse: © IWM (Q 11042): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003619902140375040
Surgery for a wounded Australian soldier near the frontlines: © IWM (E(AUS) 2375): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003665211952451585
A factory on fire after it was hit by German incendiary shells at Sailly-Labourse, France: © IWM (Q 11063): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003680302491893760

Naval and Overseas Operations
British armed boarding-steamer HMS Snaefell torpedoed and sunk, allegedly by Russian submarine; in reality, the attacker was SM UB-105.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Speech of Count Tisza in Hungarian Diet re: Dual Alliance extension.
United Kingdom: Madsen (US) machine-gun debate in House of Commons.
United States: Second Registration adds 750,000 21-year-olds to draft list.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: A claim that today, as opposed to several days ago: Battle of the Aisne, 1918, ends (see May 27th). Germans capture village and height of Bligny (south-west of Reims); height re-taken by British; counter-attacks by Allies, especially in region nearest to Paris. Map of the battle area: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004377695688503296
Battle of Belleau Wood: US 2nd Division and 4th US Marine Brigade counter-attack west of Chateau-Thierry and capture Vaux, Bouresches and Belleau Wood (1,087 killed; 7,000 wounded). Crown Prince orders consolidation of line won. British recapture Fligny village height southwest of Reims until May 7. Clemenceau sacks Franchet d’Esperey from Northern Army Group, but sends him to Salonika on June 11. Allied Supreme War Council settles Haig-Foch tussle over reserves. Franco-US forces recapture Veuilly-La Poterie and Vinly.
US soldiers in battle, summer 1918: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/us-im-gefecht.jpg?ssl=1
Gotha raid on Paris.
The first operational sorties are mounted by the Independent Force of the Royal Air Force. Ten de Havilland DH4s attacked Koblenz and five de Havilland DH9s attack Thionville.
RAF 9th Brigade (200 aircraft, squadron sent 3) reinforces 1,000 French aircraft in fierce air fighting over Roye, Montdidier and Noyon.
French Schneider tanks lined up before being loaded onto railway trucks at Conty: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003967192373874688
American soldier manning the trenches in Alsace: © IWM (Q 58200): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003997398207795200
A French refugee family at the Gare de Lyon railway station in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004361042137436162
British Army Service Corps preparing films for the soldiers’ entertainment: © IWM (Q 8885): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1003936993334751232

Eastern Front
Josef Stalin arrives in Tsaritsyn by train with 2 armored cars and 400 Red Guards.

Southern Front
General Adolphe Guillaumat, Allied Commander-in-Chief, Salonika, recalled to Paris (see 15th and 18th and December 22nd, 1917).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dutch hospital ship Koningen Regentes sunk by torpedo from SM UB-107: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004300637012660224

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Capture of Gurks (93 miles north-east of Borsia on Kharbin-Karimskaya Railway) by Semyonov.

Political, etc
Among Allied Powers: Britain, France, and Italy announce that they are committed in creating an independent Poland that has free access to the seas after the war.
Russia: Vladimir Lenin accepts German ultimatum for Black Sea Fleet’s return to Sevastopol.
United States: Belgian soldiers on parade in New York City: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004027606071533569
American soldiers training to use Ayrton or trench fans to clear poison gas from trenches at Camp Kearny, California: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004330837586923522

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of Belleau Wood: American and French troops continue their counterattack at Belleau Wood, capturing Torcy and taking 300 German prisoners. French and Americans also capture Veuilly-la-Poterie and Vinly (west of Chateau-Thierry), Bouresches and Hill 204 (west of Chateau-Thierry).
British regain Bligny.
American soldiers manning a machine gun position at a railway work shop at Chateau-Thierry: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004666797856120833
Germany: 13 DHs attack rail targets at Conz and Thionville; No 55 Squadron unable to reach primary target (Koblenz clouded over), as on June 8 and 13.

Eastern Front
British force lands at Kern (North Russia) (see May 24th).
Lenin orders Murmansk Soviet to oppose Allies.
By now Germans have occupied Bataisk south of Rostov.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Most of first 36 US submarine chasers arrive with tender Leonidas at Corfu, having crossed Atlantic under own power. First hunt until June 9 of 37 hunts; Commander believes 19 kills achieved, actually none.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Omsk occupied by Czecho-Slovak forces (see November 18th).
Armored train of the Czech Legion in Siberia: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/pzzug-tschech-legion.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: First Congress of Red Military Commissars.
Greece: Installation of Signor Avezzano as Italian Minister at Athens: friendly speech.

[dicksbro]

I know you've been busy, but I gotta admit I've missed my daily dose of WWI information. This is such a terrific series of posts on a conflict that hasn't received as much attention as it probably deserves. Looking forward to seeing you renew the series when you can, GG. Mainly, just take care and hope to see you soon.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
A member of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corp in her tent at Crecy Forest with her pet dog: © IWM (Q 11067): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004696997843095555
Germany: Ludendorff receives Air Service expansion plan for July 1, 1918 (Until April 1 1919, he approves 300 more planes per month (to 2,300) but actual production average 1,088.
No 104 Squadron (arrived May 20) joins RAF strategic bombing campaign with 10-plane attack on Metz-Sablon railways; fighter interceptions (1 shot down) and heavy, accurate anti-aircraft fire over objective. 23 DH sorties flown vs Hagendingen (June 8, 9 and 13); cement works badly damaged.
British troops led by a band march past Major-General Arthur Solly-Flood near Famechon, France: © IWM (Q 8903): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004727203496714240
Australian soldiers prepare to start a 440-yard race at a sports meet in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005029187491680257
A French Renault FT-17 tank near May-en-Multien: © IWM (Q 49092): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005059390024683520
A Royal Engineers diver in a diving suit to repair the foundations of a bridge at Watten, France: © IWM (Q 8898): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005089595552301056

Eastern Front
German Expeditionary force to the Caucasus lands at Poti (Georgia).
Russian Bolshevik Government order Entente forces in North Russia to leave the country: 3,000 troops ordered north from Petrograd while Moscow and Nolga workers and peasants called up on June 14.
Volga: Czechs take Samara, White KOMUCH (‘Committee of Members of the Constituent Assembly’) Government established.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: US Ambassador’s wife launches 26,000t carrier HMS Eagle (ex-Chilean battleship Almirante Cochrane redesigned by end 1917 as first ‘island type’ carrier) at Newcastle.
Aircraft carrier ‘HMS Eagle’ was converted from a World War One battleship hull and consequently retained such features of the period: massive weight and slow speed: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/HMS-Eagle.jpg?ssl=1
North Sea: Areas A and C of Northern Barrage begun.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British advance north of Jaffa; 7th Indian Division (267 casualties) storms two low hills 1 mile from sea, taking 110 PoWs and 7 Mgs.
Ottoman prisoners captured by the Black Watch and Indian troops: © IWM (Q 12488): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1004998985843728385
Arabia: Arab raid on Hejaz railway near Toweira (105 miles north-west of Medina).

Political, etc
Georgia: Georgian Government sign peace treaty with Germany.
United Kingdom: Arrival in London of Sir R. Borden and Mr. W. Massey (Canadian and New Zealand Premiers).
Turkey: Government recognizes independent Armenia and Georgia by ratifying peace treaties; Armenia to let Turkish troops through. Ludendorff refuses to recognize treaties on June 10 and 11.
United States: A solar eclipse observed at Baker City, Oregon by scientists and an artist hired by the United States Navy.
The total solar eclipse occurs across the Pacific, starting in southern Japan and traveling across most of the U.S.: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005209126832517121
Report shows record production at American shipyards, which produced 71 ships in May. Total tonnage of ships produced surpassed British production by 200,000 tons.
Netherlands: Prisoners of War Conference at the Hague opens.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of the Matz, also known as the First Battle of Lassigny, or the German Operation Gneisenau begins (see 14th). A midnight barrage is pre-empted by the French by 10-minutes thanks to deserter intelligence. Germans fire 750,000 rounds (15,000t) mustard gas, phosgene and diphenylchlorarsine: 3,918 gassed (32 deaths) until June 15. Hutier attacks with 11 divisions from 0300 hours, advances 6 miles, takes 8,000 PoWs, mauls 3 divisions and continues at night. Germans enter Thiescourt Wood (south-west of Noyon) and Ressons-sur-Matz; are checked on line Mortemer-Cuvilly.
A German 21-cm (8in) howitzer is readied for action during Operation Gneisenau: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/210-mm-Haubitze-feuerbereit.jpg?ssl=1
RAF 9th Brigade with c.200 aircraft and French 1st Air Division with 600 aircraft (forerunner of 1939-45 tactical air forces) intervene in Noyon-Montdidier ground battle. Germans claim 38 Allied aircraft for loss of 5.
France: Clemenceau sacks Generals Duchene, (Degoutte replaces him in command of Sixth Army on June 10), Maud’huy and
Chretien (corps commanders) for Aisne failure.
Battle of Belleau Wood: On 9 June, an enormous American and French barrage devastated Belleau Wood, turning the formerly attractive hunting preserve into a jungle of shattered trees. The Germans counter-fired into Lucy and Bouresches and reorganized their defenses inside Belleau Wood.
British soldiers fishing in the canals of Watten, France: © IWM (Q 8896): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005453239788109824
Wounded horses of the British Army being led on barges for treatment at a veterinary hospital. Saint-Omer, France: © IWM (Q 8908): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005483439389372419

Southern Front
Albania: French Annamites (Vietnamese) and Albanian Tirailleurs take Austrian-held Mt Kamia (7,054 ft) and 2 villages (night June 8-9) southwest of Lake Ochrid in 5-6-mile advance on 20-mile front (June 8-14), taking 400 PoWs and 10 guns for 50 casualties.
Salonika: General Guillaumat (recalled on June 6 by Clemenceau without consulting Allies) leaves in haste and secrecy for Paris.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Commander Rizzo in the Italian coastal torpedo boat MAS-15 torpedoes Austrian battleship Szent Istvan off Premuda Island, Dalmatia. https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005728797071757312 The battleship sinks the next day, with the loss of 89 crew. It is the only battleship filmed sinking in WWI: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/7/7d/A_Szent_Istv%C3%A1n_csatahaj%C3%B3_pusztul%C3%A1sa.ogv/A_Szent_Istv%C3%A1n_csatahaj%C3%B3_pusztul%C3%A1sa.ogv.480p.webm

Political, etc
Russia: Anna Dostoevskaya, Russian writer and 2nd wife to Fyodor Dostoyevsky, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005392832465637378
United States: Speech of President Woodrow Wilson to Mexican Mission.
Two passenger trains collide near Nashville, Tennessee, resulting in 101 deaths and 171 injuries. It is the worst rail accident in U.S. history: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005423033719324672

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Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of the Matz, also known as the First Battle of Lassigny, or the German Operation Gneisenau: German advance on Compiegne. Humbert withdraws 38th and 15th divisions 6 miles south to north of Laigue Forest (northeast of Compiegne). Foch urges Fayolle to launch Mangin’s counter-stroke without delay. On east French withdraw from Carlepont Wood on Ribecourt. In center Germans take heights of Marqueglise and reach Antheuil. French retreat on River Aronde, recapture Mery. Courcelles (south-east of Montdidier) taken by Germans, retaken by French.
Battle of Belleau Wood: In the morning of 10 June, Major Hughes' 1st Battalion, 6th Marines—together with elements of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion—attacked north into the wood. Although this attack initially seemed to be succeeding, it was also stopped by machine gun fire. The commander of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion—Major Cole—was mortally wounded. Captain Harlan Major—senior captain present with the battalion—took command. The Germans used great quantities of mustard gas. Next, Wise's 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines was ordered to attack the woods from the west, while Hughes continued his advance from the south.
Australians advance south of Morlancourt (between Ancre and Somme).
Bombardment of Paris by long-range gun continues.
Occupied Belgium: RAF No 214 Squadron Handley Pages bomb Thourout rail junction, Bruges docks and steelworks, Zeebrugge lock and canal (night June 10-11).
Britain: 469 anti-aircraft guns ready for action with 622 searchlights manned by 6,136 gunners out of 13,405 personnel in home air defense.
Belgian cemetery near the frontlines. Most crosses don’t have names due to the inability to identify the remains and only state “died for his country”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005758999701094401
A French soldier near a damaged church in Rue de l’Eglise: © IWM (Q 61322): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005819403009777670

Southern Front
French carry Mt. Kamia (south-west of Lake Ochrida) and villages of Streksaj and Proptisti.
Italian SAML recon/light bomber planes of the Italian Air Force at Totriana: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005789200501870592
An Italian family look on at their home destroyed by German or Austro-Hungarian bombing: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005849601365200898

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Harwich Force begins nightly sweeps into Heligoland Bight despite British (i.e., their own) mine risk.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Successful British raid on Turks north of Kefr Malik (between Shechem Road and Jordan Valley).
The Muslim holy month of Ramadan begins. The “Ramadan Cannon” being fired in British-occupied Jerusalem to mark when to break the fast: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1005879806444138496
Armenia: Turkish 9th Caucasian Division clashes with German-Georgian force at Vorontsovka, south of Tiflis and drives it back
Siberia: Retreat of Colonel Semyonov in Siberia.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Officially stated that between 15 May and 1 June Germans had bombed hospitals on seven occasions, with resulting loss of 248 killed and 693 wounded.
Denmark: International Seamen's Congress at Copenhagen forms International Federation; Mr. Havelock Wilson, President, Mr. Damm (Dane), Secretary.

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Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of the Matz, also known as the First Battle of Lassigny, or the German Operation Gneisenau: Check to German advance. Successful French counter-attack from Rubescourt to St. Maur; recapture of Belloy. Germans driven out of Antheuil.
Battle of Belleau Wood: Americans capture Belleau Wood (west of Chateau-Thierry). Mangin’s 4 divisions and US 2nd and 3rd Division launch flank counter-attack at 1130 hours without prelim shelling but with 163 tanks (73 lost) and air support, retakes 3 villages, 1,000 PoWs and 19 guns before resistance stiffens.
Allied close air support for Mangin’s counter-stroke leads to heavy air battles; RAF bombing in error causes 8 French wounded and 75 horses killed. Germans claim 40 Allied aircraft for loss of 19 until June 12.
Map showing recent German advances in gray and areas lost to the French counterattack enclosed by dotted lines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006091205908815872
Somme: Australian 2nd Divison ‘peaceful penetration’ secures 300 PoWs. Monash submits plan for Hamel’s recapture on June 21.
Wounded American soldiers resting at a hospital in Auteuil, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006121407586193409
Indian Army artillerymen playing cards near Pas, France: © IWM (Q 8910): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006152844372791297
A wounded French veteran with a prosthetic arm working in the fields: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006183039582556165
A ruined city block in Amiens near the cathedral: © IWM (Q 11528): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006213243659083776

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British air raid on Amman.
Siberia: Czecho-Slovaks in control of Siberian Railway between Cheliabinsk and Nizhni-Udinsk (west of Irkutsk); Bolsheviks retreat to Slatust.
Czechs threaten Samara (on Volga).

Political, etc
Germany: Soviet delegates arrive in Berlin.
Turkey: OHL telegram threatens to withdraw all German troops and officials from Turkey if Turkish advance in Georgia not halted. Enver threatens to resign, but Seeckt patches up quarrel in July.
Military and political press censorship abolished to promote Pan-Turanianism and aid attacks on Allies.
Finland: Bill for new Constitution of Finland presented to Finland Diet.

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Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of the Matz, also known as the First Battle of Lassigny, or the German Operation Gneisenau: German Seventh Army attacks with 5 divisions west of Soissons (until June 13) but gains minimal against French troops with 197 tanks. Fighting near Compiegne continues, with Germans troops forcing the Allies to withdraw 5 miles from the Oise river. Small gains are made by the French near Belloy and St. Maur. French advance near Belloy and St. Maur; Germans cross Matz, enter Meliocq (south of Lassigny).
A badly-wounded Frrench casualty is evacuated from a front-line trench at the Aisne: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/frz-schwerverwundeter.jpg?ssl=1
Noyoni-Montdidier: German advance on Cutry plateau (Villers-Cotterets). Mangin again attacks, gains up to 3,200 yards at heavy cost, but Germans blunted and Clemanceall’s critics silenced.
Battle of Belleau Wood: Americans capture Nancy.
700,000 U.S. soldiers reported in France.
First US day bombing mission: Breguet 14s of 96th Aero Squadron bomb Dommary-Baroncourt rail yards.
Members of the Chinese Labour Corp near Fontes, France celebrating a festival: © IWM (Q 8920): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006486286671253504
Wounded French soldiers at the American Military Hospital at Neuilly who just arrived and are waiting to be put on beds: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006516491339157504
French Saint-Chamond tanks going to the frontlines near Moyenneville: © IWM (Q 56451): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006546697059749888
Soldiers of the 24th Motor Machine Gun Battalion with their Clyno motorbikes equipped with Vickers machine guns: © IWM (Q 10326): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006561799133679616
American soldier wearing steel body armor at Boucq, France: © IWM (Q 80359): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006576898196033537

Southern Front
Macedonia: 4 RAF aircraft claim to shoot down at least 3 of 8 hostile aircraft encountered, 2 more collide.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Allies enter Malema (Portuguese East Africa).
Germans retreat to River Ligonya.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Kurdamir (East Caucasus) and Ujari (northern Persia) occupied by Turkish forces.
Georgia: Tiflis occupied by a German force (see 8th, and December 27th).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Anglo-Russian force (1,200 Cossacks; 4 guns; c.100 Hussars; 2 Duncars and 2 RAF planes) disperses 3,000-4,000 German-advised Jangali tribesmen at Manjil Bridge, northwest of Kazvin; Colonel Bicherakov soon reaches Enzeli on Caspian Sea.

Political, etc
Ukraine: Armistice concluded at Kiev between the whole State of The Ukraine and Russian Bolshevik Republic (see May 4th).
France: Czecho-Slovak movement recognised also by France.
United Kingdom: Warm speech of Mr Balfour re: Japan.
Italy: Czecho-Slovak movement recognised also by Italy.

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Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: Battle of the Matz, also known as the First Battle of Lassigny, or the German Operation Gneisenau: Ludendorff calls off Operation Gneisenau. Germans gain footing on edge of Forest of Villers-Cotterets; otherwise held up.
Germany: Air battle over Trier: 2 fighters shot down by DH4s (1 shot down) of No 55 Squadron; direct hit on iron foundry.
Battle of Belleau Wood: Overall, the woods were attacked by the Marines a total of six times before they could successfully expel the Germans. They fought off parts of five divisions of Germans, often reduced to using only their bayonets or fists in hand-to-hand combat.
A British gas sentry in the ruins of Liévin, France tasked with sounding the alarm during a gas attack: © IWM (Q 6699): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006897748489265152
City of Arras devasted by artillery: © IWM (Q 6731): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006927959834398720
Chinese Labour Corps workers help prepare a barricade near Arras: © IWM (Q 7898): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006958144080228353

Southern Front
Italian Front: Preliminary Austro-Hungarian diversionary attack by 2 divisions (‘Avalanche Action’) in Tonale Pass (Trentino, west of Lake Garda) fails by early afternoon. Austro-Hungarian attack against Cady summit and Monticello ridge (north and south of Tonale Pass, western Trentino).
Italian trench newspaper ‘La Chirba’: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/La-Chirba.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Fighting at Irkutsk between Red and White Guards.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Bristol Channel: British armed merchant cruiser Patia torpedoed and sunk by German submarine.
North Sea: Cruiser Conquest mined off Harwich but towed to Sheerness. Sister ship Centaur mined in Heligoland Bight but steams 250 miles stern first to reach Humber (June 14-15).

Political, etc
Russia: Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovich, the youngest brother of former Tsar Nicholas II, is assassinated by the Bolsheviks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1006832313601347584

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Western Front
Kaiserschlacht: The German offensive on the Western Front ends. No large-scale engagements are reported in the Western Front, as Germany prepares for its fifth phase of its offensive. Map showing German gains this year: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007184637460918272
British successful midnight attack north of Bethune along La Bassee Canal.
First extensive use of mustard gas by Allies (French) causes 265 casualties. Foch instructs Petain to plan offensive west of Soissons, Mangin makes 8 successful local attacks (until July 5). OHL reaffirms its cherished ‘final’ offensive in Flanders (codename Hagen). But first Allied reserves must be drawn south by Operation Reims ( Marneschutz, ordered on June 18). Bruchmueller’s ‘siege train’ to redeploy quickly from Reims to Flanders (Rupprecht to attack 15 days later). French Intelligence predicts ‘a continuation of the thrust towards Amiens.. (or) a continuation of the attacks in the direction of Paris by … the Oise and Marne … not before July 15’.
French PoWs are escorted away from the fighting along the Aisne River: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/frz-KG-Aisne.jpg?ssl=1
Battle of Belleau Wood: No significant developments, but the battle continues.
General Guillaumont appointed Military Governor of Paris.
Wounded American soldier at a hospital in Neuilly, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007214835912802305
Wounded horses being led onto an ambulance at St. Omer: © IWM (Q 9005): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007245043516825600
Royal Highlanders resting against a damaged wall at Arras: © IWM (Q 6700): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007276762273894400
British artillerymen using scythes to cut grass for their horses. Near Arras, France: © IWM (Q 6702): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007306893432418304

Southern Front
As part of the Don-Kuban Cossack agreement (see below), 10,000 Russians to fight Germans at Taganrog.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turkish forces repulse British on Hejaz line (Maan region, south of Dead Sea).
Persia: Tabriz again occupied by Turkish forces (see January 30th, 1915).

Political, etc
Russia: Soviets expel Right Socialist parties.
Protocol of agreement between Don and Kuban Cossack Governments.
Canada: Canada cuts imports of food from the U.S. in order to restore its trade imbalance.
Finland: Inadequate majority in Finnish Diet for bill to establish monarchy.

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No significant developments, but the battle continues.
German air-raid on Paris.
French regain Coeuvres (Villers-Cotterets).
Major General Sir Hugh Trenchard is appointed General Officer Commanding the Independent Force of the Royal Air Force.
German Kaiser Wilhelm II, Crown Prince Wilhelm, and Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg at the German GHQ at Spa, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Kaiser’s accession to the throne: © IWM (Q 23739): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007598615735537664
British soldiers going on leave onboard a dazzle-camouflaged transport leaving Boulogne for England: © IWM (Q 10329): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007628819598135296

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave begins: Great Austro-Hungarian offensive from Lagarina Valley to sea.
Asiago sector: Austro-Hungarians (codename Radetsky) pre-empted on by Italian barrage for 4 hours before Austrian guns open at 0300 hours (shell shortage and no phosgene gas given by Germans). Infantry attack at 0700 hours. Austrian Eleventh Army penetrates British (3 frontline battalions surprised) and French lines but stopped by early afternoon, repulsed by counter-attack leaving 1,500 PoWs and 7 guns.
In Mt Grappa sector Austrian XXVI Corps captures 5 features and I Corps takes part of Mt Solaroli salient, maximum penetration 3300 yards, but Italian Fourth Army counter-attacks make progress. An agitated Emperor Charles (in imperial train at Merano) rings Field Marshal Boroevic at noon ‘The Army of Tyrol is defeated, the troops have lost all that they had gained and have been driven back to the line of departure’; Piave sector: (Codename Albrecht), Austro-Hungarian Isonzo Army crosses Lower Piave under smokeshell and fog cover on a 20-mile front gaining 3 small bridgeheads and laying one bridge; Sixth Army crosses onto Montello Ridge, securing bridgehead, takes 4,000 PoWs and up to 2 miles but unable to link with Isonzo Army and its bridges and boats hit by RAF planes. More troops cross during night. Austro-Hungarians cross the middle Piave in Nervesa and Fagare-Musile regions.
Top Italian ace Francesco Baracca scores his last 2 victories (last a two-seater among 25 escorts). 653 Allied aircraft (including 33 Sopwith Camels who break one pontoon bridge) attack and help remove Austrian Piave bridgeheads (until June 22).
Italian troops defending the Piave River: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007553318376353792

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Hejaz Railway: RAF bomb El Kutrani station, 30 miles east of Dead Sea South end.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Large riots break out in Vienna, Budapest, Prague, and other Austro-Hungarian cities due to food shortages and growing antiwar sentiments.
France: Clemenceau forms Committee for Defense of Paris at Bombon (Foch attends); location of Allied GHQ since June 5.

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No significant developments, but the battle continues.
British soldiers racing each other at a sport tournament at St. Andre, France: © IWM (Q 6704): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007659019274768384
An old church converted into a field hospital for American soldiers in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007932058793103360

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Violent fighting on Piave. Austro-Hungarians capture ground south-east of Montello and Capo Sile (north-east of Venice). British capture Austro-Hungarian advance in the hills. British 48th Division (922 casualties) after 4 counter-attacks has taken 728 PoWs and buried 576 Austrian soldiers. In Mt Grappa sector Italian Fourth Army restores its line except for 2 peaks, releasing 200 Italian PoWs and c.12 guns. Austrian Army Group Conrad losses 35,026 soldiers. Italian Eighth and Third Army counter-attacks recover some ground including 4 villages south of the Piave. Heavy rain, Italian and RAF attacks and lack of bridging equipment (due to shortage of horses) hinder river crossings.
Italian infantry in the Piave line, which is virtually flat flood plain where the shallow trenches often became waterlogged: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/iatl-soldaten-piave-front.jpg?ssl=1
At the Battle of the Piave River, Austria-Hungary claims the capture of 16,000 prisoners, while the Allies claim taking 3000 Austro-Hungarians prisoners.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Armenians capture Karamarian (120 miles west of Baku) but fail to advance farther south.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: British air raid on El Kutrani on Hejaz railway (30 miles east of southern end of Dead Sea).
Persia: Action of Ahmadabad (west of Shiraz): British spoiling attack inflicts 500 casualties on 3,200 tribesmen; Shiraz crisis over by June 21.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Paul von Lettow’s main body enters Alto Molocque (220 miles west of Mozambique), captures 75,000lb food and valuable maps.
Morocco: French Oued-Inouen line repulses repeated tribal attacks.

Political, etc
Bulgaria: Bulgarian Cabinet (M. Radoslavov) resigns; M. Malinov becomes Premier: beginning of the end foreshadowed.

