May 31, 1916
Sometime in May the first production order for 80 Fokker D.I fighters. A letter of intent was issued in April, so the first 20 are already under construction.
Air War:
0920 Four FE.2b teams share a kill over an "Enemy Aircraft" - E.F. Allen and L.C. Powell in 5235, Dirk Cloete and C.E. Pither in 6354, A.T. Watson and C.L. Blake in 5249, H. Wyllie and Arthur Norbury Solly in 5215. Also involved is AM1 D.R. Chapman in Martinsyde G.100 7280. Arthur Solly is the only one who will go on to become an ace and this is his first victory. Details are lacking for the others.
1120 German ace Max Immelmann and pilots Max von Mulzer and an Unteroffizier Heinemann engage a flight of seven FE.2bs. Immelmann hits one FE.2b which breaks off and runs for home. Immelmann turns to engage another Fee which is attacking Heinemann. Mulzer follows the one that is running away, shooting at it until it lands near the railway station at Inchy. 2nd Lt A. Cairne-Duff and Cpl G.E. Maxwell are taken prisoner, and von Mulzer is awarded victory number 3. Meanwhile Immelmann is firing at the second FE.2 whan his synchonizer gear fails and his own bullets shatter his propeller. Immelmann's quick reaction saves his life as he shuts the engine down and glides to a safe landing. Either Immelmann or Heinemann had scored hits on their Fee, killing observer Lt Lindsey Carlton Powell. Pilot 2nd Lt E.F. Allen gets the plane home safely.
Atlantic Ocean:
French barque
Saint Louis, 320 tons, carrying a load of salt to Newfoundland, sinks off Graciosa Island in the Azores.
For further information on the Battle of Jutland, see
here.