[Sailor Steve]

October 15, 1917



Western Front

Bruges dock raided by British airmen.



Eastern Front

Germans cut off retreat of Russians from Oesel Island to Moon Island via Mole and capture 3,500 prisoners.

Germans advance along Sworbe Peninsula.



Naval and Overseas Operations

East Africa: Lindi column drives enemy on Nyangoa by enveloping movement from north.



Air War:

1215 Canadian RNAS pilot John Hales, flying Sopwith Camel B3832, shoots down an Albatros D.V for victory number 3.

1300 German ace Heinrich Arntzen, in an Albatros D.V, destroys a French observation balloon for victory number 6. The observers parachute safely.

1400 German ace Bruno Loerzer, in Albatros D.V 2299/17, shoots down Bristol F.2b A7244 for victory number 16. 2nd Lt HS. Wellby and AM2 W. Nicol are both taken prisoner.

1510 German pilot Hans Hoyer, in an Albatros D.III, shoots down a Bristol F.2b for victory number 5.

1645 English RFC ace Frederick Sowrey, in SPAD VII A6709, shoots down an Albatros two-seater for victory number 13. This is Sowrey's last aerial victory. He will return to England and command 143 Squadron until the end of the war, then see a post-war career in the RAF. He will retire as a Group Captain in 1940 and live until 1968.

German pilot Franz Büchner, flying an Albatros D.III, shoots down a SPAD for victory number 2.

English RNAS ace Thomas Le Mesurier and observer Horace Jackson, in DH.4 N5967, shoot down an Albatros D.V. Victory number 6 for Le Mesurier and number 5 for Jackson.



Ship Losses

HMT Active III (Royal Navy): The naval trawler struck a mine and sank in the Irish Sea between Grassholm and Skokholm, Pembrokeshire with the loss of all ten crew.

USS Cassin (United States Navy): Action of 15 October 1917: The Cassin-class destroyer was torpedoed and damaged in the Atlantic Ocean 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Mine Head, County Cork, United Kingdom by SM U-61 with the loss of a crew member. She was taken in tow by HMS Snowdrop (Royal Navy). Subsequently repaired and returned to service.

Champagne (French Navy): The passenger ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Irish Sea with the loss of 56 lives.

Garthclyde (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 12 nautical miles (22 km) west of The Lizard, Cornwall (49°55′N 5°30′W) by SM UC-79. Her crew survived.

Hartburn (United Kingdom): The cargo ship struck a mine and sank in the English Channel 10 nautical miles (19 km) south of Anvil Point, Dorset with the loss of three of her crew.

Hovde (Norway): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 11 nautical miles (20 km) north west of the Île de Batz, Finistère, France by SM UC-48 with the loss of a crew member.

Saint Paul (France): The sailing vessel was shelled and sunk in the Bay of Biscay (46°29′N 10°26′W) by SM U-105 with the loss of a crew member.

St. Helens (United States): The cargo ship was sunk in the Atlantic Ocean 100 nautical miles (190 km) west north west of Cape Vilano, Spain (45°57′N 11°19′W) by SM U-105 with the loss of 24 crew.

White Head (United Kingdom): The cargo ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean Sea 14 nautical miles (26 km) north north east of Suda Bay, Crete, Greece (36°13′N 24°33′E) by SM UC-74 with the loss of 23 of her crew.