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No significant developments, but the battle continues.
An old church converted into a field hospital for American soldiers in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007932058793103360
17 June-22 July
The Victoria Cross is posthumously awarded to Major Edward 'Mick' Mannock of No.85 Squadron, Royal Air Force, one of the highest scoring British fighter pilots and greatest air leaders of the First World War. "An outstanding example of fearless courage, remarkable skill, devotion to duty, and self-sacrifice, which has never been surpassed."
Airplane raid on Kent; no damage.
British soldier peeking through a street barricade in Arras: © IWM (Q 7905): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007962257819684871
British tractors pulling artillery near Steenvoorde, France: © IWM (Q 78682A): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1007992459232796673
Pilots of the Australian Flying Corps with their Sopwith Camel aircraft at Clairmarais, France: © IWM (E(AUS) 2661): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008007561910595585
The result of a German Gotha bomber raid on Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008022660704587777

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Italians and French capture Razea Pizzo and heights south-east of Sasso (Asiago).
In the Grappa region Allies gain ground.
On the lower Piave Austro-Hungarian XXIII Corps expands largest bridgehead but still short of Meolo in Italian second line; XXIV Corps makes gains on Montello, but 20 bridges insufficient for supplies, heavy rain makes river rise nearly 3ft (night june 17-18) and breaks nearly all of them.
Italian Marines at their dugout during the Battle of the Piave River: © IWM (Q 19087): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008294443911442432
Salonika: General Franchet d’Esperey arrives to be Allied C-in-C (June 18) tells new subordinates ‘I expect from you savage vigor’; Paris directive drawn up (June 22).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Sopwith Camel from carrier HMS Furious forces German seaplane down for destruction after two bombing raids on the ship.
Western Mediterranean: Royal Navy convoy escorts sloop Lychnis and trawler Partridge sink Moraht’s U-64 (which had sunk 45 ships or 132,166t sunk since 1916) with gunfire between Sardinia and Sicily.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Disturbances and partial strike in Vienna, etc., re: reduced bread ration.
Troops cause over 24 casualties in Budapest MAV Machine-Factory claiming pay increase (June 20), capital’s workers walk out (until June 27).
United Kingdom: Men born 1895-97 called up excluding shipbuilders and shale oil miners. Imperial War Conference told soldier’s grave will cost £10 (Italy grants land June).

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No significant developments, but the battle continues.
French repulse a local German attack on Reims front from Sillery (south of La Pompelle Fort) to Trigny (seven miles west of Reims).
Bruno von Mudra relieves Fritz von Below in command of First Army, latter takes over new Ninth Army at Soissons (until August 6).
German stormtroopers in a shell funnel: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/de-sturmtruppen.jpg?ssl=1
Lieutenant Frank Leaman Baylies, American flying ace who served in the French air force known for shooting down 6 planes in a 3-hour span, is killed in action: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008324646553423874
Supreme Allied Commander General Ferdinand Foch and General John Pershing conversing at Chaumont: © IWM (Q 58390): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008356147412250624
Squadron commander of the Royal Flying Corp with the squadron’s parrot mascot at Serny aerodrome: © IWM (Q 12048): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008386336208883713
A disfigured French veteran with and without his mask: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008658130664939520

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Piave in flood; Austro-Hungarian attempts to cross between S. Andrea and Candelu repulsed; Italians recapture Capo Sile. Slight Austrian Montello gains near Nervesa rail bridge. Italian 1st Division takes 500 PoWs from Lower Piave San Dona bridgehead, but its reinforced occupiers take 6,500 PoWs around Campolunga (until June 19).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Russian battleship Svobodnaya Rossiya destroyed in Black Sea to avoid surrender to the Germans (see May 4th). Destroyer Kerch torpedoes her at Novorossisk where 7 destroyers and torpedo boats scuttle themselves (Kerch scuttles at Tuapse on June 19). Battleship Volya, 3 destroyers, 2 torpedo boats and AMC return to Sevastopol as Germans request for internment, but c.464 German sailors gradually take them over.
Mozambique: Germans in retreat reach Mujebu (80 miles north of Quilimane.

Political, etc
Germany: OHL demands military service for all men 15-60, War Minister opposes on June 24. Reichstag deputies increased and act for proportional representation.
Russia: Publication of Secret Treaty between Bolsheviks and Germans re: Poland.
United Kingdom: Vote of Credit for £500 million.
Publication of Agreement between Entente and Sweden.
Japan: Arrival of Prince Arthur of Connaught in Japan.
Netherlands: Dutch Government sends to investigate cause of loss of Koningen Regentes.

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.
William Bishop (Commander 85 Squadron SE5As) scores his last 5 victories east of Ploegsteert, having already scored 3 on June 17.
British cavalry officers resting with a wine bottle while a runner delivers a message: © IWM (Q 6714): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008688353871646720
Members of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps in trenches for shelter during an aerial attack at Rouen: © IWM (Q 3289): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008718568794607616
French Renault FT-17 tank being transported at Epernay: © IWM (Q 58239): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008734860490526720

Eastern Front
Russia: Petrograd workers mobilized by Reds.
Baltic States: Germans remove Polish administrator Michalkiewicz from Vilna.
Volga: Czechs capture strategic Syzran rail crossing. White demos in Kozlov and Tambov, far southeast of Moscow.

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Italian Eighth Army counterstroke at 1530 hours on Montello with 10 divisions against 3 Austrian divisions and extra artillery divisions regains Nervesa only to lose it again on June 20; overall, allowing the Allies to regain the initiative. Furious fighting from Montello to sea; Austrian lines on Montello thrown back; On Asiago Plateau French capture Mts. Bertigo and Pennar; Italians capture Mt. Costalunga. General Vaccari leads his XXII Corps in person. Boroevic sees Emperor Charles at Spilimbergo on the Tagliamento, Arz can offer no reinforcements, munitions or supplies.
Austrian-Hungarian troops fought strafing British planes in June 1918 on the Piave: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/oesterr-soldaten-tiefflieger.jpg?ssl=1
Italian troops in action near Candelu: © IWM (Q 65250): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008990299077709825
Aerial photograph showing destroyed bridges and trenches alongside the Piave River, as Austro-Hungarian forces clash with Italian soldiers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009080953795465217

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Reported overthrow of Bolshevist Government in western Siberia. Anti-Bolshevist Government set up at Nizhni-Udinsk (330 miles north-west of Lake Baikal).
Tomsk taken by Anti-Bolsheviks.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Harwich Force north of Heligoland Bight foiled from launching seaplane attack (following 3 other abortive attempts in May). British squadron in north of Heligoland Bight attacked by German seaplanes. One German seaplane claimed destroyed.
The Russian battleship Svobodnaya Rossiya, scuttled yesterday: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1008765062935400448

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Nearly 100,000 workers go on strike in the Austro-Hungarian capital of Vienna to demand more food and the end to war.
United Kingdom: Report of British Sub-Committee of Re-construction Committee re: increase of home-grown food.
Bulgaria: M. Aleksandar Malinov becomes Foreign Minister.
United States: Letter sent by Lieutenant Harry S. Truman, currently serving in France, to (his future wife) Bess Wallace: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009050733470191616
Finland: Decision re: Finnish Monarchy postponed till 1920.
Switzerland: Swiss Government adopts project of subvention of port at Basle.

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Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Field Marshal Svetozar Boroevic cables Austrian High Command ‘As the Monarchy … has loyally fulfilled its duties as an ally … and cannot face the risk of remaining perhaps disarmed, I propose to withdraw … behind the Piave’; Emperor gives permission. Boroevic plans to retreat at night only. Italians decide shelling bridges better than mass attacks. Italian advance continued in Montello, Fagare and Zenson (Lower Piave) sectors.
Austro-Hungarian line at Cortelazzo (mouth of Piave) broken.
Nervesa re-captured.
Italians claim to shoot down 14 Austrian aircraft over the Piave, but top Italian ace Baracca killed strafing in Nieuport fighter. American pilots first fly Italian bombers in action. The Italian fighter ace Francesco Baracca is hit in the air by two rifle bullets, of which one kills him in the head: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Francesco-Baracca.jpg?ssl=1
Another view of Francesco Baracca, one of Italy’s top flying aces with 34 aerial victories, killed in action near Mount Montello: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009111150397677570
Italian trench running underneath an old building at Nervesa during the Battle of the Piave River: © IWM (Q 65362): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009384127546654720

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Turkish 5th Caucasian Division (6,000 men) arrives at Ganja (Russian Elizavetpol) to be core of Enver’s ‘Army of Islam’ (18,000 under Enver’s 28-year-old half-brother Nuri Pasha). A regiment marches to support Azeri Tartars on June 26.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Re-establishment of Civil Law Courts in occupied territory of Palestine.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Food riots in Vienna continue.
United Kingdom: Appointment of General Northey as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of East African “Protectorate” and High Commissioner for Zanzibar “Protectorate”.
Publication of Lord Grey's "League of Nations"; Report of Shipping Committee; Speech of Lord Curzon re: Ireland; Speech of Mr. Balfour re: peace; Reception of Sir M. De Bunsen's Mission by President of Chile.
Turkey: Samsam es Sultaneh reappointed Persian Prime Minister (see May 31st and August 3rd).
Netherlands: Refusal of passport to M. Troelstra (Dutch Socialist leader) to visit England.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.
A home destroyed by a German air raid on Abbeville, France: © IWM (Q 78839): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009414333045067776
British Royal Horse Artillery pulling artillery through a river as part of training exercises: © IWM (Q 6724): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009444535070613504
French troops in the ruins of Clermont-en-Argonne: © IWM (Q 78194): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009459632610344960
A member of the Women’s Forestry Corp of the British Women’s Land Army cutting down a tree. The women of the WLA took over agricultural work so the men could join the military: © IWM (Q 30710): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009474745295876096

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Italians enlarge bridgehead at Cavazuccherina (near mouth of Piave); Austro-Hungarian attempts to regain initiative in Montello and Grappa regions checked; Italians claim 12,000 PoWs to date.
Recon with kite balloon on the Italian front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fesselballon-ital-front.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Dr. Ernst Ritter von Seidler, Austrian Premier, submits his resignation (see June 23rd, 1917); Emperor Charles refuses.
Food crisis in Vienna eased.
United Kingdom: Empire gathering in London.
Von Kuhlmann on the Balkans.
Mr. Balfour censures Pacifists.
Labour Ministers' Manifesto.
Government wins Clapham (South London) by-election.
Ireland: Lord Curzon announces abandonment of Home Rule and conscription in Ireland for the present.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.
German “attack” on Bligny (Reims) “repulsed.”
Somme: British Third Army night raid on trenches at Bucquoy including first night action by British tanks (night June 22-23), 5 support c.150 infatrymen of 62nd Division.
British pilots of the No. 85 Squadron posing with their dogs and goats at St. Omer: © IWM (Q 12049): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009804403107418112

Eastern Front
22-23 June: A North Russian Expeditionary Force comprising British Army units and supported by a Royal Air Force flight equipped with de Havilland D.H. 4 day bombers lands at Murmansk to join a Royal Marine detachment and French and United States marine units already present in the port.
South Russia: Denikin’s White Volunteer Army (9,000 men; 21 guns; 3 armored cars) begins Second Kuban campaign, captures Torgovaya and Shabilevskaya rail stations, isolating Red Kuban Group and cutting Tsaritsyn railway (June 25). Russian Eastern Railway manager

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Piave still in flood; Austro-Hungarian retreat across Piave begins.
Screens cover an Italian footbridge at the Piave River to hide soldiers crossing from Austro-Hungarian fire: © IWM (Q 19079): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009789300769214466
Italian troops manning their trenches near Candelu: © IWM (Q 65347): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010106384308953089

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Turkish “attack” at El Haza (northern Hejaz) “repulsed.”
Siberia: Appeal of General Horvath (Russian Eastern Railway manager, from HQ Harbin, Manchuria) to Allies for help against German invasion.
Generral Horvat (center) later in Harbin with officers from Japan, Romania, Great Britain, Czechoslovakia, France and Russia: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/gen-horvath-harbin.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Workers cheering as King George V and Queen Mary visit a boot repair factory: © IWM (Q 27964): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009819499225378816
An article reporting on the spread of the Spanish Flu in Britain, the U.S., Germany, and Spain, stating it is rarely fatal but can cause “considerable inconvenience”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1009834599525093376
Ireland: Britain postpones plans to implement conscription in Ireland due to popular opposition. The arrival of US soldiers also alleviates manpower shortages on the front.
Turkey: Turkish war aims published.
United States: Near Hammond, Indiana, a train collides into a circus train, killing 86 people, most of them circus performers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010076194186899457

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.
British line on Lys front advanced south-west of Meteren.
580 LK II light tanks ordered from Daimler, none ever delivered before armistice.
The German light tank LK II with 5.7 cm (2.24in) gun. The characteristics of a captured British Whippet tank were built into a modified chassis, but until the armistice only prototypes were ready: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/LK-II.jpg?ssl=1
Red Cross nurse serving American soldiers donuts and coffee:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010136589111119872
British motorbikes armed with machineguns on the sidecar: © IWM (Q 9003): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010166792659111936
British tanks being washed down in Érin, France: © IWM (Q 6825): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010196987814215680
Battalion of the Royal Scots out on a patrol at Meteren, France: © IWM (Q 6737): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010466260625260544

Eastern Front
North Russia: British ‘Syren’ and ‘Elope’ forces (600 men under Major-General Maynard) join North Russian Expedition Force at Murmansk; Maynard and 30 men head down Murmansk Railway (June 27), seize it to Soroka (June 29-30) sending back 3 Red troop trains.
Volga: Civilian Kliment Voroshilov put in command of 1,000-strong Red Tsaritsyn Group (probably by Stalin).

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Austro-Hungarians in disordered retreat from Montello to the sea; heavy losses. Italian Eighth Army reoccupies Nervesa at 1300 hours and then whole of Montello; Third Army captures 2,000 PoWs in Candelu-Zenson sector (Middle Piave).
End of Second Battle of the Piave.
First capture of intact Austrian Berg D-I fighter (best indigenous Austrian combat type), forced to land at Treviso by Italian fighters. Up to 50 RAF aircraft help harry Austrian retreat.
Austro-Hungarian Aviatik D-I biplane brought down on the Italian Front: © IWM (Q 68863): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010436063859544064
City of Nervesa after it was recaptured by Italian and other Allied troops: © IWM (Q 26120): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010496460666925057
Group of wounded American soldiers receiving cigarettes at a Red Cross hospital in Vittel, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010526662159683585

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: White Provisional Siberian Government formed at Omsk, general mobilization soon proclaimed.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Resignation of Dr. Ernst Ritter von Seidler.
United Kingdom: Anglo-American Union proposed by Lord Reading.
Canadian children laying down flowers on the graves of Canadian soldiers buried at Shorncliffe, Kent: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010556861433516032

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: No Significant developments, but the battle continues.
8 squadrons of RAF day and night bombers attack German communications in La Bassee-Ypres area, 106t of bombs dropped until July 6.
American soldiers laying down barbed wire on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010798446561906688
French troops enjoying coffee at the “English ladies Canteen” (Cantine des Dames Anglaises) at Revigny-sur-Ornain: © IWM (Q 106438): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010828646012129280

Southern Front
Second Battle of the Piave: Right bank of Piave cleared of the last Austro-Hungarians; Italians attack Austro-Hungarians north-west of M. Grappa without much success. Italians claim a further 8,000 prisoners in the aftermath of the battle. Italian Third Army clears Austrian bridgehead at its Capo Sile mouth. 2,193,659 Allies with 7,081 guns in 57 divisions (36 in line) hold 188 miles of front (British and French divisions 4 miles each). Overall, the claim is that Italy and Allies suffered 87,000 casualties, while Austria-Hungary suffered 118,000.
The ruins of the city of Nervesa after its recapture by Italian troops: © IWM (Q 65360): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010858849107087361

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Reported 261,990 Allies (ration strength) with 438 guns vs 131,000 Turco-Germans with 523 guns.
Mesopotamia: Reported 212,131 British with 310 guns vs estimated 29,500 Turks with 112 guns.
Siberia: Czech newspaper says Legion advance guard of Allied Armies on reformed Eastern Front.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Emperor Charles again refuses resignation of Dr Ernst Ritter von Seidler.
Germany: Speech in the Reichtag by Richard von Kühlmann on the situation.
Russia: Left Socialist Revolutionaries (Russian peasant party) resolve on terrorism against Germans in Russia.
United Kingdom: Speech of Mr. Lloyd George in House of Commons on the situation.
War Cabinet Eastern committee debates Persian situation, gives India control of South and East Persia, Trans-Caspia and Turkestan operations.
Ireland: Appeal of Irish Recruiting Council: Irish overseas aghast at inaction in Ireland.
Canada: Canada conducts its first airmail flight, transporting mail from Montreal to Toronto: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010889052026032129
United States: US Navy and Marines Corps now 450,093 men strong, larger in manpower than Royal Navy.
Recruitment poster for the United States Marine Corps: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/US-Marines-want-you.jpg?ssl=1

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: Minor American success near Belleau Wood. US 2nd Division and US 4th Marine Brigade (5,200 casualties) capture objective 5 miles west of Chateau-Thierry.
An American priest at the funeral of twelve killed US soldiers: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/beerdigung-us-soldaten.jpg?ssl=1
British air attacks on Saarbrücken, Offenburg (13 miles south-east of Strasbourg) and Karlsrühe. 1 D.H.9 lost, forced landing. 1 aircraft hit by flak and lost; 2 fighters claimed shot down; 5 Handley Pages damage permanent way at Metz-Sablon.
Rene Fonck destroys 3 German aircraft out of 7 lost today.
American soldiers defending a position with a French 37 mm gun near Diefmatten: © IWM (Q 108328): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011231308880674817

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarian prisoner (center) captured by Italian soldiers near Nervesa: © IWM (Q 65359): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1010919249630593025

Political, etc
Germany: German Foreign Secretary Richard von Kühlmann makes a speech admitting the war cannot be won with force alone and Germany must resort to diplomacy. The speech angers the German military and other militarists.
Russia: Russian General Sergey Markov, a commander of the counterrevolutionary White forces, dies of his wounds suffered during a battle against the Bolsheviks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011169640150642688
Ukraine: M. Markiewicz (Socialist) forms cabinet in Ukraine, vice M. Lyshub resigned.
Germany establishes the Crimean Regional Government to administer the occupied Crimean Peninsula.
United Kingdom: Speech of Chief Secretary for Ireland in House of Commons.
General Smith-Dorrien Gouverneur of Gibraltar.
United States: First of 45 Japan-built ships arrives. Now 5,810 US Army dentists; there were only 58 at outset.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Belleau Wood: 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, under command of Major Maurice E. Shearer, supported by two companies of the 4th Machine Gun Battalion and the 15th Company of the 6th Machine Gun Battalion, made an attack on Belleau Wood, which finally cleared that forest of Germans. On that day, Major Shearer submitted a report simply stating, "Woods now U.S. Marine Corps entirely", ending one of the bloodiest and most ferocious battles U.S. forces would fight in the war.
British take point west of Vieux Berquin (10.5 miles west of Armentieres).
German air-raid on Paris.
11 of 20 D.H.s (1 D.H.4, 2 D.H.9s lost) attack factories and railways at Karlsruhe; a D.H.9 of No 104 Squadron loses its way, violates Swiss border and is brought down by anti-aircraft fire (crew interned). 3 Handley Pages bomb Mannheim, Saarbrücken and Boulay airfields (night June 26-27).
Royal Scots soldiers wearing gas masks in a trench at Meteren: © IWM (Q 6775): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011261500152000514
Foreign soldiers serving in the US 310th cavalry getting citizenship at a naturalization ceremony at Forth Ethan Allen, Vermont: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011276612359348226
German troops next to a captured 12.5 cm French gun at Mareuil: © IWM (Q 23809): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011321915754115072

Naval and Overseas Operations
British Harwich shore-controlled minefield sinks UC-11.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Chancellor or dictator
United Kingdom: Labour Conference in London ends political truce. Prime Minister appeals to women to help harvest.
Women harvesting the potato crop in place of their menfolk who had gone to the front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Frauen-Kartoffelernte.jpg?ssl=1
House of Lords approves principle of League of Nations.
Strike of aircraft workers.
United States: Sugar rationing, 3lb per head per month (reduced to 2lb on July 26).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Air-raid on Paris, 11 killed, 14 injured.
Western Front: Lieutenant Steinbrecher of Jasta 46 in Albatros DVa shot down by Sopwith Camel fighters over Somme is first fighter pilot to descend successfully by parachute. Ernst Udet, on June 29 in Fokker D-VII shot down by French Breguet 14, parachutes and flies again same day. Germans claim 39 Allied aircraft for loss of 9.
One of the parachutes from the final phase of the First World War: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/fallschirm-1wk.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: 27 D.H.s (1 lost) attacked by fighters over Thionville, claim 4 shot down.
Canadian soldiers eating lunch in the trenches: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011925877536456706

Southern Front
Italy: US 332nd Infantry Regiment lands at Genoa, enters line end of September. Badoglio promoted general for his able staff role in the Piave battle. Foch writes to Diaz urging offensive in mountains, repeats request on July 13.
Italian troops on the Piave River cross over at several points, capturing several hundred Austro-Hungarian prisoners.
Italian troops in a defensive position near Candelu on the Piave River: © IWM (Q 65345): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011623895319883780

Naval and Overseas Operations
British hospital ship Llandovery Castle sunk by submarine SM U-86 off Irish coast. The sinking was the deadliest Canadian naval disaster of the war, and one of the most notorious atrocities. In violation of international law and standing orders of the Imperial German Navy, the commander of U-86, Helmut Patzig, surfaced, ran down all the lifeboats except one, and shot at the people in the water. Only the 24 people in the remaining lifeboat survived; 234 others died. After the war, Patzig and two of his lieutenants were arraigned for trial on war crimes, but Patzig fled to the Free City of Danzig, and his trial was stopped on 20 March 1931 by virtue of the Laws of Amnesty. Lieutenants Ludwig Dithmar and Johan Boldt were convicted and sentenced to four years in prison, but were released after only 4 months.
Llandovery Castle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011956088349036547
Four British destroyers fight eight German torpedo boats: no damage received.
(Listed for yesterday): SS Wimmera, an Australian passenger ship, hits a mine laid by the German merchant raider SMS Wolf off the coast of New Zealand and sinks, resulting in 26 deaths: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011533288119394305 British, Australian, & New Zealand authorities suppress the news that a German raider is losse in the Pacific, leading to wild speculations about saboteurs being responsible for the sinking, and persecution of Australian nationals of German descent.

Political, etc
International: Agreement among Sweden, Finland and Germany for abolition of forts on Aaland Islands.
Russia: 650 newly-elected members of Soviet enrolled.
Georgia: Kyrion II of Georgia, the head of the Georgian Orthodox Church, is murdered at his residence. The perpetrator and motive are unknown: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011563489339564032
France: British women carpenters constructing a workshop near Calais: © IWM (Q 6766): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011593697782353923
United Kingdom: Mr. Hughes in London.
Chamber of Commerce declares for abandonment of policy of open door.
Speech of M. Kerenski at Labour Conference, London.
A London double-decker bus repurposed to act as a loft for carrier-pigeons: © IWM (Q 8999): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011654101334216705
Italy: Yugo-Slav deputation at Rome.
United States: The U.S. conducts its 2nd draft lottery, drafting 800,000 additional men. Secretary of War Baker picks the first number: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1011986283969896448

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Aisne: Franco-American local counter-attack gains three villages and 1,200 PoWs on edge of Villers-Cotterets forest. French capture Cutry Plateau.
Flanders: Action of La Becque: substantial raid by 5th and 31st divisions of British First Army northwest of Bethune advances nearly 1 mile on 3 1/2-mile front’ 440 PoWs.
France: US Army Chemical Warfare Service created.
Another air-raid on Paris.
Germans claim 31 Allied aircraft for loss of 2 including record (so far) 23 victories in single army (Seventh) sector.
Attack of German Fokker Dr-I triplanes and Fokker D-VII fighters over the Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/de-jaeger-westfront-1918.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers resting by a stream in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012259449313071104

Eastern Front
North Russia: Sir E Geddes on visit reports to Prime Minster that 5,000 troops via Archangel can reach Vologda rail junction and join Czechs.
South Russia: Major-General Malleson’s Trans-Caspia Mission leaves Simla (India) for Meshed.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: Arabs capture Kalaat el Almar (200 miles north of Medina) from Turks.

Political, etc
Russia: SOVNARKOM decrees nationalization of major industry (c.2,000 firms).
United Kingdom: A woman worker at the Govan Shipbuilding Yard melting down electric cables for scrap: © IWM (Q 110080): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012289711203934208
United States: Second U.S. communique in favor of “deliverance” of all Slavs from German or Austro-Hungarian rule

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French, south of River Ourcq, carry hill between Mosloy and Passy-en-Valois.
American troops marching through Saint-Martin-au-Laert: © IWM (Q 85388): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012350227318280192
Canadian artillerymen playing musical chairs at a sports meet: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012616678868385792
German Crown Prince Wilhelm visiting the troops near Courlandon, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012646879803465728

Southern Front
Serbia: Franchet d’Esperey visits Serbian front with Crown Prince and Field Marshal Misic and decides Serbs will have the main role in future offensive with 2 French divisions attached.
Two Serbian infantrymen in Salonika in 1918, wearing US M1902 khaki field tunic with Serbian field caps. They have French leather equipment and carry 8mm Lebel 86/93 rifles: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/serb-soldaten-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Trentino: Italian Sixth Army recaptures (until June 30) Mt Val bella, Cols del Rosso and d’Echele with 2,087 PoWs, 8 guns and 82 MGs.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Azeri Tartars with Turkish troops attack and defeat 8 Armenian battalions (800 casualties) on heights east of Gök-cay (until June 30).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: 15,000 Czechs overthrow Vladivostok Soviet (see Political, below).

Political, etc
Germany: Vienna ambassador urges press campaign to prepare for German intervention against Austria’s collapse.
Russia: Provisional Government proclaimed at Vladivostok (some members remaining at Tomsk).
France: Government recognizes Czech right to independence and National Council as Allied government (Italy also on June 30); President Poincare presents flag to first Czech unit (21st Regiment) on Western Front at Darney (Vosges, June 30).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Two air-raids on Paris.
French success between Marne and Ourcq.
German “attack” on British near Merris (River Lys) “repulsed”; British stage a successful raid north-west of Albert.
Germany: Total German casualties since March 21 are estimated by British intelligence at 894,853 soldiers.
USA to France: During June 6 US divisions land in France.
Arrival of an American troop-transport in a French port: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/us-truppentransporter.jpg?ssl=1
In June peak French tactical bombing effort in 1918 – 642t (RAF 674t). Germans claim 505 Allied aircraft for loss of 153 during June.
Canadian Army nurse feeding her pet dog: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012677079085789186
New Zealand Prime Minister William Massey and Deputy PM Joseph Ward arrive in Boulogne to visit the front: © IWM (Q 8969): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012737479827435521
New Zealand (Maori) Pioneer Battalion performing the haka at Bois-de-Warnimont, France for the Prime Minister and deputy PM of New Zealand: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013099864379576320
Czech and Slovak soldiers of the Czechoslovak Legion at an oath of allegiance ceremony in front of French and Czechoslovak independence movement officials: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013009266997940224
German soldiers using tree branches to camouflage railcars: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013039470617210880
American artillerymen wearing gas masks at Bois de Belleau, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013069672814731264
Two British soldiers competing in a pillow fight at the Guards Division Sports meet at Bavincourt, France: © IWM (Q 9186): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013084766990725123

Southern Front
Italy: Italians capture Monte di Val Bello and Col del Rosso (Asiago). 2,000 prisoners (Another source says only 842).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Murman Railway from Murmansk to Soroki seized by Allied forces (29th/30th) (see 23rd).
Murmansk Soviet, led by non-Red ex-stoker, approves working with Allies.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Allied and neutral shipping losses to U-boats in June:101 ships (49 British with 453 lives) worth 252,637t (162,990t British including 2 ships mined), U-boat figure 110 ships worth 268,505t including 23 ships worth 58,248t in Mediterranean; 3 U-boats sunk. Lowest monthly tonnage loss since August 1916.

Political, etc
Between Allied Powers: Treaty signed between the Czecho-Slovaks and Italy, by which Italy recognises Czecho-Slovak Council and their jurisdiction over nationals.
Russia: By now 517,000 Austro-German PoWs repatriated.
United Kingdom: In June RAF Nursing Service formed.
United States: NY Tribune Comic: “Our boys have stood the test of gas and drum fire and charges without flinching—but when they tried to introduce the English custom of tea for breakfast, wowie!” https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1012707289684328448

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Major A.S.C. MacLaren makes the first flight between England and Egypt, flying a Handley Page O/400 between Cranwell and Cairo.
Aisne: French capture St. Pierre Aigle (village north-west of Forest of Villers-Cotterets).
Americans capture Vaux (west of Chateau-Thierry).
Aerial view of Vaux: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013371650820263936
British air raids on Mannheim, Coblenz, Thionville and Treves.
Flanders: Reformed BEF Fifth Army (6 divisions) takes over Bethune-Merville sector.
Germany: German rifle strength 100,000 below Allied. 1919 class recruits almost used up by July 31.
Britain: 52 British effective divisions now in France. 1st Army Co-operation unit (No 8 Squadron RAF) attached to Tank Corps.
Prince Arthur, the Duke of Connaught, inspecting British troops in France: © IWM (Q 8991): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013403110809759744
Artois: Almost 50,000 Canadian troops celebrate Dominion Day at Tincques, 14 miles west of Arras; Canadian Prime Minister inspects 2 divisions on July 2.
Women workers and nurses at the No.2 Canadian General Hospital at Le Tréport, France at a sports tournament held on Dominion Day: © IWM (Q 6813): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013433309278416896

Southern Front
Italy: Italians gain positions in north-west of Monte Grappa.
Five British airplanes bomb Austrian base at Cattaro.

Naval and Overseas Operations
British Home Waters: In July Air ASW (anti-submarine warfare) effort now going to convoy escort (310 aircraft and airships) rather than air patrols; 167 U-boats sighted (until November), 115 attacked and only 6 daylight attacks not frustrated.
A British ‘Coastal’ class airship on convoy patrol: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/coastal-class-airship.jpg?ssl=1
North Sea: Northern Mine Barrage begins to inhibit return voyages. U-boats forced into mined Norwegian waters.
U.S. transport Corrington (or maybe Covington) torpedoed and sunk by U-86, 6 lost.
Mediterranean: During July 27 German U-boats deployed, but 5 in dock and 2 on Tripolitania supply runs, so average of 8 at sea for duration.
Mozambique: Battle of Nyamakura. (also spelled Namakura then, now known as Nhamacurra). Near Quelimane (Portuguese East Africa). Germans, suffering only 25 casualties smash 630 Portuguese (528 casualties) and c.300 KAR (223 casualties), holding village sugar factory and rail station along river Likungo. Germans take 542 PoWs, 2 Portuguese guns, 10 MGs, c.350 rifles, clothing, ammo and 300t food. Allied 209 killed including many drowned or eaten by crocodiles. 155 Gold Coast Mounted Infantry sail from Port Amelia for Mussuril Bay of Mozambique Island. Von Lettow-Vorbeck’s force replaced their old rifles with new equipment and acquired machine guns and mortars. This was the most southerly point reached by Colonel von Lettow-Vorbeck's force. (1st/3rd).

Political, etc
Germany: During July Ruhr metal workers demand 56 not 60 hour week but no serious strikes.
United Kingdom: Appointment of five M.P.'s to investigate Alien question and to advise action to be taken.
Publication of Mr. Lloyd George's reply to deputation of Federalists.
Serious explosion at shell factory in Midlands, 100 killed, 150 injured.
The National Shell Filling Factory in Chilwell: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013341455539167232
RFP up 2% to record 110%. FLU PANDEMIC RAGES. Household fuel and lighting rationing.
National Baby Week (until July 7). In July Sassoon’s second poetry volume Counter-Attack published.
United States: Naval Appropriations Act grants $1.57 billion.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germans re-capture ground north-west of Albert.
French advance north of River Aisne near Moulin sous Touvent (north-west of Soissons).
Pershing attends Canadian Corps’ Dominion Day celebration.
British captain at the Le Crotoy aerodrome in France with two dogs: © IWM (Q 12085): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013735308708450305

Southern Front
Piave (Mt Grappa sector): Successful Italian attack on Austrians in Piave delta begins; Italians claim 1,900 prisoners.
3 Italian brigades recapture Col del Migio and Mt Solaroli but lose latter to counter-attack. Italian 4th and 54th divisions clear Austro-Hungarians from between old and new river delta channels, taking 3000 PoWs, 20 guns and 80 MGs unti July 6.
Salonika: Franchet d’Esperey receives Paris directive for local attacks before autumn offensive. Georges Clemenceau soothes British at Supreme War Council over his unilateral action (exchange of C-in-C). British ration strength 162,332 lowest since November 1, 1916.

Naval and Overseas Operations
US troopships heead for Europe. The convoy systen was so successful tat not one loaded US troopship in convoy was lost: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/us-troopships-head-for-europe.jpg?ssl=1
Kaiser refuses to extend unrestricted U-boat war to US waters (see political, below), but 3 U-cruisers operate according to prize rules, sink c.100,000t of shipping (June 7 – October), 42 steamers and small craft.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Publication of Austrian Socialists' Declaration re: peace.
Germany: Kaiser and Chancellor hold war aims conference at Spa; veto proposed U-boat blockade of US East Coast, but Soviet Black Sea Fleet remnants to be German-crewed. Erich Ludendorff wants colonies, citizenship and conscription for German-speaking Russians.
France: British Foreign Secretary Arthur Balfour, Field Marshal Haig, General Henry Wilson, and U.S. General John Pershing in Versailles for the Supreme War Council: © IWM (Q 58100): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013765515372683266
United Kingdom: Opening of International Commercial Conference at Westminster; aim is postwar anti-German trade steps.
Establishment of (British) Central Council of Agriculture.
Statement of General Botha re: military and police measures.
United States: Woodrow Wilson declares that over 1 million Americans have sailed for France (only 8,165 casualties-291 lost at sea-out of 1,019,115 US troops sent).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French advance north of Aisne between Autreches on east and Moulin sous Touvent on west; 1,000 prisoners.
Britain: First Sopwith ‘Cuckoo’ torpedo plane delivered to Torpedo Aeroplane School, Scotland for operational training.
Western Front, general: Hermann Goering takes command of JG1 (at ex-French airfield of Beugneaux, southeast of Soissons, since July 1) with Ernst Udet as his aide after commander Wilhelm Reinhard dies in crash. Edward Mannock takes over No 85 Squadron despite flu attack during leave.
Belgian troops marching in front of King Albert I of Belgium at Houthem: © IWM (Q 9017): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1013827163446013953

Eastern Front
Germans prepare to advance on Murman railway.
Allied Supreme War Council approve Northern Russia intervention with 1,200 more British troops and French colonial battalion (Allied-Murmansk Soviet defense agreement on July 7).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: New Provisional Government established at Vladivostok.

Naval and Overseas Operations
The seaplane carrier HMS Nairana, carrying Fairey Campania, Sopwith Baby floatplanes and a single Sopwith Camel fighter, provides additional air support to the North Russian Expeditionary Force.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Death of Lord Rhondda (British Food Controller).
Ireland: Proclamation of Sinn Fein as dangerous organization.
Turkey: Sultan Mohammed V of Turkey dies aged 73 at Yildiz. His brother, Mohammed VI (Vahid-ed-Din) succeeds to the throne (see November 14th, 1914).
Funeral of Sultan Mohammed V in Istanbul: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/beerdigung-sultan-istanbul.jpg?ssl=1
United States: An explosion at the Split Rock munitions factory in Syracuse, New York leads to the death of 50 workers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014053649323122688

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Somme: Battle of Le Hamel: Australians and Americans re-capture village of Hamel and Vaire Wood (east of Amiens). US troops, brigaded with British, in action for first time. Tank-aided (62 Mk V tanks, 3 lost) Australian Corps (Monash, 775 casualties) and 1,000 men of 33rd US Division (134 casualties) capture Hamel south of Somme in model 93-minute all-arms operation (600-gun creeping barrage) on 3 1/2 mile front to 1 1/2-mile depth; 1,472 PoWs; 2 guns; 171 MGs and 26 mortars taken. Australians advance 2,000 yards northeast of Villers-Bretroneux (July 5).
Australian and American troops fighting together at the battle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014452546474332161
First air supply in mobile battle. Aircraft of No.9 Squadron drop 93 boxes of small arms ammunition to attacking Australian troops on the opening day of the Battle of Hamel. The drops are conducted from an altitude of 200 feet and two of the twelve aircraft involved are shot down by German ground fire. (Overall, 5 RAF aircraft lost to 5 German fighters and a balloon).
British pilots at Clairmarais aerodrome, France inspecting a map before a mission: © IWM (Q 12067): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014144251930775552
Champagne: Foch and Petain bring in reserves to meet impending German offensive (confirmed by PoWs and deserters on July 5). GQG 2eme Bureau (Intelligence) correctly says German main effort will be on Marne.
Marne: US I Corps (Liggett) relieves French III Corps west of Chateau-Thierry.
Allied Vickers MG gunners have settled in a discontinued German position: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/brit-MGs-de-Stellung.jpg?ssl=1
British General Herbert Plumer decorating women ambulance drivers for their bravery during air raids: © IWM (Q 6790): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014174467969437696
Belgian troops march past and salute the US flag as part of American Independence Day celebrations: © IWM (Q 9037): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014437438272495617
A soldier of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in a recently-taken German trench in France: © IWM (Q 6819): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014482749628002304

Southern Front
Continued Italian advance in Piave delta and in Grappa sector.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Czechosovaks defeat Bolsheviks near Nikolaievsk (50 miles north of Vladivostok) and occupy the town.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: 7 German Zeebrugge seaplanes damage 4 Felixstowe flying boats (1 shot down), down another British seaplane (July 18).

Political, etc
Russia: Siberian Council declare “Independence” (see 6th).
France: American troops marching through Place de la Concorde in Paris to celebrate American Independence Day: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014543154555518979
United Kingdom: British Government reiterates British right of search, but waives it re: Dutch Convoy to East Indies.
Churchill main speaker at Anglo-Saxon Fellowship, Central Hall, Westminster.
Baseball game is played by US Army and US Navy servicemen at the Stamford Bridge football ground in London. King George V is in attendance: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014512969512837120
Ireland: Lord Lieutenant of Ireland John French restricts the activities of Sinn Fein, Irish Volunteers, and the Gaelic League, labeling them as “dangerous organizations.”
Turkey: Proclamation at Constantinople of Vahid-ed-Din as Sultan.
The former Sultan, Ottoman Sultan Mehmed V: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014114048357650433
And the last of the Ottoman Empire, Mehmed VI: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014416034181337088
United States: At Mt Vernon Independence Day celebration Wilson proclaims Allies’ 4 great aims: 1) ‘Destruction of arbitrary power’; 2) national self-determination; 3) national morality to be like individual’s; 4) peace organization to prevent war.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Somme: Battle of Le Hamel: Australian and American soldiers beat back German counterattacks to retake Le Hamel, France. Total German prisoners captured numbers 1,500.
Map showing French and German trenches at Apremont: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014856593593241600

Southern Front
Albania: French and Italian offensive in southern Albania begins.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Lazar Bicherakov’s 1,200 Cossacks, 6 guns and 4 Duncars land at Alyat (sailed from Enzeli on July 3), 40 miles south of Baku, arrive at Kurdamir (July 8, Duncars in action July 9-19).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Dutch Government accepts conditions re: convoy; Convoy sails.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Army survey reveals Over 250,000 military deserters, many in armed bands with MGs and even artillery.
Germany: Treaty of Bucharest passes Reichstag.
Russia: Vladimir Lenin’s speech to 5th Congress of Soviets interrupted by Left Socialist Revolutionary (Russian peasant party, expelled July 9).
Lenin at a speech in 1918: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Lenin-Rede-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Vladimir Lenin and his sister in Moscow heading to the Fifth All-Russian Congress of Soviets: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014826341517156352

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
American medics inside a shell hole at Sérévillers, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014918103166341121

Eastern Front
Left Socialist Revolutionary rebellion against local Reds; after the assassination of Graf von Mirbach (see below), they besiege Lenin in Kremlin (‘Comrade, can we hold out until morning?’) and in Petrograd. Savinkov rebels against Reds at Yaroslav north of Moscow (until July 21) but Red Army retakes town using artillery and poison gas (apparently). The aim of the Left Socialist Revolutionaries is to re-start the war against Germany.

Southern Front
Italy: Piave delta cleared of Austrians by 23rd Italian Corps; 21,000 men and 63 guns, etc., taken by Italians since 15 June.
Albania: Italian offensive (until July 14): Ferrero’s XVI Corps (53 battalions) with 300 guns (+ 2 Royal Navy monitors) attacks north of its Valona entrenched camp and to east, crosses river Vojusa and General Nigra’s cavalry capture Fieri (July 8), 20 miles northeast, and Austrian Brigade HQ of Berat (July 10). 10-mile advance on on 60-mile front also gains 2000 PoWs, 26 guns and 6 aircraft for 850 casualties, but malaria subsequently creates havoc; French 57th Division conform in Devoli valley taking 700 PoWs.
RAF drop 3t bombs and fire 3,000 MG rounds in support of Italian offensive (1 DH9 lost), but fail to hit Kuchi bridge (hit twice on July 8).
An officer of the Italian Alpini supervises a mountain artillery battery in Albania: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/iatl-gebkanone-albanien.jpg?ssl=1

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Anti-Red ‘Turkestan Union’ obtain 2 million roubles from British Colonel Redel at Meshed which General Malleson reaches on July 16, sends 250 troops to border (July 19-24).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Cossacks fight Bolsheviks north-west of Nikolsk (between Vladivostok and Khabarovsk) and Czecho-Slovaks take Nikolsk.
Vladivostok declared under Allied “protectorate”. President Wilson unilaterally suggests 12,000 Japanese troops for East Siberia to rescue Czechs.
Czechoslovak troops in Vladivostok: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015144588879769600

Naval and Overseas Operations
Northern Adriatic: Italian submarine F12 torpedoes and sinks Austrian U-20 off Tagliamento estuary.

Political, etc
Russia: Wilhelm, Graf von Mirbach, German Ambassador at Moscow, murdered (see April 9th).
Declaration of Siberian Independence cancelled (see 4th).
United Kingdom: Publication of Mantagu-Chemsford Report re: Indian Constitutional Reforms.
Silver Wedding of Their Majesties.
United States: U.S. first large airplane (British-designed, US-built Handley Page O/400) launched near New York.
Steam boat Columbia hits a log in the Illinois River, which causes its decks to collapse, killing 88 people: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1014887898095804416

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Australian advance continued on each side of River Somme.
German air-raid mistakenly targets ambulance park at La Panne (village behind Yser): 43 women drivers killed.
1st and 35th Austro-Hungarian divisions arrive on Western Front.
3-inch Stokes Mortar of Australian troops in action, July 1918: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/austral-stokes-granatwerfer.jpg?ssl=1
French Prime Minister Clemenceau visiting the headquarters of Canadian Major-General Sinclair Maclaghe at Bussy-lès-Daours: © IWM (Q 78841): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015567374014210048/photo/1

Eastern Front
Volga: Stalin cables Lenin, demands full military powers.
Moscow: The Bolsheviks in Moscow crush the Left Socialist-Revolutionary uprising. Bolsheviks are now the sole political power in Soviet Russia.

Southern Front
Albania: Italians attack on Middle and Lower Vojusa (southern Albania); overall, Italian and French troops advance in southern Albania against Austro-Hungarian forces, taking 1050 prisoners.
Italian trenches in the Alps: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015537176199778304/photo/1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Czechoslovaks defeat Bolsheviks near Chita (east of Irkutsk).

Political, etc
Among Allied powers: Agreement signed between France, Great Britain, United States of America, and Murman SOVDEP concerning Allied expedition to Murman Coast (see June 30th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Aisne: Successful French local attack north-west of Longpont (west of Villers-Cotterets); 346 prisoners.
Flanders: British X Corps relieves last French corps.
Members of the British Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps working on a car near Etaples: © IWM (Q 9047): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015627781282070528/photo/1
Canadian soldier visiting the graves near Vimy Ridge: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015893268020776960/photo/1
A French Salmson aeroplane under construction at Paris: © IWM (Q 51233): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015953666459815937/photo/1
What remains of an ammunition lorry after receiving a direct hit at Nieppe forest: © IWM (Q 6846): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1015983868288098304/photo/1

Eastern Front
Russia: Left Socialist Revolutionarys in Moscow disarmed by Colonel Vatsetis’ loyal Red Latvian riflemen whom Lenin visits after Red Guards mistakenly fire at his car.

Southern Front
Italians win passage of Vojusa and occupy Fieri (20 miles north-east of Valona); French and Italians threaten Berat (north-east of Valona).
First American wounded in Italy is 18-year-old American Red Cross canteen driver Ernest Hemingway severely wounded at Fossalta di Piave with Arditi by Austrian heavy mortar; Despite his injuries, he assisted Italian soldiers to safety. He receives Croce de Guerra and is hospitalized at Milan.
Ernest Hemingway in the hospital in Milan: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Hemingway-Lazarett-Mailand.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
British monitors aid Italian advance on Lower Vojusa.
Black Sea: German naval staff meeting has acute problems trying to crew ex-Russian Fleet. Ludendorff opposes any gifts to Ukraine or Bulgaria (July 10); gets Kaiser approval (July 12) to put 1 battleship, 5 destroyers and submarines into German service.

Political, etc
Russia: Declaration of aims to Allies by Siberian Government.
United Kingdom: Report of five M.P.'s re: enemy aliens, recommending stricter treatment.
House of Commons prolongs life of current Parliament to 30 January 1919.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Major James McCudden, VC is killed in a flying accident at Auxi-le-Chateau in France, when his airplane crashes soon after takeoff: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016317331633516544
American soldier using a Lewis machine gun mounted on a tree trunk to target German aeroplanes: © IWM (Q 102015): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016256925040807936

Eastern Front
Volga: Red Eastern Front C-in-C Colonel Muraviev (militant Left Socialist Revolutionary) rebels at Kazan, sails down Volga to Simbirsk with 1,000 men.
Bolsheviks take Sizran and Bulgulma, and reach Stavropol (north-west of Samara).
Martial law at Moscow.

Southern Front
Successful Italian progress in Albania.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: General Horvath declares himself Provisional Ruler at Grodekovo northwest of Vladivostok.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Announced that ships lost homeward bound to U.K. since 1 January 1918 rather more than 1 per cent.
USA: Henry Ford launches first ‘Eagle Boat’ patrol vessel. 60 of 100 ordered built, PE-1 commissions October 28, 1918.
‘Eagle Boat’ with 615 tons displacemenz and armament of 2x4in guns, 2x3in AA guns, 2 MGs, 1 Y-gun depth charge projector and depth charges. The crew was 72 men and maximum speed 18 knots with endurance of 3,500 miles: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Eagle-boat.jpg?ssl=1
Northern Adriatic: Austrian U-19 mined off Caorle, beaches and later plundered by Austrian troops.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Salzburg Conference opens re: economic relations of Central Powers.
Germany: Admiral Paul von Hintze succeeds Herr Richard von Kühlmann as German Foreign Minister (see August 5th, 1917 and October 4th, 1918).
United Kingdom: Appointments of Mr. J. R. Clynes, M.P. as (British) Food Controller.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
French capture whole of Courcy (village east of Villers-Cotterets).
French female air mechanics looking at a British R.E.8 airplane at Le Crotoy aerodrome: © IWM (Q 12082): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016347534896369666
American soldier using a Lewis machine gun at Watou, Belgium: © IWM (Q 64336): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016377730621952000

Eastern Front
Ioakim Vatsetis named new Eastern Front Commander.
A walk-over ? The Kaiser: ‘This is the doormat of our new premises’ – Emperor Karl: ‘Are you quite sure it’s dead?’: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/walk-over.jpg?ssl=1

Southern Front
Albania: Berat taken by Italian forces (see 6th and February 17th, 1916).

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Armenia: Kress wires Berlin from Tiflis that Armenians threatened with extermination. Hindenburg cables Enver ‘as a Christian’ to let 500,000 starving go home (July 29).
North Caucasus: Denikin’s Volunteer Army defeats Red Army (until July 14.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: RAF plane flies to Urmia, arranges ammo convoy supply (July 22) for Christian Assyrian Jelus beset by Turks.
Siberia: General Horvath (Czecho-Slovak Commander) establishes new Siberian Government at Grodekovo (north-west of Vladivostok).
British government announce 25th Middlesex Regiment sailing from Hong Kong to Vladivostok.

Political, etc
Russia: 5th Congress of Soviets adopts RSFSR Constitution.
United Kingdom: Mr. Herbert Asquith on President Wilson and League of Nations.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Flanders: Successful Australian raid near Merris (north of River Lys).
74 British air-raids in Germany during June announced.
Marne: French deserter informs Germans that Allied tank-led offensive imminent.
Lorraine: First of 4 US radio stations (at Toul) starts to monitor German traffic. First AEF field code in service (July 15), 9 more by Armistice.
French soldiers manning an infantry command post near Antheuil: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016712429034713088
American gas sentry in a shelter at Watou, Belgium: © IWM (Q 60980): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016727522279673861
Canadian journalists visiting the 42nd Battalion Scots in the reserve line: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1016999310691618816

Eastern Front
Russia: Red Simbirsk Province Chairman ambushes and kills Mikhail Muraviev, but Whites rise at Arzamas, Murom, Rostov (Yaroslav Province) and Rybinsk.

Southern Front
Saloniki: At Supreme War Council General Guillaumat says Balkans autumn offensive will succeed, Greeks had entered war to regain East Macedonia, Clemenceau (July 18) instructs d’Esperey to continue preparations.
Albania: Allied troops extend their gains in southern Albania against Austro-Hungarian and Bulgarian troops, advancing 25 miles and capturing 1800 prisoners in total: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017015834479333381

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Lawrence at Allenby’s HQ told outline of Palestine September offensive. Allenby informs CIGS that it will be mid-September (July 12), replies no winter reinforcements from France (July 20).
Lawrence of Arabia: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/lawrence-of-arabia.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: US supply ship Westover (10 lost) sunk in European waters

Political, etc
Germany: [Listed for yeterday]: German Socialists in the Reichstag declare they will not vote on a budget unless Germany’s war aims are clarified.
Count Georg von Hertling in Committee of Reichstag: “As long as [the Allies’] desire for out destruction exists, we must endure, together with our faithful nation.” Foreign policy to be unchanged.
Russia: [Listed for yesterday]: Soviet Russia adopts its coat of arms with the hammer and sickle and the motto “Workers of the world, unite!”:
Lithuania: Prince William of Urach (Wuerttemberg) accepts the title of Mindove II, King of Lithuania, from Council of State (Taryba). However, Germany, which occupies Lithuania, does not recognize the election: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017046178817609728
United Kingdom: British Government announces stricter treatment of “enemy aliens” to be adopted.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Somme: French capture Castel-Auchin Farm, northwest of Montdidier. Foch asks Haig to be ready to attack in Flanders from La Bassee canal north to liberate Bethune mining district. Haig demurs citing ‘water-logged’ terrain, counter-proposes early advance ‘east and southeast of Amiens, so as to disengage that town and the railway’. Foch agrees and reveals that Debeney (French First Army) is ‘studying an offensive with the same objective’. Petain letter to Haig: ‘I have the honor to request a more complete participation of the British Army in the burdens … weighing on my armies for 3 1/2, months: either by … at least 3 divisions or by an attack launched before 18 July on a suitable part of the front.’ Ludendorff's 5th offensive postponed to July 15.
Australian and American soldiers in a trench in the Villers-Bretonneux Area: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017076367215783936

Eastern Front
Czechoslovaks capture Kazan (on River Volga).

Southern Front
Albania: French advance on both sides of River Devoli; Austro-Hungarians retreat.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Czechoslovaks control Siberian Railway east of Penza.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Japanese Japan’s first dreadnought battleship, the 21,900t, Kawachi destroyed by internal explosion in Tokuyama Bay, 500-700 casualties.
The Kawachi herself: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017317770021699585
Settsu, sister ship of the first Japanese dreadnought battleship Kawachi from 1911: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/jap-dreadnought-settsu.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Germany: Count von Hertling in Reichstag on Belgium as a pawn.
Prussian Upper House expels Prince Lichnowsky.
Colonel Bauer note to Ludendorff ‘We will win if the Homeland no longer stabs the Army in the back.’; repeats the view to Düsseldorf Industry Club on July 20.
United Kingdom: Announcement of Allied force on Murman coast.
Denaturalisation Bill passes first and second reading in House of Commons.
‘Propaganda is advertising …’, by Northcliffe.
Australia: Mr. Huges, Australian Premier, re: no return of German Pacific Islands.
Minor Allies: Haiti declares war on Germany (see June 16th, 1917).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
France: Petain fixes Mangin’s D-day as July 18. General Haller made C-in-C Polish Army (1 regiment).
Aisne: British XXII Corps transferred south to Ardre Sector.
Erich Ludendorff postpones Operation Hagen indefinitely due to lack of manpower, mostly caused by the flu pandemic.
British and French soldiers playing cards well behind the lines: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/entene-cordiale.jpg?ssl=1
Testing a Rolls-Royce Eagle engine salvaged from a damaged airplane near Rang-du-Fliers, France: © IWM (Q 12069): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017347991869550593
Soldiers of the Royal Scots, 11th Battalion preparing to launch a daylight raid at Meteren. Their lead officer Lieutenant Charles Kavanagh is killed during the raid: © IWM (Q 11751): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017408574568321025
French soldier wearing a Tissot gas mask: © IWM (Q 61057): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017424625070944256
British infantry practicing an attack with a tank and a smoke screen at Sautricourt, France: © IWM (Q 9818): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017439743758471168
Portuguese gunners receiving instruction from the British on operating the 9.2-inch howitzer: © IWM (Q 7893): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017686340719308802
British officer and his dog at the Wavans War Cemetery: © IWM (Q 9042): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017746732292235264

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Turkestan: White Russian railway-men massacre Tashkent’s Cheka chief and bodyguard in Ashkabad, but Red Guards repulse drive on Tashkent (July 24).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turks attack British positions on Jordan and on Abu Tellul ridges (seven miles north of Jericho).
Siberia: Irkutsk occupied by Czecho-Slovak forces (see October 14th).

Political, etc
France: [Listed for yesterday]: Pablo Picasso marries Ukrainian ballet dancer Olga Khoklova in Paris. Picasso’s “Portrait d'Olga dans un fauteuil”: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017378233975820288
United Kingdom: Demonstrators in Trafalgar Square urge the British government to intern all “enemy aliens”.
United States: U.S. Senate unanimously adopts a resolution to celebrate Bastille Day to express friendship with France.
Greece: French General A. Gramat appointed Chief of Staff to Greek Army.

[dicksbro]

First time I was ever aware of our Senate's adoption of a Bastille Day resolution in honor of our French allies.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Marne: 27 German PoWs (chiefly Alsatian) reveal to French Fourth Army timings of impending Champagne-Marne offensive.
Champagne and Marne: Germans gas shell US 3rd Division with 7,500 rounds (15t) mustard gas and phosgene; 600 gassed (9 deaths); US 26th Division at Chateau-Thierry endures 10,000 rounds (20t) mustard gas and phosgene (until July 17); 518 gassed (no deaths).
9 RAF squadrons fly to reinforce French in Champagne despite rainstorms, lose 15 aircraft in action (until July 17).
British soldier bargaining at a market in Saint-Omer, France: © IWM (Q 11073): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1017807149282615296

Southern Front
Albania: French capture Austrian positions on River Devoli.
Italian, French, and British officers in Granezza, celebrating the victory against the Austro-Hungarians at the Piave River: © IWM (Q 26904): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018124216850374656

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Action of Abu Tulul: 5800 Turks and Germans (1,000 casualties including 475 Germans and 510 PoWs, 6 MGs lost) attack 2,500 Anzacs and Indian cavalry (c.200 lancers cause 192 Turkish cavalry casualties east of Jordan), unsupported Germans repelled for 70 ALH (Australian Light Horse mounted infantry) casualties (189 total). Ultimate outcome was the defeat of Turks at passages of Jordan and on Abu Tellul ridges, 510 prisoners.
Indian lancers and their British officers in Palestine: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ind-lanzenreiter-palaestina.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: Coastal submarine UB-105 sinks French transport Djemnah (442 lost) off Cyrenaica. British Australia-bound SS Barunga (ex-German SS Sumatra) sunk by U-boat.

Political, etc
Between warring powers: Provisional agreement between British and German delegates to Hague re: Prisoners of War.
Austria-Hungary: Field Marshal Franz Conrad von Hötzendorf resigns from active service (especially due to Hungarian protests at Piave failure), is made Count and Colonel of all the Guards; General Alexandder von Krobatin (Tenth Army) takes over his Tyrol army group.
France: France celebrates Bastille Day. French soldiers marching in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018078919428378624
Soldiers from other Allied forces also march in Paris for Bastille Day. Soldiers of the Czechoslovakian Legion in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018094020864757762
United Kingdom: National rationing for sugar (until November 29, 1920), butter (until May 30, 1920), margarine (until February 16, 1919) and lard (until December 16, 1918), national bacon and ham rationing discontinued on July 29. Local jam, cheese and tea rationing for 500,000 to 17.5 million people since early 1918.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne (German: Unternehmen Friedensturm) begins (see August 7th): Great German offensive on front of 50 miles east and west of Reims, from Chateau-Thierry on west to Main de Massiges on east. Seventh, First (watched by Kaiser) and Third Armies (0435-0530 hours) attack with 43 divisions on 50-mile front after 4-hour barrage (0010 hours, pre-empted by French from 2330 hours on July 14), Germans advance rapidly to the Marne at Fossoy. German fire 500,000 rounds (9,000t) mustard gas, phosgene and diphenylchlororsine; 2,600 gassed (47 deaths) (until July 18).
On east Germans held in check. Petain’s ‘recoiling buffer method of defence’ (Liddell Hart) absorbs initial attack’s 2-mile impetus in lightly-held forward zone and awaits wearying, entangled attackers on a strong rear position. East of Reims German 21-division offensive fails on a 25-mile front north of Roman Road; 20 German tanks in sector all knocked out by French guns.
On west Germans penetrate two or three miles on 20-mile front; cross Marne between Dormans and Fossoy (west of Chateau-Thierry). More success achieved west of Reims vs Italians (8th Division annihilated) and 2 French divisions.
Foch countermands Petain’s 1000 hours order to Fayolle postponing July 18 attack. German 10th and 36th Divisions’ try to force Marne crossing against reinforced US 38th Infantry Regiment. Outnumbered 3:1, pounded by 336 German guns and with both flanks dangling, 3600 Americans stand firm in savage hand-to-hand fighting. 8 German divisions achieve 9-mile, 13-mile deep bridgehead astride Dormans to east.
Paris Gun, in new emplacement near Fere-en-Tardenois, fires 14 shells at French capital (until July 19).
German soldiers with captured British tanks at the Second Battle of the Marne: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018423691795943425
Champagne: Americans repulse Germans at Vaux.
225 French bombers (25 lost) in 20-30 formations drop 44t bombs on makeshift German Marne bridges. Constant air attacks (until July 20) till Germans evacuate bridgehead. Germans shoot down 37 Allied aircraft for loss of 9.
Quentin Roosevelt, youngest son of President Theodore Roosevelt, is killed in action in aerial combat over France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018154419588919296
A French and British soldier fishing in the Somme River near Amiens: © IWM (Q 11072): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018169517585960961
An American Red Cross tent in Jouy, France damaged by shrapnel after it was bombed by German aeroplanes.: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018455151231635457

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Ottoman and German soldiers captured by British troops being escorted near Jericho, Palestine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018485359745863681

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Burian peace memo published.
United Kingdom: British War Cabinet to inform Berlin that British Army will continue to use paper-cored bullets (instead of aluminium) as fully legal and not like ‘dum-dums’.
Ex-Empress Eugenie to Colonel Vernier ‘This League of Nations, what folly!’
United States: US Treasury estimates Allies have 303 million people and $495 billion wealth vs Central Powers’ 147 million people and $134 billion.
"Bath suit fashion parade" at Seal Beach, California: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018310457201954816

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne (German: Unternehmen Friedensturm): South of Dormans French and Americans counter-attack and take villages of St. Agneau and La Chapelle.
Germans advance up Marne to Montvoison (seven miles from Epernay).
Germany: 12 D.H.9s of No 99 Squadron and 6 D.H.4s of No 55 Squadron attack Thionville (over 93 casualties); 15-wagon munition train explodes; another train hit; serious fires started, and goods station badly damaged. Handley Pages drop 5 bombs in Saarbruecken center (heavy damage). 10 F.E.2s bomb Hagendingen; bomb destroys tunnel shelter (23 casualties) and burns large stocks of fodder and coal.
Western Front, general: Germans claim 37 Allied aircraft for loss of 14.
American soldiers advancing with tanks in a counterattack against the Germans during the 2nd Battle of the Marne : © IWM (Q 69951): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018772236835139584
New British recruits, mostly teenagers, at a base in Étaples, France: © IWM (Q 23584): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018802442455007232
British soldiers inside the destroyed church of St. Vaast at Béthune, France: © IWM (Q 11081): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018832644124168195

Eastern Front
Ex-Tsar Nicholas II, ex-Tsaritsa and family executed at Ekaterinburg (see March 15th, 1917), capital of Red Ural, by order of Ural Regional Council. Tsarina’s sister and 5 Romanov princes executed in nearby Alapaevsk on July 17.
The room with the wall in the Siberian Ykaterinburg, in which the Tsar with family was executed in the night of July 16.-17: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Zimmer-Jekaterinburg-Zarenfamilie-ermordet.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Atlantic: U-54 sinks sloop HMS Anchusa off Northern Ireland.
Western Mediterranean: Destroyer night collision between HMS Cygnet and Italian Garibaldino sinks the latter off Villefranche (South France).

Political, etc
France: Trial of M. Louis-Jean Malvy, former French Minister of Interior, on charge of treason.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Western Front at its longest, with 532 miles.
Second Battle of the Marne (German: Unternehmen Friedensturm): Germans advancing on Epernay, reach Montasin-Chare la Rare (French later recapture. Chare) between Marne and Reims.
East of Reims French defeat Germans south of Prunay.
South-west of Reims French retake and lose Montvoison.
South-east of Villers-Bretonneux Australians advance line.
Germans reach Nanteuil-Pourcy but Italians counter-attack successfully.
General Max von Boehn, Commander of the German Seventh Army: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/gen-max-von-boehn.jpg?ssl=1
30 German divisions engaged.
17 D.H.s attack Thionville (alternate target for Stuttgart).
German fighter units airborne 7 times trying to stem Allied air attacks on Marne bridges, claim overall 23 aircraft for loss of 6.
General John Pershing, commanding U.S. Army, made (Honorary) G.C.B., and Generals Tasker Bliss and Peyton March (Honorary) G.C.M.G.
At the 2nd Battle of the Marne, German troops continue advancing up the Marne, but lose ground to French and American counterattacks west of Épernay. German soldiers riding on a A7V tank: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018862847374319616
British troops targeting German aeroplanes near Les Essarts, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1018893047348781056

Naval and Overseas Operations
RMS Carpathia sunk by a German U-Boat in the Atlantic. This was the same ship which had rescued survivors from the RMS Titanic in April 1912 and which rescued Moina Michael and hundreds of other stranded Americans in Naples at the outbreak of the war in 1914.

Political, etc
United States: Definitive US memo on Siberian intervention proclaims the principle of political non-interference (Japan approves on July 18).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne (German: Unternehmen Friedensturm): High-water mark of the War. End of Unternehmen Friedensturm. Great Allied counter attack on 27-mile front between Fontenoy (6.5 miles north-west of Soissons) and Belleau (6 miles north-west of Chateau-Thierry). Franco-Americans, backed by 2000 guns, attack at 0435 hours. French Tenth Army (Mangin) including US 1st and 2nd Divisions (among 9) supported by 223 tanks (62 hit), achieves complete surprise, and advances up to 4 1/2 miles. French reach Monte de Paris (1 mile from Soissons) and 5 miles of Crise Valley, east of Buzancy. South of Ourcq, French and Americans secure line Marizy-Hautvesnes-Belleau. South of Marne Germans reach St. Agneau. East of Reims French retake Prunay and defeat Prussian Guard east of Prosnes. Allies take 12,000 PoWs and 250 guns from 11 German divisions.
Flanders: Ludendorff holds morning Mons conference (with Rupprecht, army commanders and staffs for projected ‘final offensive’ Hagen scheduled early August), thrown into confusion by news of Marne debacle. Ludendorff immediately sends 2 divisions to threatened front, but news of fresh defeats abruptly ends conference. Army Group Crown Prince William orders 14 German divisions south of the Marne to retire, Ludendorff cancels planned thrusts around Reims and halts transfer of Bruchmueller’s artillery to Flanders. At 1535 hours Rupprecht is ordered to dispatch 2 more divisions to Reims, his diary comments ‘no doubt that we have passed the zenith of our successes’. Ludendorff rows with Hindenburg twice as latter insists on counter-attack from north of Soissons.
French 1st Air Division gives close support to Allied ground attack (for heavy losses) at Chateau-Thierry and Soissons. Comprises 590 aircraft in 2 Groupements each with 12 escadrilles Spad S.13 fighters; 1st Groupement has 9 escadrilles Breguet 14 day bomber and reconnaissance aircraft; 2nd Groupement 6 Breguet escadrilles. RAF (aircraft attached to French XI Corps) also gives support. Allies lose 34 aircraft (14 to JG1) to 8 German. Sergeant Willi Gabriel of Jasta 11 scores 4 victories. Germans regain air supremacy over parts of Marne battlefield (July 22, when 41 Allied aircraft lost for 2 German; until August 6).
French Schneider tanks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019495765939548161
French Chasseurs cyclists resting near the forest of Villers-Cotterêts during the French counteroffensive: © IWM (Q 78084): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019556172171530240
Airplane raid on Kent; no casualties.
British soldiers picking cherries near Robecq, France: © IWM (Q 11080): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019223985102442497
RAF officer training to fire a gun in a moving “cockpit”: © IWM (Q 10370): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019254190042906627
Ruined church of Saint-Venant, France: © IWM (Q 70565): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019586381071503361
British pilot holding a stuffed owl toy at the aerodrome near St. Omer: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019616588260171778

Eastern Front
Following the assassination of Tsar Nicholas II and his family, Soviet Cheka agents execute several relatives of the Romanov family in Alapayevsk. Grand Duke Sergei Mikhailovich is shot, while the rest are thrown down a mining shaft and grenades are dropped in.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Debate in Reichsrat re: "German Course" of Austrian policy.
United Kingdom: Sir L. Worthington-Evans succeeds Lord Robert Cecil as British Minister for Blockade (see February 23rd, 1916).
Japan: Japanese Diplomatic Council approves U.S.'s proposal for intervention in Siberia.
South Africa: (Nelson) Rolihlahla Mandela is born in the village of Mvezo, South Africa.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: French and Americans advance on Soissons-Thierry line, taking Vierzy (north of Ourcq) and Neuilly St. Front (south of Ourcq). South of Marne, French retake Montvoison. Franco-American troops with 195 tanks (50 hit) take 3,000 PoWs and 150 guns, advance 2 miles towards Soissons-Chateau-Thierry road, but German 20th Division regains this artery; south of Marne Allies recapture Montoisin.
Italian troops in France at the 2nd Marne Battle launch a counteroffensive against the Germans through the Ardre valley, forcing the Germans further back. However, the Italians suffer 9,334 casualties out of a total force of 24,000. British 51st and 62nd Divisions replace Italians.
US 2nd Division relieved after 5,000 casualties. British capture Meteren (west of Bailleul), taking 300 prisoners.
American postcard celebrating the battle: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019646783595646978
The first ever carrier-borne air strike takes place. From a position off the Lyngvig Light, HMS Furious launches seven Sopwith Camels (4 lost) modified to carry 2 x 50 pound bombs each, on a dawn strike against German dirigible sheds at Tondern at the mouth of the Elbe. The strike is successful, destroying Germany Navy Zeppelins L-54 and L-60 in their sheds. Three pilots fail to locate carrier, land in Denmark, another drowned at sea (future Air Marshal RAF Dickson one of the two pilots who returned).
HMS Furious in 1918, after the after gun was replaced by a landing deck, allowing aircraft to land on the carrier again: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Furious-1918.jpg?ssl=1
The planes on the deck of the HMS Furious: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019844305454845952

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
North Caucasus: British operations in Trans-Caspia begin (see August 26th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
United States cruiser San Diego sunk by mine off Fire Island (Atlantic coast), 6 lost.
French liner Australien (Messageries Maritimes) torpedoed in Mediterranean, 20 lost.
Troopship Justicia (converted from a White Star liner) torpedoed off north coast of Ireland, 10 lost.
Destroyer HMS Garry (ramming) and ML23 convoy escorts sink coastal submarine UB-110 off Yorkshire coast.

Political, etc
France: Franco-Swiss Economic Agreement.
United Kingdom: British Ministerial changes. New British Assistance Foreign Secretary Lord Cecil’s statement of Allied trade policy.
War Cabinet refuses Churchill’s plea to halt ‘combing out’ which has halved tank production, Milner wants men naw not machines later. National Service Ministry finally convince Army of civil doctor priority need.
US Admiral William Sims made (honorary) G.C.M.G.
Statement of Lord R. Cecil re: Allies Trade Policy.
Denaturalisation Bill read third time in House of Commons.
Sedition Committee Report (Rowlatt) published in India.
Italy: Rumanians’ Action Committee formed to organize Rumanian PoWs of Austro-Hungarian Army into legions.
United States: Baseball ‘non-essential’ under ‘Work or Fight’ law.
Minor Allies: Honduras declares war on Germany (see May 17th, 1917).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: German forces retreat across the Marne (see 18th). Allies claim 20,000 prisoners and 400 guns since 18 July. British, French and Italians advance in Ardre valley, in Boise de Courton, and towards St. Euphraise.
Charles Mangin has only 32 tanks but makes 8 attacks. British 51st and 62nd divisions attack but gain only a mile and 500 PoWs vs hidden MGs (Battle of Tardenois until July 31).
Flanders: Erich Ludendorff cables Crown Prince Rupprecht: ‘In view of the situation of the Army Group Crown Prince Wilhelm which … will absorb a still great amount of troops, and … the possibility of a British offensive action the ‘Hagen’ operation will probably never come into execution.’
French troops take cover as one of their tanks is hit: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/french-tank-hit.jpg?ssl=1
Last attempt to attack the British Isles with aeroplanes (unsuccessful) [There were altogether 59 airplane raids against the British Isles during which bombs were dropped. There were also 11 reconnaissance flights over parts of Great Britain or in the vicinity of the coast when no bombs were dropped. See also May 19th and August 5th.] (see December 21st, 1914, and August 5th, 1918).
American soldiers advancing at Chateau-Thierry to lay down wire: © IWM (Q 70264): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019904713045790720
A kitten balancing on top of a 12-inch artillery shell of the Royal Garrison Artillery at Arras: © IWM (Q 6860): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020010408999051264
A German soldier captured in his dugout at Meteren: © IWM (Q 6847): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020233116592590848
British tanks advance at the 2nd Battle of the Marne, while German prisoners are made to carry the wounded back behind lines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020263326394257410
British officers of the 39th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, with their dog mascot: © IWM (Q 9070): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020323729371553793

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British submarine HMS E.34 hits a mine and sinks with all hands off the Frisian islands: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020293530730803200
Atlantic: British destroyer Marne sinks German submarine UB-124, after the latter attacks troopship Justicia; Justicia sinks after long fight, following persistent attacks since July 19 by coastal submarine UB-64 (Schrader) and a coup de grace from UB-124.
German submarine SM UB-110, seen here under construction is later raised for study by the British: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1019934913141854208

Political, etc
France: Ferdinand Foch asks Georges Clemenceau to call up 1920 conscript class at end of 1918.
United Kingdom: Mr. Balfour replies to Hertling's "pawn" speech.
“Threatening” meeting of munition workers at Birmingham.
United States: Animated American propaganda film “The Sinking of the Lusitania” is released. It is one of the longest animated films for its time: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/transcoded/6/69/Winsor_McCay_%281918%29_The_Sinking_of_the_Lusitania.webm/Winsor_McCay_%281918%29_The_Sinking_of_the_Lusitania.webm.480p.webm

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Château-Thierry retaken by French forces, after Germans retreat 5 miles (night July 20-21) (see 18th, 20th, and May 31st). French reach Lassery-Chateau-Thierry road on broad front. Between Marne and Reims, Anglo-French recapture Bois de Courton, advance down Ardre valley, capture (then lose) Marfaux and Coutrim. US 1st Division relieved (7,200 casualties) by British 15th (Scottish) Division.
French and British soldiers operate together, with a Hotchkiss mle 1900 machine-gun ready to provide fire support: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/frz-brit-sodlaten-hotchkiss-mg.jpg?ssl=1
Allied troops close in against the Germans in the Marne Salient. Shaded lines are German gains in the recent offensive still in their hands, while solid black are areas recaptured in the Allied counteroffensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020702467187757058
Ruins of Meteren after its capture by the British during the 2nd Battle of the Marne: © IWM (Q 6837): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020338834784096256
Boys placing flowers at the graves for Canadian soldiers buried at Shorncliffe:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020335052218134528
American troops in a damaged church in Lucy, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020565303552552960
Indian troops resting on the road to Soissons on their way to relieve French and American forces: © IWM (Q 78897): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020595502340067328
American soldiers displaying a German mantrap found in no man’s land near Altkirch, France: © IWM (Q 80259): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020626964019806209
A mobile shower used by the Americans to degass soldiers exposed to poison gas: © IWM (Q 60978): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020687364480487424

Eastern Front
Kuban: White guerilla Colonel Shkuto captures Stavropol by threatening artillery bombardment (no guns but Reds evacuate). Denikin has to help to keep town and barely repels Sorokin’s Red counter-stroke.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Yeomanry Division renamed 4th Dav Division, 5th Cavalry Division joins DMC.
Arabia: Hejaz Railway: 1,800 Arabs (over 80 killed), guns, armored car and RAF planes repulsed by Jerdun Station’s 400 Turks and Maan garrison resupplied.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: German submarine SM U-156 shells the town of Orleans, Massachusetts, sinking 1 tugboat and 4 barges. There were no casualties, but it is the only German attack on the mainland US and the first foreign shelling since 1846.
Mozambique: Battle between British and Germans at Namirrue (near confluence of Rivers Namirrue and Ligonya).

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Appeal of Ministry of Munitions to workers not to strike during critical battle.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Allies hold German counter-attacks between Ourcq and Marne, and cross Marne near Dormans at Chassons and Passy. Franco-Americans reach Bezu-Epieds. Ludendorff finally orders southern half of salient to be abandoned. General Henri Gouraud re-occupies former positions between the Suippe river and Massiges.
An American company advancing. In July 1918, there were already one million US soldiers in France: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/US-Kompanie-Vormarsch.jpg?ssl=1
France: General Harry Rogers AEF QMG (Quartermaster-general American Expedition Forces) at Tours.
American medic treating a wounded soldier at Chateau-Thierry, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1020974246959505409
Indra Lal Roy, the only Indian flying ace in the war with 10 victories, is killed in action over Carvin, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021004448406163457
American artillery in action near Torcy, France: © IWM (Q 58212): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021034651207503872

Southern Front
Albania: Allied offensive in Albania checked (see 6th, 10th, and August 22nd).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Action at Fort Namirrue (until July 23): Paul von Lettow’s night attack destroys 3/3rd KAR Battalion of Fitzcol after its river crossing. Germans take fort and first mortar, some ex-German Askaris rejoin.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Dr. Ernst Ritter von Seidler finally succeeds in resigning the office of Minister-President of Austria. Ex-Education Minister Baron Max Hussarek von Heinlein succeeds on July 24.
Germany: At Avesnes Hindenburg tells Kaiser that the latest 1918 offensive is a failure; Wilhelm tells diners at Spa ‘I am a defeated War Lord to whom you must show consideration’.
France: Civilian exodus back to Paris begins.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the US Assistant Secretary of the Navy, arrives in France on a trip to inspect Allied naval administrations.
United Kingdom: Resignation of Lord Lee as Director-General of Food Production.
Munitions Ministry declares threatened Coventry strike ‘an attempt to overthrow the policy of the state’.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Battle of Soissons or the Battle of Soissonais and of the Ourcq phase begins (see August 2nd): German defence tenacious by 27 divisions in line, but British take Marfaux (south-west of Reims). French and Americans continue advance north and south of Ourcq, reaching Oulchy la Ville and occupying Bois du Chatelet.
[B]Somme: Battle of Moreuil or Sauvillers: French 3rd Division (1891 casualties) with 36 British tanks (11 disabled) advance 2 miles on 4-mile front towards Avre valley, capture the 3 villages, of Mailly-Raineval, Sauvillers, and Aubervillers, 1858 PoWs, 5 guns and 275 MGs.
Foch letter to Petain urges one main thrust on Fereen-Tardenois.
Allied losses over Marne (since July 16) 150 aircraft and 6 balloons to 27 German (since July 15). RAF Soptiwht Camel night fighter (Captain A Yuille) forces down a Gotha bomber over Etaples (3 PoWs), first of No 151 Squadron’s 26 bomber victims without loss (until November 11).
French cavalrymen pass British soldiers. The cavalry were still held in reserve in case of the breakthrough that never came: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-uploads/2018/07/frz-Kav-brit.jpg?ssl=1
British troops advancing through Bois du Petit Champ, passing by a dead German soldier: © IWM (Q 11085): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021064850691305473
German prisoners bringing back a wounded soldier while under guard by British and French soldiers at the Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11099): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021336644140650496
A Swiss soldier working on a tunnel inside a mountain. Switzerland remains neutral while it continues to build up its defenses: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021366846963048449
British and French soldiers fighting together in Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11110): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021397055640653825

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: British armed mercantile cruiser Marmora torpedoed and sunk by German submarine, 100 lost.
Mozambique: Retreat of Germans at Namirrue.

Political, etc
Russia: Appointment of Herr Karl Theodor Helfferich (German ex-Minister of Interior) as Ambassador at Moscow.
Siberian Government at Vladivostok reigns; Proclamation of Siberian Government Council; another try at independence, restores Duma and landowners, annuls Red decrees and appeals for Allied recognition on July 25.
United Kingdom: Munition workers' strike at Coventry.
Mr. Herbert Hoover (U.S. Food Controller) at Mansion House, London.
King visits Grand Fleet.
Japan: Rice riots begin in Toyama Province of Japan, as people protest rising rice prices (the protests spread across the country and lasted for 2 months, resulting in thousands of arrests).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Battle of Soissons or the Battle of Soissonais and of the Ourcq phase: French and Americans advance south of Ourcq towards Fere-en-Tardenois and along Marne in Forest of Fere (between Charteves and Jaulgonne).
Army Group Crown Prince reports 18 divisions unbattleworthy. Allies advance north of Chateau-Thierry towards Fere-en-Tardenois, reach line Oulchy-le-Chateau-Gaulgonne, and push along the Marne in Fere Forest. British advance north of the Ardre.
Bombon Conference of C-in-Cs at Foch’s HQ decides to expedite general counter-offensive. Foch aims first to free 3 great rail routes: (1) Paris-Verdun, (2) Paris-Amiens and (3) Verdun-Arricourt. (1) to be achieved by the ongoing French counter-offensive; (2) by Haig’s proposed Amiens offensive (Foch directive July 26); (3) by reducing St Mihiel salient (proposed by Pershing, Lieutenant-Colonel Marshall begins study today). Other follow-up operations to liberate North France coal mining districts and clear Calais-Dunkirk region. French Ninth Army (de Mitry) abolished due to narrowing front.
The first 1,650 pound 'SN' bomb, the largest bomb to be used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) during the First World War, is dropped on Middelkirke by a Handley Page 0/400 of No.214 Squadron.
Bespectacled German soldier surrenders. With his best men dead, Ludendorff replaced them with the unfit, the very young, and the middle-aged: https//i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/deutscher-ergibt-sich.jpg?ssl=1
British troops resting inside a shell hole after the capture of Marfaux from the Germans: © IWM (Q 6867): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021428529936859138
French, British, and Italian wounded soldiers at a dressing station in the Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11114): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021670086883651584

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Dr. Baron Max Hussarek von Heinlein Minister-President.
Reichsrat secret session attacks military leadership and Piave failure.
Germany: 29 British officer PoWs tunnel out of Holzminden camp, 10 get home.
United Kingdom: General Smuts in London re: future of South Africa.
Birmingham munition workers' strike.
Scheme of Imperial Preference adopted.
United States: Fuel Administrator orders 4 lightless nights per week. No German in letters sent from US allowed from August 15.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Battle of Soissons or the Battle of Soissonais and of the Ourcq phase: French retake Main de Messiges (east of Reims). Allies take Villemontoire (6 miles south of Soissons), Oulchy-le-Chateau (north of River Ourcq) and southern half of Forest of Fere. Ludendorff sanctions night pullback to Fare-en-Tardenois line for night July 27, orders Aisne-Vesle line defences on July 26.
RAF drops over 288t bombs on German Amiens sector rear areas (until August 1). Germans claim 31 aircraft for loss of 4.
Skeleton of a French gunner. Where the fighting did not allow burial, the dead are left behind: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/skelett-frz-knanonier.jpg?ssl=1
French, British, and Italian officers eating lunch together in the Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11112): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021700286954524672
British soldiers taking captive a German prisoner in the Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11086): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021730488111824896
A British soldier looking at the recent graves of three German soldiers at the Bois de Reims: © IWM (Q 11091): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1021792152534347779
American troops advancing towards German trenches at Choloy: © IWM (Q 70733): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022033731924709381

Eastern Front
Czechoslovaks capture Simbirsk (granary on west bank of Volga, 130 miles from Samara). Czechs take Ekaterinburg and form Regional Government.

Southern Front
Turks bomb RAF Imbros station (night July 25-26), 60 bombs, one fires hangar destroying 7 Sopwith Camels. RAF retaliate vs Galata (July 25-26 and 27).

Political, etc
Russia: Allied Diplomatic Corps from Vologda reaches Archangel.
United Kingdom: Minister for Labour George Henry Roberts warns that workers who persist in the Birmingham munitions strike will be called up to fight in the war.
Speech of Mr. Lloyd George to Food Controllers of France, Italy and U.S.A.
Mr. Balfour at inauguration of Yugoslav National War Aims Committee.
Conference of National Engineering and Allied Trades' Council decides for strike if no settlement before 30 July.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Battle of Soissons or the Battle of Soissonais and of the Ourcq phase: General retreat of Germans on Marne toward Epernay.
Partial capture of Buzancy by Scottish Division.
With this, the Battle of Soissons peters out.
Major Edward Mannock VC is shot down and killed by ground fire after shooting down a German LVG at very low altitude near the German front line at Lestrem. Although authors have quoted varying victory totals for this pilot, current research suggests that the LVG was Major Mannock's sixty-first kill.
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022447721058394112
A German baggage train on a congested road on the Western Front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/de-tross.jpg?ssl=1
An American machine designed to dig trenches: © IWM (Q 70732): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022100434452971521
Black Watch soldiers about to encamp near Saint-Imoges during the 2nd Battle of the Marne: © IWM (Q 11093): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022160836821958657
Blind women putting together magazines and books written in braille for wounded soldiers blinded in the war: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022417523994779653


Eastern Front
Bulk of French Expeditionary Force troops join the North Russia Expeditionary Force at Murmansk (see June 23rd).

Southern Front
A Swiss soldier in the high Alps observing the fighting between Italy and Austria-Hungary: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022063936479416320

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Central Caspian Dictatorship of five topple Reds in Baku and invite Dunsterforce. Turks capture 1 British Duncar and 2 lorries to west.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: 28 Gold Coast Mounted Infantry surprise German baggage train on river Ligonha, take 21 porters and 2 Germans, but most captors and PoWs taken on July 27 leaving only 65 out of 165 troopers.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government declare to M. Petrov that they have no intention of infringing the territorial integrity of Russia (see August 6th).
Government issues official warning to striking munition workers: after 29 July, alternative is return to work or military service.
Women factory workers arriving to work at a munitions factory in Gretna: © IWM (HU 82171): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022477927106129921
Japan: Japan announces that it will join the Allied intervention against Soviet Russia in order to assist the Czechoslovak legion and oppose Bolshevism.
United States: Airplane number 1000 is completed inside the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company to be shipped to France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022130640223985669

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: General German retreat north of Marne; cavalry and tanks pursue, but the Germans have railway alternative to Soissons and still hold city. Allied troops reach line Bruyeres-Chaumuzy. (Bruyeres three miles west of Fere-en-Tardenois). Chaumuzy on River Ardre, south-west of Reims).
Indian lancers of the British Army on the Western Front: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/ind-kav-westfront.jpg?ssl=1
RAF forms a Communications Squadron at Hendon to operate in the VIP transport role.
French troops wounded and blinded by poison gas being led back from the front: © IWM (Q 6864): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022508138745016320
A French plane brought down behind German lines: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022777381382221825
American soldiers playing a game of craps at Winchester: © IWM (Q 70731): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022807581205651456
American and British officers resting at an officers’ club at Winchester: © IWM (Q 72742): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022837781549260800

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: c.150 Sikhs mount a trench raid 3 miles from sea.
Mesopotamia: Royal Navy parties from gunboats Moth and Mantis leave Baghdad with 3 guns for Caspian (Commander Norris follows on July 28).

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Armed yacht Vanessa depth charges and sinks coastal submarine UB-107 off Scarborough.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Montagu, Secretary of State for India, on Indian Constitutional Reform.
Australia: Launching ceremony for the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022747180384362496

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
On this date in 1918, it was exactly four years since the start of the “Great War”, with the Austro-Hungarian declaration of war on Serbia.
It is 106 days until the armistice which ended it (although much fighting continued in Eastern Europe, with the breakup of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Russian Civil War, various European nations wars of independence).
Second Battle of the Marne: A relative lull in the battle; only some minor activity. Fère-en-Tardenois retaken by Allied forces. British retake Montagne de Bligny (Ardre valley).
Since July 26, Allies (most of 5 US divisions engaged until July 31) have advanced 4 miles on 20-mile front. They cross the Ourcq. Dotted lines represent the farthest German advance, while the dark areas are the German’s current territory: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023139767100338176
Foch puts French First Army under Haig for Amiens operations and asks that Rawlinson’s planned August 20 attack be advanced to August 8 due to critical Marne situation.
The British Commander-in-Chief on the Western Front, Sir Douglas Haig, is inspecting Canadian troops: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Haig-inspiziert-Truppen.jpg?ssl=1
Canadian journalists and nurses at the ruins of the No. 3 Canadian General Hospital at Doullens, France that was bombed by German airplanes: © IWM (Q 9125): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022898195838451714
German prisoners captured during the 2nd Battle of the Marne held at Mareuil: © IWM (Q 6876): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023171222509641731
American machine gun crew in action on the Western Front: © IWM (Q 108327): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023201422731427840

Political, etc
Canada: Albert Goodwin, English labour activist active in Canada, is shot and killed while he was on the run for evading conscription. The killing causes widespread labour unrest in British Columbia: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1022867982551269376
Minor Allies: Brazil: German banks ordered to cease operations (finally closed October 16).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: German positions north of Oulchy-le-Chateau stormed. French capture Grand Rozoy. French and British capture Buzancy. Australians capture Merris and advance in Morlancourt sector, south of Albert. British Amiens concentration begins at night, with camouflage and strict security.
German General Cappard resists fiercely between Fare-en-Tardenois and St Euphrasie. Petain concedes Germans have escaped trap.
German soldiers in action on the Western front: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/de-soldaten-in-gefecht.jpg?ssl=1
French FT-17 tanks after an attack near Grisolles: © IWM (Q 58238): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023231622664146945
Ruins of Cloth Hall in Ypres, a structure dating to the 13th century, destroyed by artillery: © IWM (Q 9174): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023261820944044034
British troops returning from the front after capturing Montagne de Bligny hill: © IWM (Q 11090): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023577658930671617

Southern Front
Italian aircraft designer Gianni Caproni with his Ca.42 heavy bomber: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023517253084635137

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Mediterranean: British transport Hyperia (52 lives lost) sunk by U-boat 84 miles from Port Said.
St George’s Channel: Asstistant USN Secretary Franklin Roosevelt and First Sea Lord Sir E Geddes visit Queenstown base, south Ireland.
American destroyers using depth charges against a German submarine: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023487054708203521

Political, etc
Russia: Facing the occupation of Arkhangelsk & Valdivostok, Lenin proclaims de facto state of war vs Allies. SOVNARKOM allows Trotsky to mobilize ex-officers (22,315 by November 30), those refusing to face concentration camps. Trotsky calls Czechoslovak Corps ‘Almost the most important factor.’
United Kingdom: Munition workers' strike at end, under threats of hefty fines and forced labor for life for strike leaders.
United States: American surgeon and inventor George Fell, who led development into artificial ventilation and the first electric chair, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023547453772099584

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Strong German resistance all along line. At St. Euphraise (south-west of Reims) German counter-attack fails. Remigny captured by Allied forces. American poet and journalist Sergeant Joyce Kilmer killed on Ourcq (165th Infantry Regiment, 42nd Division).
German paramedics in action in the trenches: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/de-sanitaeter-schuetzengraben.jpg?ssl=1
American soldiers digging a trench near Nanteuil-sur-Marne: © IWM (Q 69952): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023592754243399680
American 7th Infantry soldiers being transported after being relieved from the front: © IWM (Q 58203): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023835601643220992

Eastern Front
Field-Marshal Hermann von Eichhorn, commanding German Army in The Ukraine, assassinated in Kiev (see April 29t, Boris Donskoy, a member of the Left Socialist Revolutionaries. General Günther von Kirchbach succeeds as German C-in-C Army Group Kiev (August 8); Hugo von Kathen replaces him in command of Eighth Army in Baltic area (July 31).
Field Marshal Hermann von Eichhorn: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023865800665509888

Southern Front
Frank Linke-Crawford, Austro-Hungarian ace with 27 victories, is killed in action over Italy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023926203269361664 There is controversy surrounding his death, as with many of the WW I aces: his aircraft may have simply disintegrated, as he was flying Lohner-built Aviatik D-I during the fight; Lohner had deviated from the manufacturing specifications, and many of the Lohner-built aircraft crashed due to wing failure.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Collier Q-ship Stock Force (Lieutenant H Auten wins Victoria Cross) sunk after engaging coastal submarine UB-80 25 miles southwest of Start Point, near Plymouth (severely damaged).

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Wings of the British Handley Page bomber are folded up before being stored in a hangar at the Andover aerodrome: © IWM (Q 66103): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023896003051769856
United States: American soldiers and sailors enjoying the beach at Coney Island: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023607855008624640
Minor Allies: Onondaga Indians declare war on Germany.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Severe fighting round Seringes (north-east of Fere-en-Tardenois); finally left to Americans. French now control main east rail line between Chateau-Thierry and Epernay. The 4 British divisions return to BEF zone (until August 7).
Meuse: German gas shell French Neuilly sector with 340,000 rounds (850t) mustard gas; 3,400 gassed (68 deaths).
Germany: 12 DH9s (7 lost) of No 99 Squadron (Taylor) dispatched to Mainz (alternate Saarbrücken); 5 aircraft bomb Saarbrücken, attacks by 3 fighter waves (total 40) decimate formation; 2 fighters damaged, No 99 squadron non-operational until August 20. IAF’s July losses 15 bombers.
Western Front, Air: German night bombing of Allied troops south of Aisne. Allies have lost 200 aircraft and balloons over German Seventh Army alone since July 15. French July loss of 67 aircraft worst month in 1918. During July Germans claim 505 Allied aircraft for loss of 129. Record 1,478 German aircraft delivered in July.
Air combat between British and German fighters over the Western Front: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/luftkampf-westfront.jpg?ssl=1
France: During July Record 313,410 US troops land in Europe including 6 divisions and 34 aircraft (total now 1,210,703 men).
American soldiers engaging with the Germans in Villers sur Fre, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023956410185474048
Bhupinder Singh of Patiala visits a damaged monastery on Mont des Cats, France, accompanied by Indian, British, and French officers and soldiers: © IWM (Q 7934): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1023986603449049089
Black Canadian soldiers with ammunition on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024197991341670401

Eastern Front
Northern Russia: Allies seize Archangel (until August 1) with little shooting (2 casualties) thanks to Russian Navy officers’ help. Some of the 1,500 British Elope Force also take Onega on White Sea.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Flight Sub-Lieutenant Culley successfully takes off in Sopwith Camel from a lighter towed by destroyer Truculent.
Allied and neutral shipping losses July 1918: 95 ships (37 British with 202 lives) worth 259,901t (British 165,449t); U-boat figure 113 ships worth 280,820t including 39 ships of 76,864t in Mediterranean (10 ships with 235t to Austrians); 6 U-boats sunk.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Lord R. Cecil accepts recommendations of Royal Commission on Foreign Office reforms.
Lord Lansdowne's letter re: conditions of Peace discussions.
Speech of Mr. Lloyd George to Manufacturers.
Sir Charles W. Fielding appointed Director-General of Food Production.
Month’s coal output record lowest at 15,760,000t due to flu epidemic. Sir Charles Fielding new Director-General Food Production (Lord Lee resigned July 22).

[dicksbro]

I love the little "side" notes, like the flu epidemic affection coal production. This has really been a fascinating story of "The war to end all wars." (If only that had been the case.)

Thanks again, GG, for doing this for us.

[gekkogecko]

You are quite welcome, DB. Lot of stuff today, for the beginning of the month:
Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Allies advance on Ourcq, on north, reaching line Cramoiselle-Cramaille (north-west of Fere-en-Tardenois), on south take Cierges (south-east of Fere-en-Tardenois), claim 600 PoWs, with another 100 PoWs taken at Cierges.
French capture Romigny (south-west of Reims).
German retreat to Vesle begins in rain (night August 1-2).
Somme: British Fourth Army in Amiens sector secretly doubled by August 8; 290 special trains bring up 6 infantry and 2 cavalry divisions including Canadian Corps from Arras, 8 tank battalions and huge ammo stock piles. Small Canadian force sent north to Flanders (Mt Kemmel), part of deception plan including first land use of radio traffic deception.
Germany: During August OHL reduces 400-strong battalions from 4 coys to 3.
American troops in the forest near Fresnes: © IWM (Q 85383): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024288601394372608
French civilians and soldiers bid farewell to British troops departing the front after the Battle of Tardenois: © IWM (Q 9173): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024564154076684290
French troops in a shell-hole near Soissons: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024594355846361088
American troops attacking German trenches at Choloy: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024654757363900416
Column of Scottish soldiers marching near Mareuil-sur-Ay: © IWM (Q 78112):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024684959716524032
Western Front, Air:
During August Jastas equipped with Fokker D-VII fighters claim 565 victories but serious fuel shortages beginning to affect all German flying units (150 or 250 litres per day and aircraft from mid-August). French have 2,970 aircraft.
Three Fokker D-VII of Jasta 2 of Jagdgeschwader 3 next to an Albatros D-Va of Jasta 36: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/fokker-dvii-01.jpg?ssl=1
Allied air forces mount concerted attacks on enemy airfields, especially those occupied by the German Schlachtstaffeln (Close Air Support Squadrons).
The Royal Air Force (RAF) suffers heavy casualties (approaching 25%) amongst low flying aircraft. There was also intense air-to-air combat with the Royal Air Force losing 150 aircraft in the second week of August and claiming 177 German aircraft shot down.
Fighter sweeps are instituted over the Western Front. These were usually composed of Sopwith Camel squadrons at 10,000 feet, Royal Aircraft Factory SE5 squadrons at 14,000 feet and Bristol Fighter squadrons at 18,000 feet.
In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, the Russian army that had previously blocked Turkish forces in the south Caucasus collapses and a British force under the command of Major-General L. Dunsterville 'Dunsterforce' is deployed to the Caspian Sea port off Baku to stiffen the remaining White Russian forces in the region.
Headquarters of the Aviation Services Ireland, previously under the Army's Irish Command, is renamed Royal Air Force Ireland and placed under direct Air Ministry control. Later in the same month Royal Air Force Ireland is renamed No.11 (Irish) Group.
(Listed for yesterday): George McElroy, one of the leading British flying aces and the top Irish ace with 47 victories, is killed in action over France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024258398601273345
Germany: Army Air Service has 318 front-line units with establishment of 2,569 aircraft (excluding depot reserve) including 1,053 fighters and c.253 bombers.

Eastern Front
Allied Expeditionary Force attack and capture the defenses of Archangel (see 2nd).

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Ashkabad Whites appeal to Major-General Malleson; he sends Punjabi MG detachment which covers 1,800 Whiles’ defeat by 3,000 Reds at Bairam Ali (August 13); Reds take Merv Oasis (c. August 18).

Naval and Overseas Operations
American diver putting on diving gear to salvage sunken ships and freight: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024228191873974272
(Listed for yesterday): A British Sopwith Camel, piloted by Stewart Culley, successfully takes off from a small barge being pulled behind a destroyer: © IWM (Q 27511): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024318795425431553

Political, etc
Germany: During August 1920 conscript class reaches field depots but not used in front line for political reasons. Ludendorff raises soldiers’ pay 1 Reichsmark per day.
Russia: New German Ambassador Helfferich’s memo urges Reds’ overthrow, Kaiser agrees. Lenin via Chicherin asks for German help vs counterrevolutionaries.
France: Chamber votes for 1920 class call up.
United Kingdom: Speech of Mr. Balfour on League of Nations.
RFP up 8% to record 118%. Commons passes record £700m credit. Postwar rationing of raw materials and scheme of pay compensation for torpedoed seamen announced.
Turkey: In August political exiles allowed to return.
Belgium: King George V of Britain arrives in Belgium and inspects American troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024624556110241793
United States: 1 million women now working in factories.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Battle of Soissons or Battle of Soissonais and of the Ourcq formally ends (see July 23rd), although it had trickled down to practically nothing already.Soissons retaken by Allied forces (see May 29th), (300 of 15.000 population left) and advance up to 6 miles; 50 villages retaken. Soissons in August 1918: The old residence of the Frankish kings changed hands several times during the war: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Soissons-1918.jpg?ssl=1
Germans retreating to River Vesle. Criss-cross shaded areas represent today’s gains, shaded black represent the area captured by the Allied counteroffensive: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024926539870359552
Germany: Hindenburg and Ludendorff Press Conference at OHL, latter claims ‘limited tactical success’ on Marne. Both slight AEF, comparing it with France’s Black African ‘auxiliaries’. Hindenburg insists his goal is ‘a peace of honor’.
US ‘Liberty Planes’ (D.H. 4s) first in action.

Eastern Front
On 2 August 1918, anti-Bolshevik forces, led by Tsarist Captain Georgi Chaplin, staged a coup against the local Soviet government at Archangelsk. British diplomats had travelled to in preparation of the invasion, and General Poole had coordinated the coup with Chaplin.
Royal Air Force aircraft help elements of the North Russian Expeditionary Force to occupy the port of Archangel.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Petrov’s 1200 Reds and 2 guns (from Astrakhan) land in Baku and secure Bolshevik leaders’ release.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Turks occupy Urmia, north-west Persia. all 80,000 Jilus (also spelled Jelu) flee, only, 59,000 reach Bijar.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: British minelayer destroyers Vehement and Ariel mined and sunk (97 lives lost) by German mines close to Dutch neutral zone. During August Royal Navy lays 9,000 mines off Yorkshire and Durham coasts (until September).

Political, etc
Russia: Lenin tells at five meetings ‘The Soviet Republic is in Danger’
Japan: Japanese Government decide to land troops at Vladivostok (see 11th and April 5th).
United States: US War Secretary Baker tells Major-General William S Graves, Commander designate for Siberia ‘Watch your step, you will be walking on eggs loaded with dynamite’. US Vice-Consul at Petrograd notifies state of war between US and Russia.
American sailors in Chicago drape a U.S. flag over a seal of the Prussian Eagle that was displayed over Vogelsang Café: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1024715213592031238

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Allies reach Fismes (on River Vesle), and retake 50 villages.
Somme: Germans retreat behind River Ancre from Hamel (north of Albert) to Dernancourt (south of Albert).
German soldiers captured by French troops during the fighting are waiting to be transported backwards: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/gefangene-Deutsche-Aug18.jpg?ssl=1
A sunken road near Arras shortly after the Allies captured it from the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025018620617916416
Wounded American soldier in the military hospital at Neuilly, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025048972342304769

Eastern Front
Volga: White Samara Government invites Allied intervention.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: British (25th Middlesex Regiment, 521 men) and Japanese 12th Division troops (12,000 by August 21) land at Vladivostok. (see 2nd and April 5th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Australian ambulance transport Warilda sunk by submarine UC-49, 123 lost.
HMAT Warilda: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025331716666343426
Adriatic: Coastal submarine UB-53 scuttles after fouling Otranto Barrage and exploding 2 mines.

Political, etc
Canada: Anti-Greek riots break out in Toronto over rumours that a Canadian veteran was mistreated in a Greek café. Thousands of Canadians destroy Greek businesses in the city and clash with police and militia.
Turkey: Samsam es Sultaneh, Persian Prime Minister, resigns (see 7th, and June 20th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Marne: Americans take Fismes; Allies on right bank of Vesle.
Allies have taken 35,000 PoWs and 700 guns. End of Second Battle of the Marne.
Somme: Germans withdraw on 10-mile front (Montdidier-Moreuil) on east bank of the Avre. Corporal Hitler awarded Iron Cross 1st Class for ‘personal bravery and general merit’.
Adolf Hitler as a volunteer on the Western Front 1914-1918 with the Iron Cross: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Hitler-4-px800.jpg?ssl=1
Hugo Gutmann, the Jewish Lieutenant who recommended Hitler for the award: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025709196845740033
Ludendorff order of the day tries to raise morale, says Second Army ready for an 18 July-style tank offensive.
Ruined buildings in the Somme department, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025392118003650560
French and American troops at a captured German heavy gun emplacement near Sarcy: © IWM (Q 108339): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025422317067923456
German shells hitting a wrecked building in Ypres, Belgium: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025648799690240001
Indian troops at a war anniversary service in Kasauli, British India: © IWM (Q 52693): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025679001241759744
British troops at a religious service at Terdeghem, France to commemorate the 4th anniversary since Britain entered the war: © IWM (Q 11121): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025739401278771201
German A7V tank “Mephisto” being tested by the British after it was captured last month: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1025769605615296518

Eastern Front
General Günther von Kirchbach takes command at Kiev.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: British force arrives at Baku (Caspian Sea) (see 26th, and July 19th).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Persia: Bolshevik Committee at Enzeli arrested by British military authorities.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Prime Minister’s 4th anniversary war message in 4,000-5,000 theatres and cinemas etc. Bishop of London consecrates war shrine in Hyde Park.
Japan: Toyama fishing families riot vs high rice prices, unrest spreads to Kyoto, Kobe and other cities. Government requisitions all stocks for sale at fair prices (August 17).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
German airships raid the United Kingdom for the last time, when five Zeppelins of the German Navy are despatched to attack targets in the Midlands, but the raid is a failure. One airship, Zeppelin L-70, captained by Kapitanleutnant Johann von Lossnitzer and carrying the commander of the German Naval Airship Division, Fregattenkapitan Peter Strasser, is attacked by two de Havilland D.H.4s from Yarmouth. It falls into the sea in flames, 8 miles from Wells-next-the-Sea, killing all of the crew. Subsequently, a de havilland D.H.4 flown by Major Egbert Cadbury and Captain Robert Leckie is credited with destroying L-70. Royal Air Force aircraft also damage a second airship, the L-65 and the surviving airships drop their bombs into the sea and return to base. 35 defence sorties (2 lost) including USN Air Service F2A (Lieutenant E Lawrence, Ensign A Hawkins) from Killingholme south of Humber.
The newly completed X-class L-70 was considered an outstanding airship and the final version of the ‘Super-Zeppelin’. It should climb to an altitude where it might be immune from interception and remaining in the air for several days: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Zeppelin-L70.jpg?ssl=1
There were altogether 51 airship raids against the British Isles during which bombs were dropped. There were also 8 attempted raids which either did not reach the coast, or which, for some other reason, failed in action. There were also 59 aeroplane attacks in which bombs were dropped (see July 20th), and 11 aeroplane reconnaissances. Total number of air raids in which bombs were dropped was 110.
France: 4th and final Paris Gun bombardment (66 shells until August 9). Allied advances at the 2nd Battle of the Marne slows as German troops strengthen their defenses on the Vesle River. However, Germany’s gains in its most recent offensive have been reversed, and German troops retreat at other points on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026012444416794624
A British 8-inch howitzer and its crew near Warloy, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026043901721890816
King George V landing at Calais to visit the front: © IWM (Q 9823): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026074100572336128
U.S. General Peyton C. March announces that over a million U.S. troops are now on the frontlines, taking over trenches previously manned by French troops.

Eastern Front
Volga: 2,500 Czechs and Whites land at Kazan but are driven back.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: First Turkish attack on Baku repulsed by 8,000 defenders (620 casualties); 2 Duncars and 200 British troops reach city and help (2 more Duncars and 150 British soldiers land on August 7).
Georgia: Kress radios Berlin ‘I have hampered every shipment of munitions [for Turks] from Batumi via Tiflis up to the present’. US interception station, picks up and solves in 1 hours (another signal decoded on August 8).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: 1,150 French colonial troops land at Vladivostok (arrive at front under shell fire August 11-12), Marines land on August 9.

Political, etc
Russia: Anglo-French nationals arrested in Moscow.
United Kingdom: Message of Mr. Lloyd George to British Empire to "Hold Fast".
United States: U.S.A. Man-power Bill introduced into Congress; military age from 18 to 45.
Hog’s I, Philadelphia, launches first pre-fabricated ship SS Ouistconck and 7 completed by January 8, 1919, yard having been built from scratch since September 20, 1917 (16 ships launched).

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Western Front
Marne and Aisne: Franco-American troops reach river Vesle and straighten out Salient (Soissons-Reims). Adolph von Carlowitz takes over German Ninth Army from Fritz von Below.
Army Group Boehn, commanded by Max von Boehn, formed.
Somme: German division counter-attack at Morlancourt (south of Albert) regains much ground and 250 PoWs (British 18th and 58th Divisions replacing Australians).
Barbed wire lines the streets of the ruined town of Albert, France: © IWM (Q 6895): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026436494628741120
Peter Strasser, the commander of Germany’s airship division, killed in the loss of L-70 in last night’s raid: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026225099966480384
A daylight British patrol in the town of Albert, France: © IWM (Q 6905):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026376094474297344
Franklin D. Roosevelt, the US Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in France during his inspection of Allied naval facilities and administrations: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026406293421142016
King George V inspects officers of the 2nd Brigade RAF near St. Omer: © IWM (Q 12101): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026466690035593217

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mediterranean: U-boat sinks destroyer HMS Comet. Allied mining conference at Malta (until August 9), US Navy to lay second Otranto mine barrage and a South Aegean one.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Czech's, Yugo-Slavs, some Poles vote against Austro-Hungarian Budget.
Vienna newspaper Arbeiter-Zeitung praises Marshal Foch: ‘…the Allies now possess a leader whose name arouses confidence and … they believe that, unlike his predecessors, he will not fall far short of the mature skill … possessed by Hindenburg and Ludendorff’.
Germany: Retirement of Herren Ballin and Holtzendorff from Council of Central Europe.
Russia: SOVNARKOM authorizes unions to send armed men to get bread from villages. Recalled German Ambassador leaves Moscow (arrives Pskov on August 11).
France: General Ferdinand Foch created Marshal of France.
Marshal Ferdinand Foch (1851-1929) is a deliberate organizer and diplomat and can overcome the national self-interests of the Allied nations: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Ferdinand-Foch.jpg?ssl=1
M. Malvy sentenced to five years' banishment.
United Kingdom: British Government issue Declaration to Russian peoples, stating that they have no intention of interfering in Russian politics (see July 26th). (ed note: curious disclaimer, considering the already-ocurring and continued interference).
Speech of Mr. Montagu on Indian Constitutional Reform.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Ferdinand Foch, Marshal of France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026481791769739266

Eastern Front
Volga: Czechs and Whites capture Kazan from Red First Army whose Colonel Vatsetis just escapes. Red gold reserve moves to Samara. Largest workers rebellion vs Red rule at Izhevsk (arms factory town 150 miles northeast of Kazan, until November 7). Leon Trotsky leaves Moscow in armored train for Volga.
Kuban: Anton Denikin breaks Reds before Ekaterinodar after week’s fighting.
Czech soldiers in an armored train: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Czech-armoured-train.jpg?ssl=1

Naval and Overseas Operations
Atlantic: French cruiser Dupetit Thouars (13 lost) sunk by U-62 (Ernst Hashagen).

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Mr. Lloyd George on War position; says German high water mark reached, their economic position desperate.
Turkey: Vossuq ed Douleh appointed Persian Prime Minister (see 3rd and May 29th, 1917).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
95 days until the Armistice. The Western Allies “Hundred Days Offensive” begins with the commencement of the Battles of Amiens and Montdidier.
Battle of Amiens begins (see 11th): Great Franco-British advance (British 4th and French 1st Armies) on Amiens front from Morlancourt to Montdidier. BEF Fourth Army, with French First Army (Moreuil captured with 3,150 PoWs and 161 guns), and 430 tanks (96 Whippets) attacks at 0420 hours on 15-mile front east of city. 5 German divisions routed (27,700 casualties including 15,565 PoWs from 11 divisions and 400 guns). Newly arrived Canadian Corps (3,868 casualties) advances 6 miles taking 12 villages; 5,033 PoWs and 161 guns; Australians (3,000 casualties) take 7 villages; 7,920 PoWs and 173 guns.
Battle of Montdidier begins (see 15th): General line advanced to Plessier-Rozainvillers, Beaucourt, Caix, Framerville, Chipilly, and west of Morlancourt.
The ‘BLACK DAY OF THE GERMAN ARMY’ IN THIS WAR (Ludendorff War Memoirs). From a German headquarters BEF obtain map of all Siegfriedstellung (‘Hindenburg Line’) dug-outs, emplacements, HQs, OPs, dumps, railheads, billets, balloon sheds and landing grounds between river Oise and Bellicourt. BEF loss under 9,000 soldiers and 109 tanks (8 to 1 anti-tank gun).
German soldiers taken PoWs on the ‘Black Day of the German Army’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Schwarzer-Tag-Gefangene.jpg?ssl=1
Australian troops with a tank on the Western Front: © IWM (E(AUS) 3883): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026841667586928640
British Mark V tank at Lamotte-en-Santerre at the Battle of Amiens: © IWM (Q 106497): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027110935331262464
British troops with a large group of German prisoners at the Battle of Amiens: © IWM (Q 9195): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027141132122292225
German prisoners captured by the French at the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027201546608685057
The opening day of the Battle of Amiens sees the Royal Air Force and French Air Forces with approximately 1,900 aircraft available and opposed by only 365 German aircraft in this sector. Record losses of aircraft in 1914-18 air combat– 83 Allied plus another 52 RAF planes written off (90 casualties), 49 German during Battle of Amiens. Some German pilots (including Goering) 10 hours in air successfully defending Somme bridges (14 permanent) from 205 RAF sorties (12t bombs dropped). 9 RAF fighter squadrons drop 1,563 bombs and fire 122,150 MG rounds at ground targets (until August 9). RAF shoot down 9 German balloons, ace Beauchamp-Proctor shares in all these kills.
The Victoria Cross is awarded to Captain A.F.W. Beauchamp-Proctor, a South African of No.84 Squadron, Royal Air Force. His work was described as "almost unsurpassed in its brilliancy, and as such has made an impression on those serving in his squadron and those around him that will not be easily forgotten."
Remains of a German zeppelin brought down over England: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027171336278425600

Southern Front
Four No 139 Squadron Bristol Fighters destroy 2 of 3 Austrian Albatroses over Pergine airfield (east of Trent) during Emperor Charles’ visit.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: Destroyer HMS Opossum and minelayers depth charge and sink UC-49 off Start Point near Plymouth. 6 Royal Navy destroyers lay first 234 magnetic mines off Dunkirk. Officially designated Sinker Mk1(M) they are prone to explode prematurely, but Germans never discover them.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government inform Finnish Government that they are in no way hostile to Finnish aspirations on the Murman Coast and in Karelia.
Education Act receives Royal Assent.
Reply of Mr. Balfour in House of Commons to Pacifists.
United States: Women members of the New York Police Reserves practice targeting at airplanes with a Lewis machine gun: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1026871874641424384

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Amiens (see 11th): Germans momentarily reoccupy Chipilly north of the river Somme, British with 145 tanks (39 knocked out) and joined US 167th Regiment, capture Morlancourt and Rosieres-Lihons; advance up to 3 miles despite facing 6 German divisions, 3,884 Canadian soldiers capture 8 villages and Australian casualties. British reach Lihons (2 miles from Chaulnes).
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): French 3rd Army advances on Montdidier from north and south, capturing Assainvillers (on south) and Pierrepont (on north).
Allies air losses again heavy, while attacking Somme bridges, RAF loses c.35 of 45 aircraft lost for 3 German planes.
British Mark V tanks, which had their debut in July 1918, on the way to the front line: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/MarkV-tanks.jpg?ssl=1
A camouflaged Mark V tank near Albert during the Battle of Amiens: © IWM (Q 9248): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027474585615249408

Southern Front
Italian air raid on Vienna dropping leaflets, not bombs: Gabriele D’Annunzio organizes daylight leaflet drop; 7 SVA5s and 1 two-seater SVA9 (Palli and D’Annunzio) fly 625 miles San Pelagio-Vienna and back, loitering 30 minutes over city, drop 200,000 manifestos calling on the Viennese to throw off ‘Prussian servitude’.

Political, etc
Russia: News of arrest of Messrs. Lockhart (British Consul-General at Moscow) and Wardrop (British Consul) by Bolsheviks.
United Kingdom: Declaration (dated 6 August) of British Government to Peoples of Russia published.
Appeal of Executive of Miners' Federation of Great Britain to miners to increase output of coal by avoiding unnecessary absenteeism.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Amiens (see 11th): Rawlinson asks Haig ‘Are you commanding the British Army or is Marshal Foch?’ and gets Amiens thrust ended; he has 85 tanks (30 knocked out) in action (38 on August 11, 6 on August 12).
RAF Amiens offensive bombing switches to railways as well, 90 extra fighters bring strength to 480, but Peronne station raid costs 6 of 52 aircraft involved (Peronne attacked 3 times, August 11). Oblt Erich Lowenhardt (53 victories) killed in mid-air collision (Germany’s third ranking ace), one of 15 aircraft lost (38 Allied planes claimed). Captain A Yuille (Sopwith Camel, No 151 Squadron) shoots down first Giant bomber behind British lines near Talmas (night August 10-11).
British tanks going through the town of Hourges at the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027534986851835904
Canadian armored car in action at the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027611777008316416
The ruins of Chipilly a day after it was taken by the Americans during the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027872356050640897
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): Montdidier retaken by French forces (see 8th, and March 27th). Montdidier garrison surrounded and captured by French First Army in 7-mile-advance. 7 new German divisions arrive, drunken Bavarians shout at 38th Division ‘What do you war-prolongers want ?’. The Victoria Cross is awarded to Captain F.M.F. West of No.8 Squadron, Royal Air Force, for gallantry displayed during a low-level attack on German troops far over enemy lines north east of Roye in France, with the co-operation of the Tank Corps.
Second Battle of Lassigny: French Third Army (7 divisions) drives 3-4 miles northeast into German Eighteenth Army flank below Montdidier in (until August 22).
France: Total Allied PoW haul since August 8: 24,000, plus over 400 guns. US First Army operational under Pershing; Colonel Hugh A Drum CoS. AEF combat strength 822,358. Churchill (flew to France on August 8) at BEF GHQ Shell conference.
A carrier pigeon is released from a tank near Albert, France: © IWM (Q 9247): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027580289122488326
British cavalry passing through Beaucourt-en-Santerre, as they pursue retreating German troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027595393222234113
Australian soldiers at Crepy Wood during their attack against Lihons: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027902596147830784

Eastern Front
Russia: Lenin orders anti-German screen troops to Volga despite Trotsky’s doubts (still 37 German divisions in east).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Czechs and 400 Cossacks repulse 5,000 Reds in Stepanovka-Kraevsk area.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Western Atlantic: U-boat gas attack on US Coast Guard station and lighthouse, Smith Island, NC.
As reported in the US Press at the time: August 13, 1918: "German submarine terrorism on a more intensive scale was disclosed tonight when the Navy Department announced that one of the U-boats operating on this coast had made a mustard gas attack off North Carolina. It is probably the same submarine that sank the Cape Hatteras lightship.
This attack was made about 5 o'clock Saturday afternoon. Mustard gas oil was released on the tides which swept in past Smith Island. The gas generated by the floating oil, which is vary volatile in the hot sunshine, temporarily put the coast guard station and lighthouse personnel on Smith Island out of commission. Six men were gassed, but no deaths resulted.
Information from the Coast Guard Station on Smith Island, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, tonight, is that none of the victims of the gas there on Saturday afternoon suffered serious injury. Those who suffered at the lighthouse were the keeper, Captain Charles Swann, his wife and one other, composing the entire crew of the lighthouse, while three of the Coast Guards suffered. A brood of chickens on the reservation was killed, and other animals on the place showed signs of the gas." (New York Times)
North Sea: Harwich Force (4 cruisers and 13 destroyers) off Western Frisian Islands launches 6 CMBs to attack German minesweepers across minefields, but all lost to German seaplane attacks (1 lost), other aim of trapping Zeppelin achieved.
Mediterranean: French troopship SS Polynesien is sunk by the German submarine SM UC-22, resulting in 19 deaths. The ship was carrying Serbian soldier Milunka Savić, one of the most decorated female soldiers in history, who survived the sinking: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027842031962521600

Political, etc
Turkey: Mushaver ul Mamalek, Persian Foreign Minister, resigns (see 11th and January 19th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Amiens: Battle comes to a close, as the initial Allied gains have slowed, and Haig finally recognizes the futility of throwing men against fortified positions.
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): Allied advance between River Avre and and River Oise reaches line Armancourt (south-west of Roye), Tilloy, Cambronne (between Metz and Oise).
British air-raid on Karlsruhe.
France: 9 German bombers raid Calais, cause 47 military and 13 civilian casualties, 100 vehicles destroyed and fire spreads to spare parts worth £ 1 1/4 million for 19,566 BEF motor vehicles.
Western Front, Air: Germans claim 38 Allied planes for loss of 15.
9,074 Canadian casualties since August 8.
Germany: Although counter-attack now stabilizing Amiens-Montdidier line, Ludendorff offers resignation to Kaiser who refuses but replies ‘… we must strike a balance. We have nearly reached the limit of our powers of resistance. The war must be ended.’
The Last Attack: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/letzte-offensive.jpg?ssl=1
German prisoners and British soldiers at a dressing station near Chipilly: © IWM (Q 6943): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027932781941350400
Erich Löwenhardt, killed in mid-air collision yesterday over France at the age of 21: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027947813626363904
King George V inspects a tank demonstration at Sautricourt: © IWM (Q 11144):
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1027963000819523584
Canadian Field Ambulance Men putting on their gas masks during the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028205647979012096
Wounded British soldiers waiting to be evacuated at Le Quesnel: © IWM (Q 7297): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028237104617345024
Canadian soldiers returning on a tank at Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028267316209954817

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: First Japanese contingents arrive at Vladivostok (see 2nd and 24th and September 5th).
Grigory Semenov’s forces defeat Bolsheviks north of Manchuria Station.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: German airship L-53 destroyed off Frisian coast. (Last German airship to be destroyed in the war); this is in connection with the overnight raid of British coastal motor boats on German minesweeping forces. L-53 was shot down by by Stuart Culley in Sopwith Camel launched to 19,000ft from a lighter towed by British destroyer Redoubt.
The L-53: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028297507913310208
Germany: Reinhard Scheer replaces Henning von Holtzendorff as CNS. Franz von Hipper to command High Seas Fleet. Hindenburg and Ludendorff tell Scheer on August 12 that only U-boats can win the war.

Political, etc
Russia: Arrival of German Embassy (Helfferich) from Moscow at Pskov.
United Kingdom: American soldiers arriving at Liverpool on the Chinese troopship Elpenor: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028174238623182848
Turkey: Mushaver ul Mamalek reappointed Persian Foreign Minister (see 10th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): Lull in operations (until August 20), Australians take Proyart. King George decorates US 33rd Division Doughboys.
Allied advances continue with the “Hundred Days Offensive,” as mobile warfare resumes on the Western Front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028661151591227393
Germany: Kaiser relieves Crown Princes William and Rupprecht of Ninth, Eighteenth and Second Armies, all heavily engaged at Amiens and formed into Boehn’s new Army Group (until October 31) whose Seventh Army goes to Magnus von Eberhardt.
British soldiers extinguishing a fire caused by German air raid against Calais: © IWM (Q 11222): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028569299689136128
French troops accepting a cigarette from a Canadian soldier at the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028599493263065089
Canadian medics passing by a tank during the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028629693795319809

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Georgia: Bicherakov (c.2,200 men) captures Derbent; Red warship foils Dunsterville’s bid to recall him.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: British 10th and 60th divisions’ raids on Gharabe Ridge (164 casualties) and east of Nablus road cause 570 casualties and take 14 MGs (over 239 Turkish PoWs). Lawrence and Lieutenant-Colonel Joyce meet Buxton’s force at El Jefir east of Hejaz Railway, reach Azrak in armored car on August 14.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Eastern Mediterranean: U-boat sinks British transport Anhui (4 die) off Cyprus.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: 30,000 see British Scientific Products Exhibition (250 firms) in London (until September 7).
Italy: Speech of Sr. Giovanni Giolitti on reconstruction after War.
United States: Liquor sale ban on railways.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): French capture Belval (1.5 miles south from Lassigny).
Fifty Sopwith Camel fighters (including No 17 US Aero Squadron) mount a surprise raid on Varssenaere airfield west of Bruges, destroy 28-38 aircraft.
German guns captured by the Australians at the Battle of Amiens: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028920360362823680
American troops forming up as they prepare to advance following an artillery barrage against German positions near St. Barbe: © IWM (Q 69956): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028950553668280320
Soldiers from the British Army Service Corps help French women with the harvest at Cayeux: © IWM (Q 11229): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028980756830466050
Lothar von Richthofen, brother of Manfred von Richthofen (Red Baron) and German ace with 40 victories, is shot down and wounded for the third time. Lothar survives, but he is seriously injured and does not fly for the duration of the war. https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029012265314467840

Eastern Front
Volga: Stalin declares state of siege at Tsaritsyn, bourgeoisie to dig trenches.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Convoy escort armed trawlers depth charge and sink coastal submarine UB-30 off Whitby.
Mediterranean: 17 destroyer-escorted fast storeships from USA have docked at French ports, via Spanish waters, since July 1, 4000t per day discharged by autumn.
Italy: Italian Navy deliberately sinks the outdated cruiser Etruria to make it seem Austro-Hungarian agents (turned double agents by Italy) were successful in their sabotage: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1028997168877772800

Political, etc
Among Allied Powers: The Czechoslovaks declare War on Germany. [October 28th is officially accepted as the date of entry into the war of Czechoslovakia as a belligerent nation. This was the date of the declaration of independence at Prague. On August 13th the declaration was made in the name of the Czechoslovaks as a people.]
Germany: Admiral Eduard von Capelle, German Minister of Marine, resigns (see 15th and March 15th, 1916). [note: there is confusion over the exact date: although his resignation was engineered by Erich von Ludendorff, and seems to have been requested in August, other sources state that he didn’t retire until October. It is possible that he tendered his resignation in August, but didn’t make it effective until his October retirement. Whatever the actual date of his retirement, his successor was Paul Behncke.]
At Spa Paul von Hindenburg and Erich Ludendorff, Prince Max von Baden, Chancellor and Foreign Minister, agree war cannot be ended militarily.
Russia: Release of Messrs. Lockhart and Wardrop.
Appeal of General Mikhail Dieterichs to Allied Naval and Military Commanders at Vladivostok for help.
United Kingdom: British Government recognize the Czechoslovaks as an Allied nation (see June 3rd and September 3rd).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): German retreat from River Ancre begins; evacuation of Beaumont-Hamel, Serre, Puisieux, Bucquoy. North of Oise French capture Ribecourt.
Lys salient British establish posts south and east of Vieux Berquin (60 miles east-south-east of Hazelbrouck).
French soldiers in their trenches: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Franzosen-Graben.jpg?ssl=1
RAF has flown 700 sorties and dropped 571 bombs on bridges (mainly 112lb) since August 8 without inflicting serious damage. Rene Fonck destroys 3 German aircraft (8 admitted losses for 29 Allied).
Armenian refugees at an American military hospital in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029027378293612545
A French sailor and a British soldier with two women on a beach at Cayeux: © IWM (Q 11480): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029042481290203137
British cavalry near Demuin: © IWM (Q 78691): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029284030561366016

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Nos 144 and 45 Squadrons reinforce RAF.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Germans 60 miles inland from coast at Angoche.

Political, etc
Germany: Ludendorff recommends immediate peace negotiations. Emperor Charles and Kaiser meet for last time at Spa, Arz warns ‘Austria-Hungary could only continue the war until December’; Austrians plead for peace. Kaiser instructs Hintze to seek Queen of Holland’s mediation but only to aid German recovery.
United Kingdom: Allied Propaganda Conference, at Crewe House, London (until August 17) opened by Northcliffe.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Battle of Montdidier (see 15th): French complete capture of Lassigny Massif by capture of Alliche farm. British cross Ancre to Thiepval Wood and make progress between Beaucourt (north of Albert) and Puisieux (north-east of Beaucourt). Battle of Montdidier ends (see 8th).
Haig refuses to obey Foch’s order from August 11 for attack on Roye-Chaulnes, but will attack north of Somme (c. August 21).
Last bombardment of Paris by German long-range gun (see March 23rd).
Rupprecht warns Prince Max of Baden ‘Our military situation has deteriorated so rapidly that I no longer believe we can hold out over the winter; it is even possible that a catastrophe will come earlier.’
A Canadian 60-pounder battery in action, August 1918: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/kanad-60-Pounder.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: German fighters break up Allied formations, claim 25 Allied aircraft for 4 lost.
British troops in the damaged neighborhoods of Caix: © IWM (Q 61209): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029315461731835904
British Royal Engineers constructing a railway in the destroyed town of Villers-Bretonneux: © IWM (Q 56897): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029345668790472704
Australian soldiers digging a trench at Proyart: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029375865627529216
Ruins of Morlancourt after its capture by the Allies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029677850473975808
British soldiers of the Directorate of Agricultural Production tending to cabbages near Vimy Ridge: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029754615976407046
Phosphorous bombs go off at night at Gondrecourt-le-Château: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029845202813562880

Eastern Front
Kuban: White “Volunteer” Army captures capital Ekaterinodar (Denikin enters on August 16).

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Action of Bairam Ali (Trans-Caspia): Trans-Caspian Government defeated by Bolshevik forces.
Georgia: Announcement of British troops at Baku (on west of Caspian Sea) and at Krasnovodsk (on east of Caspian, terminus of Central Asiatic Railway).

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Heavy shelling exchanged between Red field batteries (until August 17) on August 16 and HMS Suffolk 12-pounder in armored train. Siberian Regional Duma meets in Tomsk.
First American troops land in Vladivostok, joining Japanese, British, and French troops in the intervention against the Bolsheviks.
Bactrian camels used to pull sleds in Siberia for the British troops participating in the intervention against the Bolsheviks: ©IWM (Q 114808): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029406076217819136

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Harwich Force destroyers Ullswater and Scott sunk (torpedo and mine respectively) escorting Dutch convoy.
A painting of HMS Ulleswater sinking by Charles Pears: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029739516192546817

Political, etc
Germany: Vice-Admiral Paul von Behnke appointed German Minister of Marine (see 13th).
Meeting of Kaiser Wilhelm and Emperor Charles at Main Headquarters.
United Kingdom: Portuguese and British soldiers at a sports meet at Horsham, England: © IWM (Q 28083): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1029709309440086018
United States: Relations between U.S.A. and Bolshevist Government in Russia severed.
Spain: Spanish Note to Germany re: shipping losses.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
The first massed low level attack by the Royal Flying Corps on an enemy airfield is carried out, when 65 Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5s, Sopwith Camels, Bristol Fighters and de Havilland D.H.4s attack the German aerodrome at Haubourdin. No British aircraft are lost.
Anglo-French advance on Roye progresses.
German counter-attack at Damery (north-west of Roye) repulsed.
New German Fokker D-VIII (originally designated the E-V) parasol monoplane fighter (Jasta 6) scores first victory out of 18 claimed.
Fokker D-VIII: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/fokker-dviii.jpg?ssl=1
Germany: First RAF raid on Darmstadt by No 55 Squadron, 3 D.H.4s lost to fighters.
Pershing requests return of 3 out of 5 US divisions training with BEF.

Eastern Front
Northern Russia: Whites occupy Shenkursk, 175 miles south-south-east of Archangel.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Japanese General Otani commanding Allied expedition, arrives at Vladivostok.
Sir Charles Eliot appointed British High Commissioner in Siberia.
Czechs foil Red landing attempt on Lake Khanka. Regnault (ex-French Tokyo Ambassador) made Allied representative at Vladivostok (August 21).

Political, etc
Russia: Vladimir Lenin tells Moscow Party that young people must be won over.
Slovenia: National Yugoslav Council Meeting at Laibach.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon begins: French capture Caesar's Camp trenches (west of Roye) and Canny-sur-Matz (north-west of Lassigny).
New advance of French in angle between Oise and Lower Aisne, with c.2000 yards gained, and over 2,000 PoWs (until August 18).
British gunners watch a French battery firing their 75-mm mle 1897 field guns: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Schneider-75mm-battery.jpg?ssl=1
French advance 1 mile north of Autreches.
Patients at a convalescent depot playing in the sea at Trouville: © IWM (Q 11194): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030119515332464640
British soldiers watch a performance by a concert party on a stage set next to a ruined building: © IWM (Q 11503): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030134612457078790
Women workers making cloth to be used for sandbags at a factory in Dundee: © IWM (Q 110010): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030149728137355270
American troops on a rifle range: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030164818282598404
Wounded New Zealand soldiers at hospital in Wisques France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030422765311074309
American, French, and British sailors with a performing dog: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030452975062446087
American troops riding on a donkey cart in Lucy, France: © IWM (Q 80261): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030483177419231237

Eastern Front
Reported defeat of Bolsheviks on Ussuri front by Czechoslovaks.
Northern Russia: 2/10th Royal Scots march through Archangel behind US Marine band, reach Bereznik on river Dvina by barge on August 31.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Dunsterville arrives at Baku in SS President Kruger, 2 battalions follow, inspects defenses on August 18 while defenders lose Fatmai village on northern flank.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Arrival of U.S. troops at Vladivostok.
Announcement of re-capture of Irkutsk by Czechoslovaks and Siberian troops.


Naval and Overseas Operations
US cargo ship USS West Bridge is hit by 2 torpedoes from the German submarine U-107, killing 4. However, the crew save the ship from sinking, and it is later towed to port and repaired: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030179910189559809

Political, etc
United States: The Martin MB-1 biplane, the first purpose-built bomber by the U.S., makes its first flight: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030392562975162368

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: French advance between Oise and Lower Aisne, capturing plateau about Nampeel and village of Nouvron-Vingre.
British advance in Flanders begins: Action of Outtersteene Ridge. British British Second Army (671 casualties) advances between Vieux Berquin and Bailleul, capturing Oultersteene and 697 PoWs.
British 13-pounder Horse Artillery moves forward; it shows how robust horse-towed field guns had to be: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/13pdr-horse-art.jpg?ssl=1
A British creeping barrage: © IWM (Q 6990): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030724747284426752
Lorraine: AEF gas attack at Mervillor near Baccarat: 800 US projectors fire 12t phosgene (250 gassed, 30 killed).
Current leading US ace (94th Squadron) David Putnam (12 victories) shot down and killed.
British troops at a convalescent depot in Trouville watching a boxing match: © IWM (Q 11197): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030513361639940097
American troops conversing with old French women at Lucy, France: © IWM (80260): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030754947195969536
Wounded British troops in a trench at the Action at Outtersteene Ridge: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030785144452521984

Eastern Front
Volga: Over 30,000 Red troops transferred from West since July 25.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: Merv (Trans-Caspia) taken by Bolshevik forces (see November 1st). [Approximate date.]

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Cossack machine-guns repulse Red River Ussuri crossing south of Runovka. 2 more Suffolk 12-pounders back defence though Japanese refuse gun battery (August 17), but c.3,000 Allies retreat 6 miles to Syvagino by train after Cossack lines stormed on August 20.

Political, etc
United Kingdom: British Government announcement re: representation of Dominions in Imperial War Cabinet.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: North of Oise French capture Le Hamel; between Oise and Aisne French capture Morsain. Merville retaken by British forces (Lys sector) (see April 11th). Total German prisoners taken by the Allies today number over 3000.
Somme: French First Army takes over Canadian Corps line; latter transferred to British First Army (night August 19-20).
Direct artillery hit on a German military hospital place: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/volltreffer-verbandsplatz.jpg?ssl=1
German prisoners, guarded by a British soldier, duck for cover as a shell explodes behind them: © IWM (Q 6952): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030815350668046336
German prisoners, including a child, captured by the British: © IWM (Q 6958): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030875742140342272
French soldiers inspect a crashed Sopwith Camel aircraft of the RAF: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031108524393291776
A cathedral at Noyon, France damaged by fighting:
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031138724418138112
A temporary open-air kitchen used by German prisoners at a POW camp in Marseilles, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031168925785047043

Eastern Front
Successful Bolshevist attack on Ussuri front. Allied line withdrawn 6 miles.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Channel: British Folkestone shore-controlled minefield sinks coastal submarine UB-109.

Political, etc
Russia: People’s Commissariat for Military Affairs decreed.
Italy: Italian newspapers begin discussion re: difference in foreign policy between S'ri. Vittorio Orlando (Premier) and Sidney Sonnino (Foreign Secretary).
United States: American Girl Scouts working on their war garden near Cincinnati, Ohio: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1030845551246536704

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: Charles Mangin’s 12 divisions and 220 tanks advance 3 miles between rivers Oise and Aisne, taking 8,000 PoWs (‘another black day’, Ludendorff), reaches Oise on August 21, but repulsed north of Soissons on August 22. Foch letter to Clemenceau says victory in 1919.
Somme: Since August 8, Canadian Corps (11,822 casualties) has advanced up to 14 miles on a 6-mile front, liberating 65 square miles and 27 villages, capturing over 9,000 PoWs, nearly 200 guns and over 1,000 MGs and mortars.
French troops in the ruins of a church at Corcy: © IWM (Q 78898): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031199127932207105
American soldier wearing a rubber suit to protect against gas attacks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031440726880673794
British troops wrestling on horseback at the 1st Corps Horse Show at Bruay, France: © IWM (Q 11181): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031470915782107136
A group of New Zealand, Australian, and South African soldiers and a woman member of the New Zealand Volunteer Service on leave in Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031501134245101572
A column of French Renault FT-17 tanks at the village of Nampcel: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031532568900976640

Southern Front
Albania: Austro-Hungarian counter-offensive (until August 26): Colonel-General Karl von Pflanzer-Baltin flown in to command XIX Corps including fresh 45th Division and Bulgarian 12th Division (43 battalions) vs Giacinto Ferrero’s 23 Italian battalions (13,000 sick ion August).
Albanian volunteers of the Austro-Hungarian Army: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/albanian-volunteers.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: British and Arab attacks continued against Hejaz Railway.
Siberia: British War Office announces Japanese to be advancing beyond Nikolaievsk (at mouth of Amur).

Political, etc
Germany: Speech of Dr. Wilhelm Solf (German Colonial Secretary) in reply to Mr. Balfour's speech of 8 August 1918.
Russia: Central Executive Committee abolishes right of individuals to own land. Lenin’s letter to Armenian workers.
France: Committee of Representatives established by Inter-Allied Food Council.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: French capture Lassigny.
Second Battle of the Somme 1918 Phase 2 begins with the Battle of Albert 1918 (21st/23rd) (see September 3rd): BEF Third Army’s 9 divisions with 1,294 guns (486 heavy), 500 tanks, c.120 aircraft in intensely hot weather. Prelim fog and smoke-aided advance of 2-3 miles, gains 2,000 PoWs and reaches Arras-Albert railway as planned. German Seventeenth Army counter-attack held on August 22.
Second Battle of Bapaume 1918 begins (see March 24th and September 3rd): British 4th Army attack north of River Ancre on 10-mile front between Beaucourt-sur-Ancre and Moyenneville.
British troops advancing towards Achiet: © IWM (Q 11504): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031806879226310656
British heavy 12-inch howitzer is firing: https:..i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/brit-12in-how.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, air: All 80 parasol-wing Fokker D V-III withdrawn due to structural failures (reinstated after modifications October 24). Fog hampers RAF support of tank-led BEF Albert Offensive, but No 73 Squadron does attack German anti-tank guns (and on August 23). Germans claim 37 Allied aircraft for loss of 7. Night bombing including 12t bombs on Cambrai rail junction (repeated August 22-23). First flight of French Nieuport-Delage NiD 29 fighter.
American troops with a 47 mm one-pounder gun at Abele, Belgium: © IWM (Q 79424): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031562781026394113
British machine gunners at night training as a mine is set off in front of them in Rombly, France: © IWM (Q 6972): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031625688623792129

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Reported Bolshevist advance towards Grodekoro (on Kharbin-Vladivostok Railway).

Political, etc
France: Announcement of appointment of M. Eugène Regnault (ex-French Ambassador at Tokyo) to be French representative at Vladivostok.
United Kingdom: Speech of Lord Reading re: U.S.A. and War.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: French advance on Noyon, to Quierzy (south of Oise) and to River Divette from Evricourt to mouth (north of Oise).
Second Battle of the Somme: Albert and Bray-Albert road recaptured by British forces (see 21st, and March 26th). 1st Australian Division shatters 2 German counter-attacking divisions. Haig tells army commanders ‘It is no longer necessary to advance … step by step’. 32 Allied divisions have beaten 42 German divisions on 47-mile front since August 8.
Haig diary ‘Foch’s strategy is a simple straight forward advance by all troops … to keep the enemy on the move’.
Germany: No 104 Squadron loses 7 D.H.9s over Karlsruhe and Mannheim.
British troops duck as a German shell bursts near them: © IWM (Q 6963): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031837076608696320
A Scots Guardsman giving water to a wounded German prisoner: © IWM (Q 6983): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031867280513216512
French Renault FT-17 tanks advancing in the Aisne area: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031912585963204608
A New Zealand soldier reading a newspaper in a captured German trench near Puisieux: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031942790832431105
German prisoners being led through Bucquoy: © IWM (Q 11219): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1031957888913350656
British Whippet tanks advancing towards the town of Achiet-le-Petit: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032174299325583360
Funeral ceremony for an American soldier in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032204500243808256
British Mark V (armed with machine guns or “female”) tanks advancing through Meaulte, France after its capture: © IWM (Q 7302): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032234701052891137
New Zealand troops in shell holes as German artillery lands in the distance at Achiet-le-Petit: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032256092158480386

Southern Front
Albania: Last Central Powers’ military success in full swing, regaining Devoli and Semeni river lines.
Austro-Hungarian Army stormtroopers on the Balkan Fronts in 1918: https//i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/oesterr-sturmtruppen.jpg?ssl=1

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Japanese detachment joins Grigori Semyonov at Manchuria Station.


Naval and Overseas Operations
Britain: Battlecruiser Hood launched by John Brown yard on Clyde, completed May 1920.
North Sea: U-boat sinks US Belgian Relief Commission ship Gasconier off Haugusemb in Norwegian waters, kills 6 and wounds others firing on lifeboats.

Political, etc
Russia: Statement of Allies at Archangel of aims.
United Kingdom: British Prime Minister Lloyd George states that without women’s help in the war effort, “Great Britain, and, I believe, all the Allies, would have been unable to withstand the enemy attacks of the past few months.”

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: British attack on front of 33 miles from Mercatel (5 miles south of Arras) to Lihons (north-west of Chaulnes).
Second Battle of the Somme: Main attack by BEF Third and Fourth Armies now on 33-mile front supported by 100 tanks, former advances 2 miles, across Arras-Bapaume road (5,000 PoWs taken), advancing on Bapaume from north and north-west. Australians capture 2,000 PoWs and 23 guns, Bray and Chuignes (including one 15-inch gun, disabled 9, used from July to shell Amiens 15 miles to West); 4 Fourth Army divisions continue advance by moonlight. Around Albert British capture high ground to east. South of Somme British capture Chuignolles (on Peronne road).
British private wearing shirtsleeves, shorts, cap and puttees escorts German PoWs to the rear during Second Battle of Albert: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Brite-Shorts-KGs.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: 2 German Jasta 34b fighters disable 2 British tanks with armor-piercing ammo, one is Bavarian Oblt Ritter von Greim’s 23rd (of 26) victories (last Luftwaffe C-in-C in 1945). Wireless Central Info Bureau co-ordinates RAF ground attacks.
A British Royal Engineer fish by throwing a bomb into a canal at Le Sart, France: © IWM (Q 6991): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032295106290888704
British troops recapture the town of Albert, France: © IWM (Q 11206): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032317747676545024
The destroyed cathedral of Albert, France after its capture by the British: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032514034711572481
Two British soldiers take cover as a German shell lands in front of them at Meaulte, France: © IWM (Q 7089): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032544239245295616

Eastern Front
Volga: Red First Army defeats Czechs, retakes 3 villages south of Kazan.

Southern Front
Albania: Austro-Hungarians renew attacks on Italian positions.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Battle of Dukhovskaya (until August 24): Allies win first real action vs Reds, regain Krevsk position, take 2 MGs and destroy 2 armored trains but little Japanese co-operation. Grigori Semyonov advances from Manchuria Station and defeats Bolsheviks.

Political, etc
Russia: Vladimir Lenin tells Moscow Polytechnic Museum meeting that world revolution will come, time not predictable.
United Kingdom: Lord Robert Cecil (Assistant Foreign Secretary) on Dr. Solf's speech of 20 August 1918.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: Comparative lull, although the French advance slowly.
Second Battle of the Somme: British advance on Bapaume, capture Bray (south of Albert), Thiepval Ridge (north-east of Albert), Miraumont (west of Bapaume), Biefvillers (north of Albert) and reach Avesnes les Bapaume (western outskirts of Bapaume).
Flanders: British 55th Division captures Givenchy Craters.
British officer holds a Webley revolver when leading his men: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/brit-offizier-webley-revolver.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: Both sides’ night bombers active, RAF vs 4 rail junctions, Boulogne hit by 37 bombs; but 2 German aircraft downed by No 151 Squadron Sopwith Camel. No 48 Squadron loses 10 Bristol Fighters on ground to 5 German raiders (night August 24-25).
A downed RAF pilot is captured by the Germans and led to a dressing station: © Q 108871: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032574438171205633
British soldiers engage with German troops outside of Albert, France: © IWM (Q 11256): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032604640947396614
British troops advance on a 25-mile line south of Arras, forcing the Germans back up to 2.5 miles. Shaded areas represent Allied gains since July: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032634847280484353
A Whippet tank on the way to aid New Zealand soldiers capture Biefvillers: © IWM (Q 7016): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032891532066664448
New Zealand troops use captured German 4.2” (105mm) guns against German positions near Grévillers, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032921731789410304
American and Japanese Red Cross Commissioners in Paris, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032953241942876165
Sandbags line the columns and walls of Amiens Cathedral to protect it from German attacks: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1032983453367762946

Eastern Front
Successful attack of Allies on Bolsheviks, who retreat to Kraevsk, (Ussuri front).

Southern Front
Albania: Austrians recapture Fieri and Berat as Italians withdraw to Malakastra heights north of river Voyusa (until August 26). French conform.
Salonika: Tank Corps Captain D Mackay arrives to investigate possible use of tanks, rules it out on September 14.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Battle of Dukhovskaya: Bolsheviki decisively defeated by Allied forces. [Japanese, with one British battalion.]
Announcement of tunnel, 39 miles east of Lake Baikal, blown up by Bolsheviks.
Coup d'état by General Horvat at Vladivostok (see July 10th). General Horvath topples Colonel Tolstov from White command in Vladivostok (Allies disarm 400 Horvath men on August 26).
Clemenceau appoints General Janin (still in France) C-in-C Allied Forces, Major-General Knox to head British Military Mission.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: von Lettow crosses river Likungo and storms Numarroe from 2 KAR coys and 6 MGs (44 killed and 43 PoWs plus 2 MGs lost).

Political, etc
United States: U.S. House of Representatives pass Man-Power Bill (336 votes to 2).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: Lull continues.
Second Battle of the Somme: British troops now again hold Albert-Bapaume road, Mametz Wood, 2nd Division recaptures Behagnies and Sapignies, north of Bapaume.
Western Front, Air: RAF attack two German airfields, loses 2 D.H.9s but shoots down 3 German fighters. Germans claim 19 Allied aircraft for loss of 10.
Germany: 2 Handley Page bombers (Lawson and Purvis) “devastatingly” dive-bomb Mannheim Badische Anilin Works from 200ft and 500ft (night August 25-26).
German soldiers captured by New Zealanders in the battle for the village of Grévillers: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033013709956898817
A destroyed German lorry near Grévillers. Due to the German shortage of rubber, the wheels are ironshod: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033028793164869632
New Zealand troops launch an assault on the city of Bapaume. New Zealand and British infantry moving out with a Mark V tank near Grévillers: © IWM (Q 11262): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033257684416507904
Armored cars on reconnaissance near Biefvillers: © IWM (Q 7036): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033287882021199872
American troops, led by a band, on the way to the front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033319347081621504
A RAF pilot and a Red Cross nurse participate in a blindfold race in the Royal Air Force Sports Day at Rang-du-Fliers: © IWM (Q 9266): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033349541549027330

Eastern Front
Volga: Czechoslovaks occupy Kazan.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Germans unable to fly any recon over British lines (until September 14) after loss of 2 aircraft from Jasta 301 between August 25 and 31.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Hungary: Government expels Jews and confiscates their assets.
Germany: Berlin rioters smash pictures of the Kaiser.
The Kaiser visits the Krupp works in 1918 to keep the workers on their toes. Fearing unrest, several divisions are stationed around Berlin: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Kaiser-Arbeiter-Krupp.jpg?ssl=1
Germany accepts Spanish terms re: Spanish losses caused by submarines.

[dicksbro]

Continues to be a fascinating account of a fascinating war. Thanks! And, to think, here we are just a few months away from the end of the war.

[gekkogecko]

Smack deep in the middle of the "100 Days Offensive" which pretty much ended the war, in fact. And we can see, the garbage Nazi propaganda that the German Army was not defeated in the field is part of the "Big LIe" strategy.
Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: Lull continues.
Second Battle of the Somme: German 10-mile retirement on 55-mile line south to north of Noyon-east of Peronne-Bapaume-Lens (night August 26-27). Ludendorff overrules army group commanders urging major retirement (up to 70 miles) to Antwerp-Meuse position (Verdun-Sedan-Charleroi-West of Brussels-Antwerp).
Second Battles of Arras 1918 begin with Battle of the Scarpe 1918 (see 30th, March 28th and September 3rd): British 1st Army attack Germans on River Scarpe, capture Monchy-le-Preux (south of Scarpe) and reach outskirts of Roeux (north of Scarpe).
Tank Mk V and New Zealand infantry after the capture of Grevillers: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Tank-V-NZ-Inf.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: Somme: A No 59 Squadron R.E.8 calls down artillery fire on 3 bodies totalling 1,500 German infantry. Fokker D-VII fighters (1 lost) destroy 6 of 9 US No 17 Squadron Sopwith Camel fighters over Bapaume-Cambrai road.
Artois: 5 RAF fighter squadrons support BEF First Army with 553 bombs and 26,000 MG rounds for loss of 5 aircraft (646 bombs and 47,570 MG rounds, 6 aircraft lost on August 27).
Canadian troops launch an offensive east of Arras, capturing Monchy-le-Preux. Canadian doctor attending to a wounded German prisoner near Arras: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033622591649538048
New Zealand troops attempt to encircle the city of Bapaume. A New Zealand artillery gun being towed by horses past an abandoned tank: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033682992722526208
A captured German officer talking in French with a Canadian officer near Arras: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033713189710704640
Two canaries perch on top of a cigar held by a British officer: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033743387885805568

Eastern Front
Kuban: Volunteer Army captures Black Sea port of Novorossiisk (ex-Imperial officers from Crimea able to join); Denikin forms civil admin on August 28.

Southern Front
Albania: Italian retreat over, causes concern for Otranto Barrage’s east end to Commander British Adriatic Force who cables Valona endangered. Comando Supremo sends Puglia Brigade and later 13th Division, plus shifting division to Brindisi as reserve.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Azerbaijan: 1,000 Turks overrun British position (82 casualties) on Mud Volcano, near Baku, at fifth attempt; another company repels 2 attacks on Binagadi Hill, but later (August 31) Turks force unsupported British (36 casualties) off it back 2-3 miles to inner line.
The Ottoman Islamic Army of the Caucasus launches an attack against the city of Baku (it is the last Ottoman offensive of the war). Armenian defenders near the city: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033652791296843777

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Trans-Jordan: Buxton’s force back at Bair; Lawrence leaves for Abu-el-Nissal by armored car to patch up Feisal-Hussein row (until August 30).
Siberia: Allied and Czech patrols disarm 400 Russian volunteers supporting Horvath.

Political, etc
France: Manifesto of Ukrainian National Council in Paris appealing for moral support against Germany.
United Kingdom: Letter of Lord Hugh Cecil on Lord Lansdowne's policy.
United States: War Industries Board exempts movie industry employees from draft.
Finland: Finnish Government repudiates alleged intention of supporting German Murman expedition.
Announcement that Duke Adolf-Friedrich of Mecklenburg-Schwerin no longer candidate for Finnish throne.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: French occupy Roye.
Second Battle of the Somme: Severe fighting north and south of Bapaume. British take Trones Wood (east of Albert). South of Somme, British advance towards Peronne, reaching line Fontaine-les-Coppy-Vermandovillers.
Battle of the Scarpe 1918: British capture Cherisy, Bois du Sart (south of Scarpe), Roeux, etc (north of Scarpe).
A Vickers machine-gun is hidden in farm building during this period of relatively fluid warfare: https://i0.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Vickers-MG-Farm.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier posing with a shell with the message “A Present for Jerry”: © IWM (Q 11261): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1033984980467232770
New Zealand Army transports passing through a recaptured French village: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034015181796519936
A mass of German prisoners taken by the British held near Abbeville: © IWM (Q 9272): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034046639206477825
American soldiers and YMCA women sing around a piano at Aix-le-Bains, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034076838589607937

Southern Front
Turkey: Constantinople bombed by British airmen.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Turkestan: British force occupies Krasnovodsk on Caspian Sea.

Political, etc
Between warring powers: German and Russian Bolshevik Governments conclude complementary treaty of peace (see March 3rd). Russia promises to fight Allies in North Russia and can free troops to move East; Germany to prevent Finland attacking; Russia to pay £300 million in more reparations and allow Germans’ secret use of Black Sea Fleet remnants. Russia to export to Germany 1/3 of her oil once Turks return Baku. Red negotiator Joffe regards terms as ‘… worse than Brest-Litovsk’.
United States: First 2 cases of American ‘Spanish flu’ recognized as such: 2 sailors at Boston, USN Receiving Ship has 106 by August 31. All over East Coast by mid-September. Fuel Administrator bans Sunday driving east of Mississippi.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: General German retreat from the Scarpe to above river Aisne.
Second Battle of the Somme: Chaulnes reoccupied by French. Crown Prince William Special Order claims ‘There is no reason for depression. Even 24 enemy states [actually 23] will not overcome the German nation.’
Battle of the Scarpe 1918: Canadian 2nd and 3rd Divisions (5,801 casualties) have fought more than 5 miles forward astride Arras-Cambrai road since August 26, capturing over 3,300 PoWs, 53 guns and 519 MGs, but II Bavarian Corps clings to part of Fresnes-Rouvroy line.
Western Front, Air: England: August-September No.5 (Operations) Group (Headquarters, Dover) is removed from South-Eastern Area and granted the status of an independent command. The Group is responsible for units in the Kent and Dunkirk area.
A Gun Carrier Tank, with its intended transportable gun removed, is being used as a supply tank near Arras in August 1918: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Gun-Carrier-Tank.jpg?ssl=1
Inside a destroyed church near Bethune, France: © IWM (Q 11259): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034107052396883973
American Tank Corps men practicing a charge on the historic battlefield at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034137249984724992
A Royal Engineer inserts a message into a cylinder attached to a messenger dog, Etaples: © IWM (Q 9276): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034342342575226883

Eastern Front
Volga: Colonel Kappel’s 2,000 Whites just fail to seize Romanov railbridge (Moscow-Kazan line) and Trotsky’s HQ train in Red Fifth Army rear. On August 29 Trotsky shoots 20 men from Red regiment that fled on.

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Turkestan: Affair near Kaakhka. 500 Punjabis (32 casualties) and Whites repel Reds from Merv near Kaakhka.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Japanese report retreat of Bolsheviks to Ussuri.
General Grigori Semenov capture Borzia Station; Bolsheviks retreat towards Onon River.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Destroyer HMS Ouse with help of Blackburn Kangaroo seaplane depth charges and sinks UC-70 off Yorkshire coast.

Political, etc
Russia: Mr. Miliukov leaves Cadets and forms Constitutional Monarchist Party.
United Kingdom: Announcement of retirement of Mr. Page, U.S. Ambassador in London.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of Noyon: Second Battle of Noyon ends (see 17th) with Noyon being retaken by French forces (see March 25th). French also cross River Ailette.
Second Battle of the Somme: Bapaume retaken by New Zealand forces (see March 24th).
New Zealand troops capture the commune of Bapaume, France from the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034766396637564928
Battle of the Scarpe 1918: Canadians advance nearly 1,000 yards, taking 2 villages on river Sensee.
A British tank stuck in the Scarpe marshes near Fampoux: © IWM (Q 7037): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034796586042310656
Sniper kills British war poet Lt H L Simpson at Hazebrouck. CIGS telegram warns Haig ‘the War Cabinet would become anxious if we received heavy punishment in attacking the Hindenburg Line without success’.
German cemetery of honor for soldiers killed in the Flanders battles of 1914, at which the marching back soldiers said ‘It seems they are well lying there, because they have overcome it’: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/de-friedhof-1914.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: 16 RAF D.H.9s cause fires at Cambrai and Valenciennes stations, but 20 German fighters (4 lost) thwart 12 D.H.9s (2 lost) from bombing Somain station and their 15 escorting Sopwith Camel fighters lose 5. Germans claim 40 aircraft for loss of 4.
A Senegalese veteran writes a letter with his prosthetic arm, Paris: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034372556197908480
Canadian troops on the advance east of Arras as a shell bursts near them: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034402774262448130
A French soldier looking at German signposts at the newly recaptured village of Tilloloy: © IWM (Q 78991): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034433013852061696
An American wounded soldier learns to operate a typewriter at the Walter Reed Hospital in Washington DC. A special device attached on his arm shifts the keys: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034463212383682563
A tractor pulls a RAF Handley Page O/400 bomber into position before a mission near Ligescourt, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034705981031292928
French FT-17 tanks move up to support French troops near Juvigny: © IWM (Q 69945): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034736179541958657

Naval and Overseas Operations
Spanish S.S Casara torpedoed and sunk by German submarine.

Political, etc
Russia: British Embassy at Petrograd attacked by Bolshevist troops; Captain Cromie, Naval Attache, killed.
Bulgaria: Visit of Kaiser Wilhelm to Tsar Ferdinand of Bulgaria at Nauheim.
United States: Mr. John Ryan to be Assistant Secretary of War, with title and functions of Director of Air Service.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Somme: British advance on Peronne, crossing Somme at Feuilleres (west of Peronne) and taking Clery (north-west of Peronne).
British advance towards Cambrai, attacking between Haucourt and Hendecourt (north and south of Arras-Cambrai road).
Violent fighting at Bullecourt (south of Hendecourt).
Battle of the Scarpe 1918: Battle of the Scarpe, 1918, ends (see 26th). Germans retreat on Lys front; Bailleul retaken by British forces (see April 15th).
Meuse: US First Army now has 16 divisions. John Pershing concentrates 3 AEF (I, IV and V) Corps and 1 French (II Colonial) with 3,020 (1,329 French) guns; 267 tanks; 1,500 aircraft (609 US-piloted) round St Mihiel Salient (until September 11).
Aisne: US 32nd Division (over 2,600 casualties) storms Juvigny in 2 1/2 mile penetration (until September 1) as Charles Mangin crosses the Ailette and turns east behind Chemin des Dames with 300 tanks in support.
AEF now holds 90 miles of front (68 miles on July 30), BEF holds 87 miles.
Wounded French soldiers with their pet peacock at a hospital in Pau, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034826798608121856
Stretcher bearers of the Seaforth Highlanders resting near Rœux during the Battle of Scarpe: © IWM (Q 7014): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1034856987471822850
Bapaume, France, after its capture by New Zealand troops from the Germans: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035068368443858946

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Trans-Jordan: First 600 supply camels begin 300-mile march to Azrak. A camel supply column used by British forces during the campaign in Palestine: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Nachschubskamele.jpg?ssl=1
Mesopotamia: Publication of General Marshall's first dispatch re: Mesopotamia.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Action at Lioma (until August 31): Paul von Lettow attacks camp from 3 sides but is repulsed as Kartucol arrives, losing 95 casualties (including 29 Europeans), 200 carriers, ammo, baggage and medical stores. Kartucol just fails to trap Lettow, having pursued 435 miles in month.

Political, etc
Austria-Hungary: Count Stephan Burian notifies Berlin of Austrian intention to take independent peace action.
Russia: Attempt on Vladimir Lenin's life in Moscow. Lenin wounded (pistol bullet through hip, another in shoulder) by Socialist Revolutionary Dora Kaplan (executed on September 4).
United Kingdom: Lieut.-General Sir C.F.N. Macready, Adjutant-General, Home Forces, Great Britain, resigns (see February 22nd, 1916, and September 11th, 1918).
Government welcome to Mr. Samuel Gompers (President of American Federation of Labor).
London Police strike.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Somme: Second Battle of Bapaume (until September 3): British Third Army with tanks and armored cars.
Australians capture Peronne: After crossing the river 5 miles south of Peronne 1,320 men of 2nd Australian Division drive German 2nd Guard Division (over 700 PoWs) off Mont St Quentin, 1 mile north of Peronne (until September 2). Rawlinson calls it ‘The finest single feat of the whole war’ (8 Victoria Crosses won). Pershing letter to Foch insists on integral US First Army.
Cambrai: 3 German tanks attack British lines near Bapaume but repulsed by artillery fire; 2 captured.
Flanders: Germans evacuate Mt Kemmel.
Battle of the Scarpe 1918: Battle ends.
Germany: During August Germans disband 10 divisions to stiffen remainder.
Britain: BEF (108,712 casualties including some to September 3) has taken 63,579 PoWs and 870 guns among total German August loss of 228,000, only 130,000 German replacements available.
France: French troops (c. 100,000 casualties) take 31,000 PoWs and 890 guns during August.
AEF: Tank Corps receives 144 Renault FT-17 light tanks.
Western Front, Air: No. 110 (Hyderabad) Squadron RAF reaches France, equipped with Liberty-engined D.H.4s. RAF August aircraft losses a record so far with 215 planes (French 55) but record 948t bombs dropped (French drop 550t). During August Germans claim record 655 Allied aircraft for record loss of 174.
Britain: All London Air Defence Area squadrons fitted with radio telephone linked to central operations room (September 12).
Refugee French women making straw hats for the French Army. The work provides them with their livelihoods: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035143873188773889
Scottish pipe band playing in the ruins of La Petite Place (Place des Héros) in Arras, France: © IWM (Q 78700): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035174074329296897
Franklin D. Roosevelt, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, takes a break from his tour of naval facilities in Europe by fishing in Black Water River, Scotland: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035204281761181697
A British soldier inspecting a German war grave: © IWM (Q 9284): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035462219369250821
A Royal Engineer with a gas-proof homing pigeon box, which allows him to attach messages to the pigeon without exposing it to the outside air. Roye, France: © IWM (Q 9288): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035492420325199872
Two German A7V tanks in Frémicourt: © IWM (Q 37344): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035522637949227008

Eastern Front
Bolshevik position 75 miles south of Archangel on Vologda Railway carried by Allies.

Southern Front
Aegean: RAF Aegean Group has 116 aircraft (38 seaplanes).
Italian Front: 3 No. 45 Squadron Sopwith Camel fighters claim all 6 Austrian fighters encountered over Allied lines.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: The 3 Czech Legion groups link up to control whole Trans-Siberian railway.

Naval and Overseas Operations
In August Allied and neutral shipping lost to U-boats: 104 ships (41 British with 217 lives), 278,876t (British 145,7211); U-boat figure 154 ships worth 310,180t including 38 ships of 71,490t in Mediterranean (1 ship with 2,209t to Austrians); 7 U-boats sunk (2 to unknown causes).
Mozambique: Action at Lioma (until August 31): British attack Germans successfully near Lioma, un Lurio valley, and drive them south.

Political, etc
Russia: Volga: Josef Stalin letter to Lenin says Cossacks breaking up, asks for Caspian naval force including 2 submarines.
Fanya Kaplan is arrested for the attempted assassination of Vladimir Lenin: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035098563871744002
Moisei Uritsky, head of the Cheka (Soviet secret police), is assassinated by Leonid Kannegisser. This assassination, along with the assassination attempt on Lenin, provokes the Red Terror. Moisei Uritsky: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035113668818677760
United Kingdom: London Police strike settled; men return to work.

[gekkogecko]

72 Days until the Armistice
Western Front
Second Battle of the Somme: Second Battle of Bapaume (until September 3): Capture of Peronne completed; British take Bouchavesnes and Rancourt. British 52nd and 57th Divisions finally secure Bullecourt and Hendecourt after fighting since August 28; BEF Third Army clears eight more villages east and southeast of Bapaume (until September 2), has gained 8-13 miles with 11,000 PoWs from 23 German divisions since August 21. 5th Australian Division reoccupies Peronne (until September 2) after 2nd Australian Division captures Mt St Quentin. 3 British divisions capture 4 villages and farm to north. Amiens salient eliminated.
Australian troops successfully capture the strategic Mont Saint-Quentin, which overlooks Péronne and the Somme River. Painting of the battle by Fred Leist: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035583023834652672
Flanders: British 30th Division (Second Army) recaptures Neuve Eglise and Wulverghem (September 2). and make general progress south of Scarpe.
French advance continues north of Noyon; above Soissons they capture Leury, Juvigny, Coucy and other places.
BEF peak 1918 estimated strength of 1,916,464 soldiers (record 163,635 Canadians).
Western Front, Air: Germans claim 27 Allied aircraft for loss of 8. RAF F.E.2b night bombers attack 3 defended villages in front of BEF First Army with 300 bombs (night September 1/2/3, tactic repeated on September 18).
Britain: 16,224 American mechanics have arrived to work and train with RAF (3,931 by March 1).
Germany: During September the number of RAF raids peaks, with 62.
A crashed plane burns as Canadian troops advance on the Arras front: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035820825016979456
A British soldier poses with the bombs of a downed German Gotha bomber: © IWM (Q 11914): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035851021732470785
A platoon of Australian infantry in the morning mist: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/zug-austral-inf.jpg?ssl=1
Field Marshal Douglas Haig reviews Canadian troops near Drocourt and Quéant, France, where the Germans had set up a defensive line: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035570449730727937
Troops of the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers advance in Flanders: © IWM (Q 7022): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035881222789054464

Eastern Front
Germany: During September 3 German divisions and Austrian 106th Division leave for Western Front.
Urals: In September Future Soviet Marshal V K Bliukher leads the 10,000-strong South Urals Partisan Army, having marched 1,500 km in 40 days of continuous fighting to attack the White forces from the rear. Becomes the first Order of the Red Banner winner (instituted September 16).
South Russia: By now White Volunteer Army 35,000-40,000 strong (Lieutenant-General Wrangel joins from Crimea on September 7).
Russia: In September Aviadarm formed with 315 planes (mainly Anglo-French made) to support Red Army.

Southern Front
Italian soldiers in the trenches along the Piave River: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035552826892734465

Eastern Front/West Asia Border Theater
Georgia: Turks begin attack on Baku.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: By now White Siberian Army has 38,000 men and 70 guns.

Naval and Overseas Operations
USA: Shipping Board has 331 Allied and neutral ships on charter worth 1,084,986t.
Mediterranean: Only 8 of 979 ships sailed in convoy lost (during September).
Allied Otranto Barrage Force: 280 ships including 31 destroyers; 8 submarines; 10 sloops and torpedo boats; 36 US subchasers; 153 trawlers.
Eastern Atlantic: 3 US battleships stationed at Berehaven (Southwest Ireland) to cover Atlantic convoys from surface attack, sail for that purpose in October.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Somme: Second Battle of Bapaume (until September 3): Battle on 23-mile front; Canadian Forces of First Army, supported by tanks, break through Drocourt-Queant "Switch" line, (Wotan sector of Siegfried (Hindenburg Line)) in 4 hours from 0500 hours: 1st and 4th Divisions (7 Victoria Crosses won) break through and reach open country except on extreme left, 57 tanks in support. Advance defeats 11 German divisions south of Scarpe, capture Cagnicourt and Villers, encircle and take Queant by nightfall; 10,000 prisoners.
In Lys sector British also gain ground, and north of Peronne, where Sailly-Sallisel and whole of St. Pierre-Vaast Wood re-taken.
General Mangin continues advance north of Soissons, captures Neuilly and Terny Sorny.
Ludendorff issues order for second phased retirement to 4 armies shortly after 1400 hours – in south to main 10-mile deep Hindenburg position, in north behind and along Canal du Nord (average fall back of 13 miles). BEF has advanced average of 14 miles on 26-mile front since August 21, taken 46,241 PoWs for c.89,000 casualties, defeated 66 German divisions (c.115,600 casualties in total). Foch, Petain and Pershing meet.
Canadian troops march forward to attack the Hindenburg Line: https://i2.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/kanad-truppen-hindenburg-linie.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: JG3 destroys 26 Allied aircraft without loss, but up to 90 RAF single-seaters strafe ahead of Canadian Corps. British lose 36 aircraft (including 4 Sopwith Camel fighters of US No 148 Squadron) and 13 balloons, claim 8 German. Germans claim 50 Allied aircraft for loss of 6.
Germany: 5 Handley Page bombers inflict damage of 400,000 Reichsmark on Saarbrücken’s Burbach works (night September 2-3).
A chaplain conducts service in the nacelle of a F.E.2b night bomber: © IWM (Q 12109): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035911422511915014
The ruins of Bailleul after it was recaptured by the Allies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1035941629771886593
German workers, including women and children, inside an airplane factory: © IWM (Q 110343): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036153010282536960
British soldiers shave inside a shell hole near Kemmelberg, Belgium: © IWM (Q 72619): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036183212261879809
American artillery in action at Beaumont, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036243608918220800
Canadians on the advance as German artillery lands nearby: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036273811111505920

Eastern Front
Russia: Red Terror declared (Petrograd Cheka announce 512 executed). Red Revolutionary Military Council formed with Trotsky Chairman. SOVNARKOM accuse anglo-french representatives of plotting.
North Russia: Italian battalion lands at Murmansk.
North Caucasus: Bicherakov occupies Petrovsk. Muslim Chechen overthrow Shura Soviet on September 3.

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Siberia: Czechs from Lake Baikal join Semyonov at Manchuria Station. US Major-General Graves lands at Vladivostok.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: Kurt Beilzen ‘the man who killed Lord Kitchener’ killed when his U-102 is sunk by mines off Northern Barrage.
Britain: Weymss indicates to Beatty that new German naval cipher broken.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Second Battle of the Somme: Numerous battles representing differing aspects or sectors come to an end, including: Second Battles of Arras, 1918 (see August 26th); Second Battle of Bapaume (see August 31st); Battle of the Scarpe. British advance rapidly beyond Drocourt-Queant line towards Canal du Nord, capture Lecluse, Rumancourt and Baralle. Lens occupied by British forces (see October 4th, 1914) after German evacuation and retreat rapidly between Queant and Peronne. In the Lys sector, Allies capture Richebourg-St. Vaast. South of Peronne, French cross Somme at Epenancourt. East of Noyon, French reach outskirts of Salency.
France: Foch issues general order specifying unremitting attacks all along the line.
Germany: Ludendorff secret order deplores defeatist talk by men on leave.
Two well-laden British soldiers in action: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/brit-inf-gefecht.jpg?ssl=1
Western Front, Air: Allies claim 55 German aircraft (Germans admit loss of 8 for 30 Allied).
A British soldier holds up a magpie at a captured German machine-gun post near Péronne: © IWM (Q 11269): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036550648198770688/photo/1
Mounted Australian troops of the 13th Light Horse Regiment near Péronne: © IWM (Q 11325): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036580841504301057/photo/1
Wounded American soldiers and a nurse at a military hospital in Neuilly, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036612296188022786/photo/1
German troops coming back from the Battle of the Bapaume after losing it to New Zealand troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036642522351710208/photo/1
Ruins of Lens, France after its capture by the Allies: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036673960153436161/photo/1

Southern Front
Austro-Hungarians re-take two observation posts from Italians between Mt. Mantello and South Matteo.
Salonika: 6 RAF S.E.5a and Sopwith Camel fighters destroy 4 of 6 German aircraft encountered after lone Bristol photo recon monoplane shot down into Lake Doiran.

Naval and Overseas Operations
North Sea: 6 Royal Navy monitors fire 550 shells (including 52 x 18-inch shells from General Wolfe at 36,000 yards) at Snaeskerke rail junction and bridge 4 miles south of Ostend despite German aircraft bombing (repeated September 29, October 2 and 3).
Neutrals, Chile: 7 of 32 interned German steamers partially sabotaged by crews, but Chilean troops board.

Political, etc
Russia: Fanya Kaplan is executed by the Soviets for attempting to assassinate Vladimir Lenin. The Soviets had abolished executions in 1917, but quickly reversed their decision: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036515405253279745/photo/1
United States: United States Government recognizes the Czechoslovaks as possessing a de facto Government (see August 13th and October 21st).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Germans retreat on wider front; Canal du Nord forced by British and villages of Manancourt and Etricourt carried.
Ruyaulcourt also taken and outskirts of Havrincourt Wood reached.
British reach Moeuvres.
Lys sector Ploegsteert and Hill 63 carried.
Prisoners since 2nd number 15,000.
Germans retreat before French in Noyon pocket, between Canal du Nord and Oise.
French line now passes through Guiscard and Apilly.
Western Front, Air: RAF day bombers raid Valenciennes, Douai and Cambrai, air combat costs 15 RAF and 11 German aircraft.
The damaged town hall of Montdidier, Somme: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036915548112728064
American soldiers occupying a trench near Bazoches, France: © IWM (Q 70707): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036945748376596485
Two British soldiers release propaganda leaflets attached to balloons near Béthune: © IWM (Q 12193): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1036975951823994880
Wounded soldiers enjoying the sun and playing checkers at a hospital in France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037006160421953537

Eastern Front
Obozerskaya (North Russia) occupied by Allied forces (see August 2nd). The Royal Air Force contingent in North Russia assists Allied forces in the capture of Obozerskaya.
United States contingent (Colonel Stewart’s 339th Regiment, embarked Newcastle August 26) lands at Murmansk to join Allied Expeditionary Force (see 2nd).

Southern Front
Britain: Lloyd George approves Macedonia offensive after Adolphe Guillaumat visits London, latter then visits Rome who approve on September 10.
Soldiers of the ‘Armee l’Orient’ in Macedonia (back row, left ro right): an Italian artilleryman, Greek private, Serb private, British cavalryman, Russian private, French private: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/members-armee-lorient.jpg?ssl=1

Political, etc
Russia: R H Bruce Lockhart again arrested. British War Cabinet cable threatens reprisals if British lives not guaranteed.
United States: A bomb explodes at the Chicago Federal Building, killing 4 and injuring 75. 16-year-old Walt Disney was working in the building as a mail carrier, but was uninjured (later writing: “I missed that darn thing by about three minutes”): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037055250560155650
This bombing was used as an excuse by the US Federal Government to raid the offices of the IWW, and widespread suppression of that organization, mass arrests, and convictions of IWW leaders followed.
China: Hsu-Shih-Chang elected President of China (see October 11th).

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Somme sector: British still advance north and south of Peronne; approach high ground on Athies-Nurlu front; local fighting about Moeuvres and Neuville-Bourjonval.
Steady advance of General Humbert's Army from Noyon towards St. Quentin; crosses Somme canal and approaches within three miles of Ham.
Vesle sector (east of Soissons) Franco-American troops drive Germans north towards the Aisne, reaching the river in Conde sector. The french Foreign Legion’s 3rd Battalion storms MG-studded Terny-Sorny, then held at Allemant (September 6).
Meuse: AEF St Mihiel attack set for September 12.
Western Front, Air: RAF reduces low-flying fighter ops to recuperate, losses fall dramatically until September.
Canada: Royal Canadian Naval Air Service founded.
French Schneider Modele 1912 railway gun, dismounted from its carriage onto a turntable and extensively camouflaged for heavy long-range fire support: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/schneider-modell1912-railway-gun.jpg?ssl=1
A British soldier demonstrates a German bicycle frame used to generate electricity in the trenches: © IWM (Q 7046): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037281712944947202
British soldier with an overturned German 10cm gun at Moislains, Somme: © IWM (Q 7043): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037343382618734592

Eastern Front
Ukraine: Hetman Skoropadski in Berlin; 1918-19 Economic agreement signed at Kiev on September 11

Southern Front
Italian and British officers compete at a horse jumping competition at Trissino, Italy: © IWM (Q 25800): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037313168131993601

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Arabia: The Hejez Arabs continue to harry the Turks in frequent raids round Medina.
Persia: Up to 2,000 Turks with 2 guns (11th Caucasian Division) advance along Tabriz road vs 660 British and irregulars, occupy Turkmanchai (September 7) and Mianeh (September 9), patrols reach Zenjan after British Kullan Kuh mountain position outflanked on September 12, but by September 21 recalled to Constantinople.
Siberia: Khabarovsk taken by Japanese forces (see 18th, and August 11th).

Naval and Overseas Operations
American troopship USS Mount Vernon is attacked by the German submarine U-82, killing 36 sailors, but the ship remains afloat: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037251503138983937

Political, etc
United Kingdom: Arrest in London of M. Litvinov and other Bolsheviks, in a tit-for-tat guarantee for the safety of British subjects in Russia.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Flanders: German evacuation of Lys salient complete. On the Amiens-St. Quentin road British press forward.
Germans in full retreat from the Somme.
Ham and Chauny re-taken by French.
In north English troops advance north-west of Armentieres and re-take Bailleul.
Americans reach south bank of Aisne river.
At OHL Conference Hindenburg stresses gravity of situation; Boehn recommends 45-mile retirement to Antwerp-Meuse position, instead decision taken to halt (if necessary) on Hermann-Hunding-Brunhild position, 20 miles back.
BEF field guns and 6-inch howitzers have fired 8,382,200 rounds since August 8.
Parked 6-inch 26-cwt howitzers of the Royal Garrison Artillery: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/6in-26cwt-BL-Howitzer.jpg?ssl=1
Journalists from the British Dominions tour the ruins of Arras Cathedral: © IWM (Q 11291): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037373584535154691
A journalist with some of the messenger dogs of the British Army at Etaples: © IWM (Q 11312): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037630256709025793

Eastern Front
Volga: Stalin reports Cossack retreat over Don from Tsaritsyn.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: In East Africa von Lettow's forces are overtaken on Upper Lurio river near Anguros and attacked by two British columns from south and south-east. Germans retreat west after severe losses in killed and captured (90 casualties plus 30 porters). British force suffers 132 KAR casualties (53 PoWs).

Political, etc
Russia: Colonel Jukums Vācietis (western spelling Vatsetis) made first Main C-in-C of Red Army, Colonel S S Kamenev takes over East Front.
New Zealand: Elizabeth Yates, former mayor of Onehunga, New Zealand and the first female mayor anywhere in the British Empire, passed away: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037600068105396224
United States: The 1918 World Series begins. Boston Red Sox defeat the Chicago Cubs 1-0 in game 1, with Red Sox's Babe Ruth pitching the shutout.

[gekkogecko]

Western Front
Rapid British and French pursuit of Germans, who retreat towards the Siegfriedstellung "Hindenburg Line".
Flanders: Skirmishing in Armentieres-Lens sector.
Somme: BEF Fourth Army retakes Roisel rail junction (Cambrai-St Quentin line), and greater part of Havrincourt Wood. French capture Pithon, Dury and Ollezy, east of Ham, cross Crozat canal at Pont de Tugny and St. Simon after heavy fighting.
Lys sector Germans display strong resistance, for a pause in the Allied advance.
https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037972506999701504
The point where British troops breached the defensive German “Hindenburg Line” at Quéant, France: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038002705967591425
Western Front, Air: Germany: No 104 Squadron loses 5 D.H.9s in Ludwigshafen raid.
British cavalry pass by a captured German artillery gun in the Arras and Cambrai area: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037675565380251649
French President Poincare, General Pétain, and U.S. General Pershing reviewing American troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037705774229798913
American soldiers gather in front of the statue of Marquis de Lafayette in New York City to honor his birthday: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037735994034991106

Political, etc
Germany: Kaiser Wilhelm II conversing with Pavlo Skoropadskyi, the leader of German-backed Ukraine, (background of picture) at Wilhelmshöhe castle in Kassel, Germany: © IWM (Q 23891): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1037660462471675904
Russia: First instalment of Russian War Indemnity to Germany, consisting of £12,500,000 in gold and bank notes is sent from Moscow to the frontier.
The arrival of Russian gold as reparations: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/russ-gold-berlin.jpg?ssl=1
Lenin cables Trotsky ‘Recovery proceeding excellently’.
United Kingdom: Publication by Admiralty of names of commanders of 151 U-boats disposed of by Navy.

[gekkogecko]

Hunh, weird, I wonder why yesterday's post didn't show properly. Ah, well, I still have it, so I'll try again.
Western Front
Germans show increased resistance.
Violent fighting north and east of St. Simon.
Avesnes lost and re-taken by French, who also take Artemps, Happencourt, Fluquieres, Vaux and gain ground both sides of Oise river.
Meuse: Ludendorff orders St Mihiel salient evacuation.
Aisne: US III Corps transferred from the Vesle (crossed September 4) to Souilly.
Over 19,000 prisoners taken by British in past week. Over 150,000 PoWs, 2,000 guns and 13,000 MGs. taken by Allies since 18 July.
German PoW in an Allied camp: https://i1.wp.com/ww2-weapons.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/de-KG-Lager.jpg?ssl=1
France: Foch visits King Albert and Haig (who tells Churchill ‘the Allies should aim at getting a decision as soon as possible’), decides to add Flanders offensive.
Germany: OHL orders signals concerning tanks be given priority. German writer and poet Lieutenant Bernhard von der Marwitz (relative of army commander) dies of wounds aged 28 at Valenciennes Lazarett.
Western Front, Air: German soldier next to a downed British Handley Page O/400 bomber: © IWM (Q 23916): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038032902762770432
Australian Army band rehearses in the ruins of a farmyard at Cappy, France: © IWM (E(AUS) 3325): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038063111314526209
British troops on trucks and horseback travel through the ruins of Écoust-St. Mein: © IWM (Q 7294): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038093319107235843
British cavalry passing through the ruins of Notre-Dame de Brebières in Albert, France: © IWM (Q 11314): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038365090364436480
French children holding gas masks at Marbache: © IWM (Q 60964): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038381585555513347
Australian troops unloading 18-pounder artillery shells: © IWM (E(AUS) 3323): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038411895588495361
German A7V tank captured by New Zealand troops: https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038442081482670080

Asiatic and Egyptian Theaters
Palestine: Turkish ration strength 103,500 soldiers.
Siberia: Junction of the Czechoslovaks at Olovyanna in Siberia with other Czech forces from the east.

Naval and Overseas Operations
Mozambique: Captain Koehl’s rearguard skirmishes with Shortcol at Milweberg.

Political, etc
Russia: Representatives of neutral countries make strong protest against the wholesale arrests and executions carried out in Russia. Soviet-Allied agreement on diplomat exchange.
White “state” conference of 170 delegates at Ufa in Western Urals (until September23), welcomes Allied Vladivostok landings on September 12.
United Kingdom: A woman welder at an aircraft factory in Midlands: © IWM (Q 28182): https://twitter.com/CenturyAgoToday/status/1038334890796875